Bruce Jacobi

Bruce Jacobi
Born Harold Bruce Jacobi
(1935-06-23)June 23, 1935
Salem, Indiana, U.S.
Died February 4, 1987(1987-02-04) (aged 51)
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
Cause of death Head injuries from racing accident
Monster Energy NASCAR 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) was an American race car driver. In 1987, Jacobi, 51, died of head injuries sustained in a NASCAR race crash 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]

Personal

Jacobi married his wife Ya Da in 1969, and had three children.

Daytona crash

Jacobi came into to the 1983 Daytona Speedweeks without a ride, but picked one up with a smaller independent team owned by Bob Meazell by the time of the UNO Twin 125 qualifiers at Daytona International Speedway.[2] During the first qualifying race[2] on February 17, 1983, Jacobi lost control of his No. 05 Pontiac at the exit of turn two and flipped upon entering the grass infield, eventually coming to a stop near the inside dirt bank.[3] He was taken from Daytona Speedway to Halifax Medical Center for treatment of a bruised brain stem and a severe injury to one of his eyes. Several days later, Jacobi was reported to be breathing with the assistance of a respirator,[4] which by March 11, still at Halifax Medical Center, Jacobi no longer needed.[5] He was flown from Florida to Indianapolis, and then transferred by ambulance to Hendricks County Hospital in Danville, Indiana for further treatment, on March 22.[6]

Subsequent death

Jacobi remained in a semicomatose state for almost four years before dying at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ 1967 Indianapolis 500 media guide "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2012-01-29.
  2. 1 2 Accident footage posted on YouTube at https://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. ↑ AP (1983-02-23). "Injured Jacobi shows no brain activity". The Baltimore Sun. p. E-5. Retrieved 2018-06-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Jacobi serious, stable". Springfield Leader and Press. 1983-03-11. Retrieved 2018-06-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Jacobi flown back". The Indianapolis News. 1983-03-23. p. 16. Retrieved 2018-06-02 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Race driver dies". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. February 6, 1987.
  8. ↑ 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.
Preceded by
Ricky Knotts		 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fatal accidents
1983 (died in 1987)		 Succeeded by
Terry Schoonover
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