Bruce Jacobi

Bruce Jacobi
Born Harold Bruce Jacobi
June 23, 1935
Salem, Indiana, U.S.
Died February 4, 1987 (aged 51)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Cause of death Head injuries from racing accident
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career
20 races run over 6 years
First race 1975 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Last race 1981 Mountain Dew 500 (Pocono)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 3 0

Harold Bruce Jacobi (June 23, 1935  February 4, 1987) is a former NASCAR driver. In 1987, Jacobi, 51, died of head injuries from a crash during a race at the Daytona International Speedway in 1983. He had 37 USAC Champ Car starts between 1960 and 1970, with a best finish of fourth at Springfield in 1970. Jacobi also completed rookie refresher testing in preparation for the 1967 Indianapolis 500, but did not attempt to qualify.[1]

Daytona crash

Jacobi came to 1983 Speedweeks without a ride but picked one up with a smaller independent team by the time of the UNO Twin 125 Qualifiers.[2] During the first qualifying race,[2] he lost control of his #05 Pontiac at the exit of Turn 2 and flipped upon entering the grass infield, eventually coming to a stop near the inside dirt bank.[3]

Subsequent death

Jacobi suffered extensive head injuries from the crash and remained in a semicomatose state for almost four years before dying at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.[4][5]

References

  1. 1967 Indianapolis 500 media guide http://indianapolismotorspeedway.com:8080/var/assets/1967.pdf
  2. 2.0 2.1 Accident footage posted on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TniaHqta91w
  3. Long, Gary (February 18, 1983). "The ultimate penalty looms over the qualifying races". Evening Independent (St. Petersburg, Florida).
  4. "Race driver dies". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. February 6, 1987.
  5. Duskey, Gaylen (August 20, 2001). "Danger is always present for drivers". NASCAR.com. Turner Sports. Archived from the original on 2001-08-23. Retrieved 2012-01-15.

External links

Preceded by
Ricky Knotts
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fatal accidents
1983 (died in 1987)
Succeeded by
Terry Schoonover