While in the lead of a race with Bernard Katz alongside, Harry Wirth lost control of his Frontenac Special and crashed into a guard rail. The car rolled over several times causing severe injuries to the driver. Wirth died in the ambulance on the way to South Side Hospital in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York.

Harry Wirth, 25 years old, was a resident of Flushing, New York. He had set a new record of 30.25 seconds for the Deer Park Speedway in Babylon, New York, one week before his death.