During the years following WWII, road racing in the U.S. initially developed as an amateur sport, mostly run by the Sports Car Club of America.
U. S. professional racing was governed by the American Automobile Association, but the function was taken over by the United States Auto Club in 1956 after the AAA bowed out following the Le Mans accident where 82 spectators perished. Like the post-WWII AAA, USAC for the most part sanctioned circle-track events, but as road racing continued to grow in popularity, USAC decided to get into the act, establishing a series entitled, “The USAC Road Racing Championship.” Initiated in 1958, it continued through 1962. Competition was for sports-racing prototypes and paid some prize money, although sometimes not very much.
