1964  ยป Indianapolis 500




































































































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On the first lap of the race, Dave MacDonald (#83) overtook several other drivers and was battling for seventh place, but it was clear that the his streamlined Mickey Thompson-built racer was a handful (as it had been throughout the Month of May) because it was wobbling all over the road. Suddenly, on the exit of turn four as he was completing the second lap, MacDonald lost control of the fuel-heavy machine, spun it almost 180 degrees and crashed against the inner wall with sickening force. The car exploded on inpact, in a massive orange and black mushroom cloud of fire and smoke, and the blazing wreck slid up back into the path of the oncoming cars.

Eddie Sachs (#25), an Indy veteran and so-called "Clown Prince" of the American open wheel circuit, had to make a choice which side to go; he steered to the right, on the high groove of the track. Unfortunately, that is where MacDonald's car slid to, and Sachs slammed it broadside. Sachs' car also exploded in a ball of flames, and was killed on impact. The pack of cars following closely behind Sachs was instantly wiped out by the hideous melee that played out. MacDonald was burned beyond recognition, and died about two hours later. Of those who survived, Ronnie Duman (#64) suffered the worst with severe burns to his face.
1964
Open Wheelers
USAC Indy Car
Thompson 63
Halibrand 64
Trevis
Watson FE
Ferguson P104 4WD
United States
Oval (Paved)
Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis 500
Yes
AP; LIFE Magazine; Imago; Revs Institute; Corbis; Bill Daniels; UPI; Drennan W. Hart

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