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United States Auto Club

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United States Auto Club
File:United States Auto Club logo 2009.png
SportAuto racing
JurisdictionUnited States
AbbreviationUSAC
Founded1955[1]
HeadquartersSpeedway, Indiana
PresidentKevin Miller
ChairmanJeff Stoops
Official website
www.usacracing.com
United States

The United States Auto Club (USAC) is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500. Today, USAC serves as the sanctioning body for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Cars, National Midgets, Speed2 Midget Series, .25 Midget Series, Speed Energy Formula Off-Road, TORC: The Off-Road Championship, and Pirelli World Challenge.

History

USAC headquarters in Speedway, Indiana. The building is located on 16th Street, less than a block from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (track is visible behind).
USAC trailer at a TORC event

When the American Automobile Association (AAA) withdrew from auto racing after the 1955 season, citing the Le Mans disaster and the death of Bill Vukovich at Indianapolis as contributing factors,[2] both the SCCA and NASCAR were mentioned as its potential successor.[2][3] Ultimately, USAC was formed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.[4] It became the arbiter of rules, car design, and other matters for what it termed championship auto racing, 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.

USAC's long history as an open-wheel racing sanctioning body continues today with the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series, Quarter Midgets, and TORC Series. NASCAR drivers including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Ryan Newman, and Kasey Kahne honed their skills and captured championships while competing in various USAC series.

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 Stewart (1995) and J. J. Yeley (2003), have achieved the triple crown in a single season. Four other drivers, Pancho Carter (1972–78), Dave Darland (1997–2001), Jerry Coons Jr. (2006–08), and Tracy Hines (2000, 2002, 2015) have claimed each of the three championships at least once in their careers. In 2012 Mike Curb and Cary Agajanian became the only car owners to win the triple crown by winning all three championships in the same year.

National championship

USAC had awarded a national championship until A. J. Foyt won his seventh title in 1979.[5] It has announced that it will begin awarding a national championship starting in 2010.[5] A driver's finishes in their 25 best races are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner received $40,000.[5] Points are accumulated in the three national series: sprints, midgets, and silver crown.[5] Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Indiana claimed the inaugural championship, topping runner-up Levi Jones by 14 points.

This is now[when?] the Mike Curb "Super Licence" National Championship Award.[citation needed]

USAC national drivers champions

1978 plane crash

On April 23, 1978, returning from a race at the Trenton Speedway in New Jersey, eight key members of USAC, plus the pilot, were killed when their 10-seat Piper Navajo Chieftain crashed during a thunderstorm 25 miles southeast of Indianapolis.[6][7]

Killed were:[8]

  • Ray Marquette, USAC's vice-president of public affairs and a former sportswriter for The Indianapolis Star
  • Frank Delroy, chairman of 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 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

The plane crash came at a time when Indy car owners and drivers were demanding changes from USAC. Aside from the Indianapolis 500, USAC events were not well attended, and the owners felt that USAC poorly negotiated television rights. The owners also wanted increases in payouts, especially at Indy.[9] Though some think the plane crash was used as an opportunistic way to force change in the sport, it was merely an unfortunate coincidence. The seed of dissent had been growing for several years before the accident,[10] and claims the crash was an immediate cause for the 1979 CART/USAC "split" are considered for the most part unfounded.

Also unpopular were the attempts of 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.[11]

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 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.[12] After USAC's 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 USAC continuing to sanction the Indianapolis 500, and CART including the race in its schedule.

Active series

USAC Silver Crown Series

USAC Silver Crown Championship
CategorySprint car racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1971
Drivers' championUnited States Chris Windom
Official websiteUSAC Silver Crown Series
Current season
1988 Steve Butler Silver Crown car
Tony Stewart's 1995 Silver Crown Championship car, part of his "Triple Crown" accomplishment.

Beginning in 1971, all dirt races were split from the National Championship. From 1971 to 1980, the series was named National Dirt Car Championship, then renamed Silver Crown Series in 1981.

Champions
Season Car No. Driver Team
National Dirt Car Championship
1971 4 United States George Snider Wilke
1972 3 United States A. J. Foyt Foyt
1973 2 United States Al Unser Miletich/Jones
1974 2 United States Mario Andretti Miletich/Jones
1975 55 United States Jimmy Caruthers Middleton
1976 29 United States Billy Cassella Seymour
1977 4 United States Larry Rice LeFevre
1978 21 United States Pancho Carter Capels
1979 30 United States Bobby Olivero Kurtz
1980 12 United States Gary Bettenhausen Delrose/Holt
Silver Crown Series
1981 55 United States Larry Rice Knepper
1982 39 United States Ken Schrader Fortune
1983 9 United States Gary Bettenhausen Delrose/Holt
1984 58 United States Dave Blaney DePalma
1985 39 United States Rick Hood Fortune
1986 63 United States Jack Hewitt Hampshire
1987 63 United States Jack Hewitt Hampshire
1988 10 United States Steve Butler Jarrett
1989 30 United States Chuck Gurney Kurtz
1990 54 United States Jimmy Sills Consani
1991 35 United States Jeff Gordon Ede
1992 10 United States Steve Butler Jarrett
1993 69 United States Mike Bliss McClure
1994 75 United States Jimmy Sills Stanton
1995 25 United States Tony Stewart Boles
1996 75 United States Jimmy Sills Stanton
1997 56 United States Dave Darland Foxco
1998 9 United States Jason Leffler Goetz
1999 14 United States Ryan Newman Ede
2000 37 United States Tracy Hines Riggs
2001 10 United States Paul White Cook
2002 9 United States J. J. Yeley Stewart/East
2003 9 United States J. J. Yeley Stewart/East
2004 9 United States Dave Steele Stewart/East
2005 9 United States Dave Steele Stewart/East
2006 29 United States Bud Kaeding BK/Leffler
2007 29 United States Bud Kaeding BK
2008 29 United States Jerry Coons Jr RW
2009 29 United States Bud Kaeding BK
2010 10 United States Levi Jones Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2011 10 United States Levi Jones Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2012 22 United States Bobby East Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2013 10 United States Bobby East Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2014 63 United States Kody Swanson[13] DePalma Motorsports
2015 63 United States Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2016 98 United States Chris Windom[14] Fred Gormly/RPM
2017 63 United States Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2018 63 United States Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2019
Race winners

* As of the end of the 2017 season

Driver Wins
Jack Hewitt 23
Kody Swanson 19
Brian Tyler 17
Dave Steele 16
J.J. Yeley 15
Dave Darland 14
Chuck Gurney 14
Jimmy Sills 12
Bobby East 11
Gary Bettenhausen 10
Mike Bliss 10

USAC National Sprint Car Championship

USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship
CategorySprint car racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1956
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' championUnited States Chris Windom
Teams' championBaldwin Brothers Racing
Official websiteAMSOIL USAC National Sprint Car Series
Current season
2008 Tracy Hines, pavement sprint car (without wing).
Tony Stewart's 1995 Sprint Car Championship car, part of his "Triple Crown" accomplishment.

From 1956–1960, USAC's National Sprint Car Championship was divided into two regional divisions in the Midwest and the East.

Champions
Season Car No. Driver Team
1956 9 United States Midwest: Pat O'Connor Estes
1 United States East: Tommy Hinnershitz
1957 21 United States Midwest: Elmer George Hulman
United States East: Bill Randall
1958 25 United States Midwest: Eddie Sachs Cheesman
3 United States East: Johnny Thomson Traylor
1959 4 United States Midwest: Don Branson Estes
4 United States East: Tommy Hinnershitz Pfrommer
1960 51 United States Midwest: Parnelli Jones Fike
2 United States East: A. J. Foyt Watson
1961 1 United States Parnelli Jones Fike
1962 1 United States Parnelli Jones Fike
1963 2 United States Roger McCluskey Homeyer
1964 3 United States Don Branson Phillips
1965 9 United States Johnny Rutherford Meskowski
1966 51 United States Roger McCluskey Anderson
1967 92 United States Greg Weld Leffler
1968 4, 27 United States Larry Dickson Smith, Stapp
1969 2 United States Gary Bettenhausen Davis
1970 2 United States George Snider Lay
1971 2 United States Gary Bettenhausen Davis
1972 4 United States Sammy Sessions Amerling
1973 2 United States Rollie Beale Kilman
1974 6 United States Pancho Carter Stapp
1975 80 United States Larry Dickson Ensign
1976 24 United States Pancho Carter Stap
1977 56 United States Sheldon Kinser Hammond
1978 43 United States Tom Bigelow Armstrong
1979 43 United States Greg Leffler Armstrong
1980 2 United States Rich Vogler Seibert
1981 6 United States Sheldon Kinser Leyba
1982 1 United States Sheldon Kinser Leyba
1983 39 United States Ken Schrader Delrose/Holt
1984 39 United States Rick Hood Fortune
1985 39 United States Rick Hood Fortune
1986 6 United States Steve Butler Stoops
1987 1 United States Steve Butler Stoops
1988 1 United States Steve Butler Stoops
1989 69 United States Rich Vogler Hoffman
1990 69 United States Steve Butler Hoffman
1991 7 United States Robbie Stanley Stanley
1992 1 United States Robbie Stanley Stanley
1993 69 United States Robbie Stanley Hoffman
1994 22k United States Doug Kalitta Kalitta
1995 20 United States Tony Stewart Niebel
1996 4c United States Brian Tyler Contos
1997 4c United States Brian Tyler Contos
1998 2, 12 United States Tony Elliott Walker/Vance, Conroy
1999 69 United States Dave Darland Hoffman
2000 66 United States Tony Elliott Walker
2001 76 United States J. J. Yeley GT
2002 69 United States Tracy Hines Hoffman
2003 20 United States J. J. Yeley Stewart
2004 20 United States Jay Drake Stewart
2005 2B United States Levi Jones Benic
2006 20 United States Josh Wise Stewart
2007 20 United States Levi Jones Stewart
2008 69 United States Jerry Coons Jr Hoffman
2009 20 United States Levi Jones Stewart
2010 20 United States Levi Jones Stewart
2011 20 United States Levi Jones Stewart
2012 7 United States Bryan Clauson CTR-BCI-Curb-Agajanian
2013 20 United States Bryan Clauson Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2014 69 United States Brady Bacon[15] Hoffman
2015 12 United States Robert Ballou Ballou Motorsports
2016 69 United States Brady Bacon[16] Hoffman
2017 5 United States Chris Windom Baldwin Brothers
2018 Season Began on February 15, 2018
Race winners

* As of the end of the 2017 season

Driver Wins
Dave Darland 59
Tom Bigelow 52
Tracy Hines 47
Jack Hewitt 46
Larry Dickson 45
Pancho Carter 42
Bryan Clauson 41
Gary Bettenhausen 40
Sheldon Kinser 37
Jon Stanbrough 35
Rich Vogler 35
Rollie Beale 32
Levi Jones 28
J.J. Yeley 28
Robert Ballou 28

USAC National Midget Championship

USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Championship
CategoryMidget car racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1956
ConstructorsBeast · Breka · BOSS Chassis · Buzzard · CBI · DRC Chassis · Eagle · Elite · Felker · FSC · Hawk · Hyper Racing · King · Mal-1 · Spike Chassis · STS · Stealth · TCR · Triple X Race Co · Zero
Engine suppliersAutocraft · Chevrolet · Ed Pink · Esslinger · Fontana · Ford · Gaerte · GM Ecotec · Hawk · Honda · Mopar · Musser · Oldsmobile · Ostrich · Ott · Pontiac · Stanton · Toyota
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' championUnited States Spencer Bayston
Makes' championBullet by Spike Chassis / Speedway Toyota
Teams' championKeith Kunz Motorsports/Curb-Agajanian #97
Official websiteUSAC P1 Insurance National Midgets
Current season
2014 USAC Midget champion Rico Abreu
Tony Stewart's 1995 Midget Car Championship car, part of his "Triple Crown" accomplishment.
Champions
Season Car No. Driver Team
1956 United States Shorty Templeman
1957 United States Shorty Templeman
1958 United States Shorty Templeman
1959 United States Gene Hartley
1960 United States Jimmy Davies
1961 United States Jimmy Davies
1962 United States Jimmy Davies
1963 United States Bob Wente
1964 United States Mel Kenyon
1965 United States Mike McGreevy
1966 1 United States Mike McGreevy
1967 1 United States Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1968 1 United States Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1969 3 United States Bob Tattersall Stroud
1970 5 United States Jimmy Caruthers Caruthers
1971 5 United States Jimmy Caruthers Caruthers
1972 81 United States Pancho Carter Rieder
1973 2 United States Larry Rice Shannon
1974 61 United States Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1975 5 United States Sleepy Tripp
1976 1 United States Sleepy Tripp
1977 43 United States Mel Kenyon Armstrong
1978 2 United States Rich Vogler Caruthers
1979 2 United States Steve Lotshaw Piascik
1980 69 United States Rich Vogler Lockard
1981 61 United States Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1982 5 United States Kevin Olson Carey
1983 4 United States Rich Vogler Streicher
1984 16 United States Tom Bigelow Sandy
1985 66 United States Mel Kenyon Burns
1986 2 United States Rich Vogler Byrd
1987 11 United States Kevin Olson Wilke
1988 1 United States Rich Vogler Byrd
1989 46 United States Russ Gamester Gamester
1990 4 United States Jeff Gordon Helmling
1991 8 United States Mike Streicher Streicher
1992 11 United States Stevie Reeves Wilke
1993 9 United States Stevie Reeves Lewis
1994 6 United States Tony Stewart Lewis
1995 9 United States Tony Stewart Potter
1996 91 United States Kenny Irwin, Jr. Lewis
1997 71 United States Jason Leffler Willoughby
1998 9 United States Jason Leffler Lewis
1999 9 United States Jason Leffler Lewis
2000 91 United States Kasey Kahne Lewis
2001 9 United States Dave Darland Lewis
2002 9 United States Dave Darland Lewis
2003 9 United States J. J. Yeley Lewis
2004 9 United States Bobby East Lewis
2005 20 United States Josh Wise Stewart
2006 11 United States Jerry Coons Jr. Wilke
2007 11 United States Jerry Coons Jr. Wilke-Pak
2008 71 United States Cole Whitt Kunz
2009 17B United States Brad Kuhn RW
2010 39 United States Bryan Clauson Tucker/Kunz/BCI
2011 39 United States Bryan Clauson CTR-Curb-Agajanian
2012 3 United States Darren Hagen RFMS
2013 71 United States Christopher Bell Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2014 97 United States Rico Abreu Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2015 24 United States Tracy Hines[17] Parker Machinery
2016 67 United States Tanner Thorson[18] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2017 97 United States Spencer Bayston[19] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2018 Season Begins on March 10, 2018
Race winners

* As of the end of the 2017 season

Driver Wins
Mel Kenyon 111
Rich Vogler 95
Bob Wente 78
Bob Tattersall 63
Sleepy Tripp 57
Jimmy Davies 48
Bryan Clauson 38
Tracy Hines 35
Gene Hartley 31
Chuck Rodee 31
Dave Darland 30
Mike McGreevy 30
Johnny Parsons 30
Gary Bettenhausen 27
Tony Stewart 27
Darren Hagen 25
Parnelli Jones 25
Dave Strickland 25

USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series

AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
CategorySprint car racing
Country United States
Inaugural season2004
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' championUnited States Damion Gardner
Teams' championAlexander
Official websiteAMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
Current season

The USAC/CRA AMSOIL Sprint Car Series debuted in 2004 utilizing the same cars & engines that race in USAC's AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship at dirt oval tracks across California and Arizona. The series also features combination races with the AMSOIL USAC Sprint Car National Championship.

Champions

Season Car No. Driver Team
2004 3 United States Rip Williams Jory
2005 50 United States Damion Gardner Chaffin
2006 38 United States Cory Kruseman Crossno
2007 4 United States Tony Jones Alexander
2008 50 United States Mike Spencer Chaffin
2009 50 United States Mike Spencer Chaffin
2010 50 United States Mike Spencer Chaffin
2011 50 United States Mike Spencer Chaffin
2012 50 United States Mike Spencer Chaffin
2013 4a United States Damion Gardner Alexander
2014 4 United States Damion Gardner Alexander
2015 4 United States Damion Gardner Alexander
2016 4 United States Damion Gardner Alexander
2017 4 United States Damion Gardner Alexander
2018 Season Begins on March 3, 2018

[20]

USAC Western States Midget Series

Light Up The World Beverages presents the USAC Western States Midgets
CategoryMidget car racing
Country United States
Inaugural season1982
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Official websiteUSAC Western States Midgets
Current season

USAC started the Western States Midgets in 1982 utilizing the same cars & engines that race in the USAC National Midgets. The series solely races on dirt ovals across California but in past raced on pavement ovals as well. The series does run co-sanctioned races with USAC's National Midget Series (including the historic Turkey Night Grand Prix race) and the Bay Cities Racing Association Midgets.

Champions

Season Car No. Driver Team
1982 Jeff Haywood
1983 Sleepy Tripp
1984 Tommy White
1985 Sleepy Tripp
1986 Robby Flock
1987 Sleepy Tripp
1988 Sleepy Tripp
1989 Robby Flock
1990 Sleepy Tripp
1991 Sleepy Tripp
1992 Sleepy Tripp
1993 Robby Flock
1994 Johnny Cofer
1995 Billy Boat
1996 Jay Drake
1997 Ricky Shelton
1998 Rick Hendrix
1999 Marc DeBeaumont
2000 Wally Pankratz
2001 Danny Ebberts
2002 Robby Flock
2003 Steve Paden
2004 Johnny Rodriguez
2005 Jerome Rodela
2006 Jerome Rodela
2007 87 Johnny Rodriguez Mitchell Motorsports
2008 40 Nic Faas Western Speed
2009 47 Garrett Hansen Bondio
2010 25 Alex Schutte Rodela
2011 21k Cory Kruseman Kruseman
2012 (Overall) 7 Shannon McQueen McQueen
2012 (Dirt) 15 David Prickett Neverlift
2012 (Pavement) 17n Chad Nichols Nichols
2013 (Overall) 68 Ronnie Gardner Six8
2013 (Dirt)
2013 (Pavement) 29 Chad Nichols Team 17/Eskesen
2014 (Overall) 68 Ronnie Gardner Six8
2014 (Dirt)
2014 (Pavement) 17 Chad Nichols Team17
2015 68 Ronnie Gardner Six8
2016 68 Ronnie Gardner Six8
2017 Season Ends on November 23, 2017
[21]

USAC 360 Sprint Car Series

USAC sanctions several regional 360 c.i.d. non-wing sprint car series across the country. USAC's West Coast Sprint Car Series was launched in 2009 by Santa Maria Speedway promoter Chris Kearns, and joined forces with USAC in 2010. The West Coast series primarily races at tracks across California while also having special event races in Nevada. USAC's Southwest Sprint Car Series was launched in 1991 as the Arizona Sprint Car Racing Association. The series joined forces with USAC in 2012.[22]. The Southwest series primarily races at tracks in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico while also having special event races in Arkansas, Kansas & Oklahoma.

USAC and URC Sprint Caf Series promoter Curt Michael joined forces to create the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series, with the first season beginining in 2018.[23]


Champions

USAC Speed2 Midget Series

USAC formed the Speed2 Midget Series (formerly known as the Ford Focus Midget Series, Ignite Midget Series and HPD Midget Series) in 2002 with several regional divisions running across the United States on both dirt & pavement oval tracks. With exception to the engine, the cars used are the same as National & Western States Midget cars. The powerplants currently used are 4-cylinder production-based engines with stock internal dimensions to save costs for competitors. The series started out as a spec engine class, originally with Ford supplying their Zetec engine from 2002-2012, and then HPD supplying their K24 engine starting in 2013.


National Championship

The Speed2 Midget Series National Champion has been determined in a variety of ways. The inaugural championship, 2005, was decided by a two-race series (one dirt, one pavement). Subsequent national champions were determined by a single "national championship race" held at various locations. This format was used until 2010. In 2011, a points system was instituted to determine the national champion. Counting only a drivers twelve best finishes, the system allowed drivers from multiple regions to compete under a common points structure for a season-long championship. The 2012 season did not award a national champion, however the respective regional champions were honored at USAC Night of Champions.

National Champions

  • 2005: Robbie Ray; Davenport, IA;
  • 2006: Michael Faccinto; Hanford, CA ; Scelzi #4x
  • 2007: James Robertson; Indianapolis, IN; Steele #1
  • 2008: Alex Bowman; Tucson, AZ; Bowman #55
  • 2009: Kyle Hamilton; Danville, IN; Steele #1
  • 2010: Nick Drake; Mooresville, NC; Cline #55
  • 2011: Nick Drake; Mooresville, NC; Cline #55


Regional Champions

Season Series Driver
2002
2003 California (North) Josh Lakatos
California (South) Todd Hunsaker
Indiana Robbie Ray
2004 California (North) Bradley Galedrige
California (South) Chris Rahe
Carolina / Virginia Chase Scott
Midwest Tate Martz
Speedrome Brice Kenyon
2005 California (Dirt) Chase Barber
California (Pavement) Alex Harris
Carolina / Virginia Chase Scott
Midwest Tate Martz
Northeast Michael Sboro
Oklahoma Jasiel Randolph
Speedrome Jamie Williams
2006 California (Dirt) Bobby Michnowicz
California (Pavement) Tim Skoglund
Carolina / Virginia Chase Scott
Florida Ryan Smith
Indiana James Robertson
Midwest (Dirt) Jordan Noblitt
Midwest (Pavement) Tate Martz
Northeast Ryan Smith
2007 California (Dirt) Nic Faas
California (Pavement) Tim Skoglund
Carolina Tanner Swanson
Indiana Chett Gehrke
Midwest James Robertson
Northeast Jeff Abold
UMARRA Mario Clouser
Utah Tim Savage
2008 California (Dirt) Alex Bowman
California (Junior) Charlie Butcher
California (Pavement) Ian Miille
Carolinas Bradley Riethmeyer
Indiana Kyle Hamilton
Midwest
Utah Kipp Posey
UMARA Branden Allen
2009 California (Dirt) Brody Roa
California (Pavement) Nik Romano
California (Young Guns) Kyle Edwards
Carolina Jeremy Frankoski
Midwest Joe Liguori
UMARA Joe Liguori
Utah Kipp Posey
2010 Eastern Scott Hunter
Eastern (Young Guns) Jesse Little
Midwest Joe Liguori
Midwest (Young Guns) Cooper Clouse
Western Nick Carlson
Western (Young Guns) Jarid Blondel
Utah Michael Daniels
2011 DMA Joe Krawiec
Eastern Nick Drake
Eastern (dirt) Scott Hunter
Eastern (pavement) Jarett Andretti
Eastern (Young Guns) Jared Irvan
Midwest Ross Rankine
Midwest (Young Guns) Sam McGhee
Utah Jim Waters
Western Brodie Kostecki
Western (Young Guns)
2012 DMA Kevin Chaffee
Eastern Jared Irvan
Midwest (Dirt) Ross Rankine
Midwest (Pavement)
Northwest Jared Peterson
Western (Dirt) Cory Elliott
Western (Pavement) Bryant Dawson
Western North Garret Peterson
2013 DMA Joe Krawiec
Eastern Chris Lamb
Midwest (Dirt) Gage Walker
Midwest (Pavement) Cooper Clouse
Washington Chase Goetz
Western Jarid Blondel
Western (Dirt) Cory Elliott
Western (Pavement) Bryant Dawson
2014 DMA Adam Pierson
Eastern Scott Hunter
Midwest (Dirt) Austin Nemire
Midwest (Pavement)
Washington Chase Goetz
Western Shawn Buckley
Western (Dirt) Ashley Hazelton
2015 DMA Adam Pierson
Eastern Chris Lamb
Midwest Alex Watson
Western Cody Jessop
Western (Dirt) Shawn Buckley
Western (Pavement) Dylan Nobile
Western (Restricted) Jesse Love IV
2016 DMA Adam Pierson
Eastern Chris Lamb
IMRA Jeff Mallonee
Midwest Thunder Gage Etgen
Western Jesse Love IV
Western (Dirt)
Western (Pavement) Toni Breidinger
Western (Restricted) Blake Brannon
2017 DMA Dean Christensen
Eastern Jessica Bean
Gulf Coast Kyle Jones
IMRA Dillon Morley
Midwest Thunder Aaron Leffel
Western (Overall)
Western (Dirt)
Western (Pavement)

USAC Lightning Sprint National Championship

USAC started the Speedway Motors Lightning Sprint National Championship in 2017 for local tracks running Lightning Sprint cars. The points format counts the 12 best races at USAC sanctioned tracks. [26]

Pirelli World Challenge

Pirelli World Challenge, was started in 1990 and switched to USAC sanctioning in 2017[27]. The championship currently races on road and street courses across the United States and Canada with seven different classes for GT cars & Touring cars. The series is currently managed by WC Vision.

Speed Energy Formula Off-Road presented by Traxxas

Speed Energy Formula Off-Road, originally known as the Stadium Super Trucks, was founded in 2013 by former NASCAR driver Robby Gordon. It is sanctioned by USAC,[28] though Gordon and sponsorship marketing company Elevation Group co-own the series.[29]

TORC: The Off-Road Championship presented by AMSOIL

Scott Taylor's Crandon winning Pro 2 truck

TORC: The Off-Road Championship was founded in 2009 by motocross racer Rick Johnson and it was managed the race operations and officiated the events.[30] USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010.[30] The complete management ended in August 2013 season when it was sold to The Armory. USAC returned to offication / race control and the series was renamed "TORC: The Off Road Championship" for 2014.

Former series

USAC Championship Car Series

1977 A. J. Foyt Champ Car
USAC Championship Car Season Champions
1956 United States Jimmy Bryan season
1957 United States Jimmy Bryan season
1958 United States Tony Bettenhausen season
1959 United States Rodger Ward season
1960 United States A. J. Foyt season
1961 United States A. J. Foyt season
1962 United States Rodger Ward season
1963 United States A. J. Foyt season
1964 United States A. J. Foyt season
1965 United States Mario Andretti season
1966 United States Mario Andretti season
1967 United States A. J. Foyt season
1968 United States Bobby Unser season
1969 United States Mario Andretti season
1970 United States Al Unser season
1971 United States Joe Leonard season
1972 United States Joe Leonard season
1973 United States Roger McCluskey season
1974 United States Bobby Unser season
1975 United States A. J. Foyt season
1976 United States Gordon Johncock season
1977 United States Tom Sneva season
1978 United States Tom Sneva season
1979 United States A. J. Foyt season
1980 United States Johnny Rutherford season

USAC Gold Crown Series

Starting in 1981, USAC scaled back their participation in Indy car racing outside of the Indianapolis 500. The preeminent national championship season was instead being sanctioned by CART. USAC developed a split-calendar season, beginning in June, and ending in May with the Indy 500. After 1983, however, the Gold Crown schedule would consist of only one event per season (Indy 500), and the Gold Crown title would be regarded largely as ceremonial. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 would be the de facto Gold Crown champion, as it was the lone points-paying event. The title and the "series" were retired after the 1994–1995 season.

USAC Gold Crown Series Champions
1981–82 United States George Snider season [31]
1982–83 United States Tom Sneva season [32]
1983–84 United States Rick Mears season [33]
1984-85 United States Danny Sullivan season [34]
1985-86 United States Bobby Rahal season [35]
1986-87 United States Al Unser season [36]
1987-88 United States Rick Mears season [37]
1988-89 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi season [38]
1989-90 Netherlands Arie Luyendyk season [39]
1990-91 United States Rick Mears season [40]
1991-92 United States Al Unser, Jr. season [41]
1992-93 Brazil Emerson Fittipaldi season [42]
1993-94 United States Al Unser, Jr. season [43]
1994-95 Canada Jacques Villeneuve season [44]

USAC Stock Cars

Norm Nelson's USAC Stock Car

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 Marshall Teague Les Snow None
1957 Jerry Unser Ralph Moody Sam Hanks None
1958 Fred Lorenzen Mike Klapak Norm Nelson None
1959 Fred Lorenzen Mike Klapak Nelson Stacy None
1960 Norm Nelson Paul Goldsmith Tony Bettenhausen None
1961 Paul Goldsmith Norm Nelson Elmer Musgrave None
1962 Paul Goldsmith Don White Norm Nelson None
1963 Don White A. J. Foyt Norm Nelson Sal Tovella
1964 Parnelli Jones Norm Nelson Don White Joe Leonard
1965 Norm Nelson Paul Goldsmith Don White Billy Foster
1966 Norm Nelson Don White Billy Foster Butch Hartman
1967 Don White Parnelli Jones Jack Bowsher Al Unser
1968 A. J. Foyt Roger McCluskey Don White Dick Trickle
1969 Roger McCluskey A. J. Foyt Don White Verlin Eaker
1970 Roger McCluskey Norm Nelson A. J. Foyt Billy Reis
1971 Butch Hartman Jack Bowsher Roger McCluskey J. Booher/B. Schroyer
1972 Butch Hartman Roger McCluskey Paul Feldner Chuck McWilliams
1973 Butch Hartman Ramo Stott Bay Darnell Irv Janey
1974 Butch Hartman Norm Nelson Ramo Stott Ken Rowley
1975 Ramo Stott Butch Hartman Sal Tovella Len Gittemeier
1976 Butch Hartman Ramo Stott Sal Tovella Wayne Watercutter
1977 Paul Feldner Ramo Stott Sal Tovella Dave Watson
1978 A. J. Foyt Terry Ryan Bay Darnell Joe Ruttman
1979 A. J. Foyt Bay Darnell Rusty Wallace Rusty Wallace
1980 Joe Ruttman Rusty Wallace Bay Darnell Ken Schrader
1981 Dean Roper Sal Tovella Ken Schrader Rick Hanley
1982 Dean Roper Bay Darnell Rick O'Brien J. Schwister/J. Lindhorst
1983 Dean Roper Butch Garner Rick O'Brien Roger Drake
1984 David Goldsberry Ken Rowley Jim Hall David Goldsberry

* The inaugural season featured two subtitles: Pacific Coast (won by Sam Hanks) and Short Track (Troy Ruttman).

USAC Road Racing Championship

From 1958 until 1962, USAC sanctioned a road racing championship.[45] It was held for sports cars from 1958–1961, and adopted Formula Libre rules in 1962.

Year Champion Car Report
1958 United States Dan Gurney Ferrari 375 Plus
Ferrari 290 MM
season
1959 United States Augie Pabst Ferrari 625 TR
Scarab Mk. II-Chevrolet
season
1960 United States Carroll Shelby Maserati Tipo 61
Scarab Mk. II-Chevrolet
season
1961 United Kingdom Ken Miles Porsche 718 RS 61 season
1962 United States Roger Penske Cooper T53-Climax season

References

  1. ^ USAC Information Archived 2007-08-11 at the Wayback Machine insmkt.com. Retrieved on August 19, 2007.
  2. ^ a b "AAA cuts ties with U.S. auto racing". The Michigan Daily. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Associated Press. August 4, 1955.
  3. ^ "Substitute seen for auto racing sponsor vacancy". St. Petersburg Times. International News Service. August 5, 1955.
  4. ^ "USAC takes over AAA's place". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. March 8, 1956.
  5. ^ a b c d Waltz, Keith (February 23, 2010). "A True USAC National Championship". National Speed Sport News. Archived from the original on April 17, 2010. Retrieved 31 March 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  6. ^ Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland Jr., James G. (April 25, 1978). "Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  7. ^ Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland Jr., James G. (April 25, 1978). "Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  8. ^ Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland Jr., James G. (April 25, 1978). "Crash Victms Were Racing Fans, Award Winners And Innovators". The Indianapolis Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.Open access icon
  9. ^ The battles wage on and off the tracks automedia.com.
  10. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 10, 2007
  11. ^ The CART-USAC War: part 1 Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine oreopolis.com. Originally published in NUVO Newsweekly – January 25, 1996.
  12. ^ The CART-USAC War: part 2 Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine oreopolis.com. Originally published in NUVO Newsweekly – January 25, 1996.
  13. ^ ""SALT CITY 78" CAPS SWANSON'S SILVER CROWN TITLE!". USAC. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  14. ^ ""2016 SILVER CROWN SEASON CONCLUDES; WINDOM BANKS 4-CROWN AND SILVER CROWN TITLE". USAC. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  15. ^ "BACON, GARDNER EARN NATIONAL, CRA TITLES". USAC. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  16. ^ "BACON BECOMES TWO-TIME USAC SPRINT CHAMP; HOFFMANS HOIST 11TH OWNERS' TITLE TROPHY". USAC. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  17. ^ "Tracy Hines Wins 2015 Honda USAC Midget Series Title to Join Triple Crown Club". Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  18. ^ "THORSON WEATHERS STORMY START TO CLAIM 2016 USAC NATIONAL MIDGET TITLE". Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  19. ^ http://usacracing.com/news/midget/item/6887-bayston-follows-kenyon-as-lebanon-s-newest-usac-midget-champ
  20. ^ http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_cra_sprint.pdf
  21. ^ http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_western_states_midget.pdf
  22. ^ http://tjslideways.com/2012/12/07/usac-joins-forces-with-arizona-traditional-sprint-cars/
  23. ^ http://www.usacracing.com/news/item/6696-usac-east-coast-sprint-cars-set-to-debut-in-2018
  24. ^ http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_southwest_sprint.pdf
  25. ^ http://www.westcoastsprintcars.com/champions.html
  26. ^ http://usacracing.com/news/hpd/item/5977-usac-unveils-lightning-sprint-national-championship-for-2017
  27. ^ http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/usac-to-sanction-pirelli-world-challenge/
  28. ^ "PowerPoint Presentation" (PDF). Speed Energy Formula Off-Road. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  29. ^ Ryan, Nate (September 23, 2014). "Robby Gordon's stadium truck series adds owners". USA Today. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  30. ^ a b "TRAXXAS Off Road Championship Under New Direction". Traxxas TORC Series. 12 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ "1981–82 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  32. ^ "1982–83 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  33. ^ "1983–84 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  34. ^ "1984–85 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  35. ^ "1985–86 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  36. ^ "1986–87 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  37. ^ "1987–88 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  38. ^ "1988–89 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  39. ^ "1989–90 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  40. ^ "1990–91 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  41. ^ "1991–92 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  42. ^ "1992–93 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  43. ^ "1993–94 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  44. ^ "1994–95 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  45. ^ Krejci, Martin. "USAC Road Racing Championship". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

Jim Dittemore 1971 Lola/Chevrolet T192