Carl Forberg

Carl Roy Forberg (March 4, 1911, Omaha, Nebraska - January 17, 2000): An American racing driver whose diverse motorsport career spanned motorcycles, midgets, and championship cars, representing the evolution of American racing through the mid-20th century. Born in Omaha, Forberg began his motorsport journey racing motorcycles in 1928 at just 17 years old. He was successful from the beginning and soon specialized in hill climbing, where his motorcycle skills earned him recognition. By 1935, Forberg's interests had shifted to midget racing, and he built his first racecar using a motorcycle engine, demonstrating the ingenuity and mechanical skill common among racers of his era.

By 1936, he was firmly entrenched in midget racing and won the track championship at Sioux City, Iowa, establishing himself as a formidable competitor in the discipline. His success continued through the late 1930s and 1940s, though he lost parts of the 1949 and 1950 seasons due to injuries suffered at a Chicago race, a reminder of the dangers inherent in pre-war and early post-war racing. Forberg's opportunity to compete at the highest level of American open-wheel racing came in 1951 when, at age 40, he qualified 27th for the Indianapolis 500 in the Auto Shippers-sponsored car. Despite starting well back in the field, he drove a strong race to finish in seventh place, a remarkable achievement that represented the pinnacle of his racing career.

However, in 1952, Forberg suffered a back injury during a midget race that forced his retirement from driving. Rather than leaving motorsport entirely, he transitioned to become a car owner, providing rides to many legendary drivers in American racing history. Later in life, he became a sprint car owner, continuing his involvement in the sport he loved. Forberg remained connected to the motorsport community throughout his long life, passing away in 2000 at the age of 88, having witnessed and participated in the transformation of American racing from motorcycle hill climbs to the golden age of Indianapolis.