17 Facts About Eddie Sachs

Edward Julius Sachs Jr, was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the "Clown Prince of Auto Racing".

Eddie Sachs coined the phrase "If you can't win, be spectacular".

Eddie Sachs served in the United States Navy during World War II.

Eddie Sachs never regretted his decision not to gamble on the tire, saying, "I'd sooner finish second than be dead".

Eddie Sachs, following Bob Veith, aimed for an opening along the outside wall that was closed by MacDonald's burning car.

Veith made it through by inches, but Eddie Sachs hit MacDonald's car broadside causing a second explosion.

Johnny Rutherford, following Eddie Sachs, having no place to go except into the inferno, decided his only chance was to power his way through.

Eddie Sachs then motored down the main straight, through turns one and two, up the back straight and through turn three, stopping at a fire-truck station in turn four.

Eddie Sachs was transported to the Methodist Hospital's burn unit in Indianapolis by helicopter to begin a lengthy recovery.

Eddie Sachs was taken to the track hospital then transferred to the Methodist Hospital burn unit by ambulance, where he died two hours later.

Eddie Sachs started on the pole once, but scored no World Championship points.

Eddie Sachs was inducted into the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 1999.

Eddie Sachs married Nance McGarrity of Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, on June 3,1959, at the home of Harry Hamilton, a relative of his car owner, Peter Schmidt in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Nance Eddie Sachs died on September 28,2005, at her home in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Eddie Sachs is survived by her son Edward III, and grandchildren, Edward IV and Meagan Sachs.

Eddie Sachs has become a businessman as the owner of Sachs and Associates in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Eddie Sachs has been a part-time car owner in various levels of motorsport, currently in the USAC Silver Crown Series.