Len Sutton (August 9, 1925 – December 3, 2006) was a lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, who established himself as a versatile and accomplished American race car driver.
Sutton's involvement in auto racing began after his service in the Navy during World War II. His introduction to the sport was inauspicious, as he spun out on the first corner of his first lap at a dirt track. Despite this initial setback, Sutton quickly demonstrated his talent, winning Oregon Racing Association championships in 1949, 1950, 1954, and 1955.
Sutton's early career was marked by both success and significant challenges. In the 1954 Carrera Panamericana road race (the precursor to the Baja 1000), he was involved in a dramatic crash, flipping his car to avoid cattle, which resulted in him spending four months in a body cast. He also achieved championships in midget car racing in Portland before moving east to compete on a national level.
From 1955 to 1965, Sutton competed in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, achieving 76 career starts, 43 top-ten finishes, and 3 victories.
Sutton's pursuit of excellence led him to the Indianapolis 500. He completed his rookie test in 1956, and in 1957, he endured a harrowing crash during a qualifying attempt at 140 miles per hour. His car flipped, and he slid upside down with his helmet scraping the asphalt for nearly 1000 feet (300 meters). Reports from the scene indicated that he was initially believed to be dead. His injuries included a broken shoulder, severe abrasions on his back, and a fractured skull.
Despite this near-fatal accident, Sutton returned to Indianapolis the following year and made his first start in the iconic race. In that 1958 race, he was eliminated in a multi-car accident on the first lap, finishing 32nd. He went on to compete in the Indianapolis 500 six more times. His best result came in 1962 when, after starting 4th, he led 9 laps and finished second to his teammate Rodger Ward. The following year, in 1963, Sutton set an unofficial Indianapolis Motor Speedway record, exceeding 155 miles per hour (249 km/h) during a tire test.
Sutton was known for his versatility as a driver, competing successfully in various types of racing, including roadsters, midgets, sprint cars, and stock cars. His diverse racing experience included a 31st-place finish in the 1963 Daytona 500.
Sutton's decision to retire from driving came during a 1965 race at Langhorne Speedway, influenced by a severe crash that resulted in fellow competitor Mel Kenyon suffering serious burns.
Following his retirement from racing, Sutton transitioned into broadcasting and became a long-time member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network.
Sutton passed away at his home in Portland on December 4, 2006, at the age of 81, after a long battle with cancer.
His contributions to auto racing have been recognized with inductions into the West Coast Stock Car Hall of Fame in 2005, and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2009.