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 (born October 15, 1919 – died August 21, 1995) was an American race car driver. He competed in many different kinds of car racing. Chuck is most famous for winning the AAA National Championship in 1952. He also won two races in a tough event called the Carrera Panamericana. Plus, he won a NASCAR Grand National race.

Early Life of Chuck Stevenson

Charles Joseph Stevenson was born in Sidney, Montana, on October 15, 1919. His father, Joseph Charles, was a farmer, and his mother was Blanche Williams. Later, his family moved to Fresno, California.

Chuck Stevenson's Championship Car Career

Chuck Stevenson raced in the AAA and USAC Championship Car series. These were top-level open-wheel races in the United States. He raced from 1949 to 1954, and again from 1960 to 1961, and 1963 to 1965.

He started in 54 races, including the famous Indianapolis 500 several times. Chuck finished in the top ten 37 times. He won four races in total. Two of these wins happened in 1952. That year, he won the AAA National Championship, which was a huge achievement!

Other Racing Adventures

Chuck Stevenson also competed in races that were not part of the main Championship Car series.

Racing in the Carrera Panamericana

Stevenson after his class victory in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana

In 1951, Chuck Stevenson drove a special car called a Nash-Healey. This car was a "pace car" for the Carrera Panamericana race in Mexico. A pace car drives ahead of the racers to make sure the road is clear and safe. This race was super long, about 2,000 miles, and was known as one of the most challenging races in the world.

Chuck didn't just drive the pace car. In both 1952 and 1953, he won the sedan class of the Carrera Panamericana. He drove a special Lincoln Capri car. He is the only driver to win this race twice!

Stock Car Racing

Chuck Stevenson also raced in many AAA and USAC Stock Car events. These races featured cars that looked more like regular cars you might see on the road. He finished in the top five 14 times in these races.

He also took part in two NASCAR races. In 1956, he won a NASCAR race at Willow Springs Raceway while driving a Ford car.

Formula One Connection

From 1950 to 1960, the Indianapolis 500 race was also counted as part of the FIA World Drivers' Championship. This meant that drivers who raced at Indianapolis during those years could earn points for the Formula One championship.

Chuck Stevenson raced in five World Drivers' Championship races at Indianapolis. His best finish was 12th place. He did not earn any Formula One championship points.

Later Life and Awards

Chuck Stevenson passed away in Benson, Arizona, on August 21, 1995.

He has been honored for his racing career by being inducted into several 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

Images for kids

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  Stevenson after his class victory in the 1952 Carrera Panamericana