Jack Turner is most often remembered for his spectacular 1960s-era flips along the front stretch of Indianapolis Motor Speedway. For three-consecutive years, his aerial gyrations in long, bulky roadsters were the talk of the Speedway and are now ingrained into Speedway lore.
His first was in 1961, on the 52nd lap of the race while running second. The following year, he flipped again in the race, only 18 laps in. The third barrel roll occurred on the second day of qualifying in 1963. It put him in the hospital for 11 weeks and out of racing permanently. He retired on the spot. “…Someone’s trying to tell me something,” he exclaimed.  
At that time, Turner, who was given the moniker “Cactus Jack” by a track announcer because of the cowboy boots he wore on his day job at a riding stable, had been racing and winning since 1938.
Displaying the tenacity that took him from the small tracks scattered around his Seattle, Wash., home, to the big track at Indianapolis, at 17, Turner bought an old midget from the service-station owner he worked for and rebuilt it in his spare time. He raced his creation for the first time at Jantzen Peach Bowl Speedway in Portland, Ore. 
But about the time Turner was getting his racing career in gear, WWII shut down all racing activities. After the hostilities, Turner’s wife insisted that she go to work, using the money for a new Kurtis midget so that Turner could pursue his racing dreams in style. 
His success in the Kurtis encouraged Turner to move to the Midwest in 1952 and run the prestigious AAA circuits. That move proved rewarding, as he won the AAA National Midget Championship in 1954 and 1955, as a driver and a car owner. 
During 1955, Turner was involved in an accident that haunted him for years. At a midget race in Cincinnati, Johnny Key was tossed from his car, and both Turner and Elmer George ran over him. Key died as a result. Turner was distraught until his friend Mike Nazaruk insisted, “It wasn’t your fault. Now get back in the damn car and drive it!” Turner did and finished third.
Turner’s Midwest success earned him, as was the case in those days, a chance to test his ability at Indianapolis. He ran six-consecutive 500s, with a best finish of 11th. He never had great luck at the Brickyard, but he certainly proved that he belonged there.
Racing history will recall “Cactus” Jack Turner not only for his stunning Indianapolis flips, but for being an accomplished, champion driver as well.