Chuck Stevenson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chuck Stevenson
Stevenson in 1952
Born	Charles Joseph Stevenson (1919-10-15)October 15, 1919 Sidney, Montana, U.S.
Died	August 21, 1995(1995-08-21) (aged 75) Benson, Arizona, U.S.
Championship titles
AAA Championship Car (1952)
Champ Car career
53 races run over 15 years
Best finish	1st (1952)
First race	1949 Milwaukee 200 (Milwaukee)
Last race	1965 Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis)
First win	1952 Milwaukee 200 (Milwaukee)
Last win	1954 Rex Mays Classic (Milwaukee)
Wins Podiums Poles 4 12 3
NASCAR Cup Series career
2 races run over 2 years
Best finish	94th (1956)
First race	1955 LeHi 300 (Lehi)
Last race	1956 Race 3 (Willow Springs)
First win	1956 Race 3 (Willow Springs)
Wins Top tens Poles 1 1 0
Formula One World Championship career
Active years	1951 – 1954, 1960
Teams	Marchese, Kurtis Kraft, Kuzma, Watson
Entries	5
Championships	0
Wins	0
Podiums	0
Career points	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0
First entry	1951 Indianapolis 500
Last entry	1960 Indianapolis 500

Charles Joseph "Chuck" 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

Stevenson after his class victory in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana

In 1951 Stevenson drove a Nash-Healey course (pace) car that was supplied by the Mexican Nash automobile importer in the grueling 2,000-mile (3,219 km) 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.

He 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

Indianapolis 500 results