Jack Turner (racing driver)

For other people of the same name, see Jack Turner (disambiguation).

Jack Turner

Born	(1920-02-12)February 12, 1920 Seattle, Washington
Died	Renton, Washington
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality	American
Active years	1956–1960
Teams	Christensen, Kurtis Kraft, Lesovsky
Entries	5 (4 starts)
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1956 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1960 Indianapolis 500

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

Midget car career

File:1954 AAA National Midget Trophy Jack Turner.jpg

1954 AAA National Midget trophy

File:1955 AAA National Midget Trophy Jack Turner.jpg

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. 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. 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.

Career award

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

Indy 500 results

Year Car Start Qual Rank Finish Laps Led Retired 1956 54 24 142.394 18 25 131 0 Engine trouble 1957 19 19 140.367 25 11 200 0 Running 1958 25 10 143.438 12 25 21 0 Fuel pump 1959 24 14 143.478 11 27 47 0 Fuel tank 1961 45 21 144.904 21 25 52 0 Crash FS 1962 45 25 146.496 25 29 17 0 Crash FS Totals 468 0

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.