In the United States, the 1956 auto racing season marked the beginning of the USAC (United States Auto Club) era, as it took over sanctioning from the AAA. In the USAC Championship Car series (12 races), Jimmy Bryan won the National Championship through strong consistency and four victories, while Pat Flaherty captured the prestigious Indianapolis 500 in a Watson-Offy roadster at an average speed of 128.49 mph.
USAC also launched its inaugural Stock Car National Championship in 1956, a 19-race series run on a mix of dirt bullrings and paved tracks. Johnny Mantz emerged as the first USAC Stock Car champion, with Marshall Teague and Les Snow rounding out the top three in the standings.
In the support divisions, Shorty Templeman claimed the first-ever USAC National Midget championship, while the USAC Sprint Car division saw competitive racing on dirt ovals with several standout drivers earning wins throughout the year. Offenhauser-powered cars continued to dominate the big-car scene, emphasizing reliability on the demanding mix of ovals.
The year highlighted the transition to a new sanctioning body and the depth of American open-wheel racing, from championship cars down to the exciting midget and sprint car ranks.
July 4, 1956
