1962 – Goldsmith Cops Stock 100-Miler

Paul Goldsmith (right) jokingly “pours” a cup of tea for car owner Ray Nichels to celebrate their victory in the USAC late model stock car race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was the first time stock cars had ever competed at the one-mile dirt track. - Bob Doeppers Photo/Douglas Dempsey Collection

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 5, 1962) – Paul Goldsmith of St. Clair Shores, Mich., won the first annual 100-mile USAC late model stock car race at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, holding off repeated challenges from teammate A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex.

A shivering crowd of 13,000 filled the grandstands and bleachers to watch the thrilling contest in 52-degree weather.

It was the third straight victory in a 100-mile national championship event for Goldsmith, the defending USAC stock car national champion, and in each case, has led every single lap. His other wins were at the 1-mile dirt tracks of Springfield, Ill., and Du Quoin, Ill.

This race was an internal battle among the Pontiac team of three cars fielded by Ray Nichels of Highland, Ind. Goldsmith, Foyt, and Rodger Ward of Speedway, all drove 1962 Pontiacs

Foyt ran right on Goldsmith’s bumper for the first 78 miles he lasted before retiring to the infield with a plugged radiator. Ward was eliminated three laps earlier than Foyt with transmission trouble after making a previous pit stop.

Goldsmith won by slightly more than a lap over Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, who piloted a 1962 Ford entered by the Zecol-Lubaid team. John Rostek of Fort Collins, Col., was third in a 1962 Ford. Eddie Sachs of Coopersburg, Penn., was fourth in another 1962 Ford and Elmer Musgrave of Niles, Ill., finished fifth in a 1961 Mercury.

Goldsmith collected $4,315 out of a total purse, lap money and accessory money of $14,555. He completed the century in 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 33 seconds. His average speed was 78.71 miles per hour.

The triumph allowed Goldsmith to move up on point leader Don White in the stock car championship point race. White has 2,266 points to Goldsmith’s 2,232. Incidentally, White has finished runner-up in all of the last three races that Goldsmith has won.


Results –

1. Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
2. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
3. John Rostek, Fort Collins, Col.
4. Eddie Sachs, Coopersburg, Penn.
5. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
6. Troy Ruttman, Dearborn, Mich.
7. Whitey Gerken, Melrose Park, Ill.
8. Sal Tovella, Addison, Ill.
9. Bill Cheesbourg, Tucson, Ariz.
10.Eddie Meyer, Glenview, Ill.
11.Chuck Eberhart, Aurora, Ill.
12.Milt Curcio, Racine, Wis.