This is the official home of the ChampCar Endurance Series archive, from the early ChumpCar days to today. Follow the major milestones, leadership changes, landmark races, and rulebook history that shaped the club.
ChumpCar World Series was founded with the goal of making endurance auto racing affordable for all.
ChumpCar World Series adopted the ChampCar Endurance Series name and moved into the next era of the club.
From grassroots beginnings to major venues and live coverage, the series continues to evolve while keeping real endurance racing accessible.
If you have anything to add to this page, please email media@champcar.org. Sources: Bill Strong and Phil McKinney.
Major moments from the early ChumpCar years through today.
ChumpCar World Series was founded by John Condren with the goal of making endurance auto racing affordable for all. ChumpCar was a play on words named after the defunct Champ Car World Series. The initial concept was an endurance racing series for cars valued at 500 dollars or less, similar to the 24 Hours of LeMons model.
Portland International Raceway hosted the first ChumpCar race weekend. The series ran nine events across the United States at tracks including Texas Motor Speedway, Iowa Speedway, Portland International Raceway, Hallett Motor Racing Circuit, and Putnam Park. ChumpCar’s first promo video
First east coast race at Rockingham Speedway. Homestead-Miami also saw the first appearance of the fan favorite Infiniti Shark Car.
ChumpCar held its first 24-hour race at Virginia International Raceway. NASCAR legend Tony Stewart raced his Chevy, but the ExFed VW won overall by 14 laps. John Condren implemented MOV after the VIR event.
ChumpCar’s popularity grew, and the series scheduled more than 40 events across North America at some of the best-known road racing venues on the continent. John Condren’s idea of a simple path to affordable road racing was exceeding expectations.
ChumpCar received its first title sponsor with Optima Batteries.
2014 marked the end of the popular AIV and the 500 dollar formula. The new value system changed to points, with a max zero-lap car being 500 points. A point value was assigned to each vehicle based on performance, and additional performance parts were also given point values.
ChumpCar reformed as a membership-driven club and 501(c)(7) tax-exempt organization. Robert Mink became CEO and Board Chair.
Mike Chisek became COO of ChumpCar and kicked off what would later become known as the Rad Flag videos.
Longtime racers RVA Graphics and Wraps joined ChumpCar in 2017 as the new title sponsor for the series. ChumpCar promo video
ChumpCast.live was born when Paul Veltum, Bill Strong, and Aaron Lester streamed the 14 Hours of Road Atlanta from start to finish. ChumpCar was also featured in //Drive on NBC.
ChumpCar World Series adopted the name ChampCar Endurance Series and filed for trademark rights after receiving the blessing of the IRL to use the name. A registered trademark was granted by the USPTO on August 28, 2018. Change video
The 2018 BCCR went into effect. 2018 ChampCar BCCR
TireRack became the title sponsor of ChampCar. With 29 events on the calendar, the 10th season was gearing up to be the biggest yet.
ChampCar 2019 BCCR
The TireRack.com ChampCar Endurance Series raced at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The event sold out in 19 minutes. Team Jackie Ickx Mitsubishi took the first 10-hour win, while Premium Dudes BMW won Sunday’s 10-hour.
ChampCar started 2020 with four of its first six events sold out.
ChampCar 2020 BCCR
After Harris Hill, the COVID-19 pandemic brought auto racing everywhere to a halt as staff traveled home and the world began shutting down.
The ChampCar iRacing League came into its own. With real racing shut down, the CCiRL filled with racers trying to keep their skills sharp while staying away from tracks.
ChampCar returned at Willow Springs, and then a week later IMSA opened the July 4 weekend with ChampCar at Daytona.
New leadership. Dana Morrison became CEO and President of ChampCar.
Richard “Doc” Waldrop, Board Secretary, ChampCar Live color commentator, and Brew Krewe BMW team owner, passed away. ChampCar Forum tribute - PDF version
The Inside ChampCar Podcast began with Brian Bielanski and Bill Strong as hosts. CEO Dana Morrison was the first guest.
Chelsey Vickery was named Executive Director after Dana Morrison resigned. Bill Strong was named Director of Operations.
The ChampCar Board of Directors welcomed Michael Chisek as Chief Executive Officer, with Bill Strong continuing as Director of Operations and Chelsey Vickery taking on the role of Senior Events Director.
Looking for what it was like in the old days of affordable endurance racing? These rule books are provided for historical interest and fun. They are not meant to be used to build a car.
We have done our best to compile a list of all-time winners.