United States Auto Club

The United States Auto Club (USAC) is one of the sanctioning bodies of auto racing in the United States. From 1956 to 1979, the USAC sanctioned the United States National Championship, and from 1956 to 1997 the organization sanctioned the Indianapolis 500. Today, the USAC serves as the sanctioning body for a number of racing series, including the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series.

History
The USAC was formed by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman when the American Automobile Association (AAA) withdrew from auto racing following the 1955 Le Mans disaster. It became the arbiter of rules, car design, and other matters for what it termed championship auto racing. This became the term describing a car built to be used in the highest level of USAC racing. For a while there was a separate series of specifications for championship cars designed to be run on dirt, rather than paved, tracks.

The USAC’s long history as on open-wheel sanctioning body continues today with the Silver Crown Series, National Sprint Car Series, National Midget Series, Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series, .25 Midget Series, and Traxxas TORC Series. NASCAR stars including Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and Kasey Kahne honed their skills and captured championships while competing in various USAC series.

In 2011 Taylor Ferns of Michigan won the 8th race of her career surpassing Alison MacLeod as the Winningest Female in USAC history

The Triple Crown
The "Triple Crown" is earned in USAC racing when a driver claims all three national championships (Silver Crown, Sprint Car, and Midget Car). Only two drivers, Tony Stewart (1995) and J.J. Yeley (2003), have achieved the triple crown in a single season. Three other drivers, Pancho Carter (1972–78), Dave Darland (1997–2001), and Jerry Coons, Jr. (2006–08), have claimed each of the three championships at least once in their careers. 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. It has announced that it will begin awarding a national championship starting in 2010. A driver's finishes in his 25 best races are counted toward the championship and the 2010 winner will receive $40,000. Points are accumulated in the three national series: sprints, midgets, and Silver Crown. Bryan Clauson of Noblesville, Indiana claimed the inaugural championship, topping runner-up, Levi Jones, by 14 points. USAC National Drivers Champions
 * 2010 – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN
 * 2011 – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN
 * 2012 – Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN

1978 plane crash
On April 23, 1978, eight key members of the USAC, plus the pilot, were killed when their 10-seat Piper Navajo Chieftain crashed during a thunderstorm 25 miles southeast of Indianapolis.

Killed were:
 * Ray Marquette, USAC's vice-president of public affairs and a former sportswriter for The Indianapolis Star
 * Frank Delroy, chairman of the USAC technical committee
 * Shim Malone, starter for USAC races and head of its midget racer division
 * Judy Phillips, graphic artist and publication director of USAC's newsletter
 * Stan Worley, chief registrar
 * Ross Teeguarden, assistant technical chairman
 * Don Peabody, head of the sprint division
 * Dr. Bruce White, assistant staff doctor
 * Don Mullendore, owner and pilot of the plane.

The effect on the USAC, and for open-wheel racing in the United States, was devastating, especially since it closely followed the death of Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony Hulman.

End of championship car sanctioning
Unfortunately, the plane crash came at a time when Indy car owners and drivers were demanding changes from the USAC. Aside from the Indianapolis 500, USAC events were not well attended, and the owners felt that the USAC poorly negotiated television rights. The owners also wanted increases in payouts, especially at Indy. 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, 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 the USAC to keep the aging Offenhauser engine competitive with the newer, and much more expensive, Cosworth DFV engine using boost-limiting "pop off valves" and limiting the amount of fuel that could be used.

Finally, most car owners banded together to form Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) in 1978, with the first race to be run in 1979. USAC tried unsuccessfully to ban all CART owners from the 1979 Indianapolis 500, finally losing in court before the race began. Both the USAC and CART ran race schedules in 1979.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway president John Cooper was instrumental in forming a joint body of CART and the USAC with the creation of the Championship Racing League in March 1980. However, in mid 1980, Cooper forced USAC to renounce their agreement with the CRL if they wanted to keep officiating the Indy 500. After the USAC's pitiful attempt at a 500-mile races at Pocono Raceway – which was boycotted by the CART teams, forcing USAC to fill the field with silver crown cars – USAC and CART eventually settled into a relatively peaceful co-existence, with the USAC continuing to sanction the Indianapolis 500, and CART including the race in its schedule.

USAC Silver Crown Series
USAC Silver Crown Series Champions
 * 1971: George Snider; Fresno, CA; Wilke #4
 * 1972: A.J. Foyt; Houston, TX; Foyt #3
 * 1973: Al Unser; Albuquerque, NM; Miletich/Jones #2
 * 1974: Mario Andretti; Nazareth, PA; Miletich/Jones #2
 * 1975: Jimmy Caruthers; Anaheim, CA; Middleton #55
 * 1976: Billy Cassella; Weirton, WV; Seymour #29
 * 1977: Larry Rice; Crawfordsville, IN; LeFevre #4
 * 1978: Pancho Carter; Racine, WI; Capels #21
 * 1979: Bobby Olivero; Lakewood, CA; Kurtz #30
 * 1980: Gary Bettenhausen; Tinley Park, IL; Delrose/Holt #12
 * 1981: Larry Rice; Crawfordsville, IN; Knepper #55
 * 1982: Ken Schrader; Fenton, MO; Fortune #39
 * 1983: Gary Bettenhausen; Tinley Park, IL; Delrose/Holt #9
 * 1984: Dave Blaney; Wooster, OH; DePalma #58
 * 1985: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
 * 1986: Jack Hewitt; Troy, OH; Hampshire #63
 * 1987: Jack Hewitt; Troy, OH; Hampshire #63
 * 1988: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Jarrett #10
 * 1989: Chuck Gurney; Hayward, CA; Kurtz #30
 * 1990: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Consani #54
 * 1991: Jeff Gordon; Vallejo, CA; Ede #35
 * 1992: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Jarrett #10
 * 1993: Mike Bliss; Milwaukie, OR; McClure #69
 * 1994: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Stanton #75
 * 1995: Tony Stewart; Columbus, IN; Boles #25
 * 1996: Jimmy Sills; Placerville, CA; Stanton #75
 * 1997: Dave Darland; Lincoln, IN; Foxco #56
 * 1998: Jason Leffler; Long Beach, CA; Goetz #9
 * 1999: Ryan Newman; South Bend, IN; Ede #14
 * 2000: Tracy Hines; New Castle, IN; Riggs #37
 * 2001: Paul White; Temple, TX; Cook #10
 * 2002: J. J. Yeley; Phoenix, AZ; Stewart/East #9
 * 2003: J. J. Yeley; Phoenix, AZ; Stewart/East #9
 * 2004: Dave Steele; Tampa, FL; Stewart/East #9
 * 2005: Dave Steele; Tampa, FL; Stewart/East #9
 * 2006: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK/Leffler #29
 * 2007: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK #29
 * 2008: Jerry Coons, Jr.; Tucson, AZ; RW #27
 * 2009: Bud Kaeding; Campbell, CA; BK #29
 * 2010: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #10
 * 2011: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #10
 * 2012: Bobby East; Torrance, CA; Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #22
 * 2013: Bobby East; Torrance, CA; Stewart/Curb-Agajanian #10

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

USAC Sprint Car Series Champions
 * 1956 Midwest: Pat O'Connor; North Vernon, IN; Estes #9
 * 1956 East: Tommy Hinnershitz; Muhlenberg, PA; #1
 * 1957 Midwest: Elmer George; Hockerville, OK; Hulman #21
 * 1957 East: Bill Randall; North Reading, MA
 * 1958 Midwest: Eddie Sachs; Allentown, PA; Cheesman #25
 * 1958 East: Johnny Thomson; Lowell, MA; Traylor #3
 * 1959 Midwest: Don Branson; Rantoul, IL; Estes #4
 * 1959 East: Tommy Hinnershitz; Muhlenberg, PA; Pfrommer #4
 * 1960 Midwest: Parnelli Jones; Texarkana, AR; Fike #51
 * 1960 East: A.J. Foyt; Houston, TX; Watson #2
 * 1961: Parnelli Jones; Texarkana, AR; Fike #1
 * 1962: Parnelli Jones; Texarkana, AR; Fike #1
 * 1963: Roger McCluskey; San Antonio, TX; Homeyer #2
 * 1964: Don Branson; Rantoul, IL; Phillips #3
 * 1965: Johnny Rutherford; Coffeyville, KS; Meskowski #9
 * 1966: Roger McCluskey; San Antonio, TX; Anderson #51
 * 1967: Greg Weld; Kansas City, MO; Leffler #92
 * 1968: Larry Dickson; Marietta, OH; Smith #4 & Stapp #27
 * 1969: Gary Bettenhausen; Tinley Park, IL; Davis #2
 * 1970: Larry Dickson; Marietta, OH; Lay #2
 * 1971: Gary Bettenhausen; Tinley Park, IL; Davis #2
 * 1972: Sammy Sessions; Nashville, MI; Amerling #4
 * 1973: Rollie Beale; Toledo, OH; Kilman #2
 * 1974: Pancho Carter; Racine, WI; Stapp #6
 * 1975: Larry Dickson; Marietta, OH; Ensign #80
 * 1976: Pancho Carter; Racine, WI; Stapp #4
 * 1977: Sheldon Kinser; Bloomington, IN; Hammond #56
 * 1978: Tom Bigelow; Whitewater, WI; Armstrong #43
 * 1979: Greg Leffler; Winchester, IN; Armstrong #43
 * 1980: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Seibert #2
 * 1981: Sheldon Kinser; Bloomington, IN; Leyba #6
 * 1982: Sheldon Kinser; Bloomington, IN; Leyba #1
 * 1983: Ken Schrader; Fenton, MO; Fortune #39
 * 1984: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
 * 1985: Rick Hood; Phoenix, AZ; Fortune #39
 * 1986: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #6
 * 1987: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #1
 * 1988: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Stoops #1
 * 1989: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Dynamics #69
 * 1990: Steve Butler; Amarillo, TX; Dynamics #69
 * 1991: Robbie Stanley; Brownsburg, IN; Stanley #7
 * 1992: Robbie Stanley; Brownsburg, IN; Stanley #1
 * 1993: Robbie Stanley; Brownsburg, IN; Dynamics #69
 * 1994: Doug Kalitta; Ypsilanti, MI; Kalitta #22k
 * 1995: Tony Stewart; Columbus, IN; Niebel #20
 * 1996: Brian Tyler; Parma, MI; Contos #4c
 * 1997: Brian Tyler; Parma, MI; Contos #4c
 * 1998: Tony Elliott; Warsaw, IN; Walker/Vance #2 & Conroy #12
 * 1999: Dave Darland; Lincoln, IN; Hoffman #69
 * 2000: Tony Elliott; Warsaw, IN; Walker #66
 * 2001: J. J. Yeley; Phoenix, AZ; GT #76
 * 2002: Tracy Hines; New Castle, IN; Dynamics #69
 * 2003: J. J. Yeley; Phoenix, AZ; Stewart #20
 * 2004: Jay Drake; Santa Maria, CA; Stewart #20
 * 2005: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Benic #2B
 * 2006: Josh Wise; Riverside, CA; Stewart #20
 * 2007: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart #20
 * 2008: Jerry Coons, Jr.; Tucson, AZ; Dynamics #69
 * 2009: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart #20
 * 2010: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart #20
 * 2011: Levi Jones; Olney, IL; Stewart #20
 * 2012: Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN; CTR-BCI-Curb-Agajanian #7
 * 2013: Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN; Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing #20

USAC National Midget Series


USAC National Midget Series Champions
 * 1956: Shorty Templeman; Pueblo, CA
 * 1957: Shorty Templeman; Pueblo, CA
 * 1958: Shorty Templeman; Pueblo, CA
 * 1959: Gene Hartley; Roanoke, IN
 * 1960: Jimmy Davies; Glendale, CA
 * 1961: Jimmy Davies; Glendale, CA
 * 1962: Jimmy Davies; Glendale, CA
 * 1963: Bob Wente; St. Louis, MO
 * 1964: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IL
 * 1965: Mike McGreevy; Hoosick, NY
 * 1966: Mike McGreevy; Hoosick, NY; #1
 * 1967: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IN; Kenyon #1
 * 1968: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IN; Kenyon #1
 * 1969: Bob Tattersall; Pennsbury, PA; Stroud #3
 * 1970: Jimmy Caruthers; Anaheim, CA; Caruthers #5
 * 1971: Danny Caruthers; Anaheim, CA; Caruthers #5
 * 1972: Pancho Carter; Racine, WI; Rieder #81
 * 1973: Larry Rice; Crawfordsville, IN; Shannon #2
 * 1974: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IL; Kenyon #61
 * 1975: Sleepy Tripp; Costa Mesa, CA; #5
 * 1976: Sleepy Tripp; Costa Mesa, CA; #1
 * 1977: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IL; Armstrong #43
 * 1978: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Caruthers #2
 * 1979: Steve Lotshaw,; Piascik #2
 * 1980: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Lockard #69
 * 1981: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IL; Kenyon #61
 * 1982: Kevin Olson; Machesney Park, IL; Carey #5
 * 1983: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Streicher #4
 * 1984: Tom Bigelow; Whitewater, WI; Sandy #16
 * 1985: Mel Kenyon; Lacon, IL; Burns #66
 * 1986: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL; Byrd #2
 * 1987: Kevin Olson; Machesney Park, IL; Wilke #11
 * 1988: Rich Vogler; Chicago, IL ; Byrd #1
 * 1989: Russ Gamester; Peru, IN ; Gamester #46
 * 1990: Jeff Gordon; Vallejo, CA ; Helmling #4
 * 1991: Mike Streicher; Findlay, OH; Streicher #8
 * 1992: Stevie Reeves; Speedway, IN ; Wilke #11
 * 1993: Stevie Reeves; Speedway, IN ; Lewis #9
 * 1994: Tony Stewart; Columbus, IN ; Potter #6
 * 1995: Tony Stewart; Columbus, IN ; Lewis #9
 * 1996: Kenny Irwin, Jr.; Indianapolis, IN; Lewis #91
 * 1997: Jason Leffler; Long Beach, CA; Willoughby #71
 * 1998: Jason Leffler; Long Beach, CA; Lewis #9
 * 1999: Jason Leffler; Long Beach, CA; Lewis #9
 * 2000: Kasey Kahne; Enumclaw, WA ; Lewis #91
 * 2001: Dave Darland; Lincoln, IN ; Lewis #9
 * 2002: Dave Darland; Lincoln, IN ; Lewis #9
 * 2003: J. J. Yeley; Phoenix, AZ; Lewis #9
 * 2004: Bobby East; Torrance, CA ; Lewis #9
 * 2005: Josh Wise; Riverside, CA ; Stewart #20w
 * 2006: Jerry Coons Jr.; Tucson, AZ ; Wilke #11
 * 2007: Jerry Coons Jr.; Tucson, AZ ; Wilke-Pak #11
 * 2008: Cole Whitt; Alpine, CA; Kunz #71
 * 2009: Brad Kuhn; Avon, IN; RW #17B
 * 2010: Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN; Tucker/Kunz/BCI #39
 * 2011: Bryan Clauson; Noblesville, IN; CTR/Curb-Agajanian #39
 * 2012: Darren Hagen; Riverside, CA; Kunz/Curb-Agajanian #3
 * 2013: Christopher Bell; Norman, OK; Kunz/Curb-Agajanian #71

USAC Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series
The Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series Series is a regional division of USAC. Utilizing cars identical to the midgets seen in the National Midget Championship, with the exception of the engine, drivers as young as 12 years old can compete. The sealed crate engine used by the series is a 2.0L 4-cylinder based on the engine found in the Ford Focus ZX3 and built by Roush Yates Engines.

National Championship The Ignite Ethanol Fuel 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 the USAC Night of Champions.

USAC Ignite Ethanol Fuel Series Midget 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

Traxxas TORC Series
The Traxxas TORC Series was founded in 2009 by motocross racer Rick Johnson and it was managed the race operations and officiated the events. USAC took over complete management of the series in 2010.
 * 2009 Pro 4x4: Rick Huseman, Pro 2WD: Rob MacCachren
 * 2010 Pro 4x4: Johnny Greaves, Pro 2WD: Ricky Johnson
 * 2011 Pro 4x4: Ricky Johnson, Pro 2WD Bryce Menzies
 * 2012 Pro 4x4: Ricky Johnson, Pro 2WD Bryce Menzies

USAC Gold Crown Series
From 1985 onwards, the Indianapolis 500 was the only race on the Gold Crown calendar. The winner of the Indianapolis 500 would be the de facto Gold Crown champion.

USAC Stock Cars
The USAC featured a stock car division from 1956 to 1984.

* 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. It was held for sports cars from 1958–1961, and adopted Formula Libre rules in 1962.