The Sun Telegram - Saturday, July 7, 1973

Savage is Given a Final Tribute

-By Ryan Rees (Sun Telegram Sports Writer)

SAN BERNARDINO - More than a thousand friends and relatives paid final tribute to race driver David (Swede) Savage yesterday.

Savage, born and raised in San Bernardino, died Monday following a spectacular accident in the 1973 Indianapolis 500.

Services were held at Bobbitt Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Jack Reynolds of Laguna Beach Neighborhood Congregational Church officiating.

Reynolds quoted from the memorial service held Monday in Indianapolis, Ind. "Tom Carnegie (television broadcaster in Indianapolis) noted that Swede packed more living into 26 years than most of us can in three score and ten"

"It is always harder for someone older see someone younger die. It makes us realize how precious life is." Rev. Reynolds quoted Carnegie.

Reynolds talked of Savage's supreme ambition and courage.

"Perhaps his greatest display of courage came, not on the race track, but in the darkened hospital room where he was a pillar of courage to his family and the hospital staff," Reynolds said.

"He never lost his tremendous sense of humor. It is fitting that his wife Sheryl noted that the last thing he did was smile."

Reynolds urged those in attendance "with influence to try and make the Indianapolis 500 safer. Much has been done but much is left to be done. To do this is one way to remember him."

Following the Reynolds eulogy, Dr. David Savage, Swede's father, stood and noted, "I have lost the most precious thing in my life. But I do want to say a few words that I'll never forget Swede saying. Perhaps they will make you feel better.

Swede was at Indianapolis following his accident at Ontario (Motor Speedway in 1971) and could not race. A reporter asked him if he didn't think about quitting.

"Swede told the reporter 'These are my people, my friends, my living. This is my whole life'."

Savage was buried at Mt. View Cemetary following brief graveside services.

Several friends from Swede's racing world were there. Dan Gurney, the man who gave Savage his biggest opportunity in racing, was one of the pall bearers along with 1973 Indy 500 winner Gordon Johncock. Savage and Johncock were teammates for the STP-Patrick Racing stable.

After winning the tragic and rain shortened Indy 500, Johncock told reporters that he had overcome the urge to stop his car and help Savage out of the wreckage.

Other drivers attending were Sam Posey and Jerry Grant. Bill Smyth, executive director of the U.S. Auto Club. Ex-drivers Pete DePaulo and Bob Bondurant were also there.

George Bignotti and Vince Granatelli, chief mechanics for the STP-Patrick team, also attended with other members of his crew.

Savage began his racing career at age 5 in a soap-box derby. He graduated quickly to quarter midgets which he raced at the Orange Show. Later, he raced motorcycles and won 34 professional races.

In the early 1960s he worked for the Holman and Moody stock car racing team and was given a chance to race stock cars.

While working in a motorcycle shop, he came in contact with Gurney who gave him rides in Can-Am, Trans-Am and Indy cars.

Savage competed in the 1972 Indy 500 but completed only six laps before retiring with engine trouble. He was fourth fastest qualifier for the California 500 last summer at Ontario Motor Speedway but finished 12th after crashing late in the race.

This year at Indianapolis, he was fourth fastest qualifier and led the race for several laps. Shortly after losing the lead for a refueling stop, his car went out of control and crashed into a concrete retaining wall in a ball of fire.

Savage suffered severe burns on his right hand, face and arms, both legs were badly broken and he had internal injuries.

He died Monday, 33 days after the accident of lung and kidney problems.

He was born Aug. 26, 1946 and attended schools in San Bernardino. He went to Pacific High School where he was an all-league football player.

His survivors include his widow Sheryl, expecting a second child, and daughter, Shelly 6.