Remembering when a groundhog got run over at Pocono Raceway

By Tom Jensen, Tom Jensen

Published June 04, 2016

385117 04: Cloudy, one of the groundhogs at Brookfield Zoo in Brookfield, IL., contemplates an exit from her wooden home on Groundhog Day, February 2, 2001. The weather-prognosticating groundhog did indeed see her shadow, a sign that winter will last another six weeks in North America, according to the time-honored custom. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers)

Some Groundhog Days are better than others.

Ever since Feb. 2, 1887, folks have been gathering at Gobbler's Knob once a year to see the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil -- actually a whole progression of Punxsutawney Phils over the years -- prognosticate about the remaining winter weather.

Gobbler's Knob is in Western Pennsylvania and Pocono Raceway is in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Both places are in the Keystone State and both have groundhogs.

Punxsutawney Phil has a pretty sweet life. Unfortunately, the unlucky furry critter in this video does not. Not any more, that is. Not after driver Stephen Leicht ran over him in 2012 at Pocono Raceway. WARNING: Graphic groundhog contact.

Too bad when Leicht's car came whipping around the turn, the groundhog didn't have time to yell, "Don't drive angry!" RIP, groundhog.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/remembering-when-a-groundhog-got-run-over-at-pocono-raceway