The 1978 USAC National Championship consisted of 18 races held from March 18 to October 28, marking the final full season before the major CART/USAC split that would divide American open-wheel racing.
Tom Sneva captured his first USAC National Championship with 4,153 points driving for Team Penske, winning the title through remarkable consistency despite securing zero victories that season. Al Unser finished a close second with 4,031 points, highlighted by his historic “Triple Crown” sweep — winning the Indianapolis 500, Pocono 500, and California 500 in the same year, a feat never repeated. Gordon Johncock, Johnny Rutherford, and A.J. Foyt rounded out the top five in the standings.
The season featured high speeds, competitive turbocharged machinery, and strong performances from both veteran stars and rising talents. It represented the end of an era for the traditional USAC Championship Car series.
August 6, 1978
