MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Before Gordon Johncock became a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and an Indy car national champion, he came east from Michigan and made history at Williams Grove Speedway.
Johncock, who died Sept. 28 at age 90, won the inaugural Williams Grove National Open on Oct. 20, 1963, forever linking his name to one of American dirt racing's signature events.
That connection carries extra weight this week as Williams Grove prepares for the 64th running of the National Open, with the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series sanctioning both nights of competition. Friday's preliminary program leads into Saturday's 40-lap J&S Classics National Open, paying $75,000 to win.
From 14th to the Front
The first National Open looked much different than the event fans know today. The 1963 race was a 100-lap contest featuring modified and super modified competitors from across the country.
Johncock qualified 14th fastest, putting him deep in the 36-car starting field. He steadily worked his way forward and reached second by Lap 23 after his brother, Nolan Johncock, exited with mechanical trouble.
That left Gordon chasing early leader Dean Mast of Dover, Ohio.
For roughly 10 laps, Johncock followed Mast around the Williams Grove half-mile. On Lap 33, he made the move that decided the race, going to the outside off Turn 4 to take the lead.
From there, the race belonged to Johncock. Historical reports from the event say he built an advantage that at times reached roughly a lap and a half while turning laps in the 25-second range.
After 100 circuits, Johncock became the first National Open champion in Williams Grove history.
Dick Good finished second, followed by Lou Blaney, Hank Jacoby and Bud Folkenroth. The field also included names that became fixtures in Pennsylvania racing history, including Dick Tobias and Ray Tilley.
Before Indianapolis
Johncock's career was only beginning.
He went on to win the Indianapolis 500 in 1973 and again in 1982, with the latter victory coming after a famous late-race battle with Rick Mears. Johncock also captured the 1976 USAC National Championship and eventually recorded 25 victories during his top-level Indy car career.
Several drivers Johncock defeated at Williams Grove in 1963 later added National Open victories of their own. Jacoby won in 1965, while Blaney followed in 1966.
But Johncock was first.
A Full-Circle Weekend at Williams Grove
More than six decades later, the National Open remains one of Williams Grove Speedway's crown-jewel events.
This weekend's race will add another chapter to that history, but the first chapter will always carry Johncock's name.
Gordon Johncock — 1963. The first Williams Grove National Open champion.
Source material: Williams Grove Speedway release dated Sept. 30, 2026, including historical reporting credited by the speedway to Area Auto Racing News and Midwest Racing Archives. Career details cross-checked against INDYCAR's Sept. 28, 2026 obituary coverage.
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