1. Swede Savage began Soap Box Derby racing at the age of five, moved up to racing quarter midget cars, then at age twelve to Go-Kart racing.
16 Facts About Swede Savage
1. 2.
In January 1967, Swede Savage made a point of showing up at a Ford Motor Company test session at Riverside International Raceway attended by, among others, racing legend Dan Gurney.
3.
Swede Savage debuted in the old SCCA United States Road Racing Championship series in April 1968, driving a Lola T70 Mk III.
4.
Swede Savage finished fifth at Riverside in his one appearance in the car.
5.
Early in the season, Chrysler cut back support for the AAR effort and Gurney stepped out of the car to let Swede Savage drive the entire season.
6.
In March 1971, Swede Savage entered the Questor Grand Prix at Ontario Motor Speedway, driving an Eagle-Plymouth Formula 5000 car.
7.
Swede Savage competed in the Indianapolis 500 twice; in his debut in 1972, he finished 32nd after dropping out on lap six with mechanical problems.
8.
Swede Savage had been the fastest driver for much of practice.
9.
Swede Savage rejoined in second place, closely behind Al Unser and just ahead of Bobby Unser.
10.
On lap 58, just behind Al Unser, Swede Savage, pushing hard in anticipation of a coming rainstorm, lost control as he exited turn four.
11.
Swede Savage's car twitched back and forth, then slid across to the inside of the track at nearly top speed, hitting the angled inside wall nearly head-on.
12.
Swede Savage, still strapped in his seat in a large piece of the car, was thrown back across the circuit.
13.
Swede Savage came to rest adjacent to the outer retaining wall, fully conscious and completely exposed while he lay in a pool of flaming methanol fuel.
14.
The exact cause of Swede Savage's sudden turn across the race track and into the infield wall has not been settled.
15.
Swede Savage was burned on his arms, face, and right hand, and received fractures to both of his legs.
16.
Swede Savage joked with medical personnel after the wreck, and was expected to live when taken to Methodist Hospital and for some time thereafter.