Chuck Stevenson was one of those versatile American racers who could (and did) drive just about anything with four tyres and an engine. From open-wheel Championship Cars to thundering stock cars and endurance monsters, Stevenson carved out a career that bridged the golden eras of American motorsport. His crowning achievement came in 1952, when he captured the AAA National Championship. Along the way, he became the only two-time sedan class winner of the infamous Carrera Panamericana and even scored a NASCAR Grand National victory.
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Born | Charles Joseph Stevenson 15 October 1919 Sidney, Montana, U.S. |
| Died | 21 August 1995 (aged 75) Benson, Arizona, U.S. |
Born on 15 October 1919 in Sidney, Montana, Chuck Stevenson was the son of rancher Joseph Charles and Blanche (née Williams). The Stevensons later traded the wide-open spaces of Montana for the sun-soaked fields of Fresno, California, a move that set young Chuck on a path toward horsepower instead of hay bales.
Championship Car Career
Stevenson’s open-wheel résumé stretched across several eras of American racing. He competed in the AAA and later USAC Championship Car series between 1949–1954, 1960–1961, and 1963–1965, racking up 54 starts — including appearances in the Indianapolis 500 from 1951–1954, 1960–1961, and again from 1963–1965.
Consistency was one of his hallmarks: Stevenson notched 37 top-ten finishes and four victories, two of which came during his standout 1952 season, earning him the AAA National Championship title. That triumph cemented his place among the top American drivers of his generation.
Non-Championship Car Career
Carrera Panamericana
If the Indy 500 tested skill, Mexico’s Carrera Panamericana tested survival. Stevenson’s connection to this wild 2,000-mile (3,219 km) road race began in 1951, when he served as the pace car driver in a Nash-Healey provided by the Mexican Nash importer. His job? Stay ahead of some of the fastest — and bravest — racers on the planet to make sure the route was clear.
By 1952, Stevenson wasn’t just leading the pack; he was part of it. Driving a finely tuned Lincoln Capri, he won the sedan class and then did it again in 1953. To this day, he remains the only two-time winner in Carrera Panamericana history.
Stock Car Career
Stevenson also made his mark in the rough-and-tumble world of stock cars. Across 40 AAA and USAC Stock Car events, he logged 14 top-five finishes.
And he didn’t stop there. Chuck took his talents to NASCAR, running two Grand National events. In 1956, he drove a Ford to victory at Willow Springs Raceway, claiming a hard-earned win in a rare NASCAR road race.
World Drivers’ Championship Connection
During the 1950–1960 era, the Indianapolis 500 counted toward the FIA World Drivers’ Championship, meaning Stevenson’s five Indy starts technically placed him among the same ranks as Formula One legends. His best finish in those five appearances was 12th place, not enough to earn championship points.
Later Life
After decades in the fast lane, Chuck Stevenson eventually settled into a quieter life. He passed away in Benson, Arizona, on 21 August 1995.
Chuck Stevenson Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 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 |
