Bruce Jacobi
American racing driver (1935–1987)
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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]
Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
| 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 Cup Series career | |||||||
| 20 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| First race | 1975 Daytona 500 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last race | 1981 Mountain Dew 500 (Pocono) | ||||||
| |||||||
Personal life
Jacobi married his wife Ya Da in 1969, and had three children.[citation needed]
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]
