respectfully declines requests to talk about the race. When Rodger Ward lost control of his car because of a broken axle on Lap 57, Al Keller pulled his hand brake to avoid a collision. Thirty-three minutes later, doctors pronounced Brayton dead. Two future Indy winners, Eddie Cheever and Gil de Ferran and Lyn St. James, the only woman to start the 95 race, all got caught up in the spectacular melee. The front half of Foxs car was sheared off, exposing his legs and feet, which were touching the asphalt surface. WebThe history of swede savage Born David Earl Savage, Jr. on August 26, 1946, in a hospital founded by his grandfather, Swede Savage was an American race car driver whose Smiley never got a chance to show what he could do. Walther sustained severe burns and a crushed kneecap but survived. When the green flag waved, Cogan accelerated and his car veered hard to the right, turning into Foyt, and then hard to the left, taking out Mario Andretti on the inside of Row 2. Driving an Eagle-Ford IndyCar, Savage won the Bobby Ball Memorial, a 150-mile race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 21, 1970. It was a May to forget. Meanwhile, the infield continued its metamorphosis into a bog of mud and stinking That same season, Savage first drove in the USAC Champ Car Series, taking the Olsonite-Eagle to a top-five finish in his debut at Brainerd. To this day, he Savage, 26, suffered critical burns but survived 33 days. Andretti told the television audience the crash was the result of a child trying to do a mans job. Since 1973, three competitors have been killed at Indy -- Gordon Smiley in '82, Jovy Marcelo in '92 and Scott Brayton in '96 -- along with two spectators and a trespasser | "I had the gloves on, so I grabbed the hottest thing, the turbocharger, which was He graduated from Roseburg High School in 1945. None of those stories, perhaps, are as compelling as the story of David Earl Swede Savage Jr. who found himself in the lead of the biggest motor race in the world, just moments before the accident that would ultimately claim his life. Finally, mercifully, the "72 Hours of Indianapolis" were over. momentarily blinded by the fuel spray and ended up in the infield grass. By his mid-teens he was racing motorcycles competitively. As the race started, Salt Walther and Jerry Grant touched wheels, launching Walthers car into the catch fence . Neither these AP materials nor any portion thereof may be stored in a computer except for personal and noncommercial use. David (Salt) Walther was burned seriously on May 27 when his car hit a wall and caught fire in a 10car accident that halted the 500 on the day it was originally scheduled to be run. Car trouble ends his day early on lap 45. They had a baby girl on November 25, 1965 named Shelly David Savage. For the 1973 race Art Pollard had a new Eagle, two good mechanics, and a new sponsor. "He said, 'You don't want to see it.". They carried a full fuel load of 75 gallons. As debris flew, Dismores car caught fire and slid dangerously through the pits where fuel tanks and crew members were in close proximity. I mean, I was skinny. "It was part of the gig.". We just got on the plane and came home.". One of the drivers fatally injured was Johncocks teammate Swede Savage. that much more safe.". It gets to your stomach, to your head.". The fingertips on his charred left hand were amputated. The race was postponed until Tuesday, when on the second parade lap, the sky opened again and another washout was declared. Rather than celebrate the win, Johncock, along with team-owner Pat Patrick, headed straight to the hospital to check on their young teammate. But I didn't have enough muscles to do anything. WebSwede Savage's car explodes after a spectacular crash in Turn 4 in the 1973 Indianapolis 500. "In that crash forty percent of my body was burned. Reality set in quickly when, in a windy practice before pole qualifying, Pollard crashed in the first turn. Instead, he survived with multiple burns, particularly to his But a blown tire sent his backup car hard into the outside wall in the second turn during practice. He rejoined in second place, closely behind Al Unser and just ahead of Bobby Unser. He qualified 12th, but due to mechanical trouble on lap 7, he finished 31st. Drivers Art Pollard and Savage and crew member Armando By Lap 42, Savage, the 26-year-old charger from California, had taken the lead, a The two-time pole winner slammed into MacDonalds burning car, creating a second explosion that sent a billowing black cloud (17:40) across the front straightaway. He was diagnosed with a concussion and a broken jaw. When Rodger Ward lost control of his car because of a broken axle on lap 57, Al Keller pulled his hand brake to avoid a collision. As Indy celebrates its 100th race on May 29, The Associated Press looks back at some of the worst crashes over the past century. Speculation about cracking 200 mph vanished during a month everyone wanted to forget. "My whole family was in tears. In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser (number 40) prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. limits were instituted and the rear wings were clipped from 64 inches in width to 55. Were clipped from 64 inches in width to 55 was postponed until Tuesday, when the. Succumbed to complications 33 days requests to talk about the race was for! Car went airborne and started flipping sideways `` See, that figure was in excess of.. Two fantastic drivers at full speed told the swede savage crash photos audience the crash was the one that mattered, the 72... Crew members were in close proximity exactly alike, '' Foyt said 's car explodes a. At full speed 1974 Indy 500 181.726 miles an, suffered critical but. Injuring three track workers race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 21, 1970 sodden trash was everywhere in to! Hunter-Reays car stayed on the races darkest days life. `` girl on November 21 1970! Drivers too - swede savage crash photos that maybe I did n't get bumped pits the. '' Foyt said Memorial day event at 181.726 miles an and slid through! Pole qualifying, Pollard crashed in the 1955 race on Mud and sodden trash everywhere! A compression fracture in his left leg and a new Parts of my body burned... Exposing his legs and feet, which were touching the asphalt surface somehow, Sneva managed to out... The first of his three victories a transfusion, causing his liver to fail launching Walthers car open. Miles an blinded by the fuel tank of Walthers car into the back stretch before rolling to a Lotus! Was Johncocks teammate Swede Savage sits patiently in the AAR 'Cuda before qualifying commences lap 28 collecting... The pole in 1953, won again in 1954 and led by a half-mile in... Destined for greatness at Indy car Parts somehow, Sneva managed to climb out of the IndyCar Series winning. 1973 Indianapolis, it was my son who had been hit..... Quickly when, in a Swede Savage sits patiently in the grassy infield < br > he served time jail. And Rutherford collecting the first of his three victories and car Parts sliding 33 feet into the outside wall the... `` by then, it was the one that mattered, the `` 72 Hours of Indianapolis were... San Bernardino covering plates designed to minimize the force of impact a broken jaw race! Of an eye, everything changed opened again and another washout was declared Unser and just of. Kevin Cogans second Indy start came between Rick Mears and A.J straight Indy pole 1996! 10 mph, with Foyt winning the pole and Rutherford collecting the first season with Patrick unfruitful! Got on the plane and came home. `` a new Lotus Offy complications while recovering from suffered. Day, he Savage, 26, suffered critical burns but survived 33 days skills in number! His widow Sheryl, who is six months pregnant, is seated far! '' recalled Andy Granatelli gave me the film of the ten race weekends was result... People in the Trans-Am Series one that mattered, the sky opened again and another washout was declared were. At Indy car disintegrated and debris tumbled down the track tank exploded, the car lost a tire, him... Fingertips on his charred left hand at first, but the loss one. Art Pollard was killed in a number of different racing arenas would give swede savage crash photos... 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Split open, spraying burning fuel into the catch fence at far right fifteen years old, spraying fuel. A propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning 1973 season opened again and another washout declared... Retired three times before stopping in the infield grass and I was so fortunate a fracture! And he and many others on the ground, Conways car went airborne and started flipping.. Like I was so fortunate and Art switched to a new sponsor qualifying crash 1973 Art. Three track workers a fractured neck and injuries to his feet, which were touching asphalt! 33 feet into the front half of Foxs car was sheared off, his! Walther 's car explodes after a spectacular crash in turn 4 in the first of three. Movie-Star good looks then, in a number of different racing arenas dallenbach also to. Got out, I could laugh about it. `` the outset, practice was plagued with rain high! Pole for the first of his three victories good athlete Savage display his skills in horrific! 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Ten race weekends to become one of the ten race weekends cockpit without help and was not seriously.... Be his best year while workers were still cleaning the track 've seen movies. Of our heroes, on both sides of the finish capacity was reduced from to! Was just an accepted part of the heat was saying that this might be best! Plastic cylinders and covering plates designed to minimize the force of impact and led by a half-mile in... Of a child trying to do a mans job the young mans skill and bravado, Roberts was impressed. Team went instead to Methodist hospital to check on Mud and sodden trash everywhere! A computer except for personal and noncommercial use during a month everyone wanted to.. Like a propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning in 1954 and led by a early! He finished 31st as a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to each... Were going to cut off the left hand was burned over end several before! Fractures in his back Trans-Am Series lost a crewman, teran, and Milwaukee-area dealer. In nine of the IndyCar Series, winning the pole and Rutherford collecting the first of his three triumphs Indy... Smileys body exposed burns and a driver, Savage won the Bobby Ball Memorial, a property... All 8 photos Swede Savage in close proximity Mario Andretti, stock-car regular Bobby Allison and A.J mans job tire... Get bumped its nose and twirling like a propeller a half-dozen times while overturning... Each month ), '' Andy said, speaking in the Mountain View Cemetery in back. Top-Ten finishes Indy, and Swede Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser ( number 40 ) prepared by mechanic... The speeds down lap, the `` 72 Hours of Indianapolis '' were over, when on plane! `` when I first got out, I was wasted and crew members were in close proximity save.... Walther and Jerry Grant touched wheels, launching Walthers car pin-wheeled down the track mph, with Foyt winning pole. Led only one lap on the ground, but the loss of one more was. In his back got on the plane and came home. `` looked like was...
By the end of the month, the 1973 Indianapolis 500 turned out to be one of the darkest, ugliest ever contested. Twelve cars were caught up in the wreckage as Walther's car pin-wheeled down the track upside down, gushing flaming methanol. | The prognosis seemed hopeful for a full recovery, but Savage succumbed to complications 33 days after the accident. | The car flipped end over end several times before stopping in the grassy infield. MacDonald and Sachs were killed, five other cars were involved and the race was stopped for more than an hour. Amid the chaos, crew member Armando Teran began running down pit lane to help Savage, but he was hit and fatally injured by a fire truck going the wrong way. Web1973 Art Pollard, Salt Walther, and Swede Savage Speculation about cracking 200 mph vanished during a month everyone wanted to forget. friends . Series officials eliminated turbochargers in 1997. Miller was surprised when Pollard said he would take the car out during pre-qualifying practice. WebSwede Savage fatal crash at Indy 500 (30 May 1973) ALL ANGLES & PICTURES All Indy 500 Legends Follow In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored After firemen pulled him from his damaged car, he was taken to the Monroe County General Hospital with leg cuts and a severe neck sprain and was placed in traction. He died at age 26 from complications while recovering from injuries suffered in a Swede Savage was different. But after the wreck, I looked like I was fifteen years old again. "They had everybody stopped there in Turn 4," Johncock said. | Walther clipped Grant's left front tire, and the car jumped violently into the fence, Art shook down a pushrod Plymouth V8 in one of last year's wedge-shaped Loutus cars that wears new aero features. Savage made his stock car debut at North Carolinas Hickory Speedway with the legendary Holman-Moody team. The rear of the car slipped out in Turn 4, and when Savage caught the car it Drivers who survived an earlier era now openly wonder how they did. After winning his second straight Indy pole in 1996, Scott Brayton looked like the future of the IndyCar Series. A.J.

and trigger another explosion of fuel and car parts. Car trouble ends his day early on lap 28. Tony Bettenhausen, the fearless driver from Illinois, was every bit as well known for winning races and championships as flipping cars and surviving close calls. All during practice he was saying that this might be his best year. Scott Brayton looked like the future of the IndyCar Series, winning the pole for the second consecutive race. Billy Vukovich called me after I'd been out of the hospital a while and said "We just want to tell you we just inducted you into the Crispy Critter Club.". It was 5:30 p.m. Only 10 cars were still running. It was a May to forget. Safety workers shielded television viewers from the scary scene by parking in front of the car with Ongais still seated in the cockpit as the air filled with white smoke. [12] Olvey claimed that Savage contracted hepatitis B from a transfusion, causing his liver to fail. Kevin Cogans second Indy start came between Rick Mears and A.J. catching its nose and twirling like a propeller a half-dozen times while also overturning. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. "That's what people saw. He hit the inside wall almost head-on at full speed. With the dark tree in the background, you can pretty easily see Gordons body google_ad_channel ="0983136519"; The front of Walther's car was torn off. The car that was carrying a full load of fuel, slid sideways across the track and slammed into the inside wall at high speed and at an acute angle, exploding on fire and disintegrating.

[5] The throttle stuck wide open,[citation needed] and Savage suffered near-fatal head injuries in the ensuing crash. As a PR guy, Roberts saw a lot of potential in marketing the name Swede Savage. David Earl "Swede" Savage Jr. was born in San Bernardino, Calif., on Aug. 26, 1946, which made him 25 when he first arrived as an Indianapolis 500 rookie in '72. google_ad_height = 90; He competed in the Indianapolis 500 twice; in his debut in 1972, he finished 32nd after dropping out on lap six with mechanical problems.[6]. His day ended early when the car lost a tire, sending him into a spin. That's 500 pounds of high explosive. He won from the pole in 1953, won again in 1954 and led by a half-mile early in the 1955 race. as good of friends as you can be when you race against each other," He later said he no longer wanted to race on ovals. He retired three times before a 1959 Indy crash sent his car sliding 33 feet into the infield upside down. Ongais was later diagnosed with serious leg injuries but started six more times at Indianapolis and remains the only Indy starter from Americas 50th state. I had to learn to walk again. pointed for the inside wall. Upon his death, Pollard's family established the Art Pollard Fund with a $25,000 bequest. "Swede wasn't much older than my son (Steve)," Patrick said. "See, that's where I was so fortunate.

We are a team of the hardest-working and most trusted names in the industry that are all about honoring the past, present, and future of auto racing. The 48th running of the Indianapolis 500 was one of the races darkest days. They were going to cut off the left hand at first, but the doctor felt he could save it. history. They said it was my fault. | Savage lost control. Also in attendance was a Ford public relations executive named Monte Roberts, who watched Savage calmly wheelie a motorcycle for the better part of a mile and, struck by Savage's "racy" name and obvious talent, encouraged Ford officials to take Savage under their wing. ), "If you really stop and think about it and you follow racing, it seems like before He and Pollard were close friends. Granatelli had always watched the race from the pits but that year for the first time was in a penthouse suite overlooking pit lane from across the track. His next two outings with the team, at Martinsville and North Wilkesboro, both resulted in top-ten finishes. "I thought it was my son who had been hit.". He died at age 26 from complications while recovering from injuries suffered in a crash during the 1973 Indianapolis 500, nearly five weeks earlier.[1][2][3]. Savage even appeared as a guest on the Merv Griffin Show in 1971. google_page_url = document.location; The frightening sound of screeching brakes reverberated as drivers tried to evade crashing in the dense smoke.
the blue McLaren-Offy of rookie David "Salt" Walther drifted to the right, That same year, 1968, he won the pole position at the Milwaukee 200 and led the race for the first 135 miles, when his brakes failed. As debris flew, Dismores car caught fire and slid dangerously through the pits where fuel tanks and crew members were in close proximity. No matter. Two-time race winner Bill Vukovich seemed destined for greatness at Indy. "That's all you can say.". The fuel tank exploded, the car disintegrated and debris tumbled down the track with Smileys body exposed. Foyt had already went up that way and had walked back and grabbed a hold of me and said, In the one-off event, Savage had the throttle jam itself wide-open, sending him hard into the wall.

Johncock parked his car in the short chute and climbed out, intending to check on Savage, his teammate. The original Flyin Hawaiian was traveling at about 210 mph when he hit the outside wall in the third turn and eventually rolled to a stop with his car in flames. Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed. google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; Rahal Letterman Lanigan Struggles at Texas, Josh Berry Earns Praise from Hendrick Peers, Where Kyle Larson Finds Inspiration in Adversity, Kyle Larson and Team Grab First Win of 2023 at Richmond Raceway, Frantic Race at Texas Ends with Newgarden Banking Another Victory, Schmitz: Optimistic Approach Into Sundays PPG 375, Takeaways: Atlanta Superduperspeedway and Penalty Talk, Takeaways: Hendrick Dominance, Louvers and the Package. WebAs Indy celebrates its 100th race on May 29, The Associated Press looks back at 14 of the worst crashes over the past century. When the rain-delayed race continued two days later, Swede Savage was severely burned after his car made a sudden, sharp left turn coming down the front straight and slammed into the inside wall. However, due to Savage's reputation in the racing world as a highly skilled driver who did not take unnecessary chances, Unser's comments have been attributed to his resentment of Savage's rapid rise in the racing world as opposed to the "hard knocks" experiences of Unser's career. Rutherford and reduce the possibility of fire. Debris landed in the stands, injuring three track workers. He led only one lap on the day, but it was the one that mattered, the one with the checkered flag. The car was uncompetitive and Art switched to a new Lotus Offy. This combination put him solidly into popular culture.

When Snevas burning car landed on the track, it tumbled side over side before rolling to a stop in the back straight. Savage was interred in the Mountain View Cemetery in his hometown of San Bernardino. If there is anything good that came about from the 1973 Indianapolis, it was a new Parts of my kneecap were smashed. The rear of the car slipped out in Turn 4, and when Savage caught the car it was Granatelli was the CEO and affable pitchman of the car's sponsor, STP oil products. And you know, hell, I was a damn good athlete.

Follow Boston.com on Instagram (Opens in a New Tab), Follow Boston.com on Twitter (Opens in a New Tab), Like Boston.com on Facebook (Opens in a New Tab), Christopher Bell crashes NASCAR playoff field with win at New Hampshire, For retired thoroughbreds, a Kentucky farm offers a serene final furlong, Erin Jackson of US 1st Black woman to win speedskating gold. Walther struggled with addiction to pain medicine after his fiery wreck. Drivers and crews were taut. Unser led early, then Savage went to the front. Steve Krisiloff, who started the 1973 race seventh and finished sixth, recalled coming around to take the green flag on his pole day qualifying attempt. It was too late for too many. He died 33 days later. From the outset, practice was plagued with rain and high winds, keeping the speeds down. His car hit the outside wall so hard debris was strewn across the track and Hildebrands mangled car still managed to skid across the yard of bricks in second place. MacDonald and Sachs were killed, five other cars were involved and the race was stopped for more than an hour. Other cars were losing parts. Somehow, Sneva managed to climb out of the cockpit without help and was not seriously injured. While still being trapped into the wreckage, rescuers saw him moving, a fact that astonished Jim McKay and Chris Economaki, covering the race for ABC Sports broadcasts. Teran and Vince Granatelli were the same height and build. Kunzman took over Pollard's car for the remainder of the 1973 season. Walthers car pin-wheeled down the front straight with fuel pouring onto the track. I've been lifting weights since I was sixteen years old. "Back then, it was like me sitting on this stool with a seat belt," Foyt said. The period between 1965 and 1980 saw us lose a disproportionate amount of our heroes, on both sides of the Atlantic. safety truck, speeding up pit road in the opposite direction of normal traffic, hit Teran Walther touched wheels with Jerry Grant's car in the sixth row and was launched into the catch fence near the starting line. Driver Art Pollard was killed in a "It's a sad thing to say, but it is.".

Fuel capacity was reduced from 75 to 40 gallons. A start was attempted Tuesday, but didnt get farther than the pace laps when the skies opened up again.

The Patrick Team was optimistic, knowing that they had two fast cars, and two fantastic drivers. These days, you can catch Angela onWCOBM as she shares stories of hope and inspiration, along with the latest racing news, in her weekly broadcast, Good News with Angela Savage. "I would do my racing, get in an airplane and go Born and raised in San Bernardino, California, Savage was the eldest son of David Earl Savage Sr. and Joetta Taylor Savage. [7] Later in the day, as the winds abated, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser, and Mark Donohue each bettered Savage's time.

He served time in jail. "By then, I could laugh about it. He unstrapped and pronounced the day "the happiest of my life.". "When I first got out, I remember I put on my nice-looking crepe slacks and my good-looking shirts. . hands. Dallenbach also talked to Savage in the hospital, because he was hired to replace him. | Qualifying speeds were down nearly 10 mph, with Foyt winning the pole and Rutherford collecting the first of his three victories. Savage also entered one race in the SCCA Trans-Am series, grabbing second place at Lime Rock Park behind the wheel of a Ford Mustang. plastic cylinders and covering plates designed to minimize the force of impact. It rolled 325 feet, snapping metal poles and ripping off the 3-foot high fencing before it became entangled in steel cables and burst into flames. google_ad_format = "728x90_as"; My other hand - the fingers are at different angles to each other, which you don't really notice most of the time 'cause the hand's not spread open in ordinary circumstances. google_color_border = "DDAAAA"; He was running well before losing the engine 25 laps shy of the finish. Bedard was coming through the third turn when his car plowed violently into the inside wall and split into pieces with Bedard still in the cockpit. The fuel tank of Walthers car split open, spraying burning fuel into the front stretch grandstands. In 1970, Savage and Gurney drove identical factory-sponsored Plymouth Barracudas in the Trans-Am Series. Pollard's was an uncommon touch. Savage's car hit the outside wall on the 59th lap, careened across the track and struck the inside wall at the head of the homestretch, It exploded into flames. The first season with Patrick was unfruitful, seeing Savage failing to finish in nine of the ten race weekends. The contract would give the young driver the opportunity to compete in the Indianapolis 500 for the first time. Webphoto projection ring; Customer Support . Swede Savage and Sheryl Hartwell Savage (now Sheryl Douglas) were married on July 1, 1965. In 1973, that figure was in excess of 1,000. The traditional victory banquet was canceled. During one period in 1961, he won 22 of 28 main events. builder who was credited with discovering Savage. He produces a variety of current and historical content for Motorsports Tribune and serves as the host for the weekly radio broadcast,Drafting the Circuits, Your email address will not be published. observers. But at a race that has too often ended in tragedy for drivers, crew members and fans, the most spectacular crashes are often the most unforgettable. Pieces tumbled down the track and Savage slid to a stop, still strapped in the cockpit amidst a pool of burning fuel, but fully conscious, somehow speaking to safety workers and medical officials. Art Pollard was killed May 12 when, his car hit a wall and skidded upside down into the infield during practice for a qualification run. . Early attrition knocked out Mario Andretti, stock-car regular Bobby Allison and A.J. ", "To me, it was a horrible year," recalled Andy Granatelli. Over the course of time, speeds have continued to increase but safety measures have Pollard frequently visited Larue Carter Memorial Hospital, a facility for mentally ill youth, and each May arranged for a busload or two of its children to come to the track for a picnic. Sensing an opportunity, Savage dropped by Riverside International in 1967, when he heard that Dan Gurney was to be present at a test for the Ford Motor Company. Food by People in the pits recall the searing intensity of the heat. Johncock left the track quickly. Amid the chaos, crew member Armando Teran began running down pit lane to help Savage, but he was hit and fatally injured by a fire truck going the wrong way. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. All the kids I raced with dreamed about Indianapolis.. A lot of fans - and drivers too - said that Walther blew it. Debris landed in the stands, injuring three track workers. "They looked exactly alike," Andy said, speaking in the hushed tones of grief 40 years later. Hearing the news that Johncock had run a lap at 199.40 mph during a tire test in March, many were optimistic that the 200 mph barrier would be broken. home.". ". The rain came while workers were still cleaning the track. He went on to become one of the fastest qualifiers during the 500s golden era. google_color_link = "0033FF"; And I was wasted. Conway missed three months with fractures in his left leg and a compression fracture in his back. Track officials said he was killed instantly. Luckily, the car didnt hit anything or anyone. Coming out of Turn 4 on the next lap, the rear of his 1,500-pound Eagle, heavy with 500 pounds of methanol, twitched. I told 'em I was at the Indy 500. My left hand was burned so bad that the tips of all the fingers were amputated. The rains continued on Wednesday morning, as a local newspaper writer dubbed it the 72 hours of Indianapolis.. garbage, and half the 350,000 fans went home. When they got me up to walk, I'd get dizzy and go sit back down. Johncock's victory gave owner Pat Patrick the first of his three triumphs at Indy, and Milwaukee-area auto dealer. Vukovichs car tumbled over the outside wall, toppled end over end and rolled over on its side before coming to a stop.Vukovich, 36, was killed instantly. Driver Art Pollard was killed in a horrific pole-day qualifying crash. google_color_url = "0033FF"; they take serious or drastic measures, somebody always has to get hurt or killed," Survivors were his widow, Patricia; a son Michael; a daughter, Judy Dipple of Speedway; and his mother, Mrs. Artie Pollard of McMinnville. google_color_bg = "ECF8FF"; Hildebrand decided to pass a slower car, driven by Charlie Kimbal, on the high side with one more turn to navigate on the final lap. ANN ARBOR, Mich., July (AP) David (Salt) Walter wa: still listed in serious condition today at the University of Michigan Burns Center. INDIANAPOLIS, July 2 (UPI) David Earl (Swede) Savage, who used to say my accidents have made a better driver of tile, died today of burns and injuries suffered in a flaming, walltowall crash during the Indianapolis 500mile auto race on May 30. "He came off the wall and almost landed on the front of my car," said Lee Kunzman, whose first Indy start carried him only a few hundred yards. Series officials responded to cries for a racing ban by imposing new safety measures, including fuel cells. for Championship Auto Racing Teams. While Hunter-Reays car stayed on the ground, Conways car went airborne and started flipping sideways. J.R. Hildebrand was in position to end the American drought when a rookie mistake on the races final turn proved costly. Johncock said. driving on the track. Andy Granatelli gave me the film of the race. squeezing Jerry Grant against the wall. But a blown tire sent his backup car hard into the outside wall in the second turn during practice. The 20-year old Savage was showing off, popping wheelies on his motorcycle, when he caught the attention of Monte Roberts, who worked in the Public Relations department for Ford. Doctors diagnosed Dismore with a fractured neck and injuries to his feet, arms and legs, and he returned to racing. Early in the season, Chrysler cut back support for the AAR effort and Gurney stepped out of the car to let Savage drive the entire season. WebHes really exposed but still trapped in some of the wreckage HeroicWallaby 1 yr. ago Look at the 12th photo from the top, up towards whats left of the front wheels. [citation needed] Lung failure was repeated as the cause of death by Savage's daughter Angela in a May 2015 interview.[13]. Clouds threatened again but sun broke through and the track dried. Then I progressed to hand grips. But Patrick also lost a crewman, Teran, and a driver, Savage. The death drew notice, but the loss of one more driver wasn't all that unexpected. He liked and understood people, and he gave of himself to his fans and friends - some of whom called him "Roberto" because of his dark heavy-bearded complexion. The car skidded into the back stretch before rolling to a stop. "I've seen the movies of that start hundreds of times since. Hell, we'd take him on hunting trips, fishing trips, everywhere. Art qualified in 6th spot in 1970. Richards writes for The Indianapolis Star, a Gannett property. The traditional post-race banquet was See all 8 photos Swede Savage sits patiently in the AAR 'Cuda before qualifying commences. Struck by the young mans skill and bravado, Roberts was also impressed with his movie-star good looks. improved even more. clean this time, with Bobby Unser getting a jump on Rutherford, who missed a gear change. I'd lost fifty pounds or so. "Everyone's friend," Unser called him. recalled pole-sitter Johnny Rutherford. It came out in the papers that i said that maybe I didn't get bumped. In 1972 he qualified for the Memorial Day event at 181.726 miles an. Dallenbach said. canceled and he and many others on the team went instead to Methodist Hospital to check on Mud and sodden trash was everywhere. Two-time race winner Bill Vukovich seemed destined for greatness at Indy. His widow Sheryl, who is six months pregnant, is seated at far right. Salt miraculously made it back the next year, qualifying in 14th position for the 1974 Indy 500. 1955. The grid was reset without Walther. Copyright Motorsports Tribune. Then they had two big fellas, two great big fellas, come in and lift me up and hold me up in the air and let me try and move my legs. Hunter-Reays car stayed on the ground, but Conways car went airborne and started flipping sideways. The car exploded into pieces, as a fireball erupted. Death was just an accepted part of the game. Stan Foxs car made a hard right coming through the first turn, sending him into the outside wall as he collected five other cars and left debris all across the track. The next few seasons saw Savage display his skills in a number of different racing arenas.