1962 – Foyt First in 150-Mile Race

A.J. Foyt accepts his trophy from Ms. Detroit, Claudia Sands, after winning the 150-mile USAC stock car race at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. – Brian Norton Collection

Detroit, Mich. (October 7, 1962) – A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., won the 150-mile late model stock car race Sunday at the State Fairgrounds, beating Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, by half a lap, averaging 73.56 miles per hour for his $2,200 victory.

Foyt, the 1961 Indianapolis 500 champion, took the lead from St. Clair Shores’ Paul Goldsmith on the 12th lap and stayed in front the rest of the way with 6,100 race fans watching.

Goldsmith, although forced to abandon his car on lap 100, got another car and finished third, giving him 210 points, and clinching the United States Auto Club driving championship for late models.

Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., who was less than 200 points behind Goldsmith going into the race, had to drop out on lap 78.

Foyt drove the 250 miles in 2 hours, 1 minute and 1 second in his 1962 Hedges Pontiac and the victory left Pontiac and Ford tied for the Manufacturer’s Trophy - both have won 10 races. White was in a Ford while Goldsmith piloted a Pontiac.


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt, Houston, Tex.
2. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
4. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
5. Dick Freeman, Dayton, Ohio
6. Sal Tovella, Chicago
7. Mike Brown, Warren, Mich.
8. Dave Lundman, Libertyville, Ind.
9. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
10.Milt Curcio, Racine, Wis.