The 1948 AAA National Championship Car season was the top level of American open-wheel racing sanctioned by the American Automobile Association (AAA) and consisted of 12 championship races held between April 25 and October 10, 1948. The season opened at Arlington Downs Raceway in Arlington, Texas, and concluded at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in Du Quoin, Illinois. Ted Horn won the AAA National Championship title, marking his third consecutive championship and making him the first driver in history to achieve that feat in AAA competition.
The Indianapolis 500, traditionally the most prestigious event of the series and a key points race, was held on May 31, 1948 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Mauri Rose captured victory in the 32nd running of the Indy 500, driving for the Lou Moore team and becoming a three-time winner of the event. Fourth-place finisher Ted Horn extended his remarkable run by recording his ninth consecutive season of completing nearly every lap at Indianapolis, a testament to his consistency and skill.
Throughout the season, races were contested largely on dirt ovals, with notable events at Milwaukee, Langhorne, Springfield, Atlanta, and DuQuoin. In addition to the ovals, the championship schedule included the challenging Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb on September 6, a hill-climb format event won by Al Rogers, which awarded championship points despite its unique format. Other race winners on the 1948 schedule included Emil Andres, Walt Brown, Johnny Mantz, Lee Wallard, Mel Hansen, Myron Fohr, and Johnnie Parsons at various events, reflecting a competitive field of drivers and constructors throughout the season.
The season was marked by both competitive action and tragedy: Ralph Hepburn was killed in practice for the Indianapolis 500, and Ted Horn, having already secured enough points for the title, was fatally injured in a crash during the final race at DuQuoin on October 10. His death at the age of 38 brought a somber end to a highly successful career.
May 31, 1948
