1957 USAC Championship Car season

Last updated

1957 USAC Championship Car season
USAC National Championship Trail
Season
Races13
Start dateMay 30
End dateNovember 11
Awards
National champion Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
Indianapolis 500 winner Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks
  1956
1958  

The 1957 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11. There were also five non-championship events. The USAC National Champion was Jimmy Bryan and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Sam Hanks. Keith Andrews was killed in crash while practicing for the Indianapolis 500; he was 36 years old.

Contents

Schedule and results

RndDateRace NameTrackLocationTypePole PositionWinning Driver
1May 30 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg International 500 Mile Sweepstakes A Indianapolis Motor Speedway Speedway, Indiana Paved Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat O'Connor Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks
2June 2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Langhorne 100 Langhorne Speedway Langhorne, Pennsylvania Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson
3June 9 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rex Mays Classic Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin Paved Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward
4June 23 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Detroit 100 Michigan State Fairgrounds Speedway Detroit, Michigan Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Amick Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
NCJune 29 Flag of Italy.svg 500 Miglia di Monza B Autodromo Nazionale di Monza Monza, Italy PavedHeat 1: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen Heat 1: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
Heat 2: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan Heat 2: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
Heat 3: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan Heat 3: Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman
5July 4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Atlanta 100 Lakewood Speedway Atlanta, Georgia Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Amick
NCJuly 4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb Pikes Peak Highway Pikes Peak, Colorado Hill Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill McConnell C Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Finney
NCJuly 20 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Indianapolis Sweepstakes Williams Grove Speedway Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson
6August 17 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Springfield 100 Illinois State Fairgrounds Springfield, Illinois Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Amick Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward
7August 25 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Milwaukee 200 Milwaukee Mile West Allis, Wisconsin Paved Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann
8September 2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ted Horn Memorial DuQuoin State Fairgrounds Du Quoin, Illinois Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson
9September 7 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Syracuse 100 New York State Fairgrounds Syracuse, New York Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Elmer George Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Elmer George
10September 14 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Hoosier Hundred Indiana State Fairgrounds Indianapolis, Indiana Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson
11September 29 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Trenton 100 Trenton International Speedway Trenton, New Jersey Paved Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat O'Connor
12October 20 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Golden State 100 California State Fairgrounds Sacramento, California Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward
13November 11 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bobby Ball Memorial Arizona State Fairgrounds Phoenix, Arizona Dirt Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan
  Paved/Dirt Oval
  Road Course/Hill Climb
^A Indianapolis 500 was USAC-sanctioned and counted towards the 1957 FIA World Championship of Drivers title.
^B Run in three heats of 166 miles (267 km).
^C No pole is awarded for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, in this schedule on the pole is the driver who started first. No lap led was awarded for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, however, a lap was awarded to the drivers that completed the climb.

Final points standings

PosDriver INDY
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
LAN
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
MIL1
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
DET
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
ATL
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SPR
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
MIL2
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
DQSF
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SYR
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
ISF
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
TRE
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SAC
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
PHX
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
Pts
1 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Bryan 3DNQ1911372218428211650
2 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Rathmann 25161261470
3 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg George Amick DNQ562135165334111400
4 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Pat O'Connor 8DNQ4DNQ3821011521250
5 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jud Larson DNQ164228161223121170
6 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Linden 561833510DNQ7181381130
7 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Thomson 1212181714423172141110
8 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Boyd 6342469149631040
9 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Sam Hanks 11000
10 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Elmer George 3317751566416211016830
11 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rodger Ward 30DNQ116161183181320113740
12 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Veith 97146418135DNQDNQ15710650
13 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Paul Russo 4600
14 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Reece 1814129214108513550
15 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ed Elisian 294DNQ1351520101371017340
16 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Len Sutton DNQ1971744DNQ17300
17 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Billy Garrett DNQ8DNQ7DNQ912DNQDNQ518300
18 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Marshall Teague 7DNQ300
19 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Branson 92110811DNQ9DNS519280
20 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Art Bisch 320DNQDNQ4260
21 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Hartley 1015157DNP210
22 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jack Turner 11DNQ22DNQ1111DNP9Wth200
23 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Tolan 20DNQ812DNQ11DNQ165190
24 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Freeland 1713DNQ868151216DNQ14190
25 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Sachs 23216160
26 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg A. J. Foyt  RY 923DNQDNQDNQ1197160
27 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnnie Parsons 167120
28 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ralph Liguori  R 11DNQ10DNQ17812DNQ110
29 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bettenhausen 15DNQ2115DNQ1171880
30 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bud Randall  R 181410DNQ26DNQDNQDNQDNQDNQ880
31 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Cheesbourg 2611129DNQDNPDNQDNQDNQ70
32 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim McWithey DNQ9DNQDNQDNQDNQ40
33 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Earl Motter 940
34 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Edmunds  R 1915171117DNQ1314DNQDNQ11DNQ40
35 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Van Johnson 10DNQ16DNQ15DNQDNQ30
36 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Troy Ruttman 31102530
37 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Weyant 1411DNQDNQDNQ20
38 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Herman 21DNQ14DNQDNQ1210
39 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dick Rathmann DNQ1216DNPDNQ16DNQ10
40 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Al Keller 27DNQ1210
41 Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ken Gottschalk 12DNQ10
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Daywalt 2813140
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Mike Magill 24DNQ13DNQ16DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Christie 130
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jim Hemmings  R DNQ140
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Rex Easton DNQDNQ15DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bud Clemons  R DNQ150
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Shorty Templeman 17DNQ170
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Fred Agabashian 22170
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Charles Musselman DNQ180
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Rodee  R DNQ180
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Johnson 250
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Eddie Russo 32DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bob Tattersall DNS0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Gene Force DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Danny Kladis DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ray Crawford DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don EvansDNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Luther Baughman DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Bill Homeier DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Ernie Koch DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Don Whittington DNQDNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Keith Andrews DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Baldwin DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Tony Bonadies DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Jimmy Davies DNQ0
- Flag of Italy.svg Giuseppe Farina DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Johnny Fedricks DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Andy Furci DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cliff Griffith DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Cal Niday DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Leroy Warriner DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Dempsey Wilson DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Chuck Arnold DNQ0
- Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg Del Fanning DNQ0
PosDriver INDY
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
LAN
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
MIL1
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
DET
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
ATL
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SPR
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
MIL2
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
DQSF
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SYR
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
ISF
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
TRE
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
SAC
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
PHX
Flag of the United States (1912-1959).svg
Pts
ColorResult
GoldWinner
Silver2nd place
Bronze3rd place
Green4th & 5th place
Light Blue6th-10th place
Dark BlueFinished
(Outside Top 10)
PurpleDid not finish
(Ret)
RedDid not qualify
(DNQ)
BrownWithdrawn
(Wth)
BlackDisqualified
(DSQ)
WhiteDid not start
(DNS)
BlankDid not
participate
(DNP)
Not competing
In-line notation
Bold Pole position
ItalicsRan fastest race lap
*Led most race laps
 RY  Rookie of the Year
 R  Rookie

Related Research Articles

The 1970 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 28 and concluding at the same location on November 21. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Al Unser. After this season, dirt courses did not reappear in the USAC Championship until 1981-82. Road courses after this season did not reappear in the USAC Championship until 1977. The Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb was the only non-championship event.

The 1956 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana, on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona, on November 12. There were also three non-championship events. The USAC National Champion was Jimmy Bryan and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Pat Flaherty. This was the first year that the National Championship was sanctioned by the USAC, after the withdrawal of the AAA from all forms of racing after the 1955 season.

The 1955 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 11 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 6. There was also one non-championship event in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Bob Sweikert. Manny Ayulo was killed at Indianapolis while practicing for the 1955 Indianapolis 500, and Bill Vukovich, the two-time defending winner, was killed in the race itself. Jack McGrath, the two-time champion, was killed in the final race at Phoenix on lap 85. This was the last year of the AAA National Championship; USAC sanctioned the series starting the next year.

The 1969 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 24 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 30 and concluding in Riverside, California on December 7. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Mario Andretti.

The 1962 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 8 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 18. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Rodger Ward. Hugh Randall was killed in the first Langhorne 100 at Langhorne Speedway; he was 29 years old.

The 1958 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on March 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11. There were also five non-championship events. The USAC National Champion was Tony Bettenhausen and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Jimmy Bryan. There were three fatalities during the season. Pat O'Connor lost his life in a first lap accident during the Indy 500. Art Bisch died of injuries suffered during the race at Lakewood Speedway. Jimmy Reece was killed in a late-race incident at the second Trenton 100. Bettenhausen became the first USAC champion without a single race win during the season until Tom Sneva did so 20 years later.

The 1959 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Daytona Beach, Florida on April 4 and concluding in Sacramento, California on October 25. There were also three non-championship events. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Rodger Ward. In this tragic season 7 fatal accidents occurred. During the pre-season, Marshall Teague was fatally injured in a crash at Daytona. He was 37 years old. In the first race of the season at Daytona, 34-year-old George Amick was killed in an accident on the last lap. In the second race of the season at Trenton, Dick Linder was killed; he was 36 years old. The third race of the season, the Indy 500, had two fatalities. On May 2, Jerry Unser was killed in a practice accident, and on May 19 death Bob Cortner was also killed in a practice accident. On July 19 at Mechanicsburg in the Indianapolis Sweepstakes non-championship race Van Johnson was killed in an accident; he was 32 years old. On August 30, 32-year-old Ed Elisian was killed at the Milwaukee Mile. The 1959 season could be considered one of the most tragic seasons in American open-wheel car history.

The 1960 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 10 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 20. There were also two non-championship events at Langhorne, Pennsylvania, and Pikes Peak, Colorado. This was the final year that the Indianapolis 500 was a part of the Formula One World Championship. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Jim Rathmann. Three time USAC/AAA National Champion, and 1958 Indianapolis 500 winner Jimmy Bryan, was killed in an accident during the Langhorne 100 at Langhorne Speedway; he was 34 years old.

The 1961 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 9 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 19. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt. The season was marred by the deaths of 1951 and 1958 season champion Tony Bettenhausen at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Al Keller at Phoenix.

The 1963 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Trenton, New Jersey on April 21 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 17. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion was A. J. Foyt, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Parnelli Jones. Jim Clark's win at Milwaukee in August marked the first win for a rear-engined car in Champ Car competition.

The 1964 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 22 and concluding at the same location on November 22. There was also one non-championship event at Pikes Peak, Colorado. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt. At Indianapolis in the 500 mile race Eddie Sachs and Dave MacDonald were killed during lap 2 of the race; Sachs was 37 years old, and MacDonald was 27. In the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial at Springfield, Bill Horstmeyer died during the race; he was 34 years old. In November, five days after the season ended, Bobby Marshman died in a testing accident at Phoenix; he was 28 years old.

The 1965 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 28 and concluding at the same location on November 21. This season was notable for the Hoosier Grand Prix, the first Championship Car event held on a road course since the 1937 Vanderbilt Cup. The USAC National Champion was Mario Andretti and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Jim Clark.

The 1966 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 16 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona on March 20 and concluding at the same location on November 20. There was also one non-championship event at Fuji Speedway in Japan. The USAC National Champion was Mario Andretti, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Graham Hill. At Indianapolis, Chuck Rodee was killed while qualifying for the 1966 Indianapolis 500. Also of note was the end of the career of two time 500 and two time National Champion Rodger Ward as he ran the final three races of his IndyCar career at the start of the season which included the final IndyCar victory of his career at Trenton.

The 1967 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 21 races, beginning in Avondale, Arizona, on April 9 and concluding in Riverside, California, on November 26. This season saw three new road courses added to the schedule in addition to the Hoosier Grand Prix at IRP: Mosport in Canada; Circuit Mont-Tremblant also in Canada; and the season finale at Riverside International Raceway in southern California in the United States. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was A. J. Foyt.

The 1968 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 28 races, beginning in Hanford, California on March 17 and concluding in Riverside, California on December 7. The USAC National Champion and Indianapolis 500 winner was Bobby Unser. Mike Spence died in an accident while practicing for the 1968 Indianapolis 500. Ronnie Duman died of burns suffered during the Rex Mays Classic.

The 1954 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 14. There was also one non-championship event in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion was Jimmy Bryan, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Bill Vukovich. Bob Scott was killed in the Independence Day Sweepstakes race at Darlington.

The 1953 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Phoenix, Arizona on November 11. There was also one non-championship event in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The AAA National Champion was Sam Hanks, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Bill Vukovich. Chet Miller died while practicing for the Indianapolis 500.

The 1950 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 13 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana on May 30 and concluding in Darlington, South Carolina on December 10. There were also two non-championship events. The AAA National Champion was Henry Banks, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Johnnie Parsons.

The 1948 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 12 races, beginning in Arlington, Texas on April 25 and concluding in Du Quoin, Illinois on October 10. The AAA National Champion was Ted Horn, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Mauri Rose. Ralph Hepburn was killed at Indianapolis in practice, and Ted Horn was killed at the last race in DuQuoin.

The 1947 AAA Championship Car season consisted of 11 races, beginning in Speedway, Indiana, on May 30 and concluding in Arlington, Texas, on November 2. The AAA National Champion was Ted Horn, and the Indianapolis 500 winner was Mauri Rose.

References

See also