[3] A lifelong resident of Portland, Oregon, Sutton became involved in auto racing after serving in the Navy during World War II.
[3] He also won midget car racing championships in Portland before he headed east to become a national touring driver.
[3] He raced in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series from 1955 to 1965, with 76 career starts, 43 top ten finishes, and 3 victories.
The next year, he set an unofficial Indianapolis Motor Speedway record when he went over 155 miles per hour (249 km/h) during a tire test.
[3] After retiring from driving, Sutton went into broadcasting and was a member of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network for many years.