Wikipedia

United States Auto Club

(Redirected from USAC Racing)

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]

United States Auto Club
SportAuto racing
JurisdictionUnited States
AbbreviationUSAC
Founded1955[1]
HeadquartersSpeedway, Indiana, U.S.
PresidentKevin Miller
ChairmanJeff Stoops
Official website
unitedstatesautoclub.com

History

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USAC's headquarters on 16th Street in Speedway, Indiana, less than a block from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (visible behind the headquarters)
 
USAC's trailer at a TRAXXAS The Off-Road Championship (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,[3] both the SCCA and NASCAR were mentioned as its potential successor.[3][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

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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.[citation needed]

National championship

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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.[6] A driver's best 25 finishes are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner received $40,000.[6] Points are accumulated in the three national series: sprints, midgets, and silver crown.[6] 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

  • 2010  – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, Indiana
  • 2011  – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, Indiana
  • 2012  – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, Indiana
  • 2013  - Tracy Hines; New Castle, Indiana
  • 2014  - Tracy Hines; New Castle, Indiana
  • 2015  - Dave Darland; Kokomo, Indiana
  • 2016  - Brady Bacon; Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
  • 2017  - Justin Grant; Ione, California
  • 2018  - Tyler Courtney; Indianapolis, Indiana
  • 2019  - Tyler Courtney; Indianapolis, Indiana
  • 2020  - Chris Windom; Canton, Illinois
  • 2021  - Justin Grant; Ione, California
  • 2022  - Justin Grant; Ione, California

1978 plane crash

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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]

  • 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 incident closely followed the death of Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.[8]

End of championship car sanctioning

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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 officiating controversies that year; subsequent Indy 500s (and IRL races, as USAC was also involved in IRL's racing-related matters up to that point) were sanctioned by the IRL itself, which was renamed the IndyCar Series in 2011.

Road racing expansion

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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

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USAC Silver Crown Series

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USAC Silver Crown Championship
 
CategorySprint car racing
Country  United States
Inaugural season1971
Drivers' champion  Logan Seavey
Teams' championRobbie Rice
Official websiteUSAC Silver Crown Series
  Current season
 
Steve Butler's 1988 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   George Snider Wilke
1972 3   A. J. Foyt Foyt
1973 2   Al Unser Miletich/Jones
1974 2   Mario Andretti Miletich/Jones
1975 55   Jimmy Caruthers Middleton
1976 29   Billy Cassella Seymour
1977 4   Larry Rice LeFevre
1978 21   Pancho Carter Capels
1979 30   Bobby Olivero Kurtz
1980 12   Gary Bettenhausen Delrose/Holt
Silver Crown Series
1981 55   Larry Rice Knepper
1982 39   Ken Schrader Fortune
1983 9   Gary Bettenhausen Delrose/Holt
1984 58   Dave Blaney DePalma
1985 39   Rick Hood Fortune
1986 63   Jack Hewitt Hampshire
1987 63   Jack Hewitt Hampshire
1988 10   Steve Butler Jarrett
1989 30   Chuck Gurney Kurtz
1990 54   Jimmy Sills Consani
1991 35   Jeff Gordon Ede
1992 10   Steve Butler Jarrett
1993 69   Mike Bliss McClure
1994 75   Jimmy Sills Stanton
1995 25   Tony Stewart Boles
1996 75   Jimmy Sills Stanton
1997 56   Dave Darland Foxco
1998 9   Jason Leffler Goetz
1999 14   Ryan Newman Ede
2000 37   Tracy Hines Riggs
2001 10   Paul White Cook
2002 9   J. J. Yeley Stewart/East
2003 9   J. J. Yeley Stewart/East
2004 9   Dave Steele Stewart/East
2005 9   Dave Steele Stewart/East
2006 29   Bud Kaeding BK/Leffler
2007 29   Bud Kaeding BK
2008 27   Jerry Coons Jr RW
2009 29   Bud Kaeding BK
2010 10   Levi Jones Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2011 10   Levi Jones Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2012 22   Bobby East Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2013 10   Bobby East Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2014 63   Kody Swanson[14] DePalma Motorsports
2015 63   Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2016 98   Chris Windom[15] Fred Gormly/RPM
2017 63   Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2018 63   Kody Swanson DePalma Motorsports
2019 20   Kody Swanson Nolen Racing
2020 91   Justin Grant[16] Hemelgarn Racing
2021 77, 21, 9   Kody Swanson[17] Doran Racing, Mark Swanson Racing, Dyson Racing
2022 1   Kody Swanson[18] Doran-Dyson Racing
2023 22   Logan Seavey[19] Rice Motorsports/Abacus Racing
2024 77   Kody Swanson Doran Binks Racing
Race winners

* As of the end of the 2022 season

Driver Wins[18]
Kody Swanson 37
Jack Hewitt 23
Brian Tyler 18
Dave Steele 16
J. J. Yeley 15
Dave Darland 14
Chuck Gurney 14
Jimmy Sills 12
Bobby East 11
Bobby Santos III 11
Gary Bettenhausen 10
Mike Bliss 10

USAC National Sprint Car Championship

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

From 1956 to 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   Midwest: Pat O'Connor Estes
1   East: Tommy Hinnershitz
1957 21   Midwest: Elmer George Hulman
  East: Bill Randall
1958 25   Midwest: Eddie Sachs Cheesman
3   East: Johnny Thomson Traylor
1959 4   Midwest: Don Branson Estes
4   East: Tommy Hinnershitz Pfrommer
1960 51   Midwest: Parnelli Jones Fike
2   East: A. J. Foyt Watson
1961 1   Parnelli Jones Fike
1962 1   Parnelli Jones Fike
1963 2   Roger McCluskey Homeyer
1964 3   Don Branson Phillips
1965 9   Johnny Rutherford Meskowski
1966 51   Roger McCluskey Anderson
1967 92   Greg Weld Leffler
1968 4, 27   Larry Dickson Smith, Stapp
1969 2   Gary Bettenhausen Davis
1970 2   George Snider Lay
1971 2   Gary Bettenhausen Davis
1972 4   Sammy Sessions Amerling
1973 2   Rollie Beale Kilman
1974 6   Pancho Carter Stapp
1975 80   Larry Dickson Ensign
1976 24   Pancho Carter Stap
1977 56   Sheldon Kinser Hammond
1978 43   Tom Bigelow Armstrong
1979 43   Greg Leffler Armstrong
1980 2   Rich Vogler Seibert
1981 6   Sheldon Kinser Leyba
1982 1   Sheldon Kinser Leyba
1983 39   Ken Schrader Delrose/Holt
1984 39   Rick Hood Fortune
1985 39   Rick Hood Fortune
1986 6   Steve Butler Stoops
1987 1   Steve Butler Stoops
1988 1   Steve Butler Stoops
1989 69   Rich Vogler Hoffman
1990 69   Steve Butler Hoffman
1991 7   Robbie Stanley Stanley
1992 1   Robbie Stanley Stanley
1993 69   Robbie Stanley Hoffman
1994 22k   Doug Kalitta Kalitta
1995 20   Tony Stewart Niebel
1996 4c   Brian Tyler Contos
1997 4c   Brian Tyler Contos
1998 2, 12   Tony Elliott Walker/Vance, Conroy
1999 69   Dave Darland Hoffman
2000 66   Tony Elliott Walker
2001 76   J. J. Yeley GT
2002 69   Tracy Hines Hoffman
2003 20   J. J. Yeley Stewart
2004 20   Jay Drake Stewart
2005 2B   Levi Jones Benic
2006 20   Josh Wise Stewart
2007 20   Levi Jones Stewart
2008 69   Jerry Coons Jr Hoffman
2009 20   Levi Jones Stewart
2010 20   Levi Jones Stewart
2011 20   Levi Jones Stewart
2012 7   Bryan Clauson CTR-BCI-Curb-Agajanian
2013 20   Bryan Clauson Stewart/Curb-Agajanian
2014 69   Brady Bacon[20] Hoffman
2015 12   Robert Ballou Ballou Motorsports
2016 69   Brady Bacon[21] Hoffman
2017 5   Chris Windom Baldwin Brothers
2018 7   Tyler Courtney Clauson Marshall Motorsports
2019 19AZ   C.J. Leary Reinbold/Underwood Motorsports
2020 69   Brady Bacon[22] Hoffman
2021 69   Brady Bacon[23] Hoffman
2022 4   Justin Grant[24] TOPP Motorsports
2023 4   Justin Grant[25] TOPP Motorsports
Race winners

* As of the end of the 2020 season

Driver Wins
Dave Darland 62
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
Brady Bacon 35
Rollie Beale 32
Robert Ballou 29
Tyler Courtney 29
Don Branson 28
A. J. Foyt 28
Levi Jones 28
Chris Windom 28
J. J. Yeley 28

USAC National Midget Championship

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USAC NOS Energy Drink National Midget Championship
 
CategoryMidget car racing
Country  United States
Inaugural season1956
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' champion  Buddy Kofoid
Teams' championCurb-Agajanian
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
 
Brad Sweet qualifying his midget
Brad Sweet setting fast time in qualifying for the USAC National Midget Series race at Dodge County, Wisconsin, USA in 2008— 681 kb
Problems playing this file? See media help.
Champions
Season Car No. Driver Team
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
1966 1   Mike McGreevy
1967 1   Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1968 1   Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1969 3   Bob Tattersall Stroud
1970 5   Jimmy Caruthers Caruthers
1971 5   Danny Caruthers Caruthers
1972 81   Pancho Carter Rieder
1973 2   Larry Rice Shannon
1974 61   Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1975 5   Sleepy Tripp
1976 1   Sleepy Tripp
1977 43   Mel Kenyon Armstrong
1978 2   Rich Vogler Caruthers
1979 2   Steve Lotshaw Piascik
1980 69   Rich Vogler Lockard
1981 61   Mel Kenyon Kenyon
1982 5   Kevin Olson Carey
1983 4   Rich Vogler Streicher
1984 16   Tom Bigelow Sandy
1985 66   Mel Kenyon Burns
1986 2   Rich Vogler Byrd
1987 11   Kevin Olson Wilke
1988 1   Rich Vogler Byrd
1989 46   Russ Gamester Gamester
1990 4   Jeff Gordon Helmling
1991 8   Mike Streicher Streicher
1992 11   Stevie Reeves Wilke
1993 9   Stevie Reeves Lewis
1994 6   Tony Stewart Potter
1995 9   Tony Stewart Lewis
1996 91   Kenny Irwin Jr. Lewis
1997 71   Jason Leffler Willoughby
1998 9   Jason Leffler Lewis
1999 9   Jason Leffler Lewis
2000 91   Kasey Kahne Lewis
2001 9   Dave Darland Lewis
2002 9   Dave Darland Lewis
2003 9   J. J. Yeley Lewis
2004 9   Bobby East Lewis
2005 20   Josh Wise Stewart
2006 11   Jerry Coons Jr. Wilke
2007 11   Jerry Coons Jr. Wilke-Pak
2008 71   Cole Whitt Kunz
2009 17B   Brad Kuhn RW
2010 39   Bryan Clauson Tucker/Kunz/BCI
2011 39   Bryan Clauson CTR-Curb-Agajanian
2012 3   Darren Hagen RFMS
2013 71   Christopher Bell Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2014 97   Rico Abreu Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2015 24   Tracy Hines[26] Parker Machinery
2016 67   Tanner Thorson[27] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2017 97   Spencer Bayston[28] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2018 67   Logan Seavey[29] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2019 7BC   Tyler Courtney Clauson-Marshall Racing
2020 89   Chris Windom[30] Tucker/Boat Motorsports[31]
2021 67   Buddy Kofoid[32] Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2022 67   Buddy Kofoid Kunz/Curb-Agajanian
2023 57   Logan Seavey Abacus Racing
Race winners
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
Kyle Larson 27
Gary Bettenhausen 27
Tony Stewart 27
Darren Hagen 25
Parnelli Jones 25
Dave Strickland 25

USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series

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AMSOIL USAC/CRA Sprint Car Series
CategorySprint car racing
Country  United States
Inaugural season2004
Tire suppliersHoosier Racing Tire
Drivers' champion  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 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

Season Car No. Driver Team
2004 3   Rip Williams Jory
2005 50   Damion Gardner Chaffin
2006 38   Cory Kruseman Crossno
2007 4   Tony Jones Alexander
2008 50   Mike Spencer Chaffin
2009 50   Mike Spencer Chaffin
2010 50   Mike Spencer Chaffin
2011 50   Mike Spencer Chaffin
2012 50   Mike Spencer Chaffin
2013 4a   Damion Gardner Alexander
2014 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2015 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2016 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2017 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2018 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2019 4   Damion Gardner Alexander
2020 No champion crowned due to the COVID-19 Pandemic[33]
2021 1   Damion Gardner Alexander
2022 1   Damion Gardner Alexander
2023 17R   Brody Roa Tom and Christy Dunkel

Source:[34]

USAC Western States Midget Series

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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 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

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 68 Ronnie Gardner Six8
2018 9D Michael Faccinto Sean Dodenhoff Motorsports
2019 4D Robert Dalby Ken Dalby
2020 season championship cancelled[35]
2021 9 Blake Bower Tony Boscacci
2022 14J Michael Faccinto Graunstadt Enterprises
2023 51 Brody Fuson Rusty Carlile
2024 101 Cade Lewis Dean Alexander

Source:[36]

USAC 360 Sprint Car Series

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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

USAC Speed2 Midget Series

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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

  • 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 (No Regions)
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
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
2016 DMA Adam Pierson
Eastern Chris Lamb
IMRA Jeff Mallonee
Midwest Thunder Gage Etgen
Western Jesse Love
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) Jesse Love
Western (Dirt)
Western (Pavement)
2018 DMA Jason Goff
Eastern Jessica Bean
IMRA Andy Baugh
Midwest Thunder Aaron Leffel
Western (Overall) Adam Lemke
Western (Dirt) Tyler Slay
Western (Pavement) Adam Lemke
2019 DMA Will Hull
Eastern Jessica Bean
IMRA Andy Baugh
Midwest Thunder Aaron Leffel
2020 DMA Seth Carlson
Eastern Jessica Bean
IMRA Bryan Stanfill
Midwest Thunder Jacob Denney
Radical Focus Joseph Holiday

USAC Lightning Sprint National Championship

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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

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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

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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

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USAC Championship Car Series

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

USAC Gold Crown Series

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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
1981–82   George Snider season [45]
1982–83   Tom Sneva season [46]
1983–84   Rick Mears season [47]
1984–85   Danny Sullivan season [48]
1985–86   Bobby Rahal season [49]
1986–87   Al Unser season [50]
1987–88   Rick Mears season [51]
1988–89   Emerson Fittipaldi season [52]
1989–90   Arie Luyendyk season [53]
1990–91   Rick Mears season [54]
1991–92   Al Unser Jr. season [55]
1992–93   Emerson Fittipaldi season [56]
1993–94   Al Unser Jr. season [57]
1994–95   Jacques Villeneuve season [58]

USAC Stock Cars

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Main article: USAC Stock Car
 
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

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Main article: 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
1958   Dan Gurney Ferrari 375 Plus
Ferrari 290 MM		 season
1959   Augie Pabst Ferrari 625 TR
Scarab Mk. II-Chevrolet		 season
1960   Carroll Shelby Maserati Tipo 61
Scarab Mk. II-Chevrolet		 season
1961   Ken Miles Porsche 718 RS 61 season
1962   Roger Penske Cooper T53-Climax season

TORC: The Off-Road Championship

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Main article: TORC: The Off-Road Championship
 
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.[60] USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010.[60] 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

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References

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  1. ^ USAC Information Archived 2007-08-11 at the Wayback Machine insmkt.com. Retrieved on August 19, 2007.
  2. ^ "Rip the Fence: Episode 60 - Levi Jones". Motor Racing Network. Retrieved September 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "AAA cuts ties with U.S. auto racing". The Michigan Daily. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Associated Press. August 4, 1955.
  4. ^ "Substitute seen for auto racing sponsor vacancy". St. Petersburg Times. International News Service. August 5, 1955.
  5. ^ "USAC takes over AAA's place". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. March 8, 1956.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland, James G. Jr. (April 25, 1978). "Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 1)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 1. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. 
  8. ^ a b Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland, James G. Jr. (April 25, 1978). "Weather Caused Plane Crash? (Part 2)". The Indianapolis Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. 
  9. ^ Morrison, Patrick T.; Newland, James G. Jr. (April 25, 1978). "Crash Victms Were Racing Fans, Award Winners And Innovators". The Indianapolis Star. p. 9. Retrieved June 26, 2018 – via Newspapers.com. 
  10. ^ The battles wage on and off the tracks automedia.com.
  11. ^ The Talk of Gasoline Alley - 1070-AM WIBC, May 10, 2007
  12. ^ The CART-USAC War: part 1 Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine oreopolis.com. Originally published in NUVO Newsweekly – January 25, 1996.
  13. ^ The CART-USAC War: part 2 Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine oreopolis.com. Originally published in NUVO Newsweekly – January 25, 1996.
  14. ^ ""SALT CITY 78" CAPS SWANSON'S SILVER CROWN TITLE!". USAC. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  15. ^ ""2016 SILVER CROWN SEASON CONCLUDES; WINDOM BANKS 4-CROWN AND SILVER CROWN TITLE". USAC. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  16. ^ "Bettenhausen 100". USAC Silvercrown. October 18, 2020. Event occurs at 15:36. FloRacing.
  17. ^ "The king is crowned: Swanson takes Toledo finale, USAC Silver Crown title". USAC. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  18. ^ a b "7th heaven: Kody Swanson is USAC Silver Crown champ, Doran-Dyson the entrant kings". USAC. 24 October 2022.
  19. ^ "THIRD TIME'S A CHARM: SEAVEY REACHES THE USAC SILVER CROWN PINNACLE IN 2023". USAC. 16 October 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  20. ^ "BACON, GARDNER EARN NATIONAL, CRA TITLES". USAC. Retrieved November 22, 2014.
  21. ^ "BACON BECOMES TWO-TIME USAC SPRINT CHAMP; HOFFMANS HOIST 11TH OWNERS' TITLE TROPHY". USAC. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  22. ^ "USAC Fall Nationals Sprints". USAC Sprint Car. October 3, 2020. Event occurs at 21:03. FloRacing.
  23. ^ "Amsoil USAC National Sprint Car Championship 2021 standings | Driver Database". www.driverdb.com. Retrieved 2022-07-26.
  24. ^ "Grant reaches the mountain TOPP: 2022 USAC Sprint Car season in review". USAC Racing. 2022-11-09. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  25. ^ "BACK-2-BACK: GRANT CLIMBS HIS WAY BACK TO THE TOPP IN 2023". USAC Racing. 2023-10-25. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  26. ^ "Tracy Hines Wins 2015 Honda USAC Midget Series Title to Join Triple Crown Club". Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  27. ^ "THORSON WEATHERS STORMY START TO CLAIM 2016 USAC NATIONAL MIDGET TITLE". Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  28. ^ "BAYSTON FOLLOWS KENYON AS TOWN'S NEWEST USAC MIDGET CHAMP - USAC Racing".
  29. ^ "ARCA Winner Logan Seavey Locks Up USAC Midget Championship". Retrieved 2017-01-03.
  30. ^ "Merced Speedway". USAC National Midget cars. November 21, 2020. Event occurs at 18:15. FloRacing.
  31. ^ Seelman, Jacob (18 November 2020). "Windom All But Clinches USAC Midget Crown". Sprint Car & Midget Magazine. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  32. ^ "Logan Seavey Completes Sweep Of All Three USAC Finales". www.floracing.com. FloRacing. 28 November 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  33. ^ "MEET THE 2020 USAC CHAMPIONS - USAC Racing". usacracing.com. Retrieved 8 May 2024.
  34. ^ Driver champions usacracing.com
  35. ^ "Western States - USAC Racing". USAC. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  36. ^ Driver champions usacracing.com
  37. ^ "USAC Joins Forces with Arizona Traditional Sprint Cars". 7 December 2012.
  38. ^ "USAC EAST COAST SPRINT CARS SET TO DEBUT IN 2018 - USAC Racing".
  39. ^ Driver champions usacracing.com
  40. ^ "West Coast Sprint Car Series".
  41. ^ "USAC UNVEILS LIGHTNING SPRINT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP FOR 2017 - USAC Racing".
  42. ^ "USAC Named New PWC Sanctioning Body – Sportscar365". 13 January 2017.
  43. ^ "PowerPoint Presentation" (PDF). Stadium Super Trucks. Retrieved May 10, 2017.
  44. ^ Ryan, Nate (September 23, 2014). "Robby Gordon's stadium truck series adds owners". USA Today. Retrieved October 3, 2014.
  45. ^ "1981–82 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  46. ^ "1982–83 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  47. ^ "1983–84 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  48. ^ "1984–85 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  49. ^ "1985–86 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  50. ^ "1986–87 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  51. ^ "1987–88 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  52. ^ "1988–89 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  53. ^ "1989–90 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  54. ^ "1990–91 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  55. ^ "1991–92 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  56. ^ "1992–93 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  57. ^ "1993–94 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  58. ^ "1994–95 Gold Crown Championship". ChampCarStats.com. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  59. ^ Krejci, Martin. "USAC Road Racing Championship". World Sports Racing Prototypes. Archived from the original on 2 August 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  60. ^ 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.
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