From The Third Turn, an online resource for all news and results stock car racing.
USAC Champ Car Series

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USAC Champ Car Series.jpg


Series Overview
Alternatively Known As: USAC Championship Car Series (1956-1970, 1972-1979); USAC Marlboro Championship Trail (1971); Championship Racing League (1980); USAC Gold Crown Series (1981-1995)
Series Founded: 1956 Series Disbanded: 1995
Car Style: Open-Wheel (Champ Car) Region: United States
Quick Stats
Most Wins: A.J. Foyt (67) Most Titles: A.J. Foyt (7)
Number of Races: 383 Number of Drivers: 675
Project Status: COMPLETE
The Third Turn finished backfilling the complete history of this tour by November 2020.


This series evolved directly from the AAA Championship Car Series, following AAA's decision to cease its sanctioning of auto racing at the end of the 1955 season.

The 1980 season was scheduled as an entirely co-sanctioned unification with CART under the Championship Racing League banner; after five races the arrangement was dissolved, with USAC immediately awarding its championship and CART continuing with the full season as scheduled.

Following the 1980 season, the renamed Gold Crown Series ran on a "split-season" basis that was intended to always have the Indianapolis 500 as its conclusion (resulting in the 1981-1982 season including two Indy 500s); the seasons were officially regarded as being 1981-1982, 1982-1983, and so forth. Due to technical limitations The Third Turn, as is our policy for all motorsport sanctions that run seasons in this manner, lists these seasons under the year the season ended in.

Following the 1983-1984 season the Gold Crown Series consisted solely of the Indianapolis 500 for the remainder of its existence, rendering the title essentially a ceremonial additional award for the Indy 500 champion. The series was however officially scored and a championship officially awarded, so those seasons are included in our database. Note that while USAC continued to sanction the Indianapolis 500 in 1996 and 1997, those years were run solely as part of Indy Racing League seasons.

Note that in 2006 the USAC Silver Crown Series introduced a new style of car that is sometimes referred to as "Gold Crown", and following the 2007 season when the new car was abandoned a seperate ownership group attempted to start its own "Gold Crown Championship" using these cars, and then developing an entirely new car for a series intended to begin running in 2012. These have no connection to the 1956-1995 Indy-based series and it appears that the latter never progressed any further than demonstration laps at Toledo Speedway in October 2010.

Tony Adamowicz Bobby Adkins Freddie Agabashian Mark Alderson Gary Allbritain Bobby Allen (PA)
Bobby Allison Donnie Allison Bill Alsup Chuck Amati George Amick Red Amick
Chris Amon Don Anderson (CO) Johnny Anderson (CA) Jeff Andretti John Andretti Mario Andretti
Michael Andretti Keith Andrews Ed Angle Chuck Arnold (CT) Scott Atchison Sonny Ates
Dick Atkins Eric Bachelart Tom Bagley Johnny Baldwin (CA) Steve Ball Frank Ballard
Fabrizio Barbazza Skip Barber Kevin Bartlett Buzz Barton (OK) Joe Barzda Randy Bateman
Luther Baughman Rollie Beale Harry Beck Patrick Bedard George Benson Ross Bentley
Gene Bergin Gary Bettenhausen Merle Bettenhausen Tony Bettenhausen Tony Bettenhausen, Jr. Lucien Bianchi
Tom Bigelow Art Bisch Art Bisch, Jr. Jeff Bloom Raul Boesel Tony Bonadies
Brian Bonner Neil Bonnett Charles Booth Chuck Booth Curly Boyd Johnny Boyd (CA)
Buddie Boys Geoff Brabham Jack Brabham Don Branson Lee Brayton Scott Brayton
Malcolm Brazier Dale Breedlove Bert Brooks Don Brown Norm Brown Ray Brown
Ralph Bruning Jimmy Bryan Ronnie Bucknum Robbie Buhl Jim Buick Ron Burke
Ronnie Burke Karl Busson Steve Butler (IN) James Byrd Buddy Cagle Will Cagle
Leo Caldwell Phil Caliva Barry Camp Earle Canavan John Cannon (UK) Larry Cannon
Steve Cannon Bill Cantrell Billy Cantrell Bob Carpenter Dana Carter Duane Carter
Pancho Carter Jimmy Caruthers Billy Cassella Michael Chandler Steve Chassey Bill Cheesbourg
Eddie Cheever, Jr. Bill Chennault Bob Christie Bob Cicconi Chuck Ciprich Jimmy Clark (UK)
Bob Cleberg Bud Clemons Beau Clerke Leon Clum Kevin Cogan Danny Collins (CO)
Peter Collins Jerry Colton Jack Conely Gary Congdon Russ Congdon George Constantine
Johnny Coogan Duke Cook Tommy Copp Mel Cornett Bob Cortner Johnny Coy
Dale Coyne Jim Crawford Ray Crawford Ed Crombie Allen Crowe Guido Dacco
Chuck Daigh Wally Dallenbach Bob Daly Derek Daly Jerry Daniels Bay Darnell
Jimmy Davies (CA) Don Davis (Tucson, AZ) Hank Davis (CO) Ross Davis Jimmy Daywalt Bob DeJong
Larry Dickson (OH) Tom Dillon Duke Dinsmore Dino Dioguardi Nick Dioguardi Mark Dismore
Steve Diulo Dominic Dobson Darrell Dockery Mark Donohue Lee Drollinger Ray Duckworth
Max Dudley Ronnie Duman (MI) Len Duncan Earl Dykes Billy Earl Butch Earley
Leigh Earnshaw Rex Easton George Eaton (ON) Don Edmunds Jack Eiteljorg Bill Eldridge
Ed Elisian Norm Ellefson Billy Engelhart Chuck Engle Jack Ensley Don Evans
Teo Fabi Cy Fairchild Juan Manuel Fangio Del Fanning Nino Farina Cotton Farmer (TX)
Johnny Fedricks George Fejer Elvin Felty Dick Ferguson Adrian Fernandez Gil de Ferran
Chet Fillip Ed Finley Dennis Firestone Woody Fisher Christian Fittipaldi Emerson Fittipaldi
Pat Flaherty George Follmer Ted Foltz Elliott Forbes-Robinson Gene Force Billy Foster
Stan Fox A.J. Foyt Tom Frantz Dick Frazier Don Freeland Franck Freon
Bob Frey Dick Fries Danny Frye, Jr. Andy Furci Philippe Gache Chip Ganassi
Billy Garrett Josele Garza Larry Gates Spike Gehlhausen Elmer George Bruno Giacomelli
Joe Giba Todd Gibson Richie Ginther Charlie Glotzbach Tom Gloy Paul Goldsmith
Scott Goodyear Robby Gordon Ken Gottschalk Ron Grable Roy Graham Jerry Grant
Gary Gray Marco Greco Michael Greenfield Bob Gregg Mike Gregg Stephan Gregoire
Buzz Gregory Masten Gregory Cliff Griffith Bobby Grim Mike Groff Olivier Grouillard
Tom Grunnah Carlos Guerrero Roberto Guerrero Mauricio Gugelmin Dick Guldstrand Chuck Gurney
Dan Gurney Janet Guthrie Jack Guynn Emmett Hahn Jack Hahn Dean Hall
Norm Hall Pete Halsmer Davey Hamilton Ken Hamilton Sam Hanks Jerry Hansen (MN)
Walt Hansgen Butch Hardman Bob Harkey Milt Harper Vern Harriman Scott Harrington (KY)
Gene Hartley Billie Harvey Hurley Haywood Skip Hedrick Dick Heikes Ludwig Heimrath
Ludwig Heimrath, Jr. Sonny Helms Jim Hemmings Bill Henderson Al Herman Bob Herring
Bryan Herta Doug Heveron Jack Hewitt Jim Hickman Gary Hieber Bruce Hill
Graham Hill Herb Hill Tommy Hinnershitz Arlene Hiss Mike Hiss David Hobbs
Greg Hodges Bob Hogle Al Holbert John Hollansworth Howdy Holmes Bill Homeier
Rickey Hood Bill Horstmeyer Don Horvath Paul Howe Ed Hoyle John Hubbard
Richard Hubbard (TX) Cliff Hucul Skip Hudson Ron Hughes, Jr. Denny Hulme Chuck Hulse
Bob Hurt Jim Hurtubise Bill Hyde Gary Irvin Bruce Jacobi Stefan Johansson
Gordon Johncock Bobby Johns Eddie Johnson (Richmond, VA) Herm Johnson Junior Johnson Mike Johnson (IN)
Van Johnson Alan Jones (AU) Bubby Jones Chuck Jones Danny Jones (CA) Davy Jones
Dee Jones John Jones (ON) Parnelli Jones Bernard Jourdain Jerry Karl Keith Kauffman
Terry Kawell Johnny Kay Rupert Keegan Al Keller Walt Kennedy Mel Kenyon
Bob King (IN) Kelly Kinser Randy Kinser Sheldon Kinser Steve Kinser Danny Kladis
Tom Klausler Paul Kleinschmidt Chris Kneifel Arnie Knepper Arnold Knepper Ernie Koch
Paul Koch Ed Kostenuk Bill Krause (CA) Steve Krisiloff Phil Krueger Lee Kunzman
Bob Lacy Jan Lammers George Landry Randy Lanier Jud Larson Bob Lazier
Buddy Lazier Eddie Leavitt Harold Leep Greg Leffler Joe Leonard Randy Lewis
Ralph Liguori Andy Linden Dick Linder Ray Lipper Russ Long Steve Long
Al Loquasto Charlie Lowderman Brett Lunger Ron Lux Arie Luyendyk Dave MacDonald
Harry MacDonald Jeff MacPherson Mike Magill John Mahler Jim Malloy Art Malone
Grier Manning Nigel Mansell Jovy Marcelo Ed Marshall Bobby Marshman John Martin (CA)
Larry Martin (IN) Bobby Marvin (OH) Charles Masters Bob Mathouser Hideshi Matsuda Hiro Matsushita
Joe McCarthy Mack McClellan Roger McCluskey Ernie McCoy Larry McCoy James McElreath
Jim McElreath Clyde McFarlin Speed McFee Mel McGaughy Mike McGreevy Jim McGuire
John McIntyre (WA) Bruce McLaren Bob McLean Bob McLees Sam McQuagg Graham McRae
Jim McWithey Don Meacham Chip Mead Rick Mears Roger Mears Rick Miaskiewicz
Gil Michaels Danny Milburn Al Miller (PA) Ed Miller Jerry Miller (IN) Walt Miller
Ron Milton Hal Minyard Kenji Momota Johnny Moorehouse Rocky Moran Roberto Moreno
Dan Morgan Bud Morley George Morris John Morton Mike Mosley Lothar Motschenbacher
Earl Motter Jim Moughan, Jr. Ralph Murdock Dan Murphy (WI) Charles Musselman Rick Muther
Orville Nance Jerry Nemire Leroy Neumayer Roy Newman Ken Nichols Mike Nish
Don Nordhorn Thurel Novotny Evan Noyes, Jr. Pat O'Connor Bobby Olivero Kevin Olson (IL)
Danny Ongais Jan Opperman Howard Osborn Larry Overholser Jack Owens (IN) Gene Pacheco
Jim Packard Carlos Pairetti Tero Palmroth Junior Parkinson Chuck Parsons Johnnie Parsons
Johnny Parsons Scooter Patrick Gary Patterson Billy Pauch Dave Paul John Paul, Jr.
Henry Pens Jiggs Peters Mike Peters (KS) Crockey Peterson Marvin Pifer (MI) Teddy Pilette
Ed Pimm Nelson Piquet Tom Pistone Paul Pitzer Jerry Poland Art Pollard
Al Pombo Gary Ponzini Sam Posey Tracy Potter (IN) Richard Powell Ted Prappas
Bob Pratt (IN) Scott Pruett Bill Puterbaugh Keith Rachwitz Roger Rager Bobby Rahal
Bill Randall Bud Randall Hugh Randall Benny Rapp Eldon Rasmussen Dick Rathmann
Jim Rathmann LaVerne Ravenstein Hector Rebaque Jimmy Reece Dick Reese Clay Regazzoni
Hal Rettberg Peter Revson Jim Reynard Willy T. Ribbs Andre Ribeiro Larry Rice
Tim Richmond (OH) Red Riegel Jochen Rindt Slim Roberts Manny Rockhold Chuck Rodee
Pedro Rodriguez Michael Roe (IE) Tony Romit Bertil Roos Vern Root Buzz Rose
Ebb Rose Jack Rounds Lloyd Ruby Mickey Rupp Eddie Russo Paul Russo
Johnny Rutherford Troy Ruttman Eddie Sachs (MI) Eliseo Salazar Joe Saldana Steve Saleen
Rick Salem Vinicio Salmi Harry Sauce Swede Savage Don Schissler Rusty Schmidt
Ken Schrader Bob Schroeder Vern Schuppan Bill Scott (San Bernardino, CA) Les Scott (IN) Skip Scott
Colby Scroggin Frank Secrist Brian Seidel Lou Sell Sammy Sessions Scott Sharp (CT)
Mickey Shaw A.J. Shepherd Billy Shuman Ron Shuman Steve Siegel Dick Simon
Bill Simpson Jigger Sirois Gordon Smiley Al Smith Earl Smith (CA) Mark Smith (OR)
Randy Smith (IA) Sonny Smyser Smokey Snellbaker Blaine Sneva Jan Sneva Jerry Sneva
Tom Sneva George Snider Cliff Spalding Wib Spalding Ned Spath Mike Spence
Lyn St. James Nelson Stacy Gig Stephens Bud Sterrett Chuck Stevenson Jackie Stewart
Dave Strickland Bill Sullivan Danny Sullivan John Surtees Len Sutton Bob Sweikert
Sammy Swindell Bob Tattersall Marshall Teague Bill Tempero Clark Templeman Shorty Templeman
Joe Tetz Didier Theys Don Thomas (CA) Johnny Thomson Phil Threshie Brian Till
Bud Tingelstad Jerry Titus Toby Tobias Johnnie Tolan Paul Tracy Sleepy Tripp
Curtis Turner Jack Turner Bill Tyler Terry Uehling Al Unser Bobby Unser
Jerry Unser Louis Unser Al Unser, Jr. Leroy Van Conett Wes Vandervoort Jimmy Vasser
Bob Veith Rick Vermillion Dean Vetrock Jacques Villeneuve (Montreal, QC) Jacques Villeneuve (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) Dennis Vitolo
Rich Vogler Hamilton Vose Bill Vukovich, Jr. Billy Vukovich, III Lennie Waldo Roy Walker
Bruce Walkup Salt Walther Jeff Ward Rodger Ward Bentley Warren Leroy Warriner
Ray Wearne Jerry Weeks Wayne Weiler Frank Weiss Greg Weld Jerry Weld
Bob Wente Bob Werner Bob West Roger West Chuck Weyant Johnny White
Bill Whittington Dale Whittington Don Whittington R.D. Whittington Paul Wigton Don Wilcox
Eugene Willbanks Carl Williams Rip Williams Bud Wilmot Dempsey Wilson Desire Wilson
Mike Winblad Doug Wolfgang Jeff Wood (KS) John Wood John Wood (NJ) Cale Yarborough
LeeRoy Yarbrough Clark Yowell Alessandro Zampedri Jack Ziegler Dennis Zimmerman (CT)
677 drivers have competed in the USAC Champ Car Series.