Our belief is that the crash was caused when Jeff suffered a medical emergency. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and the FV community lost one of our fellow competitors.
From the blogs:
Jeff was a good man and a tough competitor. And a master bodywork man, too. His restoration of the D13 was remarkable. He was really proud of that car and gave Ann Marie and I the full story and rundown on it on Friday AM. It was hard to deal with his passing on Friday PM. It was even more difficult to race on Saturday especially during and after the Missing Man formation on the AM pace laps. - Harry White
I took some solace without knowing Jeff that this was his passion as evidenced by his restoration of the D13. - John Stofka
He was good Friend and a solid "car guy" that I will miss every day. He loved that D13 and was really proud of how it turned out, he put the same kind of passion and effort into everything he did. He was an interesting guy for sure and like all good friendships we figured out a way to deal with each other, and it worked for twenty years. My life is better for that. - Bob Dowie
I remember last year when Jeff twisted his car very badly at the Glen and contacted me about my D13 as he loved those cars and mine was for sale. He decided to rebuild his I believe as he called me back and asked if I had any spare parts. I sent him a spare exhaust system for the cost of shipping because that's how the FV people are, someone (well many have helped me) and this was my chance to help someone and make a new friend. Jeff was a very nice guy on the phone but I never was able to meet him in person. Just remember that he was doing something we all share passion for. - Mark Filip
I feel blessed that I was able to talk to him twice on Friday. Tom and Nick Galuardi went out and got number 58s for the Vee drivers, and Mike Rand and Mike Brent asked for them also for the Fords and F500s. As Mike Rand put it, " We are all family " Dave Panas, a steward came up with the idea of putting the Vees out front with the missing man formation for the first pace lap, and at the start of the second pace lap, the Vees split apart, and the CFFs and F500s went up the middle, and took their qualifying spots. It all worked very well, and I was very moved by the workers all being trackside with their hats off, and hands over their hearts. Thanks to all of your for the gesture of respect. - Bruce Rodman
Sorry to here the passing of Jeff Bower, He was a good man, always willing to lend a hand when needed. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP Jeff, you will be missed. - Roger Siebenaler , FV-72
Jeff will be missed. The missing man formation lap was extremely emotional for me as we circulated slowly around the track.
It was a great trubute to Jeff to see all the workers and Stewards pay their respect and salute Jeff.
Thank you to the F500 and CFF guys for putting on Jeffs "58". - Tom Galuardi
I was not at the race, but did race with him over the 20 odd years he was involved. Looking at the picture of the car and hearing the effort he put into it - he wanted to make it perfect. I will add to this post if I learn more.
Godspeed Jeff
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