Career
Cross began racing midget cars in 1938. He returned to midget cars after the war, and raced in one of Pappy Hough"s "Little Iron Pigs."
Cross used his take to purchase a farm near LaPorte, Indiana. He finished second in the 1953 Indianapolis 500 behind Bill Vukovich.
Despite it being one of the hottest Industry 500s on record, Vukovich and Cross completed the entire race without relief.
Driver Carl Scarborough died from the heat. Cross" car was the "Springfield Welding Special", which was owned by Bessie Lee Paoli, who was the only female owner at the time.
Cross led in the 1954 and 1955 Indianapolis 500 before his retirement. After retiring from racing, he turned his attention to running the farm in LaPorte, Indiana.
He later became involved in a heavy equipment business and in construction.
He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1992.