Duane Carter

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Duane Carter (May 5, 1913 – May 7, 1993) was an American racecar driver. He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars. [1] Carter was born in Fresno, California, and he died in Indianapolis, Indiana. His son Pancho raced in Indy cars, along with Johnny Parsons (who he helped raise[2]).

Contents

[edit] Racing career

[edit] Midget cars

Carter started racing midgets at the 1/5 mile dirt track in the west side of Fresno while attending Fresno State University. He was one of six drivers who went to Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand in 1937. He was a consistent winner on the Nutley board track in 1939 while future journalist Chris Economaki was his unofficial crew chief. He won the 1940 Detroit VFW Motor Speedway title, the 1942 championship at Sportsman Park in Cleveland. He captured a 500 mile victory in his midget car at the 1947 Los Angeles Coliseum Motordome after Danny Oakes was initially declared the winner.[1]

[edit] Sprint cars

He moved up to the sprint cars, and won the 1950 Midwest division. [1]

[edit] Indy Cars

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1948-1955, 1959-1960, and 1963 seasons with 47 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in each season. He finished in the top ten 23 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1953 at Phoenix.

[edit] USAC director

He retired from competition in 1956 to take the Competition Director position for USAC. He returned to competition in 1959 after Henry Banks took over the position. [1]

[edit] Career awards

[edit] Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired Chassis Engine
1948 16 29 126.015 11 22 59 0 Lost wheel Wetteroth Offy
1949 17 5 128.233 12 14 182 0 Spun T3 Stevens Offy
1950 18 13 131.666 12 12 133 0 Flagged Stevens Offy
1951 27 4 133.749 15 8 180 0 Flagged Deidt Offy
1952 1 6 135.522 16 4 200 0 Running Lesovsky Offy
1953 4 27 135.267 31 24 94 0 Ignition Lesovsky Offy
3* - - - 3 200 0 Running Kurtis Kraft Offy
1954 16 8 138.238 20 15 196 0 Flagged Kurtis Kraft Offy
34** - - - 4 200 0 Running Kurtis Kraft Offy
1955 98 18 139.330 19 11 197 0 Flagged Kuzma Offy
1959 37 12 142.795 17 7 200 0 Running Kurtis Kraft Offy
1960 17 27 142.631 28 12 200 0 Running Kuzma Offy
1963 83 15 148.002 30 23 100 0 Rod Thompson Chevrolet
Totals 1741 0
Starts 11
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 3
Top 10 5
Retired 4

* shared drive with Sam Hanks

** shared drive with Troy Ruttman

  • Carter drove over 4,300 miles at Indianapolis without leading a lap. This currently ranks 4th on the all-time list.

[edit] World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Duane Carter participated in 8 World Championship races. He started on the pole 0 times, won 0 races, set 0 fastest laps, and finished on the podium once. He accumulated a total of 6.5 championship points.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e Biography at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
  2. ^ Biography for Johnny Parsons at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame