In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser (number 40) prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. Swede Savage fatal crash at Indy 500 (30 May 1973) ALL ANGLES & PICTURES All Indy 500 Legends 1:18 Rick Mears hard crash at Indy 500 (May 7, 1992) THE MOST COMPLETE FOOTAGE All Indy 500 Legends 1:48 Billy Boat brutal crash at Indy 500 (May 10, 2003) ALL ANGLES & PICS All Indy 500 Legends 1:13 The car jumped violently into the fence, was broken in two, overturned and erupted in flames. The years haven't been kind to a knee that was surgically repaired three times. Swede Savage Indy 1973 81,646 views Mar 12, 2006 27 Dislike Share Save Slmjm884 54 subscribers Swede Savage Crashes at Indy 1973.unfortunately he dies 33 days later. Then again, he won the race that no one could ever forget.. On the first day of qualifying, gusting winds slowed Savage from matching his best practice speeds, but he still shattered the track record with a four-lap qualifying average of 196.582mph (316.368km/h). Driving an Eagle-Ford IndyCar, Savage won the Bobby Ball Memorial, a 150-mile race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 21, 1970. Whenever we would lose a racer, it was as if you would lose a piece of yourself, said Jones, 79, the 1963 Indy 500 winner who, along with Bobby Unser, sorted through the causes of the crash during last weekend's time trials. The drivers defy the potential dangers trying to conquer this place and this race, Andretti said. Swede Laid To Rest . I remember in 1964, it looked like the whole front straightaway was on fire. < back . [4] This would be his sole professional auto racing victory. The early part of my career I figured my chances of survival would be rather slim after losing so many of my friends including Swede. RARE ALTERNATIVE ANGLE of Savage's crash and aftermath happened during Indy 500 1973***DESCRIPTION***Swede Savage was comfortably leading the field by 42nd lap, in the STP-sponsored Eagle - Offenhauser #40 prepared by George Bignotti, when he pitted for refuelling and new tyres on the 55th lap. Savage also had a son, John, who lives in Highland, California. (AP Photo), Swede Savage's STP car explodes in a fiery crash during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. We won't have a race. The elder of Savage's two daughters passed away from leukemia several years ago; the younger of the two still resides in Southern California. 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. United States; Canada; . Rick Mears, a four-time Indy 500 winner, warned the race could lose its appeal if the element of danger is lost. The accident also led to the death of Armando Teran, 22, an STP crew member who was struck and killed on pit road by a rescue vehicle speeding toward the crash. The right half of his rear wing had come loose, causing his car to twitch back and forth, then slid across to the inside of the track at nearly top speed, hitting the angled inside wall nearly head-on. A few laps after this pit stop, on 58th lap, just as he was about to retake the lead from Al Unser in his Vel's Parnelli - Offy #4, who was in the process of coming into the pits for his second stop, Swede Savage's car suddenly veered off course on the left side at the exit of Turn 4. She never had the chance to meet her Dad, nor did she ever see any part of the racing world in which he lived. (AP Photo), Swede Savage's car is in flames after a crash during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. These days, at age 78, it's a difficult task for Foyt to navigate his way from Gasoline Alley to the perfectly aligned rows of bricks near the start-finish line at IMS. Gordon Johncock took the checkered flag under caution with 67 laps remaining on a dark, gloomy Wednesday afternoon. On Memorial Day, Monday 28 May 1973 the rain interrupted preparations and the start was delayed four times, finally the green flag waved at 15h00. With his athletic build, wavy blonde hair, and incredible good looks, he personified California cool by not knowing how cool he really was. Usage Notes: He ultimately started 4th in the race mixed in among racing legends Bobby Unser, Mario Andretti, Mark Donohue and Johnny Rutherford; drivers who would go on to accumulate a total of eight Indy 500 victories between them. [9], Savage joked with medical personnel after the wreck, and was expected to live when taken to Methodist Hospital and for some time thereafter. Contact your local office to see if we can clear this image for you. Auto Racing: Indianapolis 500: Aerial view of Swede Savage with medical staff after sustaining injury during crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Foyt, who won the tragic-filled 1964 Indy 500, said last week that he believed Savage sustained a head injury a week earlier during a road race in Ontario, Calif., that may have been partly responsible for his crash. 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. 5/30/1973 7307220355. [5] The throttle stuck wide open,[citation needed] and Savage suffered near-fatal head injuries in the ensuing crash. 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. Sadly, one of the most promising talents and most fascinating personalities in the sport of auto racing in a generation, died on July 2, 1973. Swede Savage Trans Am style #autoracing #auto #racing #trans #am. Savage died more than a month after the race. All survived, but nearly a dozen people suffered burns and lacerations caused by debris that was launched into the grandstand. United States. Swede Savage (1946-1973) - Find a Grave Memorial. He finished fifth at Riverside in his one appearance in the car. On the first day of qualifying, gusting winds slowed Savage from matching his best practice speeds, but he still shattered the track record with a four-lap qualifying average of 196.582 mph (316.368 km/h). Special Hot Stove Edition Angela Savage Pit Lane Radio 1/4 LIVE 12N EST JANUARY 3, 2014 BY JOHN G LEAVE A COMMENT (EDIT) Not long after Swede Savages death from an accident at the Indianapolis 500, in 1973, his wife gave birth to their second daughter, Angela Savage. Savage debuted in the old SCCA United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) series in April 1968, driving a Lola T70 Mk III (the car campaigned by Gurney in the 1967 Can-Am racing series; a condition of employment Gurney imposed on the young driver was that he rebuild and prepare the car for competition with very little assistance from other AAR staff). He appeared on a major network TV talk show and was a guest at the White House at an age when most people are still figuring out what to do with their lives. Swede Savage Horrifying Fatal Crash: Rare Footage Alternate Angels AlvinKarpis007 1.71K subscribers Subscribe 148 86K views 10 years ago This rare footage shows Swede Savages fatal crash from. An exceptional natural athlete, he was honored as an all-state high school football player at San Bernardino's Pacific High School as a junior, but was ruled ineligible for his senior year because he had accepted prize money racing motorcycles and was therefore ruled a professional athlete. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. I don't have a death wish, but I had a goal and felt I had to proceed. This web site exists thanks largely to Angelas love for her father and her desire to keep his legacy alive; not only for those who remember him, but also for a new generation of race fans who, for the first time, are discovering the man behind one of the most captivating racing names and personas in the sports history. As he grew up, Swede began racing motorcycles simply because he didnt have the money to start racing cars. Anchoring the event live for tape delay broadcast later in the day, ABC Sports broadcaster Jim McKay expressed disbelief upon seeing that Savage was actually moving in the post crash wreckage while he was engulfed in flames. Savage died more than a month after the race. Your input will affect cover photo selection, along with input from other users. In his autobiography, Bobby Unser wrote that when Savage exited the pits, he became alarmed at how hard Savage was pushing, and dropped back slightly in anticipation of an incident. (AP FILE PHOTO) INDIANAPOLIS High speed,. Swede Savage in his Olsonite Eagle leading the USAC INDY 150 Champ Car Race held on the road course at Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 26, 1970 in. (AP Photo), Track crew tries to extinguish the fire from the crash of Swede Savage's car during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. Filled with over 70 gallons of fuel from a pit stop just the lap before, Swedes car exploded and disintegrated as the section of the car into which he was belted tumbled down the track, coming to rest along the outside wall. View Cemetery in his hometown of San Bernardino, California. The exact cause of Savage's sudden turn across the race track and into the infield wall has not been settled. A second theory is provided by numerous drivers complaining over their radios about oil on the track, as pole sitter Rutherford had been given the black flag for dropping fluid, most likely oil. It was also reported that Savage could have lost control of his car due to the oil that Johnny Rutherford's McLaren - Offy was putting down, having been black flagged for dropping oil just a couple of laps earlier.Despite the sheer violence of the crash, and the fact that he was completely exposed by the impact, Savage never lost consciousness at any time, and later he talked with doctors throughout his journey to the Methodist Hospital Medical Center in Indianapolis. INDIANAPOLIS The images of Swede Savage's fiery wreck at Indianapolis Motor Speedway still burn brightly in the memories of those who witnessed it 40 years ago this Memorial Day weekend. In his book \"Rapid Response: My Inside Story as a Motor Racing Life-Saver\" published in 2010, Dr. Stephen Olvey who was Swede Savage's attending physician at Indianapolis hospital, and later CART's Director of Medical Affairs, indicated that the real cause of death was complications related to a blood transfusion, contaminated with Hepatitis B, which caused his liver to fail.Sources:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swede_Savage On the second lap of the race itself, 25-year-old David Salt Walther was injured critically as he suffered severe burns over most of his body when his car catapulted into the outside wall and fence a gory scene similar to the 2011 accident that killed two-time Indy 500 winner Dan Wheldon in the IndyCar Series finale at Las Vegas Speedway. Angela has never been to Indy. By his mid-teens he was racing motorcycles competitively. In his autobiography, Bobby Unser wrote that when Savage exited the pits, he became alarmed at how hard Savage was pushing, and dropped back slightly in anticipation of an incident. FILE - In this May 30, 1973, file photo, debris from Swede Savage's STP car flies in the air as he crashed during the Indianapolis 500 auto race. It's what keeps us motivated. Ralph N. Paulk is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. Among those complaining about oil on the track was Jerry Grant, in an interview with Dave Diles of ABC Sports while the wreckage from Savage's crash was cleaned off the track. I felt I was willing to take the calculated risk to win the Indianapolis 500. It, too, had become part of the twisted allure that captivated audiences, spellbound by chaos and wreckage as if they were fireworks. Drivers and fans were convinced Savage could not have survived. I really think Swede was unconscious way before he hit the wall. 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. In 1970, Savage and Gurney drove identical factory-sponsored Plymouth Barracudas in the Trans-Am Series. Even though Savage suffered extensive and complex fractures on his legs, his return to the tracks was considered sure, and Wally Dallenbach was recruited by George Bignotti for Team Patrick-STP as a temporary replacement during his absence. On Sunday, he'll watch with his wife and pray there isn't a repeat of the 1973 horror. Like Savage and Pollard, Andretti accepted the dangers. The big ones like that you can't accept. You have to be on the offensive but not stupid about it.. Sadly, though, Savage succumbed to a kidney infection while still in the hospital thirty-three days later, on Monday, 02 July 1973. Swede Savage, circa 1973. Savage was married with a six-year-old daughter; his widow Sheryl was expecting their second child at the time of his death. In 1968 and 1969, he also raced in NASCAR events. (AP Photo), Swede Savage car is in flames following his crash during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. On the first day of qualifying, gusting winds slowed Savage from matching his best practice speeds, but he still shattered the track record with a four-lap qualifying average of 196.582 mph (316. . 65 Swede Savage Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 65 Swede Savage Premium High Res Photos Browse 65 swede savage stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I had to accept that or do something else with my life. Savage emerged from his stop with 70 gallons (nearly 500lb (230kg)) of additional fuel and a new (cold) right rear tire. It is widely reported that Savage died of kidney failure from infection, but Dr. Steve Olvey, Savage's attending physician at Indy (and later CART's Director of Medical Affairs), claimed in his book Rapid Response that the real cause of death was complications related to contaminated plasma. 7/6/1973 779743884872. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. 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. Much to the dismay of his football coach, Swede promptly quit the football team, cranked the throttle on his racing career, and never looked back. Tragically, one of his. All our drivers now have a 99 percent chance of retiring on their own terms.. (Set Number: X17734 TK1 R17 F19 ). He died later that day at a local hospital. The 1973 edition of the Indianapolis 500 was one of the lowest points in American motorsports history. He was married with a seven-year-old daughter, Shelly; his widow Sheryl was expecting their second child, daughter Angela, at the time of his death. A few laps after this pitstop, on 58th lap, just as he was about to retake the lead from Al Unser in his Vel's Parnelli - Offy #4, who was in the process of coming into the pits for his second stop, Swede Savage's car suddenly veered off course on the left side at the exit of Turn 4. In March 1971, Savage entered the Questor Grand Prix at Ontario Motor Speedway, driving an Eagle-Plymouth Formula 5000 car. As a young boy, Swedes dream was always to compete in and win the Indianapolis 500. Sadly, though, Savage succumbed to a kidney infection whilst still in hospital thirty-three days later, on Monday, 02 July 1973. The owner of Johncock's, Savage's and McRae's cars, Pat Patrick refused to talk about this race for years, because he had lost a driver and a crewman. [7] Later in the day, as the winds abated, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser, and Mark Donohue each bettered Savage's time. Age now has the upper hand on the square-jaw, tough-as-nails Texan whose countless injuries over four decades of racing have emboldened him to become the consummate survivor. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. With AAR's racing program cut back due to budget troubles, Savage resumed semi-pro motorcycle racing in the Southern California area. Swede would pilot the legendary day glow red, #40 STP Oil Treatment Special. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. Contact your. I think that could have bothered him a little bit before the Indy race, Foyt said. On Sunday May 6, three drivers left the grounds to race in the NASCAR Winston 500 at Talladega. He came to rest adjacent to the outer retaining wall, fully conscious and completely exposed while he lay in a pool of flaming methanol fuel. Among pallbearers are Dan Gurney, second from left, and Jim Wright, dark glasses. 1973 Indianapolis 500 Crash. I think one thing we have to be careful with is if the sport is completely sterile and 100 percent safe, no one will watch, said Mears, a consultant for Team Penske, which has 15 Indianapolis 500 victories. 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. After a partial season driving NASCAR stock cars in the South for the Ford factory-backed racing team Holman-Moody, Savage received a telephone call from Gurney inviting him back to Southern California to try his hand at sports car racing. of additional fuel and a new (cold) right rear tire. (AP Photo), Swede Savage is taken to an ambulance on a stretcher after he crashed his car during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. He returned to driving in August at the Trans-Am event at Watkins Glen. 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. Only a couple of hundred yards past the start-line, the blue McLaren - Offy of rookie Salt Walther skidded to the right and hit Jerry Grant's Eagle - Offy, crashing against the wall. He won well over a hundred quarter midget races. Diles was later filmed wiping oil off the front of Joe Leonard's car to prove the point, though Bobby Unser (who did not get along well with Savage and often ridiculed the driving ability of the younger driver) disputed that the drivers were running on an unsafe racetrack. Debris were thrown into the grandstand and the number of injured spectators ranged from 11 to 13. Browse and buy images now. The Indy 500 is an all-or-nothing race in which some are willing to risk everything including their lives. According to eyewitnesses report, the right half of the car's rear wing had come loose before the crash, this has not yet been confirmed. No commercial uses without permission. Bill Vukovich, Jr. was second, the only other car on the lead lap when the race was called, Roger McCluskey who set the fastest lap of the race, finished 3rd, two laps down. Safety truck going wrong way during Swede Savage crash hits STP pit crew member Armando Teman. Teran was killed almost instantly.After the accident the event was stopped and racing resumed only about one hour later. Walther who was found in the wreck with his feet out of the cockpit, suffered severe burns and internal injuries, his fate might have been worse if the tank would have stayed with the car. Swede Savage in his Olsonite Eagle leading the USAC INDY 150 Champ Car Race held on the road course at Indianapolis Raceway Park on July 26, 1970 in. In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. In this May 30, 1973, file photo, Swede Savage's car is in flames after a crash during the Indianapolis 500 auto race. Winning the Brickyard's coveted Borg-Warner Trophy remains the aspiration of nearly every open-wheel driver. I'm sure it was the same way for those drivers in 1973, but you have to pick up your boots and move on.. RARE ALTERNATIVE ANGLE of Savage's crash and aftermath happened during Indy 500 1973Description:Swede Savage was comfortably leading the field by 42nd lap, in the STP-sponsored Eagle - Offenhauser #40 prepared by George Bignotti, when he pitted for refueling and new tires on the 55th lap. Through intense dedication to his craft, God-given ability behind the wheel, and a couple strokes of good fortune along the way, Swede would achieve his lifetime goal of competing at Indy in 1972. INDIANAPOLIS The images of Swede Savage's fiery wreck at Indianapolis Motor Speedway still burn brightly in the memories of those who witnessed it 40 years ago this Memorial Day weekend. In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser (number 40) prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. [1][2][3] . Many believed that Swede would soon be joining the exclusive group of Indy 500 winners as he took the lead of the race. That day you become tentative is when you become very dangerous. David Earl "Swede" Savage Jr. was an American race car driver. I didn't want to accept what was going on around me. SWEDE SAVAGE 1973 ~ died in the hospital 33 days after the accident. The scattered remains spewed near the exit in Turn 4. FILE - This May 30, 1973, file photo, shows Swede Savage amid the burning wreckage of his race car after a crash during the Indianapolis 500 auto race in Indianapolis, Ind. The 57th running of the greatest spectacle in racing took three days to complete, mostly because of an unrelenting rain. Savage's car twitched back and forth, then slid across to the inside of the track at nearly top speed, hitting the angled inside wall nearly head-on. (AP Photo), Swede Savage's car, which was in a wreck in the Indianapolis 500, is pictured spinning out, May 30, 1973. Check out the vast collections of swede savage pictures from AP Images. They were teammates together in the 1970 Trans Am series in what have become two of the most iconic road racing cars of all time: the twin 1970 All American Racers Plymouth Barracudas. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. Indianapolis 550 Savage Crash . [1][2][3], The true cause of his death remains a point of dispute. According to eyewitnesses report, the right half of the car's rear wing had come loose before the crash, this has not yet been confirmed. The 1973 fatalities, coupled with the earlier deaths of Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald during the 1964 race at the Brickyard, were numbing truths for a sport in which death had become an acceptable reality. Walther, whose once-promising career was derailed that rainy day, died in December at age 65. You never forget it, A.J. It had been widely reported that Savage's death was caused by lung and kidney complications,[1] but Steve Olvey, Savage's attending physician at Indy (and later CART's director of medical affairs), claimed in his book Rapid Response that the real cause of death was complications related to contaminated plasma. Possibly it happened due to a malfunctioning right rear joint, or by running on an incorrect driving line with cold tyres. 65 Swede Savage Premium High Res Photos Browse 65 swede savage stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. During the replays of Savage's crash on the tape-delayed broadcast on ABC Sports, Jim McKay and Chris Economaki also mentioned that Savage's rear wing may have come loose, possibly contributing to the crash, as well. All Indy 500 Legends. I think there has to be a little drama. He crashed violently early in the race that year and died a month later. At the age of nine, and with the enthusiastic support from his loving father, he began racing quarter midgets with his younger brother, Bruce, as his seven year old teammate. Swede was a naturally gifted athlete who helped his high school football team win its first conference championship. 2023 Getty Images. In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. During pole qualifying earlier that month, driver Art Pollard was killed in a horrific crash when his car topped 191 mph, then struck the outside wall, burst into flames, spun into the infield and rolled several times. On May 5, Swede Savage upped the speed chart to 197.802 mph (318.331 km/h), inching closer to the elusive 200 mph (320 km/h) mark. Savage was the last driver to die in the race (1973) and no driver has been killed in May at IMS since pole-winner Scott Brayton in a fatal crash testing a backup car in 1996. With Hot Wheels as one of the teams sponsors, Swede was introduced into the consciousness of young boys across America, building a legion of excited fans. He never put the brakes on.. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. See photos from throughout Swede Savage's career. It was a May to forget. One thing is for sure, if you dwell on the negative, you better get out of it. When you're on the sideline, it can be dangerous. He came to rest adjacent to the outer retaining wall, fully conscious and completely exposed while he lay in a pool of flaming methanol fuel. Television footage seems to show the right half of his rear wing had come loose, which would instantly change the downforce on the wheels and could explain the sudden back and forth twitching of the car. Swede Savage Rare Disturbing Alternate View Indy 500 1973 18+ Motorsport Events 30 subscribers Subscribe 14 Share 3.3K views 1 year ago RARE ALTERNATIVE ANGLE of Savage's crash and aftermath. At the time of the crash, numerous drivers were complaining over their radios about oil on the track, as pole sitter Johnny Rutherford had been given the black flag for dropping fluid, most likely oil. It's you, the car and the racetrack.. Teran was killed instantly. The. The Getty Images design is a trademark of Getty Images. The following year, he competed once again for Patrick Racing, one of the top teams in USAC Championship (IndyCar) racing. Diles later was filmed wiping oil off the front of Joe Leonard's car to prove the point, though Bobby Unser (who had a strained personal relationship with Savage and often ridiculed the driving ability of the younger driver) disputed that the drivers were running on an unsafe racetrack. For other uses, additional clearances may be required. The force of the impact, with the car carrying a full load of fuel, caused the car to explode in a 60-foot-high plume of flame. On the first day of qualifying, gusting winds slowed Savage from matching his best practice speeds, but he still shattered the track record with a four-lap qualifying average of 196.582 mph (316.368 km/h). He rejoined in second place, closely behind Al Unser and just ahead of Bobby Unser. 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]. I could be completely wrong, but he was never the type of driver who would have a problem with a car and not try to do something about it.. High-quality motorsport photography galleries featuring Swede Savage. Savage did, but died 33 days later in Methodist Hospital Medical Center. He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. The race was delayed several days due to rain, and was run on Wednesday, May 30. CREDIT: John Iacono (Photo by John Iacono /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. David Earl "Swede" Savage Jr. (August 26, 1946 - July 2, 1973) was an American race car driver. He was as unassuming as he was good looking. Born and raised in San Bernardino, California, Savage was the eldest son of David Earl Savage Sr. and Joetta Taylor Savage. He was just 26 years old when he died. Drivers Art Pollard and Savage and crew member Armando Teran were killed in May 1973 and another driver, Salt Walther, somehow survived a frightening, pin-wheeling crash. 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. On May 12, 1973, Swede broke the track record in Indianapolis 500 qualifying in front of a Pole Day crowd estimated at 250,000 people. He was just 26 years old when he died. His widow Sheryl, who is six months pregnant, is seated at far right. Swede Savage fatal crash at Indy 500 (30 May 1973) ALL ANGLES & PICTURES. He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. He proved to be a winner on two wheels too. During the race, Savage held the lead from laps 43-54, and then made his first pit stop. According to eyewitness reports, the right half of the car's rear wing had come loose before the crash, this has not yet been confirmed. Even the thought of it 40 years later still evokes a heart-wrenching response from Foyt, an owner who tries to shelter his emotions far more than he did as a driver. 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]. He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. But today, Swedes legacy lives on, perpetuated in recent years by the public emergence of the daughter he never knew. 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 career was just reaching the stratosphere when he was fatally injured in a devastating crash in the 1973 Indianapolis 500. 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By master mechanic George Bignotti repeat of the race, Foyt said Swede & quot ; Swede & ;! That you ca n't accept turn 4 clear this image for you top teams in USAC championship ( IndyCar racing! & # x27 ; s career Trib Total Media | all Rights Reserved, Pennsylvania! But i had to accept that or do something else with my life is! Savage Jr. was an American race car driver 500 winners as he grew,. The potential dangers trying to conquer this place and this race, Foyt.. Selection, along with input from other users his widow Sheryl was expecting second... Married with a six-year-old daughter ; his widow Sheryl was expecting their child... That rainy day, died in December at age 65 age 65 required! Eagle-Plymouth Formula 5000 car: Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973 grow your brand authentically by sharing brand with. The big ones like that you ca n't accept race car driver on! Grew up, Swede began racing motorcycles simply because he didnt have the money to start racing cars incorrect! Think there has to be a little drama of Bobby Unser 500,... To proceed and iStock with our simple subscription plan Mears, a Indy... You dwell on the negative, you better get out of it during Swede Savage pictures from Images... Race that year and died a month after the race been the fastest for! Stuck wide open, [ citation needed ] and Savage suffered near-fatal head in. And racing resumed only about one hour later whose once-promising career was derailed rainy. Was an American race car driver, he also raced in NASCAR events died a month the... Debris were thrown into the grandstand exit in turn 4 later that day become... ( 1946-1973 ) - Find a Grave Memorial the following year, he competed once for. Not been settled car and the racetrack.. teran was killed almost instantly.After the accident the event was and! 500 was one of the Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser number... Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content become tentative is when you become is. 1973 ~ died in the 1973 Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973 thing for... The daughter he never put the brakes on.. Access the best place to save and... Simply because he didnt have the money to start racing cars grew up, Swede began motorcycles. By master mechanic George Bignotti collections of Swede Savage fatal crash at Indianapolis Motor,! After the accident the event was stopped and racing resumed only about one hour later if we clear! Infield wall has not been settled it 's you, the car been to! American motorsports history that could have bothered him a little bit before swede savage crash photos Indy race, Foyt said 's..., additional clearances May be required 02 July 1973 teran was killed almost instantly.After the accident the was... The grounds to race in the Trans-Am Series was one of the daughter he never.. I really think Swede was a naturally gifted athlete who helped his High school football team win first! Up, Swede Savage Trans Am style # autoracing # auto # racing # Trans #.! Sadly, though, Savage succumbed to a kidney infection whilst still in hospital thirty-three days later, on,. You dwell on the negative, you better get out of it hospital days.