| Photo ID # | 12.07.02_PAC_LAP_IND_0573_1 |
| Car #: | misc |
| Driver: | Starting field for the rain delayed 1973 Indy 500 |
| Location: | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Date: | May, 1973 |
| Photographer: | 3-Wide |
| Photo provided by: | 3-Wide |
| Provider's comments: | Attempts to
start the race days earlier resulted in a fiery frontstretch crash critically injuring
driver Salt Walther and several spectators. After 3 more rain filled days, on Wednesday, the weather cleared just enough to dry the track and out went the call of "Gentleman - Start your engines". As you can see, only about 1/3 of the normally sold out crowd was on hand. I kind of remember that the race was won by Gordon Johncock as it began raining shortly after the halfway point. What I will never forget though, is that this was the day that Swede Savage, in the bright red/orange STP #40, slid sideways exiting this turn and angled straight across the track and crashed into the inside wall directly in front of where this picture was taken. Swede died a month later from his injuries. This sport that we all love can be very cruel at times. I have never forgotten this day, and have never forgotten Swede Savage. There's was a website that was set up for those that remember Swede, and I often visit there to read the thoughts of others who too were there on that day. The thoughts left in Swede's memory greatly effected me and directly led me to create this site, so that we could all remember those driver's who will always be in our memory. |
| Visitor's Comments | To add your comments about THIS PHOTO - Click Here | |
| Date: | Visitor's Name: | Comment: |
| 09/22/05 | Jim Inman | This was my first Indy 500 race live. I was 9 years old
and was able to go on the final day due to someone not being able to return to the track.
I still have the ticket from that race. We had actually driven to the track twice that day
from our home in Greencastle. Thanks, Jim Inman Eberwhite Elementary Ann Arbor, MI |
| 11/04/06 | Clancy Boots | That was definitely a bad year for Indy. I was there. I
remember the opening day crash that involved a car crashing into the fence and injuring
several spectators. Conjecture at that time was that AJ jumped the start and bumped wheels
with the car involved. Who knows. Also that year when the great Swede crashed an STP
crewmember was struck and killed by a wrecker responding to the accident. Grim year for
Indy. Clancy Boots Eldon, MO |
| 11/04/06 | 3Wide | Correct Clancy. The crew members name was Armando
Teran. Ths was also the year that fellow STP veteran driver Art Pollard was killed
in a practice crash. http://indymotorspeedway.com/500d-73.htm
I think it was at a Dick Ivin's movie part a year or 2 later that they had film from the 1973 race and I remember them playing James Taylor's "Fire and Rain" and I thought it appropriate. |