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. He was flown by helicopter to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis where he would soldier on bravely for thirty-three days, fighting for his life. 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. 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. The following year, he competed once again for Patrick Racing, one of the top teams in USAC Championship (IndyCar) racing. But the pain of an inescapable memory is still there in his voice and on his face. All survived, but nearly a dozen people suffered burns and lacerations caused by debris that was launched into the grandstand. He came off (turn) four and never tried to correct (the car). He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. 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. Drivers and fans were convinced Savage could not have survived. 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. Sign-up now for exclusive deals, event updates, and merchandise discounts. (AP Photo), Swede Savage's car, which was in a wreck in the Indianapolis 500, is pictured spinning out, May 30, 1973. That in itself is part of the attraction. 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. SWEDE SAVAGE 1973 ~ died in the hospital 33 days after the accident. 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. Rain hampered practice the first. Swede Savage, circa 1973. Teran was killed almost instantly.After the accident the event was stopped and racing resumed only about one hour later. of additional fuel and a new (cold) right rear tire. 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. 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. He died later that day at a local hospital. Swede raced car #42 and Dan raced an identical car #48. 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. Today, Angela is a mother of two children of her own. 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. 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. 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. More than eleven cars were involved in the accident and the red flag halted the race on 1st lap.Rain returned again and the start was postponed until Tuesday morning. I hated to see someone get killed because so many times I knew (him), Foyt said. Finally at 14h00 on Wednesday, 30 May 1973 the green flag started the race.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 55th lap. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. [1][2][3], The true cause of his death remains a point of dispute. 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. He returned to driving in August at the Trans-Am event at Watkins Glen. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. Among those that were complaining about oil on the track were Jerry Grant, who mentioned so in an interview with Dave Diles of ABC Sports after Savage's crash. Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. David Earl "Swede" Savage Jr. was an American race car driver. Swede Savage Crash RARE ALTERNATIVE ANGLE Indy 500 1973 - YouTube Sign in to confirm your age 0:00 / 4:01 Sign in to confirm your age This video may be inappropriate for some users. Family and friends of race car driver Swede Savage, who died Monday, July 2, of injuries sustained in the May 30 crash at the Indianapolis 500, gather at the grave site at Mountain View Cemetery following funeral services in San Bernardino, Calif., July 6, 1973. We arranged a cast of builders, owner/clients and builder/owners to talk about where the hobby is at, where it's going, and what the stakes are with regard to quality and chasing perfection. Teran was killed instantly. But today, Swedes legacy lives on, perpetuated in recent years by the public emergence of the daughter he never knew. 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. (AP Photo/David F. Smith), This is the explosion of Swede Savage's STP car as he crashed during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. 7/6/1973 779743884872. Savage was interred in the Mountain View Cemetery in his hometown of San Bernardino. Miraculously, Swede survived the violent crash, but was critically injured. 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. Streamline your workflow with our best-in-class digital asset management system. 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. 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. Later in the day, as the winds abated, Johnny Rutherford, Bobby Unser and Mark Donohue each bettered Savage's time. Savage emerged from his stop with 70 gallons (nearly 500 lb.) < back . He had been the fastest driver for much of practice. See photos from throughout Swede Savage's career. However, he died in the hospital 33 days after the accident. 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. Angela Rene Savage was born to Swedes young and beautiful widow, Sheryl, just three months after his death. 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. Gordon Johncock took the checkered flag under caution with 67 laps remaining on a dark, gloomy Wednesday afternoon. 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. [1][2][3] . But Tuesday was wet and the drivers saw the red flag while on their parade lap. Winning the Brickyard's coveted Borg-Warner Trophy remains the aspiration of nearly every open-wheel driver. Access the best of Getty Images and iStock with our simple subscription plan. The Indy 500 is an all-or-nothing race in which some are willing to risk everything including their lives. United States. I remember in 1964, it looked like the whole front straightaway was on fire. The choice is something we all made. As the car spiraled along the front stretch, spectators were doused with fuel. (AP Photo), Swede Savage's STP car explodes in a fiery crash during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. (AP Photo/File), Special Instructions: 5314. Foyt admits he barely escaped the 1973 crashes. Indianapolis, IN 5/30/1973 CREDIT: John Iacono (Photo by John Iacono /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images) (Set Number: X17734 TK1 R17 F19 ) PURCHASE A LICENSE 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. He never put the brakes on.. He rejoined in second place, closely behind Al Unser and just ahead of Bobby Unser. United States; Canada; . Gurney, who owned his own auto racing team and race car construction business in Santa Ana, California, All American Racers, quickly took Swede under his wing and provided him the environment, equipment, and nurturing to develop into a top flight race car driver. Usage Notes: 2023 Trib Total Media | All Rights Reserved, Western Pennsylvania's trusted news source. This content is intended for editorial use only. Savage, still strapped in his seat in a large piece of the car, was thrown back across the circuit. 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. Indianapolis 550 Savage Crash . I didn't want to accept what was going on around me. 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), Swede Savage car is in flames following his crash during the Indianapolis 500, May 30, 1973. (AP Photo). Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. High-quality motorsport photography galleries featuring Swede Savage. The explosion and disintegration of Savage's car still is difficult to watch on video and even more painful to talk about for drivers who need no video to remind them of what happened that day. It was a May to forget. He crashed violently early in the race that year and died a month later. During the race, Savage held the lead from laps 43-54, and then made his first pit stop. Savage was married with a six-year-old daughter; his widow Sheryl was expecting their second child at the time of his death. Swede was a native of San Bernardino, California. Prior approval is required for ALL uses of images depicting SPORTS ILLUSTRATED or GOLF magazine covers, and for ANY use in RETAIL PRODUCTS. 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. 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 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. But the complete Swede Savage story is so much more. The enhanced safety measures have enabled drivers to walk away from other devastating crashes the past two decades. 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. 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. His widow Sheryl, who is six months pregnant, is seated at far right. Savage would survive the crash but die a little more than four months later. He finished fifth at Riverside in his one appearance in the car. On lap 58 Savage, just behind Al Unser, who was about to make a pit stop of his own, and pushing hard in anticipation of a coming rainstorm, lost control as he exited turn four. With AAR's racing program cut back due to budget troubles, Savage resumed semi-pro motorcycle racing in the Southern California area. I think there has to be a little drama. He rejoined in second place, closely behind Al Unser and just ahead of Bobby Unser. 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. (Set Number: X17734 TK1 R17 F19 ). In the 1973 Indianapolis 500, Savage was entered in an STP-sponsored Eagle-Offenhauser prepared by master mechanic George Bignotti. Savage also had a son, John, who lives in Highland, California. Tragically, one of his. Ralph N. Paulk is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. 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). He was interred in the Mt. Walther's 75-gallon fuel tank, which was nearly full of methanol, shattered as his car slammed back onto the racetrack. It's what keeps us motivated. 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 He remains, to this day, the last driver to have suffered fatal injuries in the Indianapolis 500. 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