Nichels Engineering was an American race car constructor and competition team founded by renowned mechanic and crew chief Ray Nichels. Active across multiple motorsport series, the company built successful cars for midget racing, Indy cars, stock cars, and land-speed record attempts. Nichels Engineering also appeared in Formula One history through its participation in the Indianapolis 500 during the years the event counted towards the FIA World Championship.
The team’s greatest successes came in American stock car racing, where its cars claimed national championships and race victories across several of the country’s leading series.
| Nationality | American |
| Years Active | 1950–1951, 1954 |
| First Race | 1950 Indianapolis 500 |
| Last Race | 1954 Indianapolis 500 |
| Race Entries | 2 |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Pole Positions | 0 |
| Fastest Laps | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| Constructors’ Championships | 0 |
| Drivers’ Championships | 0 |
| Best Start | 4th |
| Best Finish | 9th |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 0 |
| Retirements | 1 |
History
Ray Nichels established his reputation in American motorsport through midget racing before expanding into larger categories, including Indy car competition, the Indianapolis 500, NASCAR, and land-speed record projects.
Nichels Engineering’s growing success attracted the attention of major manufacturers. Following Paul Goldsmith’s victory in the 1957 Daytona Beach Road Course race, Pontiac appointed Nichels as its primary race car constructor. The company’s influence expanded further in 1963 when it also assumed responsibility for developing Chrysler’s competition cars.
Over the following decade, Nichels-built machines became regular winners across American motorsport. The team’s cars claimed victories in the USAC Stock Car Championship, NASCAR Grand National Series, Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) and the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA).
Paul Goldsmith drove Nichels machinery to consecutive USAC Stock Car Championships in 1961 and 1962, while Don White secured another title for the constructor in 1967, further cementing its reputation as one of America’s leading race car builders.
Formula One
Although mostly associated with American oval racing, Nichels Engineering also plays a role in F1 history through the Indianapolis 500.
From 1950 to 1960, the Indianapolis 500 counted towards the FIA Formula One World Championship, meaning the American constructors and teams that competed in the event were officially credited with Formula One World Championship entries.
Nichels-built cars appeared in the 1950 and 1954 Indianapolis 500, giving the constructor two Formula One World Championship appearances during the unique period when the Indianapolis classic formed part of the championship calendar.
Nichels Engineering Endurance Run
In 1961, Ray Nichels demonstrated his engineering expertise away from traditional racing by organising a 24-hour endurance test at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Two production-based Pontiac models were specially prepared for the event, with six drivers sharing driving duties. The line-up combined talent from both USAC and NASCAR, with three drivers from each championship rotating between the two cars throughout the day-long endurance run.
The event highlighted Nichels Engineering’s growing reputation not only for building competitive race cars, but also for producing durable, high-performance machinery capable of withstanding extreme conditions.
Legacy
Ray Nichels’ influence extended across virtually every major branch of American motorsport during the 1950s and 1960s. His cars achieved success in midget racing, Indy car competition and stock car racing, while his close partnerships with Pontiac and Chrysler helped shape American factory racing programmes during the era.
In recognition of his contributions to the sport, Ray Nichels was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2010.
Nichels Stats by Season
| Year | Engine | Drivers | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Offenhauser | Paul Russo | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19th | 9th | 0 | – |
| 1954 | Offenhauser | Johnny Thomson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4th | DNF | 0 | – |
