United States Auto Club Explained

Assocname:United States Auto Club
Abbrev:USAC
Sport:Auto racing
Founded:1955[1]
Jurisdiction:United States
Headquarters:Speedway, Indiana, U.S.
President:Kevin Miller
Chairman:Jeff Stoops
Url:www.usacracing.com

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. 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, Stadium Super Trucks, and Pirelli World Challenge. Seven-time USAC champion Levi Jones is USAC's Competition Director.[2]

History

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,[3] both the SCCA and NASCAR were mentioned as its potential successor.[4] Ultimately, USAC was formed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.[5] 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. Today, USAC sanction open-wheel racing series such as the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, and Quarter Midgets.

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. Five other drivers, Pancho Carter (1972–78), Dave Darland (1997–2001), Jerry Coons Jr. (2006–08), Tracy Hines (2000, 2002, 2015), and Chris Windom (2016, 2017, 2020) 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.[6] It has announced that it will begin awarding a national championship starting in 2010. A driver's best 25 finishes are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner received $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.

As of 2013 it has been known as the Mike Curb "Super License" National Championship Award.

USAC national drivers champions

1978 plane crash

On April 23, 1978, returning from a race at the Trenton Speedway in New Jersey, eight USAC officials, plus the pilot, were killed when their 10-seat Piper Navajo Chieftain crashed during a thunderstorm 25 miles southeast of Indianapolis.[7] [8]

Killed were:[9]

The incident 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.[10] 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,[11] 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 DFX engine using boost-limiting "pop off valves" and limiting the amount of fuel that could be used.[12]

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 multi-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.[13] After USAC's attempt at a 500-mile race 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 no other Championship car races, and CART including the race in its schedule between other CART-sanctioned races. USAC continued to sanction the Indy 500 until 1997, when the Indy Racing League (itself product of the second American open-wheel split in 1996) terminated the sanctioning agreement following two consecutive scoring errors that year; subsequent Indy 500s were sanctioned by the IRL itself, which was renamed the IndyCar Series in 2011.

Road racing expansion

Since 2022, the United States Auto Club has sanctioned the USF Juniors, USF2000 Championship, and USF Pro 2000 Championship series, which serve as a ladder series to Indy NXT, along with the Radical Sportscars North American Championships, Skip Barber Racing School, as well as continued sanctioning of the GT World Challenge America and Porsche Sprint Challenge North America under the newly formed Road Racing Division under the direction of Randy Hembrey.

Active series

USAC Silver Crown Series

USAC Silver Crown Championship
Category:Sprint car racing
Country/Region: United States
Inaugural:1971
Champion Driver: Logan Seavey
Champion Team:Robbie Rice
Current Season:2022 USAC Silver Crown Series

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
SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
National Dirt Car Championship
19714 George SniderWilke
19723 A. J. FoytFoyt
19732 Al UnserMiletich/Jones
19742 Mario AndrettiMiletich/Jones
197555 Jimmy CaruthersMiddleton
197629 Billy CassellaSeymour
19774 Larry RiceLeFevre
197821 Pancho CarterCapels
197930 Bobby OliveroKurtz
198012 Gary BettenhausenDelrose/Holt
Silver Crown Series
198155 Larry RiceKnepper
198239 Ken SchraderFortune
19839 Gary BettenhausenDelrose/Holt
198458 Dave BlaneyDePalma
198539 Rick HoodFortune
198663 Jack HewittHampshire
198763 Jack HewittHampshire
198810 Steve ButlerJarrett
198930 Chuck GurneyKurtz
199054 Jimmy SillsConsani
199135 Jeff GordonEde
199210 Steve ButlerJarrett
199369 Mike BlissMcClure
199475 Jimmy SillsStanton
199525 Tony StewartBoles
199675 Jimmy SillsStanton
199756 Dave DarlandFoxco
19989 Jason LefflerGoetz
199914 Ryan NewmanEde
200037 Tracy HinesRiggs
200110 Paul WhiteCook
20029 J. J. YeleyStewart/East
20039 J. J. YeleyStewart/East
20049 Dave SteeleStewart/East
20059 Dave SteeleStewart/East
200629 Bud KaedingBK/Leffler
200729 Bud KaedingBK
200827 Jerry Coons JrRW
200929 Bud KaedingBK
201010 Levi JonesStewart/Curb-Agajanian
201110 Levi JonesStewart/Curb-Agajanian
201222 Bobby EastStewart/Curb-Agajanian
201310 Bobby EastStewart/Curb-Agajanian
201463 Kody Swanson[14] DePalma Motorsports
201563 Kody SwansonDePalma Motorsports
201698 Chris Windom[15] Fred Gormly/RPM
201763 Kody SwansonDePalma Motorsports
201863 Kody SwansonDePalma Motorsports
201920 Kody SwansonNolen Racing
202091 Justin Grant[16] Hemelgarn Racing
202177, 21, 9 Kody Swanson[17] Doran Racing, Mark Swanson Racing, Dyson Racing
20221 Kody Swanson[18] Doran-Dyson Racing
202322 Logan Seavey[19] Rice Motorsports/Abacus Racing
Race winners* As of the end of the 2022 season
Driver Wins
37
23
18
16
15
14
Chuck Gurney14
Jimmy Sills12
11
11
10
10

USAC National Sprint Car Championship

USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship
Category:Sprint car racing
Country/Region: United States
Inaugural:1956
Tires:Hoosier Racing Tire
Champion Driver: Justin Grant
Champion Team:TOPP Motorsports
Current Season:2023 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car Championship

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

Champions
SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
align=center rowspan="2"19569 Midwest: Pat O'ConnorEstes
1 East: Tommy Hinnershitz
align=center rowspan="2"195721 Midwest: Elmer GeorgeHulman
East: Bill Randall
align=center rowspan="2"195825 Midwest: Eddie SachsCheesman
3 East: Johnny ThomsonTraylor
align=center rowspan="2"19594 Midwest: Don BransonEstes
4 East: Tommy HinnershitzPfrommer
align=center rowspan="2"196051 Midwest: Parnelli JonesFike
2 East: A. J. FoytWatson
19611 Parnelli JonesFike
19621 Parnelli JonesFike
19632 Roger McCluskeyHomeyer
19643 Don BransonPhillips
19659 Johnny RutherfordMeskowski
196651 Roger McCluskeyAnderson
196792 Greg WeldLeffler
19684, 27 Larry DicksonSmith, Stapp
19692 Gary BettenhausenDavis
19702 George SniderLay
19712 Gary BettenhausenDavis
19724 Sammy SessionsAmerling
19732 Rollie BealeKilman
19746 Pancho CarterStapp
197580 Larry DicksonEnsign
197624 Pancho CarterStap
197756 Sheldon KinserHammond
197843 Tom BigelowArmstrong
197943 Greg LefflerArmstrong
19802 Rich VoglerSeibert
19816 Sheldon KinserLeyba
19821 Sheldon KinserLeyba
198339 Ken SchraderDelrose/Holt
198439 Rick HoodFortune
198539 Rick HoodFortune
19866 Steve ButlerStoops
19871 Steve ButlerStoops
19881 Steve ButlerStoops
198969 Rich VoglerHoffman
199069 Steve ButlerHoffman
19917 Robbie StanleyStanley
19921 Robbie StanleyStanley
199369 Robbie StanleyHoffman
199422k Doug KalittaKalitta
199520 Tony StewartNiebel
19964c Brian TylerContos
19974c Brian TylerContos
19982, 12 Tony ElliottWalker/Vance, Conroy
199969 Dave DarlandHoffman
200066 Tony ElliottWalker
200176 J. J. YeleyGT
200269 Tracy HinesHoffman
200320 J. J. YeleyStewart
200420 Jay DrakeStewart
20052B Levi JonesBenic
200620 Josh WiseStewart
200720 Levi JonesStewart
200869 Jerry Coons JrHoffman
200920 Levi JonesStewart
201020 Levi JonesStewart
201120 Levi JonesStewart
20127 Bryan ClausonCTR-BCI-Curb-Agajanian
201320 Bryan ClausonStewart/Curb-Agajanian
201469 Brady Bacon[20] Hoffman
201512 Robert BallouBallou Motorsports
201669 Brady Bacon[21] Hoffman
20175 Chris WindomBaldwin Brothers
20187 Tyler CourtneyClauson Marshall Motorsports
201919AZ C.J. LearyReinbold/Underwood Motorsports
202069 Brady Bacon[22] Hoffman
202169 Brady Bacon[23] Hoffman
20224 Justin Grant[24] TOPP Motorsports
20234 Justin Grant[25] TOPP Motorsports
Race winners* As of the end of the 2020 season
Driver Wins
62
52
47
46
45
42
41
40
37
Jon Stanbrough35
35
35
32
Robert Ballou29
Tyler Courtney29
28
28
Levi Jones28
28
28

USAC National Midget Championship

USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship
Category:Midget car racing
Country/Region: United States
Inaugural:1956
Tires:Hoosier Racing Tire
Champion Driver: Buddy Kofoid
Champion Team:Curb-Agajanian
Current Season:2018 USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Championship
Champions
SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
1956 Shorty Templeman
1957 Shorty Templeman
1958 Shorty Templeman
1959 Gene Hartley
1960 Jimmy Davies
1961 Jimmy Davies
1962 Jimmy Davies
1963 Bob Wente
1964 Mel Kenyon
1965 Mike McGreevy
19661 Mike McGreevy
19671 Mel KenyonKenyon
19681 Mel KenyonKenyon
19693 Bob TattersallStroud
19705 Jimmy CaruthersCaruthers
19715 Danny CaruthersCaruthers
197281 Pancho CarterRieder
19732 Larry RiceShannon
197461 Mel KenyonKenyon
19755 Sleepy Tripp
19761 Sleepy Tripp
197743 Mel KenyonArmstrong
19782 Rich VoglerCaruthers
19792 Steve LotshawPiascik
198069 Rich VoglerLockard
198161 Mel KenyonKenyon
19825 Kevin OlsonCarey
19834 Rich VoglerStreicher
198416 Tom BigelowSandy
198566 Mel KenyonBurns
19862 Rich VoglerByrd
198711 Kevin OlsonWilke
19881 Rich VoglerByrd
198946 Russ GamesterGamester
19904 Jeff GordonHelmling
19918 Mike StreicherStreicher
199211 Stevie ReevesWilke
19939 Stevie ReevesLewis
19946 Tony StewartPotter
19959 Tony StewartLewis
199691 Kenny Irwin Jr.Lewis
199771 Jason LefflerWilloughby
19989 Jason LefflerLewis
19999 Jason LefflerLewis
200091 Kasey KahneLewis
20019 Dave DarlandLewis
20029 Dave DarlandLewis
20039 J. J. YeleyLewis
20049 Bobby EastLewis
200520 Josh WiseStewart
200611 Jerry Coons Jr.Wilke
200711 Jerry Coons Jr.Wilke-Pak
200871 Cole WhittKunz
200917B Brad KuhnRW
201039 Bryan ClausonTucker/Kunz/BCI
201139 Bryan ClausonCTR-Curb-Agajanian
20123 Darren HagenRFMS
201371 Christopher BellKunz/Curb-Agajanian
201497 Rico AbreuKunz/Curb-Agajanian
201524 Tracy Hines[26] Parker Machinery
201667 Tanner Thorson[27] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
201797 Spencer Bayston[28] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
201867 Logan Seavey[29] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
20197BC Tyler CourtneyClauson-Marshall Racing
202089 Chris Windom[30] Tucker/Boat Motorsports[31]
202167 Buddy Kofoid[32] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
202267 Buddy KofoidKunz/Curb-Agajanian
202357 Logan SeaveyAbacus Racing
Race winners
Driver Wins
111
95
78
Bob Tattersall63
57
48
38
35
31
31
30
Mike McGreevy30
30
27
27
27
Darren Hagen25
25
25

USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series

AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
Category:Sprint car racing
Country/Region: United States
Inaugural:2004
Tires:Hoosier Racing Tire
Champion Driver: Damion Gardner
Champion Team:Alexander
Current Season:2018 USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series

The USAC/CRA AMSOIL Sprint Car Series debuted in 2004 utilizing the same cars and 410ci 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

SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
20043 Rip WilliamsJory
200550 Damion GardnerChaffin
200638 Cory KrusemanCrossno
20074 Tony JonesAlexander
200850 Mike SpencerChaffin
200950 Mike SpencerChaffin
201050 Mike SpencerChaffin
201150 Mike SpencerChaffin
201250 Mike SpencerChaffin
20134a Damion GardnerAlexander
20144 Damion GardnerAlexander
20154 Damion GardnerAlexander
20164 Damion GardnerAlexander
20174 Damion GardnerAlexander
20184 Damion GardnerAlexander
20194 Damion GardnerAlexander
2020No champion crowned due to the COVID-19 Pandemic[33]
20211 Damion GardnerAlexander
20221 Damion GardnerAlexander
202317R Brody RoaTom and Christy Dunkel
Source:[34]

USAC Western States Midget Series

Light Up The World Beverages presents the USAC Western States Midgets
Category:Midget car racing
Country/Region: United States
Inaugural:1982
Tires:Hoosier Racing Tire
Current Season:2017 USAC Western States Midgets

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 and Arizona 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

SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
1982Jeff Haywood
1983Sleepy Tripp
1984Tommy White
1985Sleepy Tripp
1986Robby Flock
1987Sleepy Tripp
1988Sleepy Tripp
1989Robby Flock
1990Sleepy Tripp
1991Sleepy Tripp
1992Sleepy Tripp
1993Robby Flock
1994Johnny Cofer
1995Billy Boat
1996Jay Drake
1997Ricky Shelton
1998Rick Hendrix
1999Marc DeBeaumont
2000Wally Pankratz
2001Danny Ebberts
2002Robby Flock
2003Steve Paden
2004Johnny Rodriguez
2005Jerome Rodela
2006Jerome Rodela
200787Johnny RodriguezMitchell Motorsports
200840Nic FaasWestern Speed
200947Garrett HansenBondio
201025Alex SchutteRodela
201121kCory KrusemanKruseman
2012 (Overall)7Shannon McQueenMcQueen
2012 (Dirt)15David PrickettNeverlift
2012 (Pavement)17nChad NicholsNichols
2013 (Overall)68Ronnie GardnerSix8
2013 (Dirt)
2013 (Pavement)29Chad NicholsTeam 17/Eskesen
2014 (Overall)68Ronnie GardnerSix8
2014 (Dirt)
2014 (Pavement)17Chad NicholsTeam17
201568Ronnie GardnerSix8
201668Ronnie GardnerSix8
201768Ronnie GardnerSix8
20189DMichael FaccintoSean Dodenhoff Motorsports
20194DRobert DalbyKen Dalby
2020season championship cancelled[35]
20219Blake BowerTony Boscacci
202214JMichael FaccintoGraunstadt Enterprises
202351Brody FusonRusty Carlile
Source:[36]

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.[37] The Southwest series primarily races at tracks in Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico while also having special event races in Arkansas, Kansas & Oklahoma. The Southwest series was put on hold after the 2019 season and has not made its way back into the sport since then.

USAC and URC Sprint Car Series promoter Curt Michael joined forces to create the USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series, with the first season beginning in 2018.[38]

Champions

SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
USAC Southwest Sprint Car Series
201377MR.J. JohnsonMichael
201477MR.J. JohnsonMichael
201577MR.J. JohnsonMichael
201677MR.J. JohnsonMichael
201751R.J. JohnsonMartin
201850Charles Davis Jr.Massey Motorsports
201991, 34 Brody RoaBR Performance, Grau/Burkhart
[39]
SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
USAC West Coast Sprint Car Series
20103SCraig StidhamDon & Craig Stidham
201110Richard Vander WeerdRon Vander Weerd
201229Bud KaedingJunior Bowman
201317VDanny Faria Jr.Danny Faria Jr.
201437Matt MitchellMatt Mitchell
201517VDanny Faria Jr.Junior Bowman
201691Brody RoaBR Performance
201712Jake SwansonMatt Dale
201883Austin LiggettLiggett
201915TTristan GuardinoGuardino
2020Season cancelled
202133D. J. JohnsonJohnson
202213Trent CarterCarter
202329TRyan TimmonsTimmons
[40]
SeasonCar No.DriverTeam
USAC East Coast Sprint Car Series
201819Steven DrevickiDrevicki
201919Steven DrevickiDrevicki
202019Steven DrevickiDrevicki
202120Alex BrightHummer Motorsports
20225GBriggs DannerHeffner Racing Enterprises South
202339Briggs DannerHogue Racing Enterprises

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 to 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

Regional Champions

SeasonSeriesDriver
2002(No Regions)
2003California (North)Josh Lakatos
California (South)Todd Hunsaker
IndianaRobbie Ray
2004California (North)Bradley Galedrige
California (South)Chris Rahe
Carolina / VirginiaChase Scott
MidwestTate Martz
SpeedromeBrice Kenyon
2005California (Dirt)Chase Barber
California (Pavement)Alex Harris
Carolina / VirginiaChase Scott
MidwestTate Martz
NortheastMichael Sboro
OklahomaJasiel Randolph
SpeedromeJamie Williams
2006California (Dirt)Bobby Michnowicz
California (Pavement)Tim Skoglund
Carolina / VirginiaChase Scott
FloridaRyan Smith
IndianaJames Robertson
Midwest (Dirt)Jordan Noblitt
Midwest (Pavement)Tate Martz
NortheastRyan Smith
2007California (Dirt)Nic Faas
California (Pavement)Tim Skoglund
CarolinaTanner Swanson
IndianaChett Gehrke
MidwestJames Robertson
NortheastJeff Abold
UMARRAMario Clouser
UtahTim Savage
2008California (Dirt)Alex Bowman
California (Junior)Charlie Butcher
California (Pavement)Ian Miille
CarolinasBradley Riethmeyer
IndianaKyle Hamilton
Midwest
UtahKipp Posey
UMARABranden Allen
2009California (Dirt)Brody Roa
California (Pavement)Nik Romano
California (Young Guns)Kyle Edwards
CarolinaJeremy Frankoski
MidwestJoe Liguori
UMARA
UtahKipp Posey
2010EasternScott Hunter
Eastern (Young Guns)Jesse Little
MidwestJoe Liguori
Midwest (Young Guns)Cooper Clouse
WesternNick Carlson
Western (Young Guns)Jarid Blondel
UtahMichael Daniels
2011DMAJoe Krawiec
EasternNick Drake
Eastern (Dirt)Scott Hunter
Eastern (Pavement)Jarett Andretti
Eastern (Young Guns)Jared Irvan
MidwestRoss Rankine
Midwest (Young Guns)Sam McGhee
UtahJim Waters
WesternBrodie Kostecki
Western (Young Guns)
2012DMAKevin Chaffee
EasternJared Irvan
Midwest (Dirt)Ross Rankine
Midwest (Pavement)
NorthwestJared Peterson
Western (Dirt)Cory Elliott
Western (Pavement)Bryant Dawson
Western NorthGarret Peterson
2013DMAJoe Krawiec
EasternChris Lamb
Midwest (Dirt)Gage Walker
Midwest (Pavement)Cooper Clouse
WashingtonChase Goetz
WesternJarid Blondel
Western (Dirt)Cory Elliott
Western (Pavement)Bryant Dawson
2014DMAAdam Pierson
EasternScott Hunter
Midwest (Dirt)Austin Nemire
Midwest (Pavement)
WashingtonChase Goetz
WesternShawn Buckley
Western (Dirt)Ashley Hazelton
2015DMAAdam Pierson
EasternChris Lamb
MidwestAlex Watson
WesternCody Jessop
Western (Dirt)Shawn Buckley
Western (Pavement)Dylan Nobile
Western (Restricted)Jesse Love
2016DMAAdam Pierson
EasternChris Lamb
IMRAJeff Mallonee
Midwest ThunderGage Etgen
WesternJesse Love
Western (Dirt)
Western (Pavement)Toni Breidinger
Western (Restricted)Blake Brannon
2017DMADean Christensen
EasternJessica Bean
Gulf CoastKyle Jones
IMRADillon Morley
Midwest ThunderAaron Leffel
Western (Overall)Jesse Love
Western (Dirt)
Western (Pavement)
2018DMAJason Goff
EasternJessica Bean
IMRAAndy Baugh
Midwest ThunderAaron Leffel
Western (Overall)Adam Lemke
Western (Dirt)Tyler Slay
Western (Pavement)Adam Lemke
2019DMAWill Hull
EasternJessica Bean
IMRAAndy Baugh
Midwest ThunderAaron Leffel
2020DMASeth Carlson
EasternJessica Bean
IMRABryan Stanfill
Midwest ThunderJacob Denney
Radical FocusJoseph Holiday

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.[41]

GT World Challenge America

See main article: GT World Challenge America. Pirelli World Challenge, was started in 1990 and switched to USAC sanctioning in 2017.[42] The championship currently races on road and street courses across the United States and Canada with seven different classes for GT cars & Touring cars. Founded by WC Vision, the series is presently owned by SRO Group.

Off-road racing

The Stadium Super Trucks series was founded in 2013 by former NASCAR driver Robby Gordon. It is sanctioned by USAC,[43] though Gordon and sponsorship marketing company The Elevation Group co-own the series.[44]

The USAC also sanctions the American Rally Association, Nitro Rallycross, King of the Hammers and Great American Shortcourse.

Former series

USAC Championship Car Series

See main article: article and List of USAC Championship Car seasons.

USAC Championship Car Season Champions
1956season
1957season
1958season
1959season
1960season
1961season
1962season
1963season
1964season
1965season
1966season
1967season
1968season
1969season
1970season
1971season
1972season
1973season
1974season
1975season
1976season
1977season
1978season
1979season
1980season

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 with the advent of the Indy Racing League.

USAC Gold Crown Series Champions
1981–82season [45]
1982–83season [46]
1983–84season [47]
1984 - 85season [48]
1985 - 86season [49]
1986 - 87season [50]
1987 - 88season [51]
1988 - 89season [52]
1989 - 90season [53]
1990 - 91season [54]
1991 - 92season [55]
1992 - 93season [56]
1993 - 94season [57]
1994 - 95season [58]

USAC Stock Cars

See main article: article and USAC Stock Car. USAC featured a stock car division from 1956 to 1984.

width=800px style="background:black;" style=color:white colspan=5Past Champions
width=100px style="background:white;"Yearwidth=175px style="background:white;"Championwidth=175px style="background:white;"2nd Placewidth=175px style="background:white;"3rd Placewidth=175px style="background:white;"Rookie Of The Year
1956*Johnny MantzMarshall TeagueLes SnowNone
1957Jerry UnserRalph MoodySam HanksNone
1958Fred LorenzenMike KlapakNorm NelsonNone
1959Fred LorenzenMike KlapakNelson StacyNone
1960Norm NelsonPaul GoldsmithTony BettenhausenNone
1961Paul GoldsmithNorm NelsonElmer MusgraveNone
1962Paul GoldsmithDon WhiteNorm NelsonNone
1963Don WhiteA. J. FoytNorm NelsonSal Tovella
1964Parnelli JonesNorm NelsonDon WhiteJoe Leonard
1965Norm NelsonPaul GoldsmithDon WhiteBilly Foster
1966Norm NelsonDon WhiteBilly FosterButch Hartman
1967Don WhiteParnelli JonesJack BowsherAl Unser
1968A. J. FoytRoger McCluskeyDon WhiteDick Trickle
1969Roger McCluskeyA. J. FoytDon WhiteVerlin Eaker
1970Roger McCluskeyNorm NelsonA. J. FoytBilly Reis
1971Butch HartmanJack BowsherRoger McCluskeyJ. Booher/B. Schroyer
1972Butch HartmanRoger McCluskeyPaul FeldnerChuck McWilliams
1973Butch HartmanRamo StottBay DarnellIrv Janey
1974Butch HartmanNorm NelsonRamo StottKen Rowley
1975Ramo StottButch HartmanSal TovellaLen Gittemeier
1976Butch HartmanRamo StottSal TovellaWayne Watercutter
1977Paul FeldnerRamo StottSal TovellaDave Watson
1978A. J. FoytTerry RyanBay DarnellJoe Ruttman
1979A. J. FoytBay DarnellRusty WallaceRusty Wallace
1980Joe RuttmanRusty WallaceBay DarnellKen Schrader
1981Dean RoperSal TovellaKen SchraderRick Hanley
1982Dean RoperBay DarnellRick O'BrienJ. Schwister/J. Lindhorst
1983Dean RoperButch GarnerRick O'BrienRoger Drake
1984David GoldsberryKen RowleyJim HallDavid Goldsberry

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

USAC Road Racing Championship

See main article: article and USAC Road Racing Championship. From 1958 until 1962, USAC sanctioned a road racing championship.[59] It was held for sports cars from 1958 to 1961, and adopted Formula Libre rules in 1962.

Year Champion Car Report
1958season
1959season
1960season
1961season
1962season

TORC: The Off-Road Championship

See main article: article and 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.[60] USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010. The complete management ended in August 2013 season when it was sold to The Armory. USAC returned to officiation/race control and the series was renamed "TORC: The Off Road Championship" for 2014.

See also

Notes and References

  1. http://www.insmkt.com/usac.htm USAC Information
  2. News: Rip the Fence: Episode 60 - Levi Jones . September 18, 2021 . Motor Racing Network.
  3. News: AAA cuts ties with U.S. auto racing. The Michigan Daily. August 4, 1955. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Associated Press.
  4. News: Substitute seen for auto racing sponsor vacancy. St. Petersburg Times. August 5, 1955. International News Service.
  5. News: USAC takes over AAA's place. Daytona Beach Morning Journal. March 8, 1956. Associated Press.
  6. Web site: A True USAC National Championship . Waltz . Keith . February 23, 2010 . . 31 March 2010 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100417111915/http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com/node.php?tag=15 . April 17, 2010 .
  7. News: Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 1). Patrick T.. Morrison. James G. Jr.. Newland. The Indianapolis Star. 1. Newspapers.com. April 25, 1978. June 26, 2018.
  8. News: Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 2). Patrick T.. Morrison. James G. Jr.. Newland. The Indianapolis Star. 9. Newspapers.com. April 25, 1978. June 26, 2018.
  9. News: Crash Victms Were Racing Fans, Award Winners And Innovators. Patrick T.. Morrison. James G. Jr.. Newland. The Indianapolis Star. 9. Newspapers.com. April 25, 1978. June 26, 2018.
  10. http://www.automedia.com/IRL_and_CART/pht20030901ic/1 The battles wage on and off the tracks
  11. The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 10, 2007
  12. http://oreopolis.com/Pages/051401.html The CART-USAC War: part 1
  13. http://oreopolis.com/Pages/051501.html The CART-USAC War: part 2
  14. Web site: "SALT CITY 78" CAPS SWANSON'S SILVER CROWN TITLE!. USAC. November 22, 2014.
  15. Web site: "2016 SILVER CROWN SEASON CONCLUDES; WINDOM BANKS 4-CROWN AND SILVER CROWN TITLE. USAC. December 8, 2016.
  16. Bettenhausen 100 . USAC Silvercrown . . October 18, 2020 . 15:36 .
  17. Web site: The king is crowned: Swanson takes Toledo finale, USAC Silver Crown title. USAC. 11 October 2021. 13 December 2021.
  18. Web site: 7th heaven: Kody Swanson is USAC Silver Crown champ, Doran-Dyson the entrant kings . USAC. 24 October 2022.
  19. Web site: THIRD TIME'S A CHARM: SEAVEY REACHES THE USAC SILVER CROWN PINNACLE IN 2023. USAC. 16 October 2023. 3 December 2023.
  20. Web site: BACON, GARDNER EARN NATIONAL, CRA TITLES. USAC. November 22, 2014.
  21. Web site: BACON BECOMES TWO-TIME USAC SPRINT CHAMP; HOFFMANS HOIST 11TH OWNERS' TITLE TROPHY. USAC. December 8, 2016.
  22. USAC Fall Nationals Sprints . USAC Sprint Car . . October 3, 2020 . 21:03 .
  23. Web site: Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Championship 2021 standings Driver Database . 2022-07-26 . www.driverdb.com.
  24. News: Grant reaches the mountain TOPP: 2022 USAC Sprint Car season in review . 2022-11-09. 2023-01-12. USAC Racing.
  25. News: BACK-2-BACK: GRANT CLIMBS HIS WAY BACK TO THE TOPP IN 2023 . 2023-10-25. 2023-12-03. USAC Racing.
  26. Web site: Tracy Hines Wins 2015 Honda USAC Midget Series Title to Join Triple Crown Club . 2017-01-03 .
  27. Web site: THORSON WEATHERS STORMY START TO CLAIM 2016 USAC NATIONAL MIDGET TITLE . 2017-01-03 .
  28. Web site: BAYSTON FOLLOWS KENYON AS TOWN'S NEWEST USAC MIDGET CHAMP - USAC Racing.
  29. Web site: ARCA Winner Logan Seavey Locks Up USAC Midget Championship . 2017-01-03 .
  30. Merced Speedway . USAC National Midget cars . . November 21, 2020 . 18:15 .
  31. Web site: Seelman . Jacob . Windom All But Clinches USAC Midget Crown . Sprint Car & Midget Magazine . November 22, 2020 . 18 November 2020.
  32. Web site: Logan Seavey Completes Sweep Of All Three USAC Finales. www.floracing.com . 28 November 2021 . . November 28, 2021 . en.
  33. Web site: MEET THE 2020 USAC CHAMPIONS - USAC Racing. usacracing.com. 8 May 2024.
  34. http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_cra_sprint.pdf Driver champions
  35. Web site: Western States - USAC Racing . USAC . November 22, 2020.
  36. http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_western_states_midget.pdf Driver champions
  37. Web site: USAC Joins Forces with Arizona Traditional Sprint Cars. 7 December 2012.
  38. Web site: USAC EAST COAST SPRINT CARS SET TO DEBUT IN 2018 - USAC Racing.
  39. http://www.usacracing.com/assets/files/History_Docs/history_driver_champions_southwest_sprint.pdf Driver champions
  40. Web site: West Coast Sprint Car Series.
  41. Web site: USAC UNVEILS LIGHTNING SPRINT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2017 - USAC Racing.
  42. Web site: USAC Named New PWC Sanctioning Body – Sportscar365. 13 January 2017 .
  43. Web site: PowerPoint Presentation. Stadium Super Trucks. May 10, 2017.
  44. Web site: Ryan. Nate. Robby Gordon's stadium truck series adds owners. USA Today. September 23, 2014. October 3, 2014.
  45. Web site: 1981–82 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  46. Web site: 1982–83 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  47. Web site: 1983–84 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  48. Web site: 1984–85 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  49. Web site: 1985–86 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  50. Web site: 1986–87 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  51. Web site: 1987–88 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  52. Web site: 1988–89 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  53. Web site: 1989–90 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  54. Web site: 1990–91 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  55. Web site: 1991–92 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  56. Web site: 1992–93 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  57. Web site: 1993–94 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  58. Web site: 1994–95 Gold Crown Championship. ChampCarStats.com. 2009-05-25.
  59. Web site: USAC Road Racing Championship. Krejci. Martin. World Sports Racing Prototypes. 10 May 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100802070601/http://www.wsrp.ic.cz/usacrrc.html. 2 August 2010. dead. dmy-all.
  60. Web site: TRAXXAS Off Road Championship Under New Direction. March 12, 2010. Traxxas TORC Series. 2 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100410072153/http://www.torcseries.com/news10009.php. 10 April 2010. dead. dmy-all.