Leonard “Len” Sutton (9 August 1925 – 4 December 2006) was an American racing driver whose career spanned dirt tracks, midget cars, sprint cars, stock cars and championship Indy car racing. A versatile driver, he scored three victories in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series and is best remembered for finishing runner-up in the 1962 Indianapolis 500.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | Aims, Oregon, USA |
| Born | 9 August 1925 |
| Died | 4 December 2006 |
| First Grand Prix | 1958 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Grand Prix | 1960 Indianapolis 500 |
| Years Active | 1956, 1958–1960 |
| Current/Last Team | Watson |
Early racing career
A lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, Sutton discovered motor racing after serving in the United States Navy during the Second World War.
His first competitive outing proved memorable for the wrong reasons, as he spun at the first corner on his opening lap at a local dirt track. Undeterred, Sutton quickly developed into one of the leading drivers in the Pacific Northwest.
He won Oregon Racing Association championships in 1949, 1950, 1954 and 1955, while also claiming several Portland-area midget racing titles before moving east to compete on the national stage.
One of the most dramatic incidents of his early career came during the 1954 Carrera Panamericana road race. Forced to avoid cattle that had wandered onto the course, Sutton rolled his car and sustained serious injuries that left him in a full-body cast for four months. He recovered completely and soon returned to competition.
AAA and USAC Championship Cars
Sutton competed in the AAA and later USAC Championship Car series between 1955 and 1965.
Over the course of his championship career, he made 76 starts, recorded 43 top-ten finishes and claimed three race victories, establishing himself as one of the most dependable American open-wheel drivers of his generation.
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 became the defining event of Sutton’s career.
He successfully completed his rookie test in 1956 but suffered a terrifying accident while practising for the 1957 race. Attempting to reach 140 mph, his car flipped over and slid upside down for almost 1,000 feet with Sutton’s helmet scraping along the asphalt. Witnesses initially feared he had been killed.
Remarkably, Sutton survived with a fractured skull, a broken shoulder and severe abrasions to his back. After recovering from his injuries, he returned to Indianapolis in 1958.
His first Indianapolis 500 ended almost immediately when he was caught in a multi-car accident on the opening lap and finished 32nd. Nevertheless, he continued to return to the Speedway and eventually made seven starts in the race.
His finest Indianapolis performance came in 1962. Starting fourth on the grid, Sutton led nine laps and remained in contention throughout the afternoon before finishing second behind teammate Rodger Ward. It was comfortably the greatest result of his Indianapolis career.
The following year he demonstrated his pace by exceeding 155 mph during a tyre test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, establishing an unofficial speed record for the circuit.
Other racing
Although best known for his Indy car achievements, Sutton was recognised as one of the most versatile American racers of his era.
He competed successfully in roadsters, midget cars, sprint cars and stock cars, and also started the 1963 Daytona 500, finishing 31st.
Sutton chose to retire from driving during a race at Langhorne Speedway in 1965 after witnessing fellow competitor Mel Kenyon suffer severe burns in a crash. The incident convinced him it was the right time to step away from competition.
Broadcasting career
Following his retirement from racing, Sutton remained closely involved with the sport as a broadcaster.
For many years he served as a commentator on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, where his experience as both a front-running championship driver and Indianapolis 500 veteran made him a respected and knowledgeable voice for listeners.
Awards and honours
Sutton’s contribution to American motorsport was recognised with several major honours.
He was inducted into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2005 and was also a member of the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009, three years after his death, he was posthumously inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Death
Len Sutton died at his home in Portland, Oregon, on 4 December 2006 at the age of 81 following a long battle with cancer.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 4 |
| Race Starts | 3 |
| Did Not Start | 1 |
| Best Race Start | 5th |
| Best Race Finish | – |
| Retirements | 3 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 1 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | – |
| Reached Q3 | – |
| Q2 Eliminations | – |
| Q1 Eliminations | – |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Kuzma Kurtis Kraft | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 27th | Ret | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1959 | Lesovsky | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 22nd | Ret | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1960 | Watson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5th | Ret | 0 | 0 | NC |
