 Program cover for the 1957 Trenton 500; the race intended to become USAC's premier stock car event | |
| Category | Stock car racing |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Inaugural season | 1950 |
| Folded | 1984 |
| Drivers | Fred Lorenzen,Norm Nelson,Butch Hartman,Roger McCluskey,A. J. Foyt,Paul Goldsmith,Don White,Parnelli Jones |
TheUSAC Stock Car division was thestock car racing class sanctioned by theUnited States Auto Club (USAC).[1] The division raced nationally; drivers from USAC's open wheel classes likeIndy cars, Silver Crown,sprints, andmidgets frequently competed in races and won championships. SeveralNASCAR drivers raced in USAC Stock Cars at various points in their careers.
In the late 1950s, USAC Stock Cars rivaled NASCAR stock cars with races throughout theMidwestern andNortheastern United States.[2] NASCAR ownersHolman-Moody found racing in USAC Stock Cars to be appealing because of USAC's ties to theIndianapolis 500.[2]
The stock car class began as a division of theAAA Contest Board. AAA decided to stop sanctioning all racing classes afterBill Vukovich's death at the1955 Indianapolis 500 was followed closely by the1955 Le Mans disaster.[1] USAC took over sanction in all of their classes starting in 1956.
From 1963 through 1970, and again in 1972, USAC held one of its most prestigious stock car events at the beginning ofthe "month of May." TheYankee 300 was held atIndianapolis Raceway Park, and was often frequented byIndy car stars.
USAC continued to sanction the Stock Car division until 1984 but the series had lost some luster as the events were frequently co-sanctioned withARCA.[1] The final championship in 1984 was scheduled for three races but only two were run (Springfield andDuQuoin).[1] The third event, part of the4 Crown Nationals atEldora Speedway, was rained out and not rescheduled.[1]
After the division ended, many of the drivers moved to otherMidwestern series such as theAmerican Speed Association (ASA), ARCA, andARTGO.[1]
USAC Stock Cars raced ondirt tracks, asphalt ovals androad courses. TheMilwaukee Mile was regularly on the schedule.[3] The variety of tracks included the dirt atDuQuoin State Fairgrounds Racetrack's oval,Indianapolis Raceway Park's asphalt oval, and the asphalt circle atLanghorne Speedway. ThePikes Peak International Hill Climb was even a stop on the schedule during some seasons.[4] During the 1970s, the series added events atOntario Motor Speedway,Pocono Raceway, andMichigan International Speedway.
Several notable drivers won the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award. Indy car championsAl Unser (1967) andJoe Leonard (1964) were named the Rookie of the Year.[1] Leonard had moved to stock cars after winning severalAMA motorcycle championships.[8] Future NASCAR driversDick Trickle (1968),Dave Watson (1977),Joe Ruttman (1978),Rusty Wallace (1979), andKen Schrader (1980) plus USAC Stock Car championButch Hartman (1967) received the award.[1]
Media related toUSAC Stock cars at Wikimedia Commons