Professional Race Car Driver. Eddie Sachs was known as the “Clown Prince of Auto Racing.” Driving for the United States Auto Club, he earned eight USAC National Championship wins, ten USAC Sprint Car wins, and in 1958 the USAC Midwestern Sprint Car Champion. He was an eight-time starter of the Indianapolis 500. In 1960 and 1961 he was an Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner. When he had to stop for a tire going bad, he dropped from first place to second in the Best Indianapolis 500 in 1961. He was killed instantly in a fiery crash involving seven cars on the 2nd lap of the 1964 Indianapolis 500. Besides Sache, the accident claimed the life of Dave MacDonald. Critically injured in the accident with major burns was Ronnie Duman. Also injured were future three-time Indianapolis 500 winners, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser. The accident was well-documented on film: The rookie driver, MacDonald lost control of his car coming off the fourth turn, hitting the wall and his 45-gallon tank of gasoline bursting into flames. Sachs' car hit MacDonald's causing a second explosion. For the first time in its history, the Indianapolis 500 was stopped because of an accident, and for corrective-action, cars could no longer used gasoline but had to use methanol or ethanol-based fuels.
Professional Race Car Driver. Eddie Sachs was known as the “Clown Prince of Auto Racing.” Driving for the United States Auto Club, he earned eight USAC National Championship wins, ten USAC Sprint Car wins, and in 1958 the USAC Midwestern Sprint Car Champion. He was an eight-time starter of the Indianapolis 500. In 1960 and 1961 he was an Indianapolis 500 Pole Winner. When he had to stop for a tire going bad, he dropped from first place to second in the Best Indianapolis 500 in 1961. He was killed instantly in a fiery crash involving seven cars on the 2nd lap of the 1964 Indianapolis 500. Besides Sache, the accident claimed the life of Dave MacDonald. Critically injured in the accident with major burns was Ronnie Duman. Also injured were future three-time Indianapolis 500 winners, Johnny Rutherford and Bobby Unser. The accident was well-documented on film: The rookie driver, MacDonald lost control of his car coming off the fourth turn, hitting the wall and his 45-gallon tank of gasoline bursting into flames. Sachs' car hit MacDonald's causing a second explosion. For the first time in its history, the Indianapolis 500 was stopped because of an accident, and for corrective-action, cars could no longer used gasoline but had to use methanol or ethanol-based fuels.
Bio by: Jim Adams
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