I knew you had the years, Dwight. Do you know what years that the Gold Crown existed? I know the 500 was part of the Gold Crown, and for awhile it was just the 500 that was the Gold Crown.

"intellectual rights" of the defunct series -now thats funny

I bet Tony G. would give the name back to USAC if the right person asked for it.:usacfan

My partial memory is probably going to get me in trouble here. I think I remember a specfic term being used for the three 500 mile races; Indy, Ontario and, Pocono(???). Was that Gold Crown or was it something else, or have I just lost it?

Frank Daigh

Triple Crown is what you're looking for. Gold Crown was the Indy 500 and selected traditional dirt races.

I didn't click the link, but I am curious when the Big/Champ cars and sprint cars became different?

Sorry to argue Aussie, but those cars weren't invented in 1971. They had a long and storied history as champ cars on the dirt. Before the late 50's the same cars ran on pavement such as Indy and Milwaukee. After it became necessary to use different cars, they became championship dirt cars because the races still counted towards the championship.

Dude, pull it together. :rolling:rolling
You're just gonna have to trust us on this one, "Champ Car" existed waaaaay before "CART" stole it. :rolling:rolling
David.

once again, in case you missed it:
Former Indy car owner John Zink Jr. dies at 75
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former car owner John Zink Jr., whose 13 champ car victories included the 1955 Indianapolis 500 with driver Bob Sweikert and the 1956 Indy race with Pat Flaherty, has died at 75.

Maybe we should feel sorry for the "Aussie". He never had the chance to see driver`s like Sheldon Kinser, Leland McSpadden, Shuman, and hundreds of others haul it in on the Indy Mile, Springfield or DuQuoin. Real "Champ" cars don`t race in parking lot`s, alleys, cities or at airports ! ! ! :O:

So if Aussie's logic holds true...that silver crown cars were never champ cars because they weren't included in the championship, then those "sprint" cars that ran a 400-lapper really aren't sprint cars after all since 400 laps is not a sprint.

While you are correct that from 1971 the dirt cars were not part of the National Championship you are incorrect in calling them Silver Crown cars beginning in 1971. The term Silver Crown did not exist pertaining to these cars until 1981. You are trying to do what NASCAR does. Every time they get a new series sponsor they refer to all past champions as winners of the (fill in the blank) Cup. Don't try to rename history.