Introduction
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.
Daytona crash
Jacobi came to 1983 Speedweeks without a ride but picked one up with a smaller independent team by the time of the UNO Twin 125 qualifiers. During the first qualifying race, he 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.
Subsequent death
Jacobi suffered extensive head injuries from the crash and remained in a semicomatose state for almost four years before dying at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.