The speedway at the scenic Paramount Ranch near Malibu, California was the site of a 250-mile USAC stock car race on Sunday, November 4, 1956. Veteran west coast car owner and race promoter J.C. Agajanian promoted the race.
A legend from NASCAR's early years, Marshall Teague, walked away from Bill France's organization and joined forces with USAC. His stock car accomplishments from his time in NASCAR provided a bit of a marketing spark for USAC and its race. - Valley News of Van Nuys CA.
The headline of the race preview article might lead one to believe it was about the 1982 NASCAR WInston Cup season ender at Riverside featuring Benny Parsons in Bud Moore's Ford and Joe Ruttman in J.D. Stacy's Buick. - Independent Press Telegram of Long Beach, CA.
Indy veteran Sam Hanks won the pole. The rest of the starting line-up may be lost to history though it's possible someone like Russ Thompson may have more info than I could find.
Troy Ruttman's crew had a pretty nifty pit set-up. From what I understand, air guns were not all that common in the mid 50s. - Getty
The drivers had some wonderful views as they slalomed the course for 125 laps. Here Hanks is shown leading another car. - Getty
Jerry Unser finished second in the race in a Ford. About 18 months later, Unser made his only Indy 500 start. A year after that he died in a practice crash as he prepared for the 1959 Indy 500. He left behind two younger brothers - Bobby and Al - who ended having a lot of success at the track. - Getty
In the end, Hanks in Brill Stroppe's Mercury prevailed on the road course to take the win. - Getty
About six months later, he ran - and won - his final Indy car race: the 1957 Indianapolis 500. Having survived his years at the Brickyard, he walked away after finally winning it. He ran a handful of additional USAC stock car races in 1957 before calling it a career. - San Bernandino County Sun
Johnny Mantz - NASCAR's winner of the inaugural Southern 500 in 1950 - returned to USAC after a handful of GN starts. He finished last in the Paramount Range race, drove relief for Johnny Unser, accumulated a few extra points for that role, and secured the 1956 USAC stock car championship title. - Long Beach Independent
Following a fatality at the track about a year later in December 1957, no additional competitive races were held on the course.
Several movies have been shot on location at the track over the years; however, the land on which the track has reclaimed much on what was once the speedway. The lands are now a national recreation area.
Top Ten Finishers
| Fin | Driver | Car |
| 1 | Sam Hanks | Mercury |
| 2 | Jerry Unser/Johnny Mantz | Ford |
| 3 | Marshall Teague | Mercury |
| 4 | Les Snow | Chevrolet |
| 5 | Johnnie Parsons | Ford |
| 6 | Dempsey Wilson | Chevrolet |
| 7 | Bob Christie | Mercury |
| 8 | Don Freeland | Ford |
| 9 | Jimmy Davies | Ford |
| 10 | Jim Keith | Chevrolet |
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Schaefer: It's not just for racing anymore.
updated by @tmc-chase: 12/05/16 04:00:58PM