Lincoln Speedway vendor dies at 79, weeks after testing positive for COVID-19

A longtime Lincoln Speedway vendor has died weeks after testing positive for COVID-19. 

Barry Skelly, who operated a novelty stand at the popular Adams County raceway for more than 50 years, died Tuesday afternoon at UPMC York Hospital, according to Lincoln Speedway. He was 79 years old. 

Skelly tested positive for the coronavirus on July 25, two days after leaving Lincoln Speedway while feeling sick prior to a race. His family said the last social event he had been at prior to that was another race at the same venue on July 18. 

Lincoln Speedway announced Skelly's death Tuesday night with a message from his family in a press release. In a text message, Skelly's son, Mike, thanked well-wishers but did not comment further. 

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"It is with heavy hearts that we share the following message: Barry Skelly passed away this afternoon at 3:57PM at UPMC York Hospital," Lincoln Speedway said in a statement. "A private service for family members only will be held to honor Barry's life. The entire Skelly family thanks everyone for all of the thoughts and prayers that were sent Barry's way, they were appreciated more than you know.

"The loss of Barry will be felt throughout the racing community as he touched countless people with his smile and kindness. Although racing was a large part of Barry's life, he was also a beloved father and grandfather and didn't hesitate to skip a night at the track to spend time with his family."

Skelly was a huge racing fan and began operating a stand at Lincoln Speedway in 1953, according to the press release. He also served as a photographer for the stand. 

According to his family, Skelly began attending races at various venues in central Pennsylvania when tracks reopened at the end of May. He only operated a stand at Lincoln Speedway. 

After attending a race at Lincoln on July 18, Skelly returned to the same track for another race on July 23. He became dehydrated and struggled to breathe while at his stand prior to the race, and was tended to by EMTs. His daughter took him to the emergency room. 

Dillon Mulroy, Skelly's grandson, said his grandfather was not tested for COVID-19 that night, but returned to the hospital the next day after struggling with chest pains and a fever. He was tested and received a positive result by Saturday. 

In an interview on July 27, Mulroy said his grandfather was receiving the maximum amount of oxygen possible through a mask. He said employees at the novelty stand began self-quarantining after his grandfather tested positive.

Mulroy said that he and his family had asked his grandfather not to attend races recently due to concerns that he could get sick if people weren't wearing masks or social distancing around him. 

On July 27, Lincoln Speedway promoter and co-owner Jerry Parrish said the racetrack notified track employees and other vendors about Skelly's positive test when they were notified about it the day he tested positive. Parrish said Skelly was "never under the same roof" as any other vendors and wouldn't have interacted with fans on July 23 since he left prior to the race. 

"He was at the track prior to the race and he wasn't feeling like himself," Parrish said. "He was feeling dehydrated, (EMTs) tended to him and his daughter arrived to take him to the hospital. He was not exposed to any other vendors, so it's good he didn't work that night."

According to state restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, outdoor gatherings in Pennsylvania are limited to 250 or less people. The state is requiring that individuals wear masks in "any indoor spaces and any outdoor spaces where people are unable to follow social distancing."

Parrish said that Lincoln Speedway is suggesting to fans that they wear masks but declined to say how many people were attending races at the venue. 

Anyone attending races at Lincoln Speedway, including vendors, have been required to sign a waiver accepting the health risks of attending a large event during the pandemic. 

Matt Allibone is a sports reporter for GameTimePA. He can be reached at 717-881-8221, mallibone@ydr.com or on Twitter at @bad2theallibone. 

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