NASCAR releases statement honoring late former crew chief, team owner Travis Carter

NASCAR has paid tribute to former crew chief and team owner Travis Carter, who died on Tuesday. Toby Christie of Sports Illustrated shared NASCAR’s statement which described what Carter meant to the sport.

“From his early days atop the pit box to his years as a respected team owner, Travis Carter embodied the competitive spirit, integrity, and passion that define NASCAR,” the statement read. ” NASCAR extends its heartfelt condolences and prayers to his family and many friends.”

Christie mentioned that Travis Carter was moved into hospice care on Monday. He was 75 years old, and no official cause of death has been announced.

Carter spent more than 30 years in the NASCAR Cup Series garage. In 1973, Carter became a crew chief for Benny Parsons and the No. 72 DeWitt Racing team. Under Carter’s guidance, Parsons earned 15 top-five finishes and 21 top-10s over the 28-race season. The team also won the race at Bristol in July 1973 and claimed the Cup Series title. In 1975, Carter and Parsons won the Daytona 500.

Travis Carter was a crew chief for multiple legendary NASCAR drivers

Carter was also a crew chief for Cale Yarborough, and the pair won the 1978 NASCAR Cup Series championship. In his 17 years as a crew chief, Carter collected more than 30 wins in the Cup series. Along with Parsons and Yarborough, Carter was a crew chief for Bobby Allison, Dave Marcis, Morgan Shepherd, Harry Gant, Darrell Waltrip, Geoff Bodine, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek.

In 1990 Carter formed his own NASCAR Cup Series team, Travis Carter Enterprises. He never won a race in 493 starts, but he recorded 17 top-five finishes, 58 top-10s and six poles.

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote on X/Twitter. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“Travis Carter has passed away,” Kenny Wallace posted on his X/Twitter account. “I will always remember Travis changing tires for Junior Johnson’s cars in a VERY calm demeanor. Travis never got on his knees. TRAVIS WAS A LEGEND. My prayers to the family.”