Swede Savage was a talented and charismatic American race car driver who died at the age of 26 from complications while recovering from injuries suffered in a crash during the 1973 Indianapolis 500. His death shocked and saddened the racing world, and left behind a legacy of what could have been. In this article, we will explore the life, career, and death of Swede Savage, and try to understand what caused his fatal condition.
Early Life and Career
Swede Savage was born David Earl Savage Jr. on August 26, 1946, in San Bernardino, California. He was the eldest son of David Earl Savage Sr. and Joetta Taylor Savage. He began racing at the age of five, starting with Soap Box Derby cars, then moving up to quarter midget cars, Go-Karts, and motorcycles. He was an exceptional natural athlete, who excelled in various sports, especially football. 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 considered a professional athlete.
In January 1967, Savage caught the attention of Ford Motor Company at a test session at Riverside International Raceway, where he performed a spectacular wheelie on a motorcycle for almost a mile. He was invited by Ford to join their NASCAR stock car racing team Holman-Moody, where he competed in several races in 1967 and 1968. He also received a phone call from racing legend Dan Gurney, who offered him a chance to try his hand at sports car racing. Savage debuted in the SCCA United States Road Racing Championship (USRRC) series in April 1968, driving a Lola T70 Mk III that Gurney had raced in the 1967 Can-Am series. He finished fifth at Riverside in his one appearance in the car.
In 1970, Savage and Gurney drove identical factory-sponsored Plymouth Barracudas in the Trans-Am Series. However, Chrysler cut back support for the AAR effort and Gurney stepped out of the car to let Savage drive the entire season. Savage also made his debut in IndyCar racing that year, driving an Eagle-Ford for Gurney’s All American Racers (AAR) team. He won his first and only IndyCar race at the Bobby Ball Memorial, a 150-mile race at Phoenix International Raceway on November 21, 1970.
The 1973 Indianapolis 500
Savage qualified for his first Indianapolis 500 in 1972, driving an Eagle-Offenhauser for AAR. He started 25th and finished 32nd after crashing on lap 59. He returned to IMS in 1973 with high hopes, driving a new Eagle-Offenhauser sponsored by STP. He qualified fourth with a speed of 197.517 mph, making him one of the favorites for the race.
The race itself was marred by rain delays and accidents. It started on May 28, but was stopped after only three laps due to rain. It resumed on May 30, but was again halted after only two laps due to another crash. It finally restarted on May 31, but tragedy struck on lap 58.
Savage was running second behind Gordon Johncock when he suddenly lost control of his car coming out of Turn 4. His car spun and hit the inside wall at an estimated speed of over 150 mph. The impact tore off the right front wheel and ruptured the fuel tank, causing a massive fireball that engulfed the car and part of the track. Savage was thrown out of his seat and bounced around inside the cockpit as the car slid along the wall before coming to a stop near the pit entrance.
Savage was quickly extracted from the wreckage by safety workers and taken to Methodist Hospital by helicopter. He suffered severe burns on his hands, feet, and face, as well as multiple fractures and internal injuries. Amazingly, he was conscious and alert throughout the ordeal, even joking with his rescuers and giving a thumbs-up sign to the crowd.
The Aftermath
Savage underwent several surgeries and skin grafts to treat his injuries. He seemed to be making progress in his recovery, even talking about returning to racing someday. His wife Sheryl gave birth to their daughter Angela on April 2, three months after his crash.
However, Savage’s condition took a turn for the worse in late June. He developed a high fever and signs of liver failure. It had been widely reported that Savage’s death was caused by lung and kidney complications from infection, 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. According to Olvey, Savage contracted hepatitis B from a transfusion, causing his liver to fail.
Savage died on July 2, 1973, nearly five weeks after his crash. He was buried at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton, California. His death was mourned by the racing community and his fans, who remembered him as a talented, charismatic, and courageous driver who had a bright future ahead of him.
The Legacy
Swede Savage left behind a legacy of what could have been. He was widely regarded as one of the best drivers of his generation, and had the potential to become a champion in IndyCar and other forms of racing. He was also a loving husband and father, who never got to see his daughter grow up.
His daughter Angela grew up with a broken heart, struggling with the loss of her father and the loneliness of the tragedy. She never visited Indianapolis Motor Speedway until 2014, when she was invited by a race fan to see what the 500 meant to her father and to her. She wore one of her father’s uniforms and hugged anyone and everyone available. She also cried a lot, but said they were happy tears.
Angela said she wanted to know her father and hear his story. She also wanted to honor his memory and legacy. She said she felt his spirit at IMS, and that he was proud of her.
Swede Savage cause of death was a tragic event that ended the life of a racing legend too soon. But his spirit lives on in the hearts of his family, friends, fans, and fellow racers. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest drivers who ever raced at the Indianapolis 500.
