Bruce Jacobi

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]

Bruce Jacobi
Born	Harold Bruce Jacobi (1935-06-23)June 23, 1935 Salem, Indiana, U.S.
Died	February 4, 1987(1987-02-04) (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)
Wins Top tens Poles 0 3 0

Personal life

Jacobi married his wife Ya Da in 1969, and had three children.

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]