Fort Wayne in Allen County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

USAC’s First Race

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 6, 2022

1. USAC’s First Race Marker

Inscription.
One of auto racing’s premier sanctioning bodies, the United States Auto Club (USAC), held its very first race here in Fort Wayne, at the historic Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. USAC was formed urgently on September 16, 1955, when racing unexpectedly found itself without a governing body. USAC was in the midst of frenzied organizational activities scrambling to sign drivers, car owners and officials, when they received a race request from Fort Wayne promoter Bill Lipkey.

Lipkey was awarded a January 6, 1956, date, but USAC officials had grave concerns about whether they could put together a viable event so quickly. But, racers responded and 36 cars were entered. It's appropriate that this historic race was held at the War Memorial Coliseum, because many of the drivers were veterans, representing all branches of the service. Of the six race winners that evening, five had served in the military, including feature race winner, Allen County’s own, Gene Hartley, a Korean War Army veteran. The attendance was a Coliseum record, and USAC was spectacularly launched.

Erected 2017 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association.

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Topics. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Sports • War, Korean. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1956.

Location. 41° 6.916′ N, 85° 7.394′ W. Memorial is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, in Allen County. It is on Coliseum Blvd (Indiana Route 930) east of Parnell Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum, to right of main entrance. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 4000 Parnell Avenue, Fort Wayne IN 46805, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Northern Indiana.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: American Legion Eternal Flame (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 6, 2022

2. USAC’s First Race Marker

line); U.S.S. Indiana (BB 58) (about 600 feet away); Battleship Indiana (about 600 feet away); Johnny Appleseed (approx. ¼ mile away); Centlivre and Vesey Parks (approx. 1.3 miles away); The "State School" (approx. 1.3 miles away); Home of Philo T. Farnsworth (approx. 1.4 miles away); William C. & Clara Hagerman House (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Wayne.

Additional commentary.
1. Indiana Racing Memorial Association
Another IRMA series marker.

— Submitted October 12, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio.

Photographed by Rev. Ronald Irick, October 6, 2022

3. USAC’s First Race Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 12, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 832 times since then and 35 times this year. Last updated on July 6, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 12, 2022, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.