1950s in motorsport

This article documents the status of motorsports in the 1950s.

United States

 * Due to the rising popularity of stock car racing, the new Strictly Stock Series is established as the Grand National. The series becomes phenomenally popular, and attracts numerous domestic manufacturers.
 * The Chevrolet Corvette and Ford Thunderbird become the first true American sports cars. Late in the decade, the Corvette would adopt a V8 engine and become heavily competitive in endurance racing.
 * The Indianapolis 500 is added to the new grand prix schedule. It is later replaced with a United States Grand Prix in 1959.
 * Racing legend Phil Hill debuts in 1958.
 * The SCCA National Sports Car Championship was first contested in 1951, America's first championship for sports cars.
 * The Twelve Hours of Sebring is first held
 * NASCAR legend Richard Petty debuts
 * Debut of racing legend A. J. Foyt in IndyCar
 * The Hudson Hornet is dominant in NASCAR
 * The National Hot Rod Association is founded as a professional organization for drag racing
 * Daytona International Speedway opens
 * Riverside International Raceway opens. It will last until the 1980s when it will close
 * Laguna Seca Raceway opens
 * The original Daytona Beach Road Course closes

Europe

 * Grand prix racing returns after World War II temporarily halts automobile production. The new grand prix series is known as Formula One.
 * The debut of racing legend Stirling Moss.
 * The establishment of the World Sports Car Championship, composed mainly of endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
 * The beginnings of the British Saloon Car Championship, now the British Touring Car Championship.
 * The Mille Miglia is last held after thirty years.
 * The Portuguese Grand Prix debuts in 1958
 * The Dutch Grand Prix is first held in 1955
 * The Spanish Grand Prix is first held in 1951
 * The Porsche 550 Spyder and Porsche 356 are introduced, competitive in motorsport
 * The Maserati Birdcage is introduced as a competitive racing prototype
 * The Jaguar D-Type is introduced as a competitive racecar
 * The Lotus Eleven is introduced for motorsport
 * The original Mini debuts. It is competitive in touring car racing.
 * The original Volkswagen Beetle debuts, becoming competitive in touring car racing
 * The Triumph TR is introduced
 * The MG A is introduced
 * Dino is introduced as a brand of Ferrari
 * Juan Manuel Fangio wins a then-record five Formula One drivers championships, driving for Alfa Romeo

Australia

 * The rise of famous racer and race car builder Jack Brabham.

South America

 * The Carrera Panamericana is held from 1950 to 1954
 * The Argentine Grand Prix debuts in 1953 as the first F1 race in South America

Africa

 * The Moroccan Grand Prix, the first F1 race to be held in Africa, is held in 1958