Charles George Connor (August 16, 1906 – March 28, 2001) was an American racing driver whose career spanned one of the most transformative periods in American motorsport. At the time of his death in 2001, he was recognised as the last surviving driver to have competed in a pre-Second World War Championship car event, linking the sport’s earliest professional era with the modern age.
Between 1950 and 1960, the Indianapolis 500 counted towards both the AAA/USAC National Championship and the FIA World Drivers’ Championship, meaning competitors at the famous race were officially credited with Formula One World Championship starts and were eligible to score World Championship points.
Connor made three World Drivers’ Championship appearances through his Indianapolis 500 entries during this period. Although he never finished in the points, he produced respectable performances against some of the strongest fields in American racing. His best result was eighth place, a finish he achieved on two occasions.
While his Formula One World Championship record was modest, Connor’s place in racing history extends beyond statistics. As one of the final links to the pioneering pre-war Championship car era, his career reflected the remarkable evolution of American open-wheel racing across several decades.
