Duane Carter American racing driver Date of Birth: 05.05.1913 Country: USA

1. Biography of Duane Carter
2. Early Years
3. Racing Career
4. Later Years and Honors

Biography of Duane Carter

Duane Carter was an American race car driver who participated in midget, sprint, and IndyCar racing. He was born in Fresno, California, and passed away in Indianapolis. His son, Pancho, who also competed in IndyCar, along with Johnny Parsons, helped him rise in the racing world.

Early Years

Carter first started racing midget cars on a natural surface track at the University of Fresno in the western part of Fresno. In 1937, he was one of six drivers to travel to the Western Springs Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand. In 1939, he achieved consecutive victories on the wooden track at Nutley when future journalist Chris Economaki served as his unofficial crew chief.

Racing Career

In 1940, Duane Carter became the champion of the Detroit VFW Motor Speedway, and in 1942, he won the championship at the Sportsman Park track in Cleveland. In 1947, he clinched victory at the Los Angeles Speedway 500, although initially, Danny Oakes was mistakenly named the winner. Carter then transitioned to sprint car racing and won the Midwest Division.

Carter participated in the AAA and USAC championship car series, racing in the seasons of 1948-1955, 1959-1960, and 1963. He competed in a total of 47 races, including the Indianapolis 500 in each season. Duane finished in the top ten 23 times, with his best result being second place in 1953 in Phoenix. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 to 1960, and drivers competing in the Indy 500 received personal championship points. Duane Carter participated in eight championship races, finished on the podium once, and scored a total of 6.5 points.

Later Years and Honors

Carter retired from competition in 1956 to become a manager for USAC. He returned to racing in 1959 after his managerial position was taken over by Henry Banks. In 1989, he was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, and in 1991, he was included in the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame.