United States Automobile Club
Encyclopedia
The United States Auto Club (USAC) is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing
in the United States
. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500
. Today, the USAC serves as the sanctioning body
for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ford Focus Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series
.
owner Tony Hulman
when the American Automobile Association
(AAA) withdrew from auto racing following the 1955 Le Mans disaster
. It became the arbiter of rules, car design, and other matters for what it termed championship auto racing
. This became the term describing a car built to be used in the highest level of USAC racing. For a while there was a separate series of specifications for championship cars designed to be run on dirt, rather than paved, tracks.
The USAC’s long history as on open-wheel sanctioning body continues today with the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ford Focus Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series
. NASCAR
stars including Jeff Gordon
, Tony Stewart
, and Kasey Kahne
honed their skills and captured championships while competing in various USAC series.
In 2011 Taylor Ferns of Michigan won the 8th race of her career surpassing Alison MacLeod as the Winningest Female in USAC history
(1995) and J.J. Yeley (2003), have achieved the triple crown in a single season. Three other drivers, Pancho Carter
(1972-78), Dave Darland
(1997-2001), and Jerry Coons, Jr. (2006-08), have claimed each of the three championships at least once in their careers.
won his seventh title in 1979. It has announced that it will begin awarding a national championship starting in 2010. A driver's finishes in his 25 best races are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner will receive $40,000. Points are accumulated in the three national series: sprints, midgets, and Silver Crown. Bryan Clauson
of Noblesville, Indiana
claimed the inaugural championship, topping runner-up, Levi Jones, by 14 points. Clauson also earned a scholarship to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2011
. He will contend the races on oval tracks for Sam Schmidt Motorsports
.
USAC National Drivers Champions
crashed during a thunderstorm 25 miles southeast of Indianapolis
.
Killed were:
The effect on the USAC, and for open-wheel racing in the United States, was devastating, especially since it closely followed the death of Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.
Also unpopular were the attempts of the USAC to keep the aging Offenhauser
engine competitive with the newer, and much more expensive, Cosworth DFV
engine using boost-limiting "pop off valves" and limiting the amount of fuel that could be used.
Finally, most car owners banded together to form Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART
) in 1978, with the first race to be run in 1979. USAC tried unsuccessfully to ban all CART owners from the 1979 Indianapolis 500
, finally losing in court before the race began. Both the USAC
and CART ran race schedules in 1979.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president John Cooper was instrumental in forming a joint body of CART and the USAC with the creation of the Championship Racing League
in March 1980. However, in mid 1980, Cooper forced USAC to renounce their agreement with the CRL if they wanted to keep officiating the Indy 500. After the USAC's pitiful attempt at a 500-mile races at Pocono Raceway
– which was boycotted by the CART teams, forcing USAC to fill the field with silver crown cars – USAC and CART eventually settled into a relatively peaceful co-existence, with the USAC continuing to sanction the Indianapolis 500, and CART including the race in its schedule.
USAC Silver Crown Series Champions
From 1956-1960 the USAC National Sprint Car Championship was divided into two divisions, Midwest and East.
USAC Sprint Car Series Champions
was founded in 2009 by motocross
racer Rick Johnson and it was managed the race operations and officiated the events. USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010.
was the only race on the Gold Crown calendar. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 would be the de facto Gold Crown champion.
* The inaugural season featured two subtitles: Pacific Coast (won by Sam Hanks
) and Short Track (Troy Ruttman
).
from 1958-1961, and adopted Formula Libre
rules in 1962.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. Today, the USAC serves as the sanctioning body
Sport governing body
A sport governing body is a sports organization that has a regulatory or sanctioning function. Sport governing bodies come in various forms, and have a variety of regulatory functions. Examples of this can include disciplinary action for rule infractions and deciding on rule changes in the sport...
for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ford Focus Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series
Traxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC Series is an American national short course off-road racing series that races primarily in the Midwestern United States. It was sanctioned and officiated by the United States Auto Club in 2009 and was managed by Rick Johnson; USAC took over total management starting in 2010...
.
History
The USAC was formed by Indianapolis Motor SpeedwayIndianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in Speedway, Indiana in the United States, is the home of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race and the Brickyard 400....
owner Tony Hulman
Tony Hulman
Anton "Tony" Hulman, Jr. was a businessman from Terre Haute, Indiana who rescued the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1945 and made the Indianapolis 500 popular....
when the American Automobile Association
American Automobile Association
AAA , formerly known as the American Automobile Association, is a federation of 51 independently operated motor clubs throughout North America. AAA is a not-for-profit member service organization with more than 51 million members. AAA provides services to its members such as travel, automotive,...
(AAA) withdrew from auto racing following the 1955 Le Mans disaster
1955 Le Mans disaster
The 1955 Le Mans disaster occurred during the 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race, when a crash caused large parts of racing car debris to fly into the crowd. The driver was killed, as were 83 spectators. A further 120 people were injured...
. It became the arbiter of rules, car design, and other matters for what it termed championship auto racing
American Championship Car Racing
Since 1916 there has been a recognized United States national automobile racing National Championship for drivers of professional-level, single-seat open wheel race cars. The championship has been under the auspices of several different sanctioning bodies since 1909. Since 1911, the Indianapolis...
. This became the term describing a car built to be used in the highest level of USAC racing. For a while there was a separate series of specifications for championship cars designed to be run on dirt, rather than paved, tracks.
The USAC’s long history as on open-wheel sanctioning body continues today with the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ford Focus Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series
Traxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC Series is an American national short course off-road racing series that races primarily in the Midwestern United States. It was sanctioned and officiated by the United States Auto Club in 2009 and was managed by Rick Johnson; USAC took over total management starting in 2010...
. NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
stars including Jeff Gordon
Jeff Gordon
Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
, Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
, and Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kahne
Kasey Kenneth Kahne is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala for Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series....
honed their skills and captured championships while competing in various USAC series.
In 2011 Taylor Ferns of Michigan won the 8th race of her career surpassing Alison MacLeod as the Winningest Female in USAC history
The Triple Crown
The "Triple Crown" is earned in USAC racing when a driver claims all three national championships (Silver Crown, Sprint Car, and Midget Car). Only two drivers, Tony StewartTony Stewart
Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
(1995) and J.J. Yeley (2003), have achieved the triple crown in a single season. Three other drivers, Pancho Carter
Pancho Carter
Duane "Pancho" Carter, Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races.-Background:...
(1972-78), Dave Darland
Dave Darland
David Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana, is an American auto racing driver who was the 1997 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships...
(1997-2001), and Jerry Coons, Jr. (2006-08), have claimed each of the three championships at least once in their careers.
National Championship
USAC had awarded a national championship until A. J. FoytA. J. Foyt
Anthony Joseph Foyt, Jr., or as he is universally known as in motorsports circles, A. J. Foyt , is a retired American automobile racing driver. He raced in numerous genres of motorsports. His open wheel racing includes USAC Champ cars and midget cars. He raced stock cars in NASCAR and USAC. He won...
won his seventh title in 1979. It has announced that it will begin awarding a national championship starting in 2010. A driver's finishes in his 25 best races are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner will receive $40,000. Points are accumulated in the three national series: sprints, midgets, and Silver Crown. Bryan Clauson
Bryan Clauson
Bryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:...
of Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville, Indiana
Noblesville is a city in and the county seat of Hamilton County, Indiana, United States, located just north of Indianapolis. The population was 51,969 at the 2010 census making it the 14th largest city/town in the state, up from 19th in 2007...
claimed the inaugural championship, topping runner-up, Levi Jones, by 14 points. Clauson also earned a scholarship to compete in the Firestone Indy Lights series in 2011
2011 Indy Lights season
The 2011 Indy Lights season is a season of open wheel motor racing in which cars' drivers will compete against each other using cars which conform to the Indy Lights set of motor racing regulations. It is the 26th season of the Indy Lights series and the tenth sanctioned by IndyCar where the...
. He will contend the races on oval tracks for Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Sam Schmidt Motorsports
Sam Schmidt Motorsports is an auto racing team in the IndyCar IndyCar Series and Firestone Indy Lights Series owned by quadriplegic former driver Sam Schmidt....
.
USAC National Drivers Champions
- 2010 - Bryan ClausonBryan ClausonBryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:...
; Noblesville, IN - 2011 - Bryan ClausonBryan ClausonBryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:...
; Noblesville, IN
1978 plane crash
On April 23, 1978, eight key members of the USAC, plus the pilot, were killed when their 10-seat Piper Navajo ChieftainPiper PA-31 Navajo
The Piper PA-31 Navajo is a family of cabin-class, twin-engine aircraft designed and built by Piper Aircraft for the general aviation market, most using Lycoming engines. It was also licence-built in a number of Latin American countries. Targeted at small-scale cargo and feeder liner operations and...
crashed during a thunderstorm 25 miles southeast of Indianapolis
Indianapolis
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
.
Killed were:
- Ray Marquette, USAC's vice-president of public affairs and a former sportswriter for The Indianapolis StarThe Indianapolis StarThe Indianapolis Star is a morning daily newspaper that began publishing on June 6, 1903. It has won the Pulitzer Prize for investigative reporting twice, in 1975 and 1991. It is currently owned by the Gannett Company.-History:...
- Frank Delroy, chairman of the USAC technical committee
- Shim Malone, starter for USAC races and head of its midget racer division
- Judy Phillips, graphic artist and publication director of USAC's newsletter
- Stan Worley, chief registrar
- Ross Teeguarden, assistant technical chairman
- Don Peabody, head of the sprint division
- Dr. Bruce White, assistant staff doctor
- Don Mullendore, owner and pilot of the plane.
The effect on the USAC, and for open-wheel racing in the United States, was devastating, especially since it closely followed the death of Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.
End of championship car sanctioning
Unfortunately, the crash came at a time when Indy Car owners and drivers were demanding changes from the USAC. Aside from the Indianapolis 500, USAC events were not well attended, and the owners felt that the USAC poorly negotiated television rights. The owners also wanted increases in payouts, especially at Indy.Also unpopular were the attempts of the USAC to keep the aging Offenhauser
Offenhauser
Offenhauser was an American racing engine manufacturer that operated from 1933 to 1983.The Offenhauser engine, familiarly known as the "Offy", was developed by Fred Offenhauser and his employer Harry Arminius Miller, after maintaining and repairing a 1913 Peugeot Grand Prix car of the type which...
engine competitive with the newer, and much more expensive, Cosworth DFV
Cosworth DFV
The DFV is an internal combustion engine that was originally produced by Cosworth for Formula One motor racing. Named Four Valve because of the four valves per cylinder, and Double as it was a V8 development of the earlier, four-cylinder FVA , making it a Double Four Valve engine...
engine using boost-limiting "pop off valves" and limiting the amount of fuel that could be used.
Finally, most car owners banded together to form Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
) in 1978, with the first race to be run in 1979. USAC tried unsuccessfully to ban all CART owners from the 1979 Indianapolis 500
1979 Indianapolis 500
The 1979 Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 27, 1979.The month was filled with controversy on and off the track. A court injunction was issued after USAC denied entries by the start-up CART series. During time trials, several cars were disqualified due to illegal wastegate...
, finally losing in court before the race began. Both the USAC
1979 USAC Championship Car season
The 1979 USAC Championship Car season consisted of seven races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 25 and concluding in West Allis, Wisconsin on August 12. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Rick Mears...
and CART ran race schedules in 1979.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway president John Cooper was instrumental in forming a joint body of CART and the USAC with the creation of the Championship Racing League
1980 USAC Championship Car season
The 1980 USAC Championship Car season consisted of five races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Lexington, Ohio on July 13. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford...
in March 1980. However, in mid 1980, Cooper forced USAC to renounce their agreement with the CRL if they wanted to keep officiating the Indy 500. After the USAC's pitiful attempt at a 500-mile races at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
– which was boycotted by the CART teams, forcing USAC to fill the field with silver crown cars – USAC and CART eventually settled into a relatively peaceful co-existence, with the USAC continuing to sanction the Indianapolis 500, and CART including the race in its schedule.
USAC Silver Crown Series
- 1971: George SniderGeorge SniderGeorge "Ziggy" Snider is a retired American race car driver. A longtime driver in the United States Automobile Club Silver Crown series, Snider is also a 22-time starter of the Indianapolis 500, the most starts without winning the race. His best finish was eighth in the 1975 Indianapolis 500...
; Fresno, CA; Wilke #4 - 1972: A.J. Foyt; Houston, TX; Foyt #3
- 1973: Al UnserAl UnserAlfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr....
; Albuquerque, NM; Miletich/Jones #2 - 1974: Mario AndrettiMario AndrettiMario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR...
; Nazareth, PA; Miletich/Jones #2 - 1975: Jimmy CaruthersJimmy CaruthersDouglas "Jimmy" Caruthers was an American racecar driver from Anaheim, California. He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars.-Midget car career:...
; Anaheim, CA; Middleton #55 - 1976: Billy Cassella; Weirton, WV; Seymour #29
- 1977: Larry RiceLarry RiceLarry Rice was an American racing driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was the 1973 USAC National midget driver's champion and won the USAC Silver Crown series in 1977 and 1981. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993.-Racing career:Larry's father...
; Crawfordsville, IN; LeFevre #4 - 1978: Pancho CarterPancho CarterDuane "Pancho" Carter, Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races.-Background:...
; Racine, WI; Capels #21 - 1979: Bobby OliveroBobby OliveroBobby Olivero , is a former driver in the USAC Championship Car series. He raced in the 1976-1978 seasons, with 17 career starts, including the 1977 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 11 times, with his best finish in 5th position in 1977 at Ontario.In 1979, Olivero was the USAC Silver...
; Lakewood, CA; Kurtz #30 - 1980: Gary BettenhausenGary BettenhausenGary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:...
; Tinley Park, IL; Delrose/Holt #12 - 1981: Larry RiceLarry RiceLarry Rice was an American racing driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was the 1973 USAC National midget driver's champion and won the USAC Silver Crown series in 1977 and 1981. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993.-Racing career:Larry's father...
; Crawfordsville, IN; Knepper #55 - 1982: Ken SchraderKen SchraderKenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
; Fenton, MO; Fortune #39 - 1983: Gary BettenhausenGary BettenhausenGary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:...
; Tinley Park, IL; Delrose/Holt #9 - 1984: Dave BlaneyDave BlaneyDavid Blaney is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver. He currently drives the #36 Golden Corral/Big Red Chevrolet Impala for Tommy Baldwin Racing. Blaney was a successful sprint car driver before he started racing in NASCAR...
; Wooster, OH; DePalma #58 - 1985: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
- 1986: Jack HewittJack HewittJack Hewitt , is a former driver and two-time champion in the USAC Silver Crown Series.- Racing career :He raced in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, placing 12th...
; Troy, OH; Hampshire #63 - 1987: Jack HewittJack HewittJack Hewitt , is a former driver and two-time champion in the USAC Silver Crown Series.- Racing career :He raced in the 1998 Indianapolis 500, placing 12th...
; Troy, OH; Hampshire #63 - 1988: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Jarrett #10 - 1989: Chuck Gurney; Hayward, CA; Kurtz #30
- 1990: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Consani #54
- 1991: Jeff GordonJeff GordonJeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
; Vallejo, CA; Ede #35 - 1992: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Jarrett #10 - 1993: Mike BlissMike BlissMichael Bliss is a NASCAR driver who has run in all three major series. He currently drives the #19 Chevrolet Impala for TriStar Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He began racing at age 10...
; Milwaukie, OR; McClure #69 - 1994: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Stanton #75
- 1995: Tony StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
; Columbus, IN; Boles #25 - 1996: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Stanton #75
- 1997: Dave DarlandDave DarlandDavid Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana, is an American auto racing driver who was the 1997 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships...
; Lincoln, IN; Foxco #56 - 1998: Jason LefflerJason LefflerJason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
; Long Beach, CA; Goetz #9 - 1999: Ryan NewmanRyan NewmanRyan Joseph Newman is a driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He drives the #39 United States Army/Tornados/Haas Automation Chevrolet Impala for Stewart Haas Racing under crew chief Tony Gibson. Newman graduated from Purdue University in 2001 with a B.S. in vehicle structure engineering...
; South Bend, IN; Ede #14 - 2000: Tracy HinesTracy HinesTracy Lee Hines is an American auto racing driver. He was the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Champion and 2002 USAC National Sprint Car Champion...
; New Castle, IN; Riggs #37 - 2001: Paul White; Temple, TX; Cook #10
- 2002: J. J. YeleyJ. J. YeleyChristopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
; Phoenix, AZ; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/East #9 - 2003: J. J. YeleyJ. J. YeleyChristopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
; Phoenix, AZ; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/East #9 - 2004: Dave SteeleDave SteeleDave Steele , is an American racecar driver.-Racing career:He has competed in several USAC sprint and Silver Crown races. He won the 2001 and 2003 Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car race. He won the USAC Silver Crown Series in 2004 and 2005. He also raced in the 1998 Indy Racing League season,...
; Tampa, FL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/East #9 - 2005: Dave SteeleDave SteeleDave Steele , is an American racecar driver.-Racing career:He has competed in several USAC sprint and Silver Crown races. He won the 2001 and 2003 Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car race. He won the USAC Silver Crown Series in 2004 and 2005. He also raced in the 1998 Indy Racing League season,...
; Tampa, FL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/East #9 - 2006: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK/Leffler #29
- 2007: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK #29
- 2008: Jerry Coons, Jr.; Tucson, AZ; RW #27
- 2009: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK #29
- 2010: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/CurbMike CurbMichael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
-Agajanian #10 - 2011:Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
/CurbMike CurbMichael Curb is an American musician, record company executive, NASCAR and IRL race car owner. A Republican, he served as the 42nd Lieutenant Governor of California from 1979-1983 under Democratic Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr...
-Agajanian #10
USAC Sprint Car Series
USAC Sprint Car Series Champions
- 1956 Midwest: Pat O'ConnorPat O'Connor (auto racer)Pat O'Connor was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a 15-car pileup, after sustaining a fatal head injury after rolling his car and catching fire on the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500.He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 1958 adding to the legend of the Sports...
; North Vernon, IN; Estes #9 - 1956 East: Tommy HinnershitzTommy HinnershitzThomas Paul Hinnershitz was an American race car driver.Hinnershitz was active through the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s on dirt, asphalt and boards, driving Sprint Cars, at that time slightly smaller versions of Indianapolis cars that could be raced on half mile dirt race tracks.-Career...
; Muhlenberg, PA; #1 - 1957 Midwest: Elmer GeorgeElmer GeorgeElmer George was an American racecar driver.Born in Hockerville, Oklahoma, George died in Terre Haute, Indiana. He drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956-1963 seasons with 64 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1957, 1962, and 1963...
; Hockerville, OK; Hulman #21 - 1957 East: Bill Randall; North Reading, MA
- 1958 Midwest: Eddie SachsEddie SachsEdward Julius Sachs, Jr, born May 28, 1927 in Allentown, Pennsylvania, died May 30, 1964 in Speedway, Indiana was a United States Auto Club driver who was known as the "Clown Prince of Auto Racing." He coined the phrase "If you can't win, be spectacular."...
; Allentown, PA; Cheesman #25 - 1958 East: Johnny ThomsonJohnny ThomsonJohnny Thomson was an American racecar driver. Thomson was nicknamed "the Flying Scot."-Midget cars:...
; Lowell, MA; Traylor #3 - 1959 Midwest: Don BransonDon BransonDon Branson was an American racecar driver.Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson was killed in a racing crash at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series and also in sprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956-1966 seasons with 129 starts, including the...
; Rantoul, IL; Estes #4 - 1959 East: Tommy HinnershitzTommy HinnershitzThomas Paul Hinnershitz was an American race car driver.Hinnershitz was active through the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s on dirt, asphalt and boards, driving Sprint Cars, at that time slightly smaller versions of Indianapolis cars that could be raced on half mile dirt race tracks.-Career...
; Muhlenberg, PA; Pfrommer #4 - 1960 Midwest: Parnelli JonesParnelli JonesRufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
; Texarkana, AR; Fike #51 - 1960 East: A.J. Foyt; Houston, TX; Watson #2
- 1961: Parnelli JonesParnelli JonesRufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
; Texarkana, AR; Fike #1 - 1962: Parnelli JonesParnelli JonesRufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car...
; Texarkana, AR; Fike #1 - 1963: Roger McCluskeyRoger McCluskeyRoger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973...
; San Antonio, TX; Homeyer #2 - 1964: Don BransonDon BransonDon Branson was an American racecar driver.Born in Rantoul, Illinois, Branson was killed in a racing crash at Ascot Park in Gardena, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series and also in sprint cars, racing champ cars in the 1956-1966 seasons with 129 starts, including the...
; Rantoul, IL; Phillips #3 - 1965: Johnny RutherfordJohnny RutherfordFor the Major League Baseball pitcher, see Johnny Rutherford . For other people with a similar name, see John RutherfordJohn Sherman Rutherford III , better known as Johnny Rutherford, and also known as "Lone Star JR" is a former U.S...
; Coffeyville, KS; Meskowski #9 - 1966: Roger McCluskeyRoger McCluskeyRoger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973...
; San Antonio, TX; Anderson #51 - 1967: Greg WeldGreg WeldGreg Weld was an American racecar driver.Weld won the 1963 Knoxville Nationals, the premiere event in sprint car racing. Weld raced in the USAC Championship Car series in the 1965-1972 seasons, with 36 career starts, including the 1970 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten 11 times, with...
; Kansas City, MO; Leffler #92 - 1968: Larry DicksonLarry DicksonLarry Dickson , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1965-1981 seasons, with 105 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1966-1969, 1971, 1978–1979, and 1981. He finished in the top ten 44 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in...
; Marietta, OH; Smith #4 & Stapp #27 - 1969: Gary BettenhausenGary BettenhausenGary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:...
; Tinley Park, IL; Davis #2 - 1970: Larry DicksonLarry DicksonLarry Dickson , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1965-1981 seasons, with 105 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1966-1969, 1971, 1978–1979, and 1981. He finished in the top ten 44 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in...
; Marietta, OH; Lay #2 - 1971: Gary BettenhausenGary BettenhausenGary Bettenhausen is a retired American auto racing driver. He was born in Blue Island, Illinois, raised in Tinley Park, Illinois, and currently resides in Monrovia, Indiana.-Racing family:...
; Tinley Park, IL; Davis #2 - 1972: Sammy SessionsSammy SessionsAllen Dale "Sammy" Sessions was an American racecar driver.Born in Nashville, Michigan, Sessions died in a snowmobile racing accident in Alexandria, Minnesota. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1965-1975 seasons with 62 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1968-1973...
; Nashville, MI; Amerling #4 - 1973: Rollie Beale; Toledo, OH; Kilman #2
- 1974: Pancho CarterPancho CarterDuane "Pancho" Carter, Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races.-Background:...
; Racine, WI; Stapp #6 - 1975: Larry DicksonLarry DicksonLarry Dickson , is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1965-1981 seasons, with 105 combined career starts, including the Indianapolis 500 in 1966-1969, 1971, 1978–1979, and 1981. He finished in the top ten 44 times, with his best finish in 2nd position in...
; Marietta, OH; Ensign #80 - 1976: Pancho CarterPancho CarterDuane "Pancho" Carter, Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races.-Background:...
; Racine, WI; Stapp #4 - 1977: Sheldon KinserSheldon KinserSheldon Kinser , was an American race-car driver.Kinser, a Bloomington, Indiana native, died of cancer. He was a three-time USAC Sprint Car Series Champion . He also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series...
; Bloomington, IN; Hammond #56 - 1978: Tom BigelowTom BigelowTom Bigelow , USA, is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.-Midget car racing:...
; Whitewater, WI; Armstrong #43 - 1979: Greg LefflerGreg LefflerGreg Leffler , is a former driver in the CART Championship Car series. He raced in the 1980-1983 seasons, with 13 career starts, including the 1980 Indianapolis 500. He finished in the top ten twice, with his best finish in 6th position in 1982 at Riverside. In 1979, Leffler was the USAC Sprint Car...
; Winchester, IN; Armstrong #43 - 1980: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Seibert #2 - 1981: Sheldon KinserSheldon KinserSheldon Kinser , was an American race-car driver.Kinser, a Bloomington, Indiana native, died of cancer. He was a three-time USAC Sprint Car Series Champion . He also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series...
; Bloomington, IN; Leyba #6 - 1982: Sheldon KinserSheldon KinserSheldon Kinser , was an American race-car driver.Kinser, a Bloomington, Indiana native, died of cancer. He was a three-time USAC Sprint Car Series Champion . He also drove in the USAC and CART Championship Car series...
; Bloomington, IN; Leyba #1 - 1983: Ken SchraderKen SchraderKenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping...
; Fenton, MO; Fortune #39 - 1984: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
- 1985: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
- 1986: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #6 - 1987: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #1 - 1988: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #1 - 1989: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Dynamics #69 - 1990: Steve ButlerSteve ButlerSteve Butler won six national driving championships in USAC Sprint Car and Silver Crown open-wheel racing. Butler was highly regarded for his technical skills and performed chief mechanic duties on several of his winning race cars. He also communicated his view of racing to fans both as author and...
; Amarillo, TX; Dynamics #69 - 1991: Robbie StanleyRobbie StanleyRobbie Stanley, born November 16, 1967 in Brownsburg, Indiana died May 26, 1994 in Winchester, Indiana was an American auto racing driver.After winning the All-Star Circuit of Champions championship in 1989, he began racing in USAC...
; Brownsburg, IN; Stanley #7 - 1992: Robbie StanleyRobbie StanleyRobbie Stanley, born November 16, 1967 in Brownsburg, Indiana died May 26, 1994 in Winchester, Indiana was an American auto racing driver.After winning the All-Star Circuit of Champions championship in 1989, he began racing in USAC...
; Brownsburg, IN; Stanley #1 - 1993: Robbie StanleyRobbie StanleyRobbie Stanley, born November 16, 1967 in Brownsburg, Indiana died May 26, 1994 in Winchester, Indiana was an American auto racing driver.After winning the All-Star Circuit of Champions championship in 1989, he began racing in USAC...
; Brownsburg, IN; Dynamics #69 - 1994: Doug KalittaDoug KalittaDoug Kalitta is an American auto racing driver from Ypsilanti, Michigan.Kalitta formerly raced in USAC events. He was the 1991 USAC rookie of the year in the midget series, and won the 1994 championship in the sprint car category. Kalitta won 21 USAC events: 14 in midget races and 7 in sprint...
; Ypsilanti, MI; Kalitta #22k - 1995: Tony StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
; Columbus, IN; Niebel #20 - 1996: Brian Tyler; Parma, MI; Contos #4c
- 1997: Brian Tyler; Parma, MI; Contos #4c
- 1998: Tony Elliott; Warsaw, IN; Walker/Vance #2 & Conroy #12
- 1999: Dave DarlandDave DarlandDavid Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana, is an American auto racing driver who was the 1997 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships...
; Lincoln, IN; Hoffman #69 - 2000: Tony Elliott; Warsaw, IN; Walker #66
- 2001: J. J. YeleyJ. J. YeleyChristopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
; Phoenix, AZ; GT #76 - 2002: Tracy HinesTracy HinesTracy Lee Hines is an American auto racing driver. He was the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Champion and 2002 USAC National Sprint Car Champion...
; New Castle, IN; Dynamics #69 - 2003: J. J. YeleyJ. J. YeleyChristopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
; Phoenix, AZ; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2004: Jay DrakeJay DrakeJay Scott Drake is an American auto racing driver.-Racing career:Drake won the 1998 Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car race. Drake was the USAC National Sprint Car Champion in 2004. He also competed in 14 Indy Pro Series races in 2004 and 2005 with a best finish of third and finishing 9th in the...
; Santa Maria, CA; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2005: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Benic #2B
- 2006: Josh WiseJosh WiseJosh Wise is a NASCAR driver who currently runs in its Nationwide Series. He drives the #7 Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports and the #39 Ford Mustang for Go Green Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He is a former member of the driver development program for Michael Waltrip Racing...
; Riverside, CA; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2007: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2008: Jerry Coons, Jr.; Tucson, AZ; Dynamics #69
- 2009: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2010: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20 - 2011: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
#20
USAC National Midget Series
USAC National Midget Series Champions- 1956: Shorty TemplemanShorty TemplemanClark "Shorty" Templeman was an American racecar driver.-Championship car:...
; Pueblo, CA - 1957: Shorty TemplemanShorty TemplemanClark "Shorty" Templeman was an American racecar driver.-Championship car:...
; Pueblo, CA - 1958: Shorty TemplemanShorty TemplemanClark "Shorty" Templeman was an American racecar driver.-Championship car:...
; Pueblo, CA - 1959: Gene HartleyGene HartleyLeslie "Gene" Hartley was an American racecar driver. He was born and died in Roanoke, Indiana.Hartley was the son of midget car driver Ted Hartley, who competed into his 60s. "Auto racing is all I’ve ever known," Gene once said in an interview at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway...
; Roanoke, IN - 1960: Jimmy DaviesJimmy DaviesJimmy Davies was an American racecar driver in Champ cars and midgets. He was the second man to win three USAC National Midget Championships....
; Glendale, CA - 1961: Jimmy DaviesJimmy DaviesJimmy Davies was an American racecar driver in Champ cars and midgets. He was the second man to win three USAC National Midget Championships....
; Glendale, CA - 1962: Jimmy DaviesJimmy DaviesJimmy Davies was an American racecar driver in Champ cars and midgets. He was the second man to win three USAC National Midget Championships....
; Glendale, CA - 1963: Bob WenteBob WenteBob Wente, was an American racecar driver.-Midget car:...
; St. Louis, MO - 1964: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IL - 1965: Mike McGreevy; Hoosick, NY
- 1966: Mike McGreevy; Hoosick, NY; #1
- 1967: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IN; Kenyon #1 - 1968: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IN; Kenyon #1 - 1969: Bob Tattersall; Pennsbury, PA; Stroud #3
- 1970: Jimmy CaruthersJimmy CaruthersDouglas "Jimmy" Caruthers was an American racecar driver from Anaheim, California. He raced midget cars, sprint cars, and IndyCars.-Midget car career:...
; Anaheim, CA; Caruthers #5 - 1971: Danny Caruthers; Anaheim, CA; Caruthers #5
- 1972: Pancho CarterPancho CarterDuane "Pancho" Carter, Jr. is a retired American race car driver. He is most famous for his participation in CART races.-Background:...
; Racine, WI; Rieder #81 - 1973: Larry RiceLarry RiceLarry Rice was an American racing driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series. He was the 1973 USAC National midget driver's champion and won the USAC Silver Crown series in 1977 and 1981. He was inducted in the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1993.-Racing career:Larry's father...
; Crawfordsville, IN; Shannon #2 - 1974: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IL; Kenyon #61 - 1975: Sleepy TrippSleepy TrippRon "Sleepy" Tripp is an American Hall of Fame midget car driver. Tripp got his nickname as a youth when he would fall asleep in his quarter midget car while waiting for his next race to start. -Midget car career:...
; Costa Mesa, CA; #5 - 1976: Sleepy TrippSleepy TrippRon "Sleepy" Tripp is an American Hall of Fame midget car driver. Tripp got his nickname as a youth when he would fall asleep in his quarter midget car while waiting for his next race to start. -Midget car career:...
; Costa Mesa, CA; #1 - 1977: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IL; Armstrong #43 - 1978: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Caruthers #2 - 1979: Steve Lotshaw,; Piascik #2
- 1980: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Lockard #69 - 1981: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IL; Kenyon #61 - 1982: Kevin OlsonKevin OlsonKevin Olson, a.k.a Kevin Johnson or Kevin Johnson Olsen born March 28, 1989. Is a child actor from Hartford, Connecticut.He is most notable for playing "Irwin" in Stuart Little 2.-Filmography:-External links:...
; Machesney Park, IL; Carey #5 - 1983: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Streicher #4 - 1984: Tom BigelowTom BigelowTom Bigelow , USA, is a former driver in the USAC and CART Championship Car series.-Midget car racing:...
; Whitewater, WI; Sandy #16 - 1985: Mel KenyonMel KenyonMel Kenyon is a former midget car driver. He is known as the "King of the Midgets", "Miraculous Mel", and "Champion of Midget Auto Racing." The Motorsports Hall of Fame of America says "Many consider him to be midget car racing's greatest driver ever." -Racing career:He attended his first auto...
; Lacon, IL; Burns #66 - 1986: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL; Byrd #2 - 1987: Kevin OlsonKevin OlsonKevin Olson, a.k.a Kevin Johnson or Kevin Johnson Olsen born March 28, 1989. Is a child actor from Hartford, Connecticut.He is most notable for playing "Irwin" in Stuart Little 2.-Filmography:-External links:...
; Machesney Park, IL; Wilke #11 - 1988: Rich VoglerRich VoglerRich Vogler was a champion sprint car and midget car driver. He was nicknamed "Rapid Rich". He competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times, his best finish was eighth in 1989.-Racing career:...
; Chicago, IL ; Byrd #1 - 1989: Russ GamesterRuss GamesterRussell Gamester, born on January 9, 1965 in Lombard, Illinois is an American auto racing driver.A long time competitor in United States Auto Club racing, Gamester collected the USAC National Midget title in 1989. Now residing in Peru, Indiana, he competes in the USAC Silver Crown Series. He...
; Peru, IN ; Gamester #46 - 1990: Jeff GordonJeff GordonJeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the...
; Vallejo, CA ; Helmling #4 - 1991: Mike StreicherMike StreicherMike Streicher is an American auto racing driver . He is the United States Automobile Club National Midget Champion of 1991 when he fielded the Streicher #8. Together with Bobby Seymour and Seymour Enterprises of Marlboro, Massachusetts, he built the first and still manufactures the Hawk brand...
; Findlay, OH; Streicher #8 - 1992: Stevie ReevesStevie ReevesStevie Reeves born on May 16, 1967 in Speedway, Indiana is an American auto racing driver.After several seasons racing on the bullrings of Indiana, Reeves traveled nationally with the United States Automobile Club and wound up winning back-to-back USAC National Midget titles in 1992 for the Wilke...
; Speedway, IN ; Wilke #11 - 1993: Stevie ReevesStevie ReevesStevie Reeves born on May 16, 1967 in Speedway, Indiana is an American auto racing driver.After several seasons racing on the bullrings of Indiana, Reeves traveled nationally with the United States Automobile Club and wound up winning back-to-back USAC National Midget titles in 1992 for the Wilke...
; Speedway, IN ; Lewis #9 - 1994: Tony StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
; Columbus, IN ; Potter #6 - 1995: Tony StewartTony StewartAnthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart...
; Columbus, IN ; Lewis #9 - 1996: Kenny Irwin, Jr.Kenny Irwin, Jr.Kenneth Dale Irwin, Jr. was a NASCAR stock car driver. He had driven in all three major of forms of NASCAR and had two total victories. Before that, he raced in the United States Auto Club against Tony Stewart, who was one of his fiercest rivals...
; Indianapolis, IN; Lewis #91 - 1997: Jason LefflerJason LefflerJason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
; Long Beach, CA; Willoughby #71 - 1998: Jason LefflerJason LefflerJason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
; Long Beach, CA; Lewis #9 - 1999: Jason LefflerJason LefflerJason Leffler is a NASCAR driver from Long Beach, California. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks before moving to NASCAR's three major series...
; Long Beach, CA; Lewis #9 - 2000: Kasey KahneKasey KahneKasey Kenneth Kahne is a NASCAR driver. He drives the #5 Farmers Insurance Group Chevrolet Impala for Hendrick Motorsports in the Sprint Cup Series....
; Enumclaw, WA ; Lewis #91 - 2001: Dave DarlandDave DarlandDavid Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana, is an American auto racing driver who was the 1997 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships...
; Lincoln, IN ; Lewis #9 - 2002: Dave DarlandDave DarlandDavid Lee Darland in Kokomo, Indiana, is an American auto racing driver who was the 1997 USAC Silver Crown Champion, 1999 USAC National Sprint Car Champion, and 2001 and 2002 USAC National Midget Champion, making him one of only five drivers to claim all three USAC National Championships...
; Lincoln, IN ; Lewis #9 - 2003: J. J. YeleyJ. J. YeleyChristopher Beltram Hernandez Yeley is a NASCAR driver. Nicknamed "J. J." , he is currently a competitor in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving for Front Row Motorsports.-Open wheel:Yeley initially made a mark for himself in the world of auto racing when he took the Hoosier state by...
; Phoenix, AZ; Lewis #9 - 2004: Bobby EastBobby EastRobert East, born in Torrance, California on December 17, 1984, is an American auto racing driver. He has raced in the United States Auto Club, the Auto Racing Club of American, and NASCAR...
; Torrance, CA ; Lewis #9 - 2005: Josh WiseJosh WiseJosh Wise is a NASCAR driver who currently runs in its Nationwide Series. He drives the #7 Chevrolet Impala for JR Motorsports and the #39 Ford Mustang for Go Green Racing in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He is a former member of the driver development program for Michael Waltrip Racing...
; Riverside, CA ; Stewart #20w - 2006: Jerry Coons Jr.; Tucson, AZ ; Wilke #11
- 2007: Jerry Coons Jr.; Tucson, AZ ; Wilke-Pak #11
- 2008: Cole WhittCole WhittCole Whitt is a American stock car driver and development driver for Red Bull Racing Team. After advancing his way through Kart racing, Whitt moved up to sprint cars and became a development driver for Red Bull. After running in the Camping World Series East, Whitt made his NASCAR debut in 2010...
; Alpine, CA; Kunz #71 - 2009: Brad Kuhn; Avon, IN; RW #17B
- 2010: Bryan ClausonBryan ClausonBryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:...
; Noblesville, IN; Tucker/Kunz/BCI #39 - 2011: Bryan ClausonBryan ClausonBryan Clauson, is an American auto racing driver. He went to Noblesville High School in Noblesville, Indiana.-Career:...
; Noblesville, IN; Tucker/Kunz/BCI #39
Traxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC SeriesTraxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC Series is an American national short course off-road racing series that races primarily in the Midwestern United States. It was sanctioned and officiated by the United States Auto Club in 2009 and was managed by Rick Johnson; USAC took over total management starting in 2010...
was founded in 2009 by motocross
Motocross
Motocross is a form of motorcycle sport or all-terrain vehicle racing held on enclosed off road circuits. It evolved from trials, and was called scrambles, and later motocross, combining the French moto with cross-country...
racer Rick Johnson and it was managed the race operations and officiated the events. USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010.
- 2009 Pro 4x4: Rick Huseman, Pro 2WD: Rob MacCachrenRob MacCachrenRob MacCachren is an American off-road racer from Las Vegas, Nevada. He raced the Mickey Thompson Stadium Series early in his career and went on to win championships in Championship Off-Road Racing , SCORE International, SODA, and Best in the Desert...
- 2010 Pro 4x4: Johnny GreavesJohnny Greaves (racer)Johnny Greaves is a professional American off-road racing racetruck driver from Abrams, Wisconsin. He has competed in numerous major off-road series, including Championship Off-Road Racing and World Series of Off-Road Racing...
, Pro 2WD: Ricky Johnson
USAC Championship Car Series
| USAC Championship Car Season Champions | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1956 |  Jimmy BryanJimmy Bryan James Ernest Bryan was an American racecar driver. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bryan died as a result of injuries sustained in a champ car race at Langhorne Speedway.-Career:... |
season 1956 USAC Championship Car season The 1956 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 12. There were also three non-championship events. The USAC National Champion was Jimmy Bryan and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Pat Flaherty... |
| 1957 | Jimmy Bryan Jimmy Bryan James Ernest Bryan was an American racecar driver. Born in Phoenix, Arizona, Bryan died as a result of injuries sustained in a champ car race at Langhorne Speedway.-Career:... |
season 1957 USAC Championship Car season The 1957 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11. There were also five non-championship events... |
| 1958 | Tony Bettenhausen Tony Bettenhausen Melvin E. "Tony" Bettenhausen was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958.... |
season 1958 USAC Championship Car season The 1958 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on March 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11. There were also five non-championship events... |
| 1959 | Rodger Ward Rodger Ward Rodger M. Ward was an American racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis 500. He also was the 1959 and 1962 USAC Championship Car champion.-Early history:... |
season 1959 USAC Championship Car season The 1959 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Daytona Beach, Florida on April 4 and concluding in Sacramento, California on October 25. There were also three non-championship events... |
| 1960 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1960 USAC Championship Car season The 1960 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 10 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 20. There were also two non-championship events at Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Pikes Peak, Colorado. This was the final year that the... |
| 1961 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1961 USAC Championship Car season The 1961 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 9 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 19. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J... |
| 1962 | Rodger Ward Rodger Ward Rodger M. Ward was an American racecar driver who won the 1959 and 1962 Indianapolis 500. He also was the 1959 and 1962 USAC Championship Car champion.-Early history:... |
season 1962 USAC Championship Car season The 1962 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 8 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 18. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado... |
| 1963 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1963 USAC Championship Car season The 1963 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 21 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 17. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt, and the Indianapolis 500... |
| 1964 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1964 USAC Championship Car season The 1964 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 22 and concluding at the same location on November 22. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J... |
| 1965 | Mario Andretti Mario Andretti Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR... |
season 1965 USAC Championship Car season The 1965 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 28 and concluding at the same location on November 21. The USAC National Champion was Mario Andretti and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Jim Clark.... |
| 1966 | Mario Andretti Mario Andretti Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR... |
season 1966 USAC Championship Car season The 1966 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 16 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 20 and concluding at the same location on November 20. There was also one non-championship event at Fuji Speedway in Japan... |
| 1967 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1967 USAC Championship Car season The 1967 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 21 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on April 9 and concluding in Riverside, California on November 26. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt.-Schedule and results:... |
| 1968 | Bobby Unser Bobby Unser Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser... |
season 1968 USAC Championship Car season The 1968 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 28 races, beginning in Hanford, California on March 17 and concluding in Riverside, California on December 1. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Bobby Unser.-Schedule and results:... |
| 1969 | Mario Andretti Mario Andretti Mario Gabriele Andretti is a retired Italian American world champion racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR... |
season 1969 USAC Championship Car season The 1969 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 24 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 30 and concluding in Riverside, California on December 7. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Mario Andretti.-Schedule and results:... |
| 1970 | Al Unser Al Unser Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr.... |
season 1970 USAC Championship Car season The 1970 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 28 and concluding at the same location on November 21. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser... |
| 1971 | Joe Leonard Joe Leonard Joe Leonard , is a retired American motorcycle racer and racecar driver.Leonard won the first A.M.A. Grand National Championship Series in 1954 and won it again in 1956 and 1957. His record totals 27 wins, including the 1957 and 1958 Daytona 200... |
season 1971 USAC Championship Car season The 1971 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Rafaela, Argentina on February 28 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on October 23. The USAC National Champion was Joe Leonard and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser... |
| 1972 | Joe Leonard Joe Leonard Joe Leonard , is a retired American motorcycle racer and racecar driver.Leonard won the first A.M.A. Grand National Championship Series in 1954 and won it again in 1956 and 1957. His record totals 27 wins, including the 1957 and 1958 Daytona 200... |
season 1972 USAC Championship Car season The 1972 USAC Championship Car season consisted of ten races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 18 and concluding at the same location on November 4. The USAC National Champion was Joe Leonard and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Mark Donohue.... |
| 1973 | Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
season 1973 USAC Championship Car season The 1973 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 16 races, beginning in College Station, Texas on April 7 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 3. The USAC National Champion was Roger McCluskey and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Gordon Johncock.... |
| 1974 | Bobby Unser Bobby Unser Robert William "Bobby" Unser is a retired U.S. automobile racer. He is the brother of Al Unser, Jerry Unser and Louie Unser, the father of Robby Unser, and the uncle of Al Unser, Jr. and Johnny Unser... |
season 1974 USAC Championship Car season The 1974 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 14 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 3 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 2. The USAC National Champion was Bobby Unser and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford.... |
| 1975 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1975 USAC Championship Car season The 1975 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 2 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on November 9. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Bobby Unser.... |
| 1976 | Gordon Johncock Gordon Johncock Gordon Johncock is a former racing driver, best known as a two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 and the 1976 USAC Marlboro Championship Trail champion. Johncock was most often simply referred to as "Gordy."... |
season 1976 USAC Championship Car season The 1976 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 14 and concluding at the same location on November 7. The USAC National Champion was Gordon Johncock and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford.... |
| 1977 | Tom Sneva Tom Sneva Tom Sneva is a former Indy Car driver who was named to the prestigious Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005. Sneva is best remembered for winning the 1983 Indianapolis 500. Nicknamed "The Gas Man," Sneva was an outstanding qualifier, winning the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 three... |
season 1977 USAC Championship Car season The 1977 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 14 races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 6 and concluding in Avondale, Arizona on October 29. The USAC National Champion was Tom Sneva and the Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt... |
| 1978 | Tom Sneva Tom Sneva Tom Sneva is a former Indy Car driver who was named to the prestigious Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005. Sneva is best remembered for winning the 1983 Indianapolis 500. Nicknamed "The Gas Man," Sneva was an outstanding qualifier, winning the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 three... |
season 1978 USAC Championship Car season The 1978 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 18 and concluding at the same location on October 28. The USAC National Champion was Tom Sneva and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser... |
| 1979 | A.J. Foyt |
season 1979 USAC Championship Car season The 1979 USAC Championship Car season consisted of seven races, beginning in Ontario, California on March 25 and concluding in West Allis, Wisconsin on August 12. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Rick Mears... |
| 1980 | Johnny Rutherford |
season 1980 USAC Championship Car season The 1980 USAC Championship Car season consisted of five races, beginning in Ontario, California on April 13 and concluding in Lexington, Ohio on July 13. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnny Rutherford... |
USAC Gold Crown Series
From 1985 onwards, the Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
was the only race on the Gold Crown calendar. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 would be the de facto Gold Crown champion.
| USAC Gold Crown Series Champions | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1981–82 | George Snider George Snider George "Ziggy" Snider is a retired American race car driver. A longtime driver in the United States Automobile Club Silver Crown series, Snider is also a 22-time starter of the Indianapolis 500, the most starts without winning the race. His best finish was eighth in the 1975 Indianapolis 500... |
season 1981–82 USAC Championship Car season The 1981-82 USAC Championship Car season consisted of six races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 24, 1981 and concluding at the same location on May 30, 1982. The USAC National Champion was George Snider. The season included two Indianapolis 500 races. The 1981 winner was Bobby Unser,... |
| 1982–83 | Tom Sneva Tom Sneva Tom Sneva is a former Indy Car driver who was named to the prestigious Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2005. Sneva is best remembered for winning the 1983 Indianapolis 500. Nicknamed "The Gas Man," Sneva was an outstanding qualifier, winning the pole position for the Indianapolis 500 three... |
season 1982–83 USAC Championship Car season The 1982-83 USAC Championship Car season consisted of four races, beginning in Springfield, Illinois on August 14, 1982 and concluding in Speedway, Indiana on May 29, 1983... |
| 1983–84 | Rick Mears Rick Mears Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six... |
season 1983–84 USAC Championship Car season The 1983-84 USAC Championship Car season consisted of two races, beginning in Du Quoin, Illinois on September 5, 1983 and concluding in Speedway, Indiana on May 27, 1984. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Rick Mears... |
| 1985 | Danny Sullivan Danny Sullivan Daniel John "Danny" Sullivan III is a former racing driver from the United States. He is best known for winning the 1985 Indianapolis 500.-Before racing:... |
report 1985 Indianapolis 500 The 69th Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis, United States on Sunday, May 26, 1985. Due to a dramatic spin by eventual race winner Danny Sullivan, the race is known in auto racing lore as the "Spin and Win".-Recap:... |
| 1986 | Bobby Rahal Bobby Rahal Robert "Bobby" Woodward Rahal is an American auto racing driver and team owner. As a driver, he won three championships and 24 races in the CART open-wheel series, including the 1986 Indianapolis 500... |
report 1986 Indianapolis 500 The 70th Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Saturday, May 31, 1986. After being rained out on May 25–26, the race was rescheduled for the following weekend... |
| 1987 | Al Unser Al Unser Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr.... |
report 1987 Indianapolis 500 The 71st Indianapolis 500 was held Sunday May 24, 1987 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. During the month of May, an unusually high 25 crashes occurred during practice and qualifying. After dominating practice, qualifying, and most of the race, leader Mario Andretti slowed with mechanical... |
| 1988 | Rick Mears Rick Mears Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six... |
report 1988 Indianapolis 500 The 72nd Indianapolis 500 was held Sunday May 29, 1988 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Team Penske dominated the month, sweeping the top three starting positions with Rick Mears winning the pole position, Danny Sullivan on the inside of the front row, and Al Unser, Sr. on the outside... |
| 1989 |  Emerson FittipaldiEmerson Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:... |
report 1989 Indianapolis 500 The 73rd Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 1989. Emerson Fittipaldi became the first foreign winner of the race since 1966. Though Fittipaldi dominated most of the race, he dropped to second in the waning laps. On the 199th lap, Al Unser, Jr. was... |
| 1990 |  Arie LuyendykArie Luyendyk Arie Luyendyk, originally Arie Luijendijk is a Dutch auto racing driver, twice winner of the Indianapolis 500.... |
report 1990 Indianapolis 500 The 74th Indianapolis 500 was held at Indianapolis on Sunday, May 27, 1990. Arie Luyendyk took the lead with 32 laps to go, and earned his first-ever victory in championship-level competition... |
| 1991 | Rick Mears Rick Mears Rick Ravon Mears is a retired American race car driver. He is one of three men to have won the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race four times , and the current record-holder for pole positions in the race with six... |
report 1991 Indianapolis 500 The 75th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26, 1991. Rick Mears won from the pole position, becoming the third four-time winner of the Indy 500, joining A. J. Foyt and Al Unser.... |
| 1992 | Al Unser, Jr. Al Unser, Jr. Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:... |
report 1992 Indianapolis 500 The 76th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 1992. The race is famous for the fierce battle in the closing laps, as race winner Al Unser, Jr... |
| 1993 | Emerson Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi |São Paulo]], Brazil) is a Brazilian automobile racing driver who throughout a long and successful career won the Indianapolis 500 twice and championships in both Formula One and CART.-Early and personal life:... |
report 1993 Indianapolis 500 The 77th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 30, 1993. Emerson Fittipaldi took the lead with 16 laps to go, and won his second career Indy 500 victory... |
| 1994 | Al Unser, Jr. Al Unser, Jr. Alfred Unser, Jr. , nicknamed "Little Al", "Al Junior" or simply "Junior" is a retired American race car driver and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner.-History:... |
report 1994 Indianapolis 500 The 78th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 29, 1994. Al Unser, Jr. won from the pole position, his second Indy 500 victory. Much to the surprise of competitors, media, and fans, Marlboro Team Penske arrived at the Speedway with a brand new, secretly-built... |
| 1995 |  Jacques VilleneuveJacques Villeneuve Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, , is a Canadian musician and automobile racing driver. He is the son of the late Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve, and is the namesake of his uncle... |
report 1995 Indianapolis 500 The 79th Indianapolis 500 was held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 28, 1995. Sanctioned by USAC, it was part of the 1995 CART Indycar season. Jacques Villenueve won in his second start. After dominating the 1994 race and the 1994 IndyCar season, Marlboro Team Penske failed to... |
USAC Stock Cars
The USAC featured a stock car division from 1956 to 1984.| Past Champions | ||||
| Year | Champion | 2nd Place | 3rd Place | Rookie Of The Year |
| 1956* | Johnny Mantz Johnny Mantz Johnny Mantz was an American racecar driver.-Champ car:He made 17 starts in the AAA Championship Car series from 1948 to 1952, capturing a victory in his rookie season at the Milwaukee Mile as well as winning the Indianapolis Sweepstakes at Williams Grove Speedway.-Stock car:He was the first USAC... |
Marshall Teague Marshall Teague Marshall Teague was an American race car driver.He was nicknamed by NASCAR fans as the "King of the Beach" for his performances at the Daytona Beach Road Course.... |
Les Snow | None |
| 1957 | Jerry Unser Jerry Unser Jerry Unser was an American racecar driver. He was the 1957 USAC Stock Car champion.... |
Ralph Moody Ralph Moody Ralph Moody was one of early drivers of NASCAR. However, he eventually became the most famous as team co-owner of Holman Moody.-Background:... |
Sam Hanks Sam Hanks Sam Hanks was an American racecar driver who won the 1957 Indianapolis 500. He was a barnstormer, and raced midget and Champ cars.-Racing career:... |
None |
| 1958 | Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen , nicknamed The Golden Boy, Fast Freddie, The Elmhurst Express and Flyin Freddy, is a former NASCAR driver active between 1958 and 1972. He won the 1965 Daytona 500. Lorenzen was born in Elmurst, Illinois.-Early career:Lorenzen first caught the car bug young, and had built his first... |
Mike Klapak | Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
None |
| 1959 | Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen Fred Lorenzen , nicknamed The Golden Boy, Fast Freddie, The Elmhurst Express and Flyin Freddy, is a former NASCAR driver active between 1958 and 1972. He won the 1965 Daytona 500. Lorenzen was born in Elmurst, Illinois.-Early career:Lorenzen first caught the car bug young, and had built his first... |
Mike Klapak | Nelson Stacy Nelson Stacy Nelson Stacy was an American race car driver from Maysville, Kentucky. He won the 1958, 1959, and 1960 MARC Series Nelson Stacy (December 28, 1921 – May 14, 1986) was an American race car driver from Maysville, Kentucky. He won the 1958, 1959, and 1960 MARC Series Nelson Stacy (December 28, 1921 –... |
None |
| 1960 | Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :... |
Tony Bettenhausen Tony Bettenhausen Melvin E. "Tony" Bettenhausen was an American racing driver, who won the National Championship in 1951 and 1958.... |
None |
| 1961 | Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :... |
Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Elmer Musgrave | None |
| 1962 | Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :... |
Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
None |
| 1963 | Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
A.J. Foyt | Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Sal Tovella |
| 1964 | Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car... |
Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Joe Leonard Joe Leonard Joe Leonard , is a retired American motorcycle racer and racecar driver.Leonard won the first A.M.A. Grand National Championship Series in 1954 and won it again in 1956 and 1957. His record totals 27 wins, including the 1957 and 1958 Daytona 200... |
| 1965 | Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith Paul Goldsmith is a motorcycle Hall of Famer, Motorsports Hall of Fame of America inductee and former USAC and NASCAR driver.- Motorcycle career :... |
Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Billy Foster Billy Foster Billy Foster , was a Canadian racecar driver.Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Foster died in a crash during practice at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1964-1966 seasons, with 28 career starts, including the... |
| 1966 | Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Billy Foster Billy Foster Billy Foster , was a Canadian racecar driver.Born in Victoria, British Columbia, Foster died in a crash during practice at Riverside International Raceway in Riverside, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1964-1966 seasons, with 28 career starts, including the... |
Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
| 1967 | Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Parnelli Jones Parnelli Jones Rufus Parnell "Parnelli" Jones , is a retired American racing driver and racecar owner. He is most remembered for his 1963 Indianapolis 500 win, and almost winning the 1967 Indy 500 in a turbine car... |
Jack Bowsher Jack Bowsher Jack Edward Bowsher was an American race car driver and car owner. He obtained more than ten national championships in his 58 year racing career including, three ARCA Championships... |
Al Unser Al Unser Alfred "Al" Unser is a former American automobile racing driver, the younger brother of fellow racing drivers Jerry and Bobby Unser, and father of Al Unser, Jr.... |
| 1968 | A.J. Foyt | Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Dick Trickle Dick Trickle Richard "Dick" Trickle is a retired American race car driver. He raced for decades around the short tracks of Wisconsin, winning many championships along the way. Trickle has competed in the ASA, ARTGO, ARCA, All Pro, IMCA, NASCAR, and USAC.In more than an estimated 2,200 races, Trickle has logged... |
| 1969 | Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
A.J. Foyt | Don White Don White Don White or Donald White may refer to:* Donald C. White , Pennsylvania state senator* Donald J. White , Environmental Strategist* Don White , English rugby union footballer... |
Verlin Eaker |
| 1970 | Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
A.J. Foyt | Billy Reis |
| 1971 | Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Jack Bowsher Jack Bowsher Jack Edward Bowsher was an American race car driver and car owner. He obtained more than ten national championships in his 58 year racing career including, three ARCA Championships... |
Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
J. Booher/B. Schroyer |
| 1972 | Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey Roger McCluskey was an American race car driver. He was from Tucson, Arizona.He won championship titles in three divisions of USAC -Sprints, Stocks, and Champ Cars. He won the USAC Sprint Car title in 1963 and 1966, the USAC Stock car title in 1969 and 1970. The Champ Car title in 1973... |
Paul Feldner | Chuck McWilliams |
| 1973 | Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Ramo Stott Ramo Stott Ramo Stott is a retired American stock car driver from Keokuk, Iowa. He competed in NASCAR Winston Cup, USAC stock car, and ARCA.-USAC:... |
Bay Darnell | Irv Janey |
| 1974 | Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Norm Nelson Norm Nelson Norm Nelson was an American stock car racer. He competed in the United States Auto Club Stock Cars in the 1950s through 1970s. He won the season championship in 1960, 1965, and 1966 as a driver. Nelson also won five owner's championships. He competed in five NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup ... |
Ramo Stott Ramo Stott Ramo Stott is a retired American stock car driver from Keokuk, Iowa. He competed in NASCAR Winston Cup, USAC stock car, and ARCA.-USAC:... |
Ken Rowley Ken Rowley Kenneth Francis "Ken" Rowley was an English footballer who played as an inside forward. He made 44 appearances in the Football League playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Playing career:... |
| 1975 | Ramo Stott Ramo Stott Ramo Stott is a retired American stock car driver from Keokuk, Iowa. He competed in NASCAR Winston Cup, USAC stock car, and ARCA.-USAC:... |
Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Sal Tovella | Len Gittemeier |
| 1976 | Butch Hartman Butch Hartman (racer) Larry "Butch" Hartman was an American stock car racing national champion in the United States Automobile Club from Zanesville, Ohio. After winning the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award in 1966, the series' Most Improved Driver in 1967, and its Most Outstanding Driver the following year... |
Ramo Stott Ramo Stott Ramo Stott is a retired American stock car driver from Keokuk, Iowa. He competed in NASCAR Winston Cup, USAC stock car, and ARCA.-USAC:... |
Sal Tovella | Wayne Watercutter |
| 1977 | Paul Feldner | Ramo Stott Ramo Stott Ramo Stott is a retired American stock car driver from Keokuk, Iowa. He competed in NASCAR Winston Cup, USAC stock car, and ARCA.-USAC:... |
Sal Tovella | Dave Watson Dave Watson David "Dave" Watson is an English former professional footballer who made 12 appearances for the English national team. He is now the youth team coach at Newcastle United.-Playing career:... |
| 1978 | A.J. Foyt | Terry Ryan | Bay Darnell | Joe Ruttman Joe Ruttman Joe Ruttman , is an American former racecar driver. He currently lives in Franklin, Tenn. He actively competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series and is a 13 time winner in the Truck Series, the seventh most wins by any driver in the Truck... |
| 1979 | A.J. Foyt | Bay Darnell | Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:... |
Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:... |
| 1980 | Joe Ruttman Joe Ruttman Joe Ruttman , is an American former racecar driver. He currently lives in Franklin, Tenn. He actively competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series and is a 13 time winner in the Truck Series, the seventh most wins by any driver in the Truck... |
Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:... |
Bay Darnell | Ken Schrader Ken Schrader Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping... |
| 1981 | Dean Roper | Sal Tovella | Ken Schrader Ken Schrader Kenneth Schrader is a second-generation race car driver. He currently races on local dirt and asphalt tracks around the country while driving part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the ARCA Racing Series for his own Ken Schrader Racing. He also runs part time in the NASCAR Camping... |
Rick Hanley |
| 1982 | Dean Roper | Bay Darnell | Rick O'Brien | J. Schwister/J. Lindhorst |
| 1983 | Dean Roper | Butch Garner | Rick O'Brien | Roger Drake Roger Drake Roger Drake was an administrator of the English East India Company. He served as President of Bengal in the mid-eighteenth century. He abandoned Fort William in Calcutta as it was under attack by Siraj Ud Daulah. The people who remained behind in the Fort were then thrown into the Black Hole of... |
| 1984 | David Goldsberry | Ken Rowley Ken Rowley Kenneth Francis "Ken" Rowley was an English footballer who played as an inside forward. He made 44 appearances in the Football League playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham City and Coventry City.-Playing career:... |
Jim Hall | David Goldsberry |
Sam Hanks
Sam Hanks was an American racecar driver who won the 1957 Indianapolis 500. He was a barnstormer, and raced midget and Champ cars.-Racing career:...
) and Short Track (Troy Ruttman
Troy Ruttman
Troy Ruttman was an American race car driver. He was the older brother of NASCAR driver Joe Ruttman.Ruttman won the Indianapolis 500 in 1952, and , he is the youngest winner of the race....
).
USAC Road Racing Championship
From 1958 until 1962, USAC sanctioned a road racing championship. It was held for sports carsSports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
from 1958-1961, and adopted Formula Libre
Formula Libre
Formula Libre is a form of automobile racing allowing a wide variety of types, ages and makes of purpose-built racing cars to compete "head to head". This can make for some interesting matchups, and provides the opportunity for some compelling driving performances against superior machinery...
rules in 1962.
| Year | Champion | Car | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Dan Gurney Dan Gurney Daniel Sexton Gurney is an American racing driver, race car constructor, and team owner.The son of a Metropolitan Opera star, he was born in Port Jefferson, New York, but moved to California as a teenager... |
Ferrari 375 Plus Ferrari 290 MM |
season 1958 USAC Road Racing Championship season The 1958 USAC Road Racing Championship season was the inaugural season of the USAC Road Racing Championship. The series was contested for sports cars at three rounds , and Formula Libre at one round . It began September 7, 1958, and ended October 12, 1958, after four races... |
| 1959 | Augie Pabst |
Ferrari 625 TR Ferrari Monza A Ferrari Monza is one of a series of cars built by Ferrari. In the early 1950s, Ferrari shifted from using the compact Gioacchino Colombo-designed V12 engine in its smallest class of sports racers to a line of four-cylinder engines designed by Aurelio Lampredi... Scarab Mk. II Scarab (constructor) Scarab was an all-American open-wheel race car and sports car constructor from the USA featuring cars designed and built by Tom Barnes and Dick Troutman for Reventlow Automobiles Inc, owned by Lance Reventlow... -Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
season 1959 USAC Road Racing Championship season The 1959 USAC Road Racing Championship season was the second season of the USAC Road Racing Championship. It began March 8, 1959, and ended October 18, 1959, after eleven races. The series was contested for sports cars at eight rounds, and Formula Libre at three rounds. Augie Pabst won the... |
| 1960 | Carroll Shelby Carroll Shelby Carroll Hall Shelby is an American retired automotive designer and racing driver. He is most well known for making Mustangs for Ford Motor Company known as Mustang Cobras which he has done since 1965... |
Maserati Tipo 61 Maserati Tipo 61 The Maserati Tipo 61 is sports racing cars of the early 1960s. The car was produced between 1959 and 1961 by Maserati for racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance classic. It used an intricate tubular space frame chassis, containing about 200 chro-moly steel tubes welded together, hence the... Scarab Mk. II Scarab (constructor) Scarab was an all-American open-wheel race car and sports car constructor from the USA featuring cars designed and built by Tom Barnes and Dick Troutman for Reventlow Automobiles Inc, owned by Lance Reventlow... -Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
season 1960 USAC Road Racing Championship season The 1960 USAC Road Racing Championship season was the third season of the USAC Road Racing Championship. It began April 3, 1960, and ended October 23, 1960, after five races. Carroll Shelby won the season championship.-Calendar:-Season results:... |
| 1961 |  Ken MilesKen Miles Ken Miles was a sports car racing engineer and driver best known for his career in the USA and with American teams on the international scene.-Background:Miles raced motorcycles before he served as a tank sergeant in the British Army in World War... |
Porsche 718 RS 61 Porsche 718 The Porsche 718 is an open-cockpit racing car build by Porsche between 1957 and 1962.The 718 was a development of the already successful 550A with improvements being made to the body work and suspension. The new front frame resembled the letter K if viewed from the front and this led to the car... |
season 1961 USAC Road Racing Championship season The 1961 USAC Road Racing Championship season was the fourth season of the USAC Road Racing Championship. It began June 25, 1961, and ended October 22, 1961, after four races. Ken Miles won the season championship.-Calendar:-Season results:... |
| 1962 | Roger Penske Roger Penske Roger S. Penske is the owner of the automobile racing team Penske Racing, the Penske Corporation, and other automotive related businesses. A winning racer in the late 1950s, Penske was named 1961's Sports Car Club of America Driver of the Year by Sports Illustrated... |
Cooper T53 Cooper Car Company The Cooper Car Company was founded in 1946 by Charles Cooper and his son John Cooper. Together with John's boyhood friend, Eric Brandon, they began by building racing cars in Charles' small garage in Surbiton, Surrey, England in 1946... -Climax Coventry Climax Coventry Climax was a British forklift truck, fire pump, and speciality engine manufacturer.-History:The company was started in 1903 as Lee Stroyer, but two years later, following the departure of Stroyer, it was relocated to Paynes Lane, Coventry, and renamed to Coventry-Simplex by H... |
season 1962 USAC Road Racing Championship season The 1962 USAC Road Racing Championship season was the fifth and final season of the USAC Road Racing Championship. It began April 1, 1962, and ended October 21, 1962, after five races. The series was contested for Formula Libre at the first two rounds, and sports cars at the final three rounds... |