| January 1, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Jim Cook |
| January 8, 1961 | | Allen County Coliseum Expo, Fort Wayne, IN | USAC Midget | Gene Force |
| January 14, 1961 | | Chicago International Ampitheatre, Chicago, IL | USAC Midget | Bob Wente |
| January 29, 1961 | Winter Championships | Henderson Airport, Henderson, NV | AHRA Top Eliminator | Lefty Mudersbach |
| February 4, 1961 | | Chicago International Ampitheatre, Chicago, IL | USAC Midget | Bob McLean |
| February 5, 1961 | Jimmy Bryan Memorial | Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| February 11, 1961 | | Plant Field, Tampa, FL | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| February 12, 1961 | | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Fireball Roberts |
| February 12, 1961 | | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| February 15, 1961 | | Plant Field, Tampa, FL | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| February 18, 1961 | | Plant Field, Tampa, FL | IMCA Sprint Car | Buzz Barton |
| February 19, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| February 19, 1961 | American Challenge Cup | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| February 19, 1961 | Cannonball Compact | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | Compact Car | Lee Petty |
| February 19, 1961 | | Plant Field, Tampa, FL | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| February 19, 1961 | Winternationals | Auto Club Raceway, Pomona, CA | NHRA Top Eliminator | Jack Chrisman |
| February 19, 1961 | Winternationals | Auto Club Raceway, Pomona, CA | NHRA Middle Eliminator | Mickey Thompson |
| February 19, 1961 | Winternationals | Auto Club Raceway, Pomona, CA | NHRA Little Eliminator | Dick Manz |
| February 19, 1961 | Winternationals | Auto Club Raceway, Pomona, CA | NHRA Street Eliminator | Johnny Loper |
| February 24, 1961 | Daytona 500 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Fireball Roberts |
| February 24, 1961 | Daytona 500 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| February 25, 1961 | | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Modified | Jimmy Thompson |
| February 25, 1961 | Daytona 500 Consolation | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| February 26, 1961 | Daytona 500 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Marvin Panch |
| March 4, 1961 | | Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Cotton Owens |
| March 5, 1961 | | Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| March 11, 1961 | | Imperial Valley Speedway, El Centro, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Colby Scroggin |
| March 12, 1961 | | Imperial Valley Speedway, El Centro, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| March 12, 1961 | | Marchbanks Stadium, Hanford, CA | NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast | Fireball Roberts |
| March 19, 1961 | | Orange Show Speedway, San Bernardino, CA | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| March 19, 1961 | | Kearney Bowl, Fresno, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Eddie Gray |
| March 25, 1961 | | Chicago International Ampitheatre, Chicago, IL | USAC Midget | Bob Wente |
| March 26, 1961 | Reading Inaugural Sweepstakes | Reading Fairgrounds, Reading, PA | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| March 26, 1961 | Atlanta 500 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Grand National | Bob Burdick |
| April 1, 1961 | Greenville 200 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Emanuel Zervakis |
| April 2, 1961 | | Concord Speedway, Concord, NC | USAC Stock Car | Don White |
| April 2, 1961 | | Occoneechee Speedway, Hillsboro, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Cotton Owens |
| April 3, 1961 | | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| April 9, 1961 | | Trenton International Speedway, Trenton, NJ | USAC Indy Car | Eddie Sachs |
| April 9, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| April 9, 1961 | | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Fred Lorenzen |
| April 15, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| April 15, 1961 | | Old Dominion Speedway, Manassas, VA | ARDC Midget | Bill Randall |
| April 16, 1961 | Gwyn Staley 400 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| April 20, 1961 | | Columbia Speedway, Cayce, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Cotton Owens |
| April 21, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Leroy Felty |
| April 22, 1961 | Hickory 250 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| April 23, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| April 23, 1961 | | Kearney Bowl, Fresno, CA | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| April 23, 1961 | | Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, CT | ARDC Midget | Ray Brown |
| April 23, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| April 23, 1961 | | Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ | CRA Sprint Car | Bud Sterrett |
| April 23, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | USAC Sprint Car | Roger McCluskey |
| April 23, 1961 | | Powell Speedway, Columbus, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Paul Parks |
| April 23, 1961 | Richmond 200 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Richard Petty |
| April 28, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| April 29, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Eddie Gray |
| April 30, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | USAC Midget | Joe Walter |
| April 30, 1961 | | Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA | ARDC Midget | Jiggs Peters |
| April 30, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Dick Tobias |
| April 30, 1961 | | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| April 30, 1961 | Virginia 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| May 5, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Mac Clingan |
| May 5, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | Supermodified | Norm Calhoun |
| May 5, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Dubendorf |
| May 6, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Johnny Wood |
| May 6, 1961 | Rebel 300 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Fred Lorenzen |
| May 7, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Marlin Walbeck |
| May 11, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | PRA Supermodified | Chuck Neal |
| May 12, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Frank Riley |
| May 12, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA Supermodified | Gib Orr |
| May 13, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Bob Hogle |
| May 13, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| May 13, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Greg Weld |
| May 13, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Iggy Katona |
| May 14, 1961 | | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Stock Car | Les Snow |
| May 14, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Modified | Junior Hower |
| May 14, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Leroy Felty |
| May 14, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Sprint Car | Gus Wiseman |
| May 14, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harlan Richardson |
| May 14, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Morrie Piotrowski |
| May 14, 1961 | 19e Grand Prix de Monaco | Circuit de Monaco, Monte Carlo, Monaco | FIA Formula One World Championship | Stirling Moss |
| May 19, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Frankie Thompson |
| May 20, 1961 | | Hatfield Speedway, Hatfield, PA | ARDC Midget | Red Riegel |
| May 20, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Bill Moore |
| May 20, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| May 20, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Jalopy | Bob Williams |
| May 20, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Norm Smith |
| May 21, 1961 | | Lebanon Valley Speedway, West Lebanon, NY | URC Sprint Car | Eddie Gallione |
| May 21, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | Sprint Car | Wayne McGuire |
| May 21, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| May 21, 1961 | | Shelby County International Raceway, Lakeland, TN | ARCA Stock Car | Paul Parks |
| May 21, 1961 | World 600 Qualifying Race | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Richard Petty |
| May 21, 1961 | World 600 Qualifying Race | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| May 21, 1961 | | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast | Lloyd Dane |
| May 21, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Marlin Walbeck |
| May 22, 1961 | 10e Grote Prijs van Nederland | Circuit Park Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands | FIA Formula One World Championship | Wolfgang von Trips |
| May 27, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| May 27, 1961 | | Joseph F. Meyer Speedway, Houston, TX | IMCA Sprint Car | Gordon Woolley |
| May 27, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Jalopy | Howard Heavelow |
| May 27, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | CRA Sprint Car | Jack Brunner |
| May 27, 1961 | | Portsmouth Speedway, Portsmouth, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Iggy Katona |
| May 27, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast | Eddie Gray |
| May 27, 1961 | | Five Mile Point Speedway, Binghamton, NY | URC Sprint Car | Bobby Courtwright |
| May 28, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Supermodified | Jerry Weld |
| May 28, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | ARDC Midget | Ernie McCoy |
| May 28, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| May 28, 1961 | | Louisiana State Fairgrounds, Shreveport, LA | IMCA Sprint Car | Colby Scroggin |
| May 28, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| May 28, 1961 | World 600 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Grand National | David Pearson |
| May 28, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Norm Zaeger |
| May 29, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Stock Car | Don White |
| May 29, 1961 | Night Before the 500 | Kokomo Speedway, Kokomo, IN | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| May 30, 1961 | | Canfield Speedway, Canfield, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| May 30, 1961 | Indianapolis 500 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indianapolis, IN | USAC Indy Car | A.J. Foyt |
| May 30, 1961 | Tribute to Indianapolis | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Jack Brunner |
| May 30, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Bobby Hersh |
| May 30, 1961 | | Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, IL | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| May 30, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Leroy Felty |
| May 30, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Gus Winkleman |
| May 30, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Bill Blum |
| June 2, 1961 | | Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA | ARDC Midget | Ernie McCoy |
| June 2, 1961 | | Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, KS | IMCA Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| June 2, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Lou Blaney |
| June 2, 1961 | | Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Spartanburg, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Jim Paschal |
| June 3, 1961 | | Raceway Park, Blue Island, IL | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| June 3, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Sonny Pratt |
| June 3, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Jalopy | Bud Hunnicutt |
| June 3, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Mac Clingan |
| June 3, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Ed Bellinger |
| June 3, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Bill Blum |
| June 4, 1961 | Rex Mays Classic | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Indy Car | Rodger Ward |
| June 4, 1961 | Qualifying Race | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Indy Car | Bill Cheesbourg |
| June 4, 1961 | | New Bremen Speedway, New Bremen, OH | USAC Midget | Bob Wente |
| June 4, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Late Model | Bill Forney |
| June 4, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Mac Clingan |
| June 4, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Supermodified | Gordon Woolley |
| June 4, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Leroy Felty |
| June 4, 1961 | | Powell Speedway, Columbus, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| June 4, 1961 | | Fairgrounds Raceway, Birmingham, AL | NASCAR Grand National | Ned Jarrett |
| June 8, 1961 | | Flat Rock Speedway, Flat Rock, MI | USAC Midget | Tommy Copp |
| June 8, 1961 | Pickens 200 | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Jack Smith |
| June 9, 1961 | | Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN | USAC Midget | Cliff Spalding |
| June 10, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | USAC Midget | Tommy Copp |
| June 10, 1961 | | Hatfield Speedway, Hatfield, PA | ARDC Midget | Len Duncan |
| June 10, 1961 | | Westboro Speedway, Westborough, MA | ARDC Midget | Jerry Russo |
| June 10, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Lou J. (Louie) Unser |
| June 10, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| June 10, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | URC Sprint Car | Jack Soper |
| June 10, 1961 | | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway, Louisville, KY | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| June 10, 1961 | Myers Brothers 200 | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| June 10, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Bill Blum |
| June 11, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| June 11, 1961 | Hawkeye Futurity | Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines, IA | IMCA Sprint Car | Buzz Barton |
| June 11, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| June 11, 1961 | | Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| June 11, 1961 | | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| June 12, 1961 | | Springfield Speedway, Springfield, IL | USAC Midget | Rex Easton |
| June 16, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock car | Gus Winkleman |
| June 16, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Jalopy | Bob Williams |
| June 16, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Gib Orr |
| June 16, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Dick Tobias |
| June 17, 1961 | | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | USAC Stock Car | Les Snow |
| June 17, 1961 | | South Bend Motor Speedway, South Bend, IN | USAC Midget | Chuck Rodee |
| June 17, 1961 | | West Haven Speedway, West Haven, CT | ARDC Midget | Dutch Schaefer |
| June 17, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Sonny Pratt |
| June 17, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| June 17, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Ed Molketin |
| June 17, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| June 17, 1961 | Yankee 500 | Norwood Arena Speedway, Norwood, MA | NASCAR Grand National | Emanuel Zervakis |
| June 17, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Lee Bliss |
| June 18, 1961 | | Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA | USAC Indy Car | A.J. Foyt |
| June 18, 1961 | | Brewerton Speedway, Brewerton, NY | ARDC Midget | Bob Harkey |
| June 18, 1961 | | Danville Speedway, Danville, IL | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| June 18, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Supermodified | Junior Hower |
| June 18, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Leroy Felty |
| June 18, 1961 | | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hemmings |
| June 18, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | URC Sprint Car | Eddie Gallione |
| June 18, 1961 | 21e Grote Prijs van Belgie | Circuit National de Spa-Francorchamps, Francorchamps, Belgium | FIA Formula One World Championship | Phil Hill |
| June 19, 1961 | | Springfield Speedway, Springfield, IL | USAC Midget | Arnold Knepper |
| June 21, 1961 | | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| June 23, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Jalopy | Bob Williams |
| June 23, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Gib Orr |
| June 23, 1961 | | Hartsville Speedway, Hartsville, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Buck Baker |
| June 23, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Myron Wolbach |
| June 24, 1961 | | Danbury Fairgrounds, Danbury, CT | ARDC Midget | Red Marlowe |
| June 24, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Dick Good |
| June 24, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Bob Hogle |
| June 24, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Neil Haight |
| June 24, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Supermodified | Greg Weld |
| June 24, 1961 | | Starkey Speedway, Roanoke, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| June 24, 1961 | Spring Championship | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| June 25, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| June 25, 1961 | | Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, CT | ARDC Midget | Bill Randall |
| June 25, 1961 | | New Bremen Speedway, New Bremen, OH | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| June 25, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| June 25, 1961 | Hoosier Grand Prix | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Road Racing Championship | Lloyd Ruby |
| June 25, 1961 | Hoosier Grand Prix | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Road Racing Championship | Augie Pabst |
| June 28, 1961 | | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | USAC Stock Car | Don White |
| June 29, 1961 | | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| June 29, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Sprint Car | Mickey Shaw |
| June 30, 1961 | | Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| June 30, 1961 | | Freeport Speedway, Freeport, NY | ARDC Midget | Tony Romit |
| June 30, 1961 | | Longhorn Speedway, Austin, TX | Sprint Car | Kurt Kutzweg |
| June 30, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Art Smith |
| June 30, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Bob Brooks |
| June 30, 1961 | | Spartan Speedway, Mason, MI | Sprint Car | Johnny Logan |
| June 30, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Lou Blaney |
| June 30, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| June 30, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Cal Breezer |
| July 1, 1961 | | Old Bridge Stadium, Old Bridge, NJ | URC Sprint Car | Dave Humphrey |
| July 1, 1961 | Firecracker 100 | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | NASCAR | Richard Petty |
| July 1, 1961 | | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL | USAC Midget | Tommy Copp |
| July 1, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | Sprint Car | Rollie Beale |
| July 1, 1961 | Firecracker 100 | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Jack Brunner |
| July 1, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 1, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| July 1, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Jack Murphy |
| July 2, 1961 | | Trenton International Speedway, Trenton, NJ | USAC/ARDC Midget | Jimmy Davies
Bobby Marshman |
| July 2, 1961 | | Continental Divide Raceways, Castle Rock, CO | USAC Road Racing Championship | Ken Miles |
| July 2, 1961 | | Continental Divide Raceways, Castle Rock, CO | USAC Road Racing Championship | Bob Holbert |
| July 2, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Stock Car | Junior Hower |
| July 2, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| July 2, 1961 | 47e Grand Prix de l'A.C.F. | Circuit de Reims-Gueux, Reims, France | FIA Formula One World Championship | Giancarlo Baghetti |
| July 3, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Dick Freeman |
| July 3, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | USAC Midget | Gene Hartley |
| July 3, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 3, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | Sprint Car | George Koch |
| July 3, 1961 | | Westboro Speedway, Westborough, MA | ARDC Midget | Jerry Russo |
| July 3, 1961 | | Westboro Speedway, Westborough, MA | ARDC Midget | Len Duncan |
| July 3, 1961 | | Wausau Fairgrounds, Wausau, WI | BMARA Midget | Todd Barton |
| July 3, 1961 | Firecracker 250 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Fireball Roberts |
| July 3, 1961 | Firecracker 250 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | David Pearson |
| July 3, 1961 | Firecracker 250 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| July 3, 1961 | Firecracker 250 Qualifying Race | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | Banjo Matthews |
| July 4, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Stock Car | Norm Nelson |
| July 4, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Ron Hornaday Sr. |
| July 4, 1961 | Pikes Peak Hill Climb | Pikes Peak, Cascade, CO | USAC Indy Car | Bobby Unser |
| July 4, 1961 | Pikes Peak Hill Climb | Pikes Peak, Cascade, CO | USAC Stock Car | Lou J. (Louie) Unser |
| July 4, 1961 | Pikes Peak Hill Climb | Pikes Peak, Cascade, CO | USAC Sports Car | Ak Miller |
| July 4, 1961 | Firecracker 250 | Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL | NASCAR Grand National | David Pearson |
| July 4, 1961 | | Hawkeye Downs Speedway, Cedar Rapids, IA | IMCA Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| July 4, 1961 | | Davenport Speedway, Davenport, IA | Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| July 4, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Dale Johnson |
| July 4, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 4, 1961 | | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| July 4, 1961 | | Wausau Fairgrounds, Wausau, WI | BMARA Midget | Bob Clement |
| July 4, 1961 | Pikes Peak Hill Climb | Pikes Peak, Cascade, CO | USAC Sports Car | Robert Donner Jr. |
| July 4, 1961 | Oswego Grand Prix | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| July 7, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| July 7, 1961 | | Powell Speedway, Columbus, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 7, 1961 | | Chattanooga Speedway, Ringgold, GA | USAC Midget | Bobby Grim |
| July 7, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Roger Sowers |
| July 8, 1961 | | Anderson Speedway, Anderson, IN | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 8, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Johnny Wood |
| July 8, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 8, 1961 | | Hatfield Speedway, Hatfield, PA | ARDC Midget | Red Riegel |
| July 8, 1961 | | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | USAC Midget | Dale Swaim |
| July 8, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | Sprint Car | Wayne McGonagle |
| July 8, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| July 9, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 9, 1961 | Festival 250 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Grand National | Fred Lorenzen |
| July 9, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Mickey Shaw |
| July 10, 1961 | | Springfield Speedway, Springfield, IL | USAC Midget | Bob Wente |
| July 14, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Gus Winkleman |
| July 14, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Baldy Baker |
| July 14, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| July 14, 1961 | | Old Bridge Stadium, Old Bridge, NJ | ARDC Midget | Bobby Marshman |
| July 14, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Lou Blaney |
| July 14, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Rollie Beale |
| July 14, 1961 | | Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka, KS | Sprint Car | Wes Ferrand |
| July 14, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 15, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 15, 1961 | | Columbus Motor Speedway, Columbus, OH | USAC Midget | Russ Congdon |
| July 15, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | Sprint Car | Rollie Beale |
| July 15, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Allen Heath |
| July 15, 1961 | | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | Supermodified | Bob Knight |
| July 15, 1961 | | Jackson Speedway, Jackson, MI | Sprint Car | Nelson Ward |
| July 15, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| July 15, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | Sprint Car | Wayne McGonagle |
| July 15, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Dick Good |
| July 15, 1961 | 14th British Grand Prix | Aintree Circuit, Aintree, Liverpool, England | FIA Formula One World Championship | Wolfgang von Trips |
| July 15, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Peppy Cone |
| July 16, 1961 | | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Eddie Sachs |
| July 16, 1961 | Marathon 200 | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 16, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | | Junior Hower |
| July 16, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Roger Sowers |
| July 16, 1961 | | Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| July 16, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Dick Carter |
| July 19, 1961 | | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| July 19, 1961 | | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway, Louisville, KY | USAC Midget | Shorty Templeman |
| July 20, 1961 | | Columbia Speedway, Cayce, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Cotton Owens |
| July 20, 1961 | | Galesburg Speedway, Galesburg, MI | USAC Midget | Dale Swaim |
| July 20, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Sprint Car | Gus Linder |
| July 21, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Jim McElreath |
| July 21, 1961 | | Freeport Speedway, Freeport, NY | ARDC Midget | Len Duncan |
| July 21, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Jim Seese |
| July 21, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Rollie Beale |
| July 21, 1961 | | Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka, KS | Sprint Car | Bill Corwin |
| July 21, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Dick Tobias |
| July 22, 1961 | | Hatfield Speedway, Hatfield, PA | ARCA Stock Car | Iggy Katona |
| July 22, 1961 | | Contra Costa Speedway, Walnut Creek, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Eddie Gray |
| July 22, 1961 | | Rambi Raceway, Myrtle Beach, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| July 22, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Bobby Hersh |
| July 22, 1961 | | Seekonk Speedway, Seekonk, MA | URC Sprint Car | Eddie Gallione |
| July 22, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Dick Good |
| July 22, 1961 | | South Bend Motor Speedway, South Bend, IN | USAC Midget | Allen Crowe |
| July 22, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| July 23, 1961 | | Lancaster Speedway, Lancaster, NY | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| July 23, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| July 23, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Herb Scott |
| July 23, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Mickey Shaw |
| July 23, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | | Chet Hamby |
| July 23, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Roger Sowers |
| July 23, 1961 | Mid Season Championship | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 27, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Sprint Car | Dave Lundy |
| July 28, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Gus Winkleman |
| July 28, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | Sprint Car | Bob Hayduk |
| July 28, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Jerry Crocker |
| July 28, 1961 | | Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, KS | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| July 28, 1961 | | Old Bridge Stadium, Old Bridge, NJ | ARDC Midget | Ray Brown |
| July 28, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Jim Seese |
| July 28, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Lou Blaney |
| July 28, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 29, 1961 | | Champaign Motor Speedway, Champaign, IL | USAC Midget | Keith Rachwitz |
| July 29, 1961 | | Tri-City Speedway, Franklin, PA | Modified | Gus Linder |
| July 29, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | Sprint Car | Jim McCune |
| July 29, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | Sprint Car | Jim McCune |
| July 29, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Colby Scroggin |
| July 29, 1961 | | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | Supermodified | Bob Knight |
| July 29, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| July 29, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| July 29, 1961 | Knoxville Nationals | Knoxville Raceway, Knoxville, IA | Supermodified | Roy Robbins |
| July 29, 1961 | | Mount Pleasant Fairgrounds, Mount Pleasant, IA | Sprint Car | Jerry Blundy |
| July 29, 1961 | | Shangri-La Speedway, Owego, NY | URC Sprint Car | Don Gillette |
| July 29, 1961 | | Shangri-La Speedway, Owego, NY | URC Sprint Car | Jim Maguire |
| July 29, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | Sprint Car | Jimmy Scott |
| July 29, 1961 | | Orange Show Speedway, San Bernardino, CA | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| July 29, 1961 | | Lorain County Fairgrounds, South Amherst, OH | NOSCRA Supermodified | Ed Molketin |
| July 29, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| July 30, 1961 | Volunteer 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Grand National | Johnny Allen
Jack Smith |
| July 30, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| July 30, 1961 | Kent-Sussex Sweepstakes | Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington, DE | URC Sprint Car | John Dodd Jr. |
| July 30, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Glen Davis |
| July 30, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Junior Hower |
| July 30, 1961 | | Kokomo Speedway, Kokomo, IN | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| July 30, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Roger Sowers |
| July 30, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Gordon Dukes |
| August 1, 1961 | | LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI | IMCA Sprint Car | Jerry Richert |
| August 2, 1961 | | Illiana Speedway, Schererville, IN | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| August 2, 1961 | | LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway, West Salem, WI | IMCA Midget | Keith Thomas |
| August 3, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Supermodified | Dick Bailey |
| August 4, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Vic Kopacz |
| August 4, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Frank Riley |
| August 4, 1961 | | Freeport Speedway, Freeport, NY | ARDC Midget | Don Morris |
| August 4, 1961 | | Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, IL | IMCA Sprint Car | Harold Leep |
| August 4, 1961 | | Lawrenceburg Speedway, Lawrenceburg, IN | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| August 4, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Jim Seese |
| August 4, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Rollie Beale |
| August 4, 1961 | | Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka, KS | Sprint Car | Billy Covert |
| August 4, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| August 5, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | USAC Midget | Vern Harriman |
| August 5, 1961 | | Danbury Fairgrounds, Danbury, CT | ARDC Midget | Dutch Schaefer |
| August 5, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | CRA Sprint Car | Billy Cantrell |
| August 5, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| August 5, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | URC Sprint Car | Tom Price |
| August 5, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Dale McDaniels |
| August 5, 1961 | | Knox County Fairgrounds, Knoxville, IL | IMCA Sprint Car | Buzz Barton |
| August 5, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | Sprint Car | Wayne McGonagle |
| August 5, 1961 | | Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA | Modified | Frankie Thompson |
| August 5, 1961 | Mid-Summer Championship | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| August 6, 1961 | Nashville 500 | Music City Motorplex, Nashville, TN | NASCAR Grand National | Jim Paschal |
| August 6, 1961 | | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| August 6, 1961 | | Tri-City Speedway, Franklin, PA | Modified | Dick Bailey |
| August 6, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Frank Gorichky |
| August 6, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Junior Hower |
| August 6, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Bobby Hersh |
| August 6, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Gordon Dukes |
| August 6, 1961 | 23. Grosser Preis von Deutschland | Nürburgring, Nürburg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany | FIA Formula One World Championship | Stirling Moss |
| August 9, 1961 | | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| August 10, 1961 | | Freeport Speedway, Freeport, NY | ARDC Midget | Tony Bonadies |
| August 11, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Sonny Johnson |
| August 11, 1961 | | Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City, KS | IMCA Sprint Car | Jerry Richert |
| August 11, 1961 | | Spartan Speedway, Mason, MI | Supermodified | Dick Carter |
| August 11, 1961 | | Spartan Speedway, Mason, MI | Supermodified | Nelson Ward |
| August 11, 1961 | | Old Bridge Stadium, Old Bridge, NJ | ARDC Midget | Tony Bonadies |
| August 11, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Dick Carter |
| August 11, 1961 | | Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka, KS | Sprint Car | Roy Robbins |
| August 11, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Moe Harden |
| August 11, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Vic Kopacz |
| August 12, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Kenny Reeder |
| August 12, 1961 | Bedford Sweepstakes | Bedford Speedway, Bedford, PA | URC Sprint Car | Earl Halaquist |
| August 12, 1961 | | Fremont Speedway, Fremont, OH | Sprint Car | Gug Keegan |
| August 12, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Midget | Billy Cantrell |
| August 12, 1961 | Michigan State Championship | Berlin Raceway, Marne, MI | Supermodified | Bob Knight |
| August 12, 1961 | | Lincoln Speedway, Abbottstown, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| August 12, 1961 | | Hatfield Speedway, Hatfield, PA | ARDC Midget | Red Riegel |
| August 12, 1961 | | Riverside Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Ervin Schick |
| August 12, 1961 | | Manzanita Speedway, Phoenix, AZ | CRA Sprint Car | Bob Hogle |
| August 12, 1961 | | Port Royal Speedway, Port Royal, PA | Modified | Frankie Thompson |
| August 12, 1961 | | Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, MO | IMCA Sprint Car | Arnold Knepper |
| August 12, 1961 | | Waterford Speedbowl, Waterford, CT | NEMA Midget | Dick Brown |
| August 12, 1961 | | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Midget | Parnelli Jones |
| August 13, 1961 | | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Norm Nelson |
| August 13, 1961 | Western North Carolina 500 | Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| August 13, 1961 | | Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| August 13, 1961 | | Mower County Fairgrounds, Austin, MN | IMCA Sprint Car | Buzz Rose |
| August 13, 1961 | | Brewerton Speedway, Brewerton, NY | ARDC Midget | Johnny Coy |
| August 13, 1961 | | Sharon Speedway, Hartford, OH | Sprint Car | Jim Sheaffer |
| August 13, 1961 | | Olympic Stadium, Kansas City, MO | Sprint Car | Bob Williams |
| August 13, 1961 | | Susquehanna Speedway, Newberrytown, PA | Modified | Bobby Hersh |
| August 13, 1961 | | Eldora Speedway, Rossburg, OH | Sprint Car | Chuck Berthke |
| August 13, 1961 | | Sandusky Speedway, Sandusky, OH | Supermodified | Dick Good |
| August 13, 1961 | | Springfield Speedway, Springfield, IL | Sprint Car | Arnold Knepper |
| August 13, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Gordon Dukes |
| August 13, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Supermodified | Rollie Beale |
| August 14, 1961 | | St. Charles Motor Speedway, St. Charles, MO | USAC Midget | Rex Easton |
| August 15, 1961 | | Crawford County Speedway, Denison, IA | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| August 16, 1961 | | Algona Raceway, Algona, IA | IMCA Sprint Car | Jay Woodside |
| August 16, 1961 | Cotton Priddy Memorial | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway, Louisville, KY | Supermodified | Gordon Johncock |
| August 16, 1961 | | Rockford Speedway, Rockford, IL | USAC Midget | Jimmy Davies |
| August 17, 1961 | | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Eddie Sachs |
| August 17, 1961 | | Griffith Park Speedway, Wisconsin Rapids, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Jere O'Day |
| August 17, 1961 | | Wausau Fairgrounds, Wausau, WI | IMCA Sprint Car | Pete Folse |
| August 17, 1961 | | Tri-City Speedway, Granite City, IL | USAC Midget | Danny Frye |
| August 17, 1961 | | Mount Clemens Speedway, Mount Clemens, MI | Supermodified | Dick Carter |
| August 17, 1961 | | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | Sprint Car | Lou Blaney |
| August 18, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Vic Kopacz |
| August 18, 1961 | | Saugus Speedway, Santa Clarita, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Ron Hornaday Sr. |
| August 18, 1961 | | Southside Speedway, Midlothian, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| August 18, 1961 | | Devil's Bowl Speedway, Mesquite, TX | Sprint Car | Olin Gibbons |
| August 18, 1961 | | Spartan Speedway, Mason, MI | Supermodified | Nolan Johncock |
| August 18, 1961 | | Greater Pittsburgh Speedway, Clinton, PA | PRA | Jim Seese |
| August 18, 1961 | | Missouri State Fairgrounds, Sedalia, MO | Sprint Car | Jim Schlotzhauer |
| August 18, 1961 | | Springfield Speedway, Springfield, IL | USAC Midget | Allen Crowe |
| August 18, 1961 | | Toledo Speedway, Toledo, OH | Modified | Dick Carter |
| August 18, 1961 | | Topeka Fairgrounds, Topeka, KS | Sprint Car | Bill Corwin |
| August 18, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | URC Sprint Car | Tom Price |
| August 18, 1961 | | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | Modified | Johnny Mackison |
| August 19, 1961 | | Black River Falls Speedway, Black River Falls, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Dick Trickle |
| August 19, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| August 20, 1961 | | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| August 20, 1961 | Tony Bettenhausen 200 | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Indy Car | Lloyd Ruby |
| August 21, 1961 | | Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL | USAC Indy Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| August 21, 1961 | | Wausau Fairgrounds, Wausau, WI | IMCA Stock Car | Ramo Stott |
| August 26, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Mel Dodge |
| August 27, 1961 | Pittsburgh 500 | Heidelberg Raceway, Heidelberg, PA | ARCA Stock Car | Bob James
Kenny Reeder |
| August 27, 1961 | | South Boston Speedway, South Boston, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| August 27, 1961 | | Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| August 27, 1961 | | Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| September 1, 1961 | | Adams County Fairgrounds, Friendship, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Ron Waite |
| September 2, 1961 | | Fairgrounds Motor Speedway, Louisville, KY | ARCA Stock Car | Roy Wathen |
| September 2, 1961 | | DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL | USAC Sprint Car | Elmer George |
| September 3, 1961 | | DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| September 3, 1961 | | Paragon Speedway, Paragon, IN | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| September 3, 1961 | Joe James/Pat O'Connor Memorial | Salem Speedway, Salem, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| September 3, 1961 | | Flemington Speedway, Flemington, NJ | URC Sprint Car | Hank Rogers |
| September 4, 1961 | | Toledo Raceway Park, Toledo, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| September 4, 1961 | Ted Horn Memorial | DuQuoin State Fairgrounds, DuQuoin, IL | USAC Indy Car | A.J. Foyt |
| September 4, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Eddie Gray |
| September 4, 1961 | Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway, Darlington, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Nelson Stacy |
| September 4, 1961 | Nationals | Green Valley Raceway, Smithfield, TX | AHRA Top Eliminator | Zane Schubert |
| September 5, 1961 | Nationals | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | NHRA Stock Eliminator | Don Nicholson |
| September 5, 1961 | Nationals | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | NHRA Top Eliminator | Pete Robinson |
| September 5, 1961 | Nationals | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | NHRA Middle Eliminator | Walt Knoch |
| September 5, 1961 | Nationals | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | NHRA Little Eliminator | Willis Ragsdale |
| September 5, 1961 | Nationals | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | NHRA Street Eliminator | Junior Garrison |
| September 8, 1961 | Buddy Shuman 250 | Hickory Motor Speedway, Hickory, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| September 8, 1961 | | Lancaster Speedway, Lancaster, NY | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| September 9, 1961 | | New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY | USAC Indy Car | Rodger Ward |
| September 9, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| September 10, 1961 | | Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL | USAC Stock Car | Len Sutton |
| September 10, 1961 | | Black River Falls Speedway, Black River Falls, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Jack Smith |
| September 10, 1961 | | Michigan State Fairgrounds, Detroit, MI | ARCA Stock Car | Iggy Katona |
| September 10, 1961 | Capital City 200 | Richmond International Raceway, Richmond, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| September 10, 1961 | | California State Fairgrounds, Sacramento, CA | NASCAR Grand National/Pacific Coast | Eddie Gray |
| September 10, 1961 | | New Bremen Speedway, New Bremen, OH | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| September 10, 1961 | 32o Gran Premio d'Italia | Autodromo Nazionale di Monza, Monza, Italy | FIA Formula One World Championship | Phil Hill |
| September 16, 1961 | Hoosier Hundred | Indiana State Fairgrounds, Indianapolis, IN | USAC Indy Car | A.J. Foyt |
| September 16, 1961 | | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Nolan Swift |
| September 17, 1961 | | Milwaukee Mile, West Allis, WI | USAC Stock Car | Whitey Gerken |
| September 17, 1961 | | Black River Falls Speedway, Black River Falls, WI | Late Model Stock Car | Vic Kopacz |
| September 17, 1961 | Canfield 300 | Canfield Speedway, Canfield, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Kenny Reeder |
| September 17, 1961 | Dixie 400 | Atlanta Motor Speedway, Hampton, GA | NASCAR Grand National | David Pearson |
| September 17, 1961 | Reading Fair Sweepstakes | Reading Fairgrounds, Reading, PA | USAC Sprint Car | A.J. Foyt |
| September 23, 1961 | | Contra Costa Speedway, Walnut Creek, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Lloyd Dane |
| September 23, 1961 | Johnny Thomson Memorial | Allentown Fairgrounds, Allentown, PA | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| September 24, 1961 | Dayton 500 | Dayton Speedway, Dayton, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Homer Newland |
| September 24, 1961 | | Trenton International Speedway, Trenton, NJ | USAC Indy Car | Eddie Sachs |
| September 24, 1961 | Consolation Race | Trenton International Speedway, Trenton, NJ | USAC Indy Car | Bill Cheesbourg |
| September 24, 1961 | Old Dominion 500 | Martinsville Speedway, Martinsville, VA | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| September 24, 1961 | 5th International Classic | Oswego Speedway, Oswego, NY | Modified | Art Bennett |
| September 30, 1961 | Ascot Grand Prix | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Eddie Gray |
| October 1, 1961 | Wilkes 200 | North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Wilkesboro, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| October 1, 1961 | Hut Hundred | Terre Haute Action Track, Terre Haute, IN | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| October 8, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Stock Car | Len Sutton |
| October 8, 1961 | | Cloverleaf Speedway, Valley View, OH | ARCA Stock Car | Kenny Reeder |
| October 8, 1961 | Horn-Schindler Memorial | Williams Grove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, PA | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| October 8, 1961 | 4th United States Grand Prix | Watkins Glen International, Watkins Glen, NY | FIA Formula One World Championship | Innes Ireland |
| October 8, 1961 | 11th National Open | Langhorne Speedway, Langhorne, PA | Modified | Bob Malzahn |
| October 15, 1961 | Riverside Grand Prix | Riverside International Raceway, Riverside, CA | USAC Road Racing Championship | Jack Brabham |
| October 15, 1961 | | Fort Wayne Speedway, Fort Wayne, IN | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| October 15, 1961 | National 400 | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Charlotte, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| October 15, 1961 | | Indianapolis Raceway Park, Clermont, IN | USAC Sprint Car | Parnelli Jones |
| October 21, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| October 22, 1961 | | Lakewood Speedway, Atlanta, GA | ARCA Stock Car | Harold Smith |
| October 22, 1961 | Pacific Grand Prix | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | USAC Road Racing Championship | Stirling Moss |
| October 22, 1961 | Pacific Grand Prix | Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA | USAC Road Racing Championship | Stirling Moss |
| October 22, 1961 | Southeastern 500 | Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, TN | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| October 28, 1961 | | Columbia Speedway, Cayce, SC | ARCA Stock Car | Curtis Turner |
| October 28, 1961 | | Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Greenville, SC | NASCAR Grand National | Junior Johnson |
| October 28, 1961 | Rotarian Sweepstakes | Bloomsburg Fairgrounds, Bloomsburg, PA | URC Sprint Car | Hank Rogers |
| October 29, 1961 | | Trenton International Speedway, Trenton, NJ | USAC Stock Car | Paul Goldsmith |
| October 29, 1961 | Golden State 100 | California State Fairgrounds, Sacramento, CA | USAC Indy Car | Rodger Ward |
| October 29, 1961 | | Occoneechee Speedway, Hillsboro, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Joe Weatherly |
| November 4, 1961 | | Orange Show Speedway, San Bernardino, CA | USAC Midget | A.J. Foyt |
| November 5, 1961 | | Fairgrounds Raceway, Birmingham, AL | ARCA Stock Car | Ernie Derr |
| November 5, 1961 | | Concord Speedway, Concord, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Jack Smith |
| November 11, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Sprint Car | Jim Hurtubise |
| November 12, 1961 | | Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Weaverville, NC | NASCAR Grand National | Rex White |
| November 19, 1961 | Bobby Ball Memorial | Arizona State Fairgrounds, Phoenix, AZ | USAC Indy Car | Parnelli Jones |
| December 17, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | NASCAR Pacific Coast Late Model | Don Noel |
| December 30, 1961 | Tobacco Bowl 150 | Bowman Gray Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | NASCAR Modified | Ed Flemke |
| December 31, 1961 | | Ascot Park, Gardena, CA | USAC Midget | Parnelli Jones |