I hesitated to read this book as I knew the outcome—the deaths of rookie Dave MacDonald and veteran Eddie Sachs in a fiery seven car crash on the second lap of the 1964 Indianapolis 500. The crash created a firestorm of controversy that threatened the future of the Indianapolis 500. The outcome ultimately was an improvement in the safety of the race and auto racing.

Eddie Sachs, known as “the Crown Prince of Racing,” had driven in seven previous Indianapolis 500s. He was on the cusp of retiring from racing but his one desire was to win the Indianapolis 500. He had come close in 1961 when he finished second after making the decision to pit for a new tire with three laps remaining rather than risk crashing. Dave MacDonald, a successful road racer in Corvettes and later in a Carroll Shelby Cobra, was just breaking into championship racing.. despite having never run in open-wheel races, he had been hired by Mickey Thompson to run in the 1964 and 1965 Indianapolis 500s in a new rear-engine car.

This book is an easy read and chronicles in detail the events leading up to the race. Masten Gregory was also hired by Thompson to race in another car but quit the team after crashing his car during practice. Other more experienced drivers including Graham Hill had tested the car and walked away. It was difficult to handle in part because the AAA had required major modifications to the car at Indianapolis after having previously inspected and approved the car design.  Despite being told by other drivers not to drive in the race, MacDonald felt obligated to fulfill his contract with Thompson.

Trying to pass cars coming out of the fourth turn on lap two, he lost control of the racer. The car slid across the track and hit the inside retaining wall igniting a full fuel load of gasoline. The car then slid back across the track where other drivers tried to navigate blindly through the flames and smoke. Eddie Sachs broadsided the racer and was killed instantly from blunt force trauma. MacDonald survived the crash but died two hours later at Methodist Hospital because the fire had burned his lungs.

MacDonald’s wife, Sherry, had flown from California for the race. The night before, she had a premonition of a wreck. She later reported that Dave was quieter than usual. She was seated directly across from the pits along with Judy Thompson, Mickey Thompson’s wife, with a good view of the racers. When other racers passed by her seat, she became frantic to find her husband. She knew that he had been involved in the crash when a Speedway official and a chaplain approached.

After a lengthy delay, the race resumed and A. J. Foyt won. There is a picture of Foyt holding a special edition of The Indianapolis Star. Foyt was unaware of the tragedy which had unfolded at the Speedway until he looked at the headline, “Foyt Winner In 500, Sachs, MacDonald Die.” His mood shifted from one of jubilation.

The book also highlights a controversy of using gas or fuel, a blend of alcohol either methanol or ethyl, to power the cars. Gasoline gave the cars better fuel economy enabling the cars to make fewer pit stops while fuel provided greater horsepower. On the downside, gasoline had a greater risk of explosions. Fuel, while less explosive, was difficult to see when it was on fire. After studying the issue, USAC officials mandated fuel tanks be made of metal with rubber bladder inserts. They did not prohibit the use of gasoline but instead mandated two fuel stops which effectively ended the use of gasoline.

The book is enhanced by the driver profiles of not only Sachs and MacDonald but also others. Garner interviews six drivers from the race as well as Dave MacDonald’s widow which gives insight into his concerns about the car and her premonition that running the race was a mistake.