The 1965 USAC Championship Car season consisted of 18 races held from March 28 to November 21 across paved ovals, dirt tracks, and road courses. It marked the breakout rookie year for Mario Andretti, who drove the Brawner Hawk-Ford for Dean Van Lines Racing.
Andretti captured the USAC National Championship with 3,110 points, ahead of A.J. Foyt (2,500 points) in second. Jim McElreath, Don Branson, and Gordon Johncock rounded out the top five in the standings. Highlights included Jim Clark’s dominant victory in the Indianapolis 500 (the only win for a rear-engined car that season at Indy), several strong performances by the new rear-engined machines, and a dramatic season finale at Phoenix where A.J. Foyt passed Andretti late to win the Bobby Ball 200.
Andretti’s consistent excellence, including multiple wins and podiums, secured the title in his first full season — one of the most impressive rookie campaigns in IndyCar history.
August 8, 1965
November 21, 1965