Travis Carter

Travis Carter, NASCAR team owner, founder of Travis Carter Enterprises, and a championship-winning crew chief, died June 10, 2025, after a short stay in hospice at the age of 75.

Carter came up in the 1970s, just as NASCAR was being injected with newer, younger talent. At just 23, he became crew chief for NASCAR Hall of Famer Benny Parsons (1941–2007), winning a championship with the team in 1973. Two years later, Carter was at the team's helm when it won the Daytona 500. In the years ahead, he jumped around to several different crews before hitting the circuit in 1990 with his own car and team via Travis Carter Enterprises. As a team owner, his cars locked down six pole positions. As crew chief, he had 30 wins in his career.

Driver Todd Bodine praised him on the social media platform X, writing, "I had the opportunity to drive for him for three years not only one of the best car owners I could have had but also a good friend." Former driver Hermie Sadler said much the same: "I rented a shop from him for a few years and we did good business together, and more importantly he did everything he said he would and then some to try and help me and my team. RIP to a good man."

By Eric San Juan

(Image: Robert Alexander/Getty Images)