CHARLES JOSEPH "CHUCK" STEVENSON - 10/15/1919 - 8/21/1995
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. 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. 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 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. Stevenson participated in no less than 40 AAA and USAC Stock Car events, finishing in the top-five no less than 14 times. Chuck also holds a unique record at Milwaukee; in 1953, he won the last race held there when it was a dirt-track. In 1954, newly paved, the track saw Stevenson win again in
its first race in the spring. He also competed in two NASCAR events. His first start came at Memphis-Arkansas Speedway in LeHi AR in 1955. The track was a 1 1/2 mile dirt oval, and the race was 200 laps in length. Stevenson started 15th, but only completed 43 laps before he had motor problems and fell out finishing 30th. Speedy Thompson led 158 laps to get the win. His only other Cup start would come at Willow Springs Speedway in Lancaster, CA. This was 80 laps on a 2 1/2 mile road course. Stevenson would start second, and he and Marvin Panch would battle the lead the entire race. Stevenson finally pulled out to the lead for good with 19 laps to go to get the win. Panch would finish second, and Johnny Mantz third. Stevenson also made 53 AAA/USAC Champ starts. He won at Milwaukee in 1952, and also at DuQuoin that year. He also won at Milwaukee in 1953 and 1954. He made ten
Indy 500 1961
Pan American win 1953
starts in the Indy 500 between 1951 and 1965. His best start would come in 1954 when he qualified fifth. He would finish 12th behind winner Bill Vukovich. His best finish would come in 1961. He would start 28, but drive his #18 Metal-Cal Special to a sixth place finish behind winner AJ Foyt. 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. Stevenson died in Benson, Arizona on August 21, 1995. He was inducted into the Fresno Athletic Hall of Fame (1963); West Coast Stock Car/Motorsports Hall of Fame (2011); National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame
ARCA Series Milwaukee 1960
Indy 500 1964
Modified series
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