Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1923
DIED
2019
FUNERAL HOME
Neal Carter Obituary
WAPAKONETA — Matthew Neal Carter, 95, died peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday April 23, 2019.
Born in 1923 on a homestead in Wapakoneta, Ohio, Neal was one of seven children. Times were hard in the 30's but Neal always said, "I was blessed with a great Mom".
Neal, known as the Mighty Midget Racecar Driver, began his racing career at Ft. Miami Speedway in Toledo, Ohio and Partington Pasture located outside of Mt. Clements, MI.
Over his racing career, Neal drove at most of the nation's major tracks, garnering over 220-checkered flags. Most notable was his victory in 1948 at the famed Langhorne Speedway, establishing the fastest 100-mile auto race on a dirt track – a record that stood for an unequaled 13 years. He was also the AAA Detroit Motor Speedway Champion in 1949, 50, and 51.
Adding to his prowess in the powerful midgets, he began driving Indy Champ Cars, competing in 24 Indy Car Races between 1949 and 1952, including the first race held at Darlington Speedway. Neal passed his drivers test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1951 and made additional qualifying attempts in 1952 and 1953.
Upon his retirement from racing, he was Service Manager at Jim White Chevrolet in Toledo, OH, Carl Schmidt Chevrolet in Perrysburg, OH, and CEO of Schmidt National Lease in Maumee, OH.
Neal also remained actively involved in racing. In the mid-1960's, he was instrumental in the construction of the Quarter Midget racetrack at the Lucas County Rec Center in Maumee, OH. Neal was a member of the CART Horton Safety Team from 1979- 89, and a 42-year member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Oldtimers Club.
He was inducted into the Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1997 and the National Midget Racing Hall of Fame in 1999.
He met the love of his life, Barbara Lohrstorfer, at Michigan Motor Speedway. Introduced by mutual friends, he would sit behind her and admire her beautiful long hair. This was the beginning of a 67-year marriage. Together they raised four children: James, Dennis (Suzanne), Kathleen (Robert) Senger, Suzanne (Mark) Smith. Their home was loving and raucous! Neal was a devoted husband, father, grandfather of 10, and great grandfather of 11.
A celebration of Neal's life will be held at Bayliff and Son Funeral Home 311 W. Main St. Cridersville, Ohio on Saturday July 6, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the National Midget Hall of Fame c/o Barbara Hellyer 4967 West 12th Street, Speedway, IN 46224
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Neal Carter
5 Entries
Marjorie Miller
May 3, 2019
My condolences to the Carter family. Barb, you are in my thoughts and prayers. I was the first employee for Schmidt National Lease, Inc. The company grew from a few leased cars to fleets of leased
vehicles, fleets of trucks, our own truck line and repair shop.
Very interesting work for a very good and knowledgeable man in Neal Carter.
Jim and Elaine Bruno
May 3, 2019
Our thoughts and prayers to the Carter family, rest in peace Uncle Neal.
JIM CLARK
April 29, 2019
I HAVE ANOTHER FUNNY STORY ABOUT NEAL.SOMEHOW HE CALLED ME ON THE PHONE. HE SAID JIMMY I JUST TOOK OVER THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE CHEVY DEALER IN OAK HARBOR OHIO. WOULD YOU COME WORK FOR ME.HE THEN TOLD ME THAT I COULD RIDE WITH HIM TO WORK EVERY DAY FROM TOLEDO TO OAK HARBOR..HAVING RIDDEN WITH NEAL PREVIOUSLY ,I PROMPTLY DECLINED.
NEAL WAS A GREAT GUY AND A GREAT FRIEND
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
JIM CLARK
April 28, 2019
I HAVE TO TELL OF A FUNNY STORY ABOUT NEAL. I WORKED ON THE LUBE RACK AT JIM WHITE CHEVROLET.NEAL WALKED UP TO ME AND SAID JIMMY GET IN THE TRUNK OF THIS CUSTOMERS CAR AN SEE IF YOU CAN HEAR ANY SQUEEKS FROM THE REAR SPRINGS. I GOT IN THE TRUNK AND NEAL TOOK ME FOR THE RIDE OF MY LIFE DOWN SOME OF THE BUMPIEST ROADS AROUND THE DEALERSHIP.WHEN WE GOT BACK THEY OPENED THE TRUNK AND THE ENTIRE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE LAUGHING AT OUR EVENT..HE GOT ME GOOD.JIM CLARK
Showing 1 - 5 of 5 results
Make a Donation
in Neal Carter's name
Memorial Events
for Neal Carter
Jul
6
Celebration of Life
Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Inc. - Cridersville311 West Main Street, Cridersville, OH 45806
Funeral services provided by:
Bayliff & Son Funeral Home, Inc. - Cridersville311 West Main Street, Cridersville, OH 45806
How to support Neal's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Neal Carter's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
