Chuck Stevenson

Charles Joseph Stevenson (October 15, 1919 – August 21, 1995) was an American racing driver who competed in various disciplines of motorsport. He is best known for winning the AAA National Championship in 1952. Stevenson also had two class victories in the Carrera Panamericana and won a NASCAR Grand National event.

Early life

Charles Joseph Stevenson was born in Sidney, Montana on October 15, 1919, to Joseph Charles, a rancher, and Blanche (née Williams). The family later relocated to Fresno, California.

Championship Car career

Stevenson drove in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1949–1954, 1960–1961, and 1963–1965 seasons with 54 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1951–1954, 1960–1961, and 1963–1965. He finished in the top-ten 37 times, with four victories, two of them coming during the 1952 season when he won the AAA National Championship.

Non-Championship Car career

Carrera Panamericana

In 1951, Stevenson drove a Nash-Healey course (pace) car that was supplied by the Mexican Nash automobile importer in the grueling Carrera Panamericana race. This endurance event is described as one of the most dangerous automobile races of any type in the world, and Stevenson had to be ahead of the racers to ensure the way was clear. In both 1952 and 1953, Stevenson won the sedan class driving a "well-prepared" Lincoln Capri. He is the only two-time winner in the history of the Carrera Panamericana.

Stock car career

Stevenson participated in no less than 40 AAA and USAC Stock Car events, finishing in the top-five no less than 14 times.

Stevenson also competed in two NASCAR events, picking up a win at Willow Springs Raceway in 1956 driving a Ford.

World Drivers' Championship career

The AAA/USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500 was included in the FIA World Drivers' Championship from 1950 through 1960. Drivers competing at Indianapolis during those years were credited with World Drivers' Championship points and participation in addition to those which they received towards the AAA/USAC National Championship.

Stevenson participated in five World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. His best finish was a 12th place, and he accumulated zero World Drivers' Championship points.

Later life

Stevenson died in Benson, Arizona on August 21, 1995.

Awards and honors

Stevenson has been inducted into the following halls of fame: Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame (1963) West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame (2011) National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Motorsports career results

AAA/USAC Championship Car results

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Pos Points 1949 ARL INDY MIL TRE SPR MIL14 DUQ PIK SYR DET SPR4 LAN SAC DMR 34th 120 1950 INDY MILDNS LAN3 SPRDNQ MIL20 PIK SYR DET6 SPR3 SAC4 PHX4 BAY19 DAR6 8th 760 1951 INDY20 MILDNQ LAN DAR9 SPR5 MIL6 DUQ10 DUQ4 PIK SYR9 DET DNCDNP SJS PHX BAY 14th 538 1952 INDY18 MIL6 RAL6 SPR5 MIL1 DET3 DUQ1 PIK SYR7 DNC2 SJS7 PHX6 1st 1,440 1953 INDY29 MIL15 SPR6 DETDNQ SPR3 MIL1 DUQ9 PIK SYR18 ISFDNQ SAC9 PHX 8th 745 1954 INDY12 MIL1 LAN DAR29 SPR2 MIL2 DUQ2 PIK SYR ISF SAC PHX LVG 7th 861.5 1960 TRE INDY15 MIL20 LANDNQ SPR6 MIL24 DUQ17 SYRDNP ISF8 TRE SAC PHX 29th 130 1961 TRE INDY6 MIL LAN MIL SPR DUQ SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX 14th 400 1962 TRE INDYDNQ MIL LAN TRE SPR MIL LAN SYR ISF TRE SAC PHX - 0 1963 TRE INDY21 MILDNQ LAN TRE SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX - 0 1964 PHXDNQ TRE INDY28 MIL6 LAN TRE SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX 35th 80 1965 PHX TRE INDY25 MILDNQ LANDNQ PIP TRE IRP ATL LAN MIL SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX - 0 1966 PHX TRE INDYDNQ MIL LAN ATL PIP IRP LAN SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC PHX-0 1967 PHX TRE INDYDNQ MIL LAN PIP MOS MOS IRP LAN MTR MTR SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC HAN PHX RIV - 0 1968 HAN LVG PHX TRE INDYDNQ MIL MOS MOS LAN PIP CDR NAZ IRP IRP LAN LAN MTR MTR SPR MIL DUQ ISF TRE SAC MCH HAN PHX RIV-0

Indianapolis 500 results