Background
Carter was born in Fresno, California, and he died in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Formula One driver racecar driver
Carter was born in Fresno, California, and he died in Indianapolis, Indiana.
He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars. 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.
Sprint cars
Industry Cars
He drove in the American Automobile Association and Universal Service Administrative Company Championship Carolina 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. In his last race, at the Industry 500, he drove the innovative John Crosthwaite designed Harvey Aluminium Special ‘roller skate car’ with the then pioneering low profile, wide racing tyres and a stock Chevrolet engine.
He retired from competition in 1956 to take the Competition Director position for Universal Service Administrative Company. He returned to competition in 1959 after Henry Banks took over the position. He was inducted in the National Sprint Carolina Hall of Fame in 1991.
He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1989.
* shared drive with Sam Hanks
** shared drive with Troy Ruttman
Carter drove over 4,300 miles (6,900 km) at Indianapolis without leading a lap. This currently ranks 4th on the all-time list. (key)
† Indicates shared drive with Sam Hanks after retiring his own car.
* Indicates shared drive with Troy Ruttman.
Carter"s own car finished 15th after being taken over by Marshall Teague, Jimmy Jackson and Tony Bettenhausen.