Len Duncan

Competitor
CLASS OF 2018
Veterans Committee Selection

A Brooklyn, NY native, Len Duncan began racing in 1928 on the west coast before gravitating to the midget scene on the east coast in the early 1930’s. He raced on dirt & asphalt at outdoor & indoor facilities throughout the 1940’s & 1950’s.

Duncan is among the true icons of midget racing, collecting a reported 500 wins during his career. He also captured the AAA Eastern Championship three years in a row (1953-1955) and eight ARDC Championships (1955, 1958-1959, 1961-1964, 1967). He is credited with 58 career wins in ARDC competition.

He was a frequent winner at New England tracks, including West Haven Speedway & Thompson Speedway in CT, Westboro, Seekonk & West Springfield speedways in MA and Essex Junction & Devil’s Bowl speedways in VT. Some of the car owners he drove for include Jerry Willetts, Ken Brenn, Ken Hickey and Ed Darrell. He made one career start in the 1954 Indianapolis 500.

On May 7, 1972 while in his early 60’s, Duncan flipped Ed Darrell’s midget during an ARDC race at Flemington Speedway. The photos captured by Walter Chernokal of the wreck were published across the country and beyond over the AP and International wire services.

Len finished his career in the early 1980’s driving in the American 3/4 Midget Racing Association. Mario Andretti, who raced ARDC in 1963, credits Duncan as a big influence in his racing career. Len was inducted into the Eastern Motorsports Press Association in 1985 and the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1991.

Len Duncan passed away on August 1, 1988 at the age of 87.