Championship Auto Racing Teams
Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART) was a sanctioning body for American open-wheel car racing that operated from 1979 until dissolving after the 2003 season. CART was founded in 1979 by United States Auto Club (USAC) Championship Division team owners who disagreed with the direction and leadership of USAC, with the then-novel idea of team owners sanctioning and promoting their own series collectively instead of relying on a neutral body to do so. Through the 1980s, CART's Indy Car World Series became the pre-eminent open-wheel auto racing series in North America, featuring street circuits, road courses, and oval track racing. CART teams continued to compete at the USAC-sanctioned Indianapolis 500, which was effectively integrated into the series schedule.
Emerson Fittipaldi in a Penske-Chevrolet at Mid-Ohio, 1992.
A. J. Foyt March/Cosworth at Pocono in 1984.
In order, Rick Mears, Mario Andretti, and Bobby Rahal at Laguna Seca, 1991.
Nigel Mansell racing in a Lola-Ford in 1993.
American open-wheel car racing
American open-wheel car racing, generally known as Indy car racing, or more formally Indianapolis car racing, is a category of professional automobile racing in the United States. As of 2024, the top-level American open-wheel racing championship is sanctioned by IndyCar. Competitive events for professional-level, open-wheel race cars have been conducted under the auspices of various sanctioning bodies, tracing its roots as far back as 1902. A season-long, points-based, National Championship of drivers has been officially recognized in 1905, 1916, and each year since 1920. As such, for many years, the category of racing was known as Championship car racing. That name has fallen from use, and the term Indy car racing has become the preferred moniker.
The 2019 Indianapolis 500, an IndyCar sanctioned race
Field of 1916 Indianapolis 500, first Indianapolis 500 held as a part of National Championship
Zeke Meyer at 1932 Indianapolis 500
Dan Gurney at 1962 Indianapolis 500