Len Sutton

Len Sutton (9 August 1925 - 3 December 2006): American racing driver from Portland, Oregon who participated in the Indianapolis 500 from 1958 to 1965, with his 1958-1960 appearances counting toward the Formula One World Championship. Sutton achieved significant success in USAC Championship Car racing, most notably finishing second at the 1962 Indianapolis 500 after leading nine laps, and later enjoyed a successful broadcasting career with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network. Born in Portland, Oregon, Sutton began racing in the Pacific Northwest during the late 1940s, competing in midget cars and roadsters on the West Coast circuits. He demonstrated consistent speed and racecraft, earning opportunities to progress to USAC Championship Car racing in the mid-1950s.

Sutton made his Indianapolis 500 debut in 1958, driving a Kurtis-Kraft car. The Indianapolis 500 counted toward the Formula One World Championship from 1950-1960, making Sutton's 1958-1960 Indianapolis appearances also Formula One starts. However, Sutton did not finish the race in any of his three 'Formula One' years—he retired from the 1958, 1959, and 1960 Indianapolis 500s with various mechanical failures, never completing enough laps to be classified as a finisher. His inability to finish while the race counted for Formula One points meant his official F1 record shows three starts with zero points, zero laps led, and zero finishes.

Sutton's Indianapolis fortunes nearly ended in 1957 before his first official start. During practice for the 1957 Indianapolis 500, Sutton suffered a horrific accident when his car flipped and slid upside down for nearly 300 meters along the track surface. The crash left him with a fractured skull, broken shoulder, and serious back injuries. The severity of his injuries raised questions about whether he would ever race again, let alone return to Indianapolis.

Demonstrating remarkable courage and determination, Sutton recovered from his injuries and returned to racing for the 1958 season. His comeback showed the resilience that would characterize his racing career. Despite his poor finishes in the early years, Sutton continued to improve and remained competitive in USAC Championship Car racing through the 1960s. Sutton's greatest moment came at the 1962 Indianapolis 500, when the race no longer counted toward the Formula One championship.

Starting from fourth position, Sutton drove brilliantly for the Leader Card team, leading nine laps during the race. He engaged in a thrilling battle with his teammate Rodger Ward, who had won Indianapolis in 1959 and 1962. In the closing stages, Sutton finished second behind Ward, giving Leader Card Racing a one-two finish. Sutton's runner-up finish at the 1962 Indianapolis 500 represented both achievement and frustration—he had proven he could lead and challenge for victory at motorsport's most famous race, yet victory remained just out of reach.

It would be his best Indianapolis result across eight starts spanning 1958 to 1965. Beyond Indianapolis, Sutton competed in dozens of USAC Championship Car races throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, achieving several top-ten finishes and establishing himself as a solid, dependable competitor. While he never won a championship race, his consistency earned him respect throughout the paddock. Sutton retired from competitive driving in the mid-1960s and transitioned into broadcasting.

He joined the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network, which has broadcast the Indianapolis 500 live since 1952, providing radio coverage throughout Indiana and across the United States. Sutton worked as a turn reporter and commentator from the late 1960s through 1972, bringing his driver's perspective to the broadcasts. His firsthand experience racing at Indianapolis gave him unique insights into the challenges drivers faced, and his commentary was valued by listeners who appreciated hearing from someone who had actually competed in the race. After leaving the Radio Network in 1972, Sutton remained connected to motorsport through occasional appearances at racing events and reunions.

He was inducted into the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements representing the Pacific Northwest at the highest levels of American racing. Sutton lived to age 81, passing away on 3 December 2006. His death was noted in motorsport publications, with obituaries celebrating his recovery from the horrific 1957 crash, his runner-up finish at the 1962 Indianapolis 500, and his contributions to racing broadcasting. Known for his courage in returning from serious injury, smooth driving style, consistency, and later ability to communicate the drama of Indianapolis to radio audiences, Len Sutton represents the journeyman racers who formed the backbone of American Championship Car racing.

While his Formula One record shows no finishes and no points, his achievements in the broader context of USAC racing demonstrate a successful career spanning over a decade at motorsport's highest level in America.