by Richards writes for The Indianapolis Star, a Gannett property. 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. Sachs slammed into MacDonalds burning car, creating a second explosion that sent a billowing black cloud across the front straightaway. Dan Wheldon got his second 500 victory in what might go down as the biggest mistake in Indy history. Auto Racing: Indianapolis 500: Aerial view of Swede Savage with medical staff after sustaining injury during crash at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. google_ad_type = "text_image"; No driver has been killed in May at the speedway since Turbochargers and bolt-on wings introduced in 1972 resulted in an unprecedented spike in speeds that year. A month later, after Savage's kidneys had failed, he died of pneumonia. The race ended after 133 laps with only 10 cars still on the track. hands. The traditional post-race banquet was But with the pole-winning speed jumping nearly 6 mph from 1981, everyone including the 36-year-old Smiley was pushing the limits on Pole Day. 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. The decision cut the pole-winning speed by nearly 15 mph and nearly 18 mph off Arie Luyendyks record four-lap qualifying speed of 236.986 from 1996. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. I mean, I was skinny. 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 much faster Conway had no immediate escape route, and the two cars touched. 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. "That's what people saw. By Lap 42, Savage, the 26-year-old charger from California, had taken the lead, a I had no brows and almost like a burr haircut.

Raw speed ruled. "Back then, about the only way to get a better ride, move up the ladder, was when somebody got hurt or killed," Kunzman said. The front of Walther's car was torn off. Pollard raced at Indy seven times, finishing eighth in the 1967 race. He hit it head-on with enough force to rip the machine in two He died of liver failure, attending physician Steve Olvey wrote in his book, "Rapid Response," due to a transfusion of contaminated plasma. rescue Walther. Foyt went even further, cursing and calling him Coogan on the public address system. Web65 Swede Savage Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 65 Swede Savage Premium High Res "This is what everybody feared," ABC's Jim McKay told the worldwide television audience. Fox eventually recovered from severe head injuries sustained in the wreck but never raced again. Parking 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. 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. The overcorrection forced his car to turn hard to the right and into the outside wall, nose first at speeds approaching 200 mph. Dave MacDonald, a rookie, was moving through the field on the second lap when his car spun coming out of the final turn. remember very vividly See all 8 photos Swede Savage sits patiently in the AAR 'Cuda before qualifying commences. The 26yearold Savage, of Santa Ana, Calif., died in Methodist Hospital, where he had lain in critical condition since the accident. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Art qualified in 6th spot in 1970. Series officials determined the crash was caused by a bolt that fell off, allowing the front axle to twist and forcing the car into the wall. 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. In 1972 he qualified for the Memorial Day event at 181.726 miles an. momentarily blinded by the fuel spray and ended up in the infield grass. He won from the pole in 1953, won again in 1954 and led by a half-mile early in the 1955 race. Swede Savage - driver (died later), Johncock parked his car in the short chute and climbed out, intending to check on Savage, his teammate. The Associated Press WebThis rare footage shows Swede Savages fatal crash from behind instead of the front. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. On lap 57, Savage pitted and took on a full fuel load. He retired three times before a 1959 Indy crash sent his car sliding 33 feet into the infield upside down. //-->,