Douglas James Caruthers[1] (January 18, 1945 – October 26, 1975) was an American racecar driver from Anaheim, California.
His championship was the closest in USAC midget history, as he beat Dave Strickland by 12.48 points.
He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1970–1975 seasons with 43 starts, including the 1972–1975 Indianapolis 500.
Caruthers died of cancer at the age of 30 only a month after competing in his final Championship Car race.
He had received cobalt treatment (an early form of chemotherapy) in the winter of 1974-1975 in order to return to racing for the 1975 season.