[richie]

Originally Posted by cecil98 After the CART split, USAC did name the pavement (Indy cars) division Gold Crown at the same time they named the dirt division Silver Crown (circa 1979????). I don't know how long they referred to the Indy cars as Gold Crown but, it was very brief at best.

Believe it or not, the Gold Crown "Championship" actually went all the way through 1995.

From 1981-1984, the series was a combination of Silver Crown races and Indy Car races with the series' points concluding at the Indianapolis 500. For example, the 1981-82 schedule had races at Pocono, Springfield, DuQuoin, the Indiana State Fairgrounds, and the Indianapolis 500-mile race.

From 1985-1995, the Gold Crown points standings were only taken from one race: the Indianapolis 500.

Here is your history of the USAC Gold Crown Champions:
1981-82 - George Snider
1982-83 - Tom Sneva
1983-84 - Rick Mears
1985 - Danny Sullivan
1986 - Bobby Rahal
1987 - Al Unser
1988 - Rick Mears
1989 - Emerson Fittipaldi
1990 - Arie Luyendyk
1991 - Rick Mears
1992 - Al Unser, Jr.
1993 - Emerson Fittipaldi
1994 - Al Unser, Jr.
1995 - Jacques Villeneuve