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
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 life

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

Daytona crash

Jacobi came into 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 comatose 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. 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.

External links

• Bruce Jacobi driver statistics at Racing-Reference
• Motor Sport Memorial
• Bruce Jacobi at Find a Grave
• Daytona Beach Morning Journal article on Jacobi and his family's situation published in February 1984
• Daytona Beach Morning Journal article on Jacobi and his family's situation published in July 1984

Preceded by Ricky Knotts

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series fatal accidents 1983 (died in 1987)

Succeeded by Terry Schoonover