The USAC Stock Car division was the stock car racing class sanctioned by the United States Auto Club (USAC).[1] The division raced nationally; drivers from USAC's open wheel classes like Indy cars, Silver Crown, sprints, and midgets frequently competed in races and won championships. Several NASCAR 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 the Midwestern and Northeastern United States.[2] NASCAR owners Holman-Moody found racing in USAC Stock Cars to be appealing because of USAC's ties to the Indianapolis 500.[2]
USAC continued to sanction the Stock Car division until 1984 but the series had lost some luster as the events were frequently co-sanctioned with ARCA.[1] The final championship in 1984 was scheduled for three races but only two were run (Springfield and DuQuoin).[1] The third event, part of the 4 Crown Nationals at Eldora Speedway, was rained out and not rescheduled.[1]
Several notable drivers won the USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year award. Indy car champions Al Unser (1967) and Joe Leonard (1964) were named the Rookie of the Year.[1] Leonard had moved to stock cars after winning several AMA motorcycle championships.[8] Future NASCAR drivers Dick Trickle (1968), Dave Watson (1977), Joe Ruttman (1978), Rusty Wallace (1979), and Ken Schrader (1980) plus USAC Stock Car champion Butch Hartman (1967) received the award.[1]
^Romano, Chris (December 24, 2009). "For Auld Lang Syne, 2009". Speed Style magazine. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2010.