1988 American Racing Series season

The 1988 HFC American Racing Series Championship consisted of 12 races. Jon Beekhuis edged out Tommy Byrne for the championship by a mere 3 points, the closest margin in the series' 16 years. While Byrne won three races to Beekhuis' two, it was the consistent point scoring of Beekhuis that gave him the title.

Calendar
Note:

Race 12 red-flagged after two laps due to an accident involving Michael Greenfield, Jeff Andretti and Guido Daccò and restarted.

Phoenix race
Held April 9 at Phoenix International Raceway. Jeff Andretti won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Paul Tracy
 * 2) Calvin Fish
 * 3) Wally Dallenbach Jr.
 * 4) Dave Simpson
 * 5) Ted Prappas

Milwaukee race
Held June 4 at The Milwaukee Mile. Dave Simpson won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Dave Simpson
 * 2) Mike Snow
 * 3) John McCracken
 * 4) Jon Beekhuis
 * 5) Brian Ongais

Portland race
Held June 19 at Portland International Raceway. Tommy Byrne won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Tommy Byrne
 * 2) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 3) Jon Beekhuis
 * 4) Paul Tracy
 * 5) Dave Simpson

Cleveland race
Held July 3 at Burke Lakefront Airport. Juan Manuel Fangio II won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 2) Calvin Fish
 * 3) Dave Simpson
 * 4) Jon Beekhuis
 * 5) Guido Daccò

Toronto race
Held July 17 at Exhibition Place. Tommy Byrne won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Calvin Fish
 * 2) Tommy Byrne
 * 3) Guido Daccò
 * 4) Jon Beekhuis
 * 5) Ted Prappas

Meadowlands race
Held July 24 at the Meadowlands Sports Complex. Jon Beekhuis won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Jon Beekhuis
 * 2) Dave Simpson
 * 3) Tommy Byrne
 * 4) Ted Prappas
 * 5) Calvin Fish

Pocono race
Held August 20 at Pocono Raceway. Dave Simpson won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Michael Greenfield
 * 2) Tommy Byrne
 * 3) Dave Simpson
 * 4) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 5) Ted Prappas

Mid-Ohio race
Held September 4 at The Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Jon Beekhuis won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Jon Beekhuis
 * 2) Tommy Byrne
 * 3) Ted Prappas
 * 4) Gary Rubio
 * 5) Paul Tracy

Elkhart Lake race
Held September 11 at Road America. Calvin Fish won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 2) Jon Beekhuis
 * 3) Ted Prappas
 * 4) Gary Rubio
 * 5) Mike Groff

Nazareth race
Held September 25 at Nazareth Speedway. Calvin Fish won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Calvin Fish
 * 2) Mike Groff
 * 3) Mike Snow
 * 4) Dave Simpson
 * 5) Jon Beekhuis

Laguna Seca race
Held October 16 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Juan Manuel Fangio II won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Tommy Byrne
 * 2) Jon Beekhuis
 * 3) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 4) Gary Rubio
 * 5) Mike Snow

Miami race
Held November 6 at Tamiami Park. Juan Manuel Fangio II won the pole.

Top Five Results
 * 1) Tommy Byrne
 * 2) Juan Manuel Fangio II
 * 3) Calvin Fish
 * 4) Gary Rubio
 * 5) Jon Beekhuis

Driver
For every race the points were awarded: 20 points to the winner, 16 for runner-up, 14 for third place, 12 for fourth place, 10 for fifth place, 8 for sixth place, 6 seventh place, winding down to 1 points for 12th place. Additional points were awarded to the pole winner (1 point) and to the driver leading the most laps (1 point).

Complete Overview
R16=retired, but classified