NASCAR racing at Road America: 1956

NASCAR's Road America roots go back to the first premier-series race on the Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin road course, held Aug. 12, 1956.

The Cup Series returns to Road America this weekend with Sunday's Kwik Trip 250 presented by Jockey Made in America (3 p.m. ET, USA Network, NBC Sports App, MRN, SiriusXM).


As we get set for that race, look back at highlights from the first Cup race there, including this view of the primitive pit area and Frank Mundy's Carl Kiekhaefer-owned Chrysler.

A history lesson: The first racing events held at Elkhart Lake ran through town streets and country roads. Though the close-up taste of racing was popular, the understandable safety concerns prompted the construction of a private, closed course in the mid-1950s. The layout of the 4-plus mile track has remained virtually untouched since its earliest days.

Sports-car races were the first events held at Road America in 1955. That brand of racing continues today with annual stops by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship tour.

Hay bales and runoff areas passed for safety measures back in Road America's earliest seasons as a permanent road-racing circuit.

Local car dealer Bill Newberry waves from the pace car he provided for NASCAR's first race at Road America.

NASCAR Hall of Famer Herb Thomas shows off the trophies to be awarded to the Road America weekend winners in this pre-race promotional picture. Thomas wound up sixth in the 26-car field in the 250-mile event.

Johnny Dodson's No. 131 Chevrolet leads the field up the hill on the long front straightaway at Road America. Dodson finished 10th in the 63-lap feature, which was delayed nearly an hour by rain.

Frank Mundy rounds a turn in the No. 300 Kiekhaefer Chrysler. He started 23rd and came home 14th.

Bobby Myers brings his Bill Stroppe-owned No. 4 Mercury in for service at Road America. He finished 21st -- well behind his brother, Billy, who was the runner-up.

In the end, it was NASCAR Hall of Famer Tim Flock who captured the laurels, leading 17 laps that included the final 10. Flock pounced when race leader Speedy Thompson retired with engine failure after 53 laps and led the rest of the way. 'This road racing is all right,' Flock told Sports Illustrated after notching the last of his 39 career wins in what's now called the NASCAR Cup Series.