Jack Turner (racing driver)

Jack Turner (February 12, 1920 Seattle, Washington – September 12, 2004 Renton, Washington)[1] was an American racecar driver. He was nicknamed "Cactus Jack."

Jack Turner
Born(1920-02-12)February 12, 1920
Seattle, Washington
DiedSeptember 12, 2004(2004-09-12) (aged 84)
Renton, Washington
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality American
Active years1956–1960
TeamsChristensen, Kurtis Kraft, Lesovsky
Entries5 (4 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1956 Indianapolis 500
Last entry1960 Indianapolis 500

Midget car career
1954 AAA National Midget trophy
1955 AAA National Midget trophy

Turner became the first two-time AAA National Midget champion when he won the 1954 and 1955 championships. Turner scored no wins in 1954 despite competing at the entire circuit, and won the championship on consistent high finishes.[2] He won six features in 1955. He also had 14 National USAC wins in his career.

Champ car

He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1955-1962 seasons with 35 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1956-1959 and 1961–1962. He finished in the top ten 35 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in 1956 at Darlington. He retired from racing after flipping his car during a practice run at Indy in 1963.[3] It was his third flip in three years at the track: first down the main straightaway in 1961, second he broke his pelvis at the head of the frontstretch, and third he crushed a vertebra.[2]

Career award

He was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in the inaugural 1984 class.[2]

Indy 500 results
Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired
1956 5424142.39418251310Engine trouble
1957 1919140.36725112000Running
1958 2510143.4381225210Fuel pump
1959 2414143.4781127470Fuel tank
1961 4521144.9042125520Crash FS
1962 4525146.4962529170Crash FS
Totals4680
Starts 6
Poles 0
Front Row 0
Wins 0
Top 5 0
Top 10 0
Retired 5

World Championship career summary

The Indianapolis 500 was part of the FIA World Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indy during those years were credited with World Championship points and participation. Jack Turner participated in 4 World Championship races but scored no World Championship points.

References
  1. Jenkins, Richard. "The World Championship drivers — Where are they now?". OldRacingCars.com. Retrieved 10 September 2013.
  2. Biography Archived 2007-09-27 at the Wayback Machine at the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
  3. Jack Turner 1963 Indy 500 practice crash


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