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Greg Sacks
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Gregory Sacks (born November 3, 1952) is an American former stock car racing driver. He has previously competed in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, the NASCAR Busch Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Re/Max Series.
Key Information
Sacks has spent most of his career as a research and development (R&D) driver for many NASCAR teams. He won the 1985 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway acting as an R&D driver for DiGard Motorsports.
Modifieds
[edit]Early in his racing career, Sacks was a successful driver in what is now the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. Competing from 1980 to 1983, he won seventeen races at Stafford Motor Speedway. 1982 was an especially good year for him, as he won the track championship that year, as well as the Spring Sizzler, The Labor Day 200 and the Fall Final. Sacks also won the Dogwood Classic at Martinsville Speedway, the Bud Classic at Oswego Speedway, the Thompson 300 at Thompson International Speedway, the World Series of Asphalt at Thompson Speedway and the Race of Champions at Pocono Raceway.
In 1983, Sacks made his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona in the No. 5 car owned and sponsored by his father, Arnie. He only completed nineteen laps until experiencing engine failure, finishing 38th out of forty cars. Sacks competed in four more events that season, posting a best finish of seventeenth in the Champion Spark Plug 400 at Michigan International Speedway, the only race he finished that year.
Success in the 1980s
[edit]In 1984, Sacks made a full attempt at the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, once again in a car owned by his father, only now it ran as No. 51. Sacks made 29 out of the thirty races, finished 19th in points and runner-up to Rusty Wallace for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year award. 1985 got off to a rough start for Sacks. After the first four races, his father's team folded.
Seven races later, Sacks was able to drive the No. 49 car owned by 1966 NASCAR Rookie of the Year James Hylton. Before the Firecracker 400, DiGard Motorsports asked Sacks to drive their R&D car. Sacks qualified ninth and defeated pole-sitter Bill Elliott to earn his only NASCAR Winston Cup Series victory. The win was considered to be one of NASCAR's biggest upsets, as Sacks's car was only scheduled to run a set number of laps before going behind the wall to make changes, but his car kept competing for the win, therefore DiGard decided to let Sacks race as normal. After DiGard's regular driver Bobby Allison quit the team days after the race, the team let Sacks finish the season in their regular car. The next year, Sacks found himself running a limited schedule as DiGard slowly went bankrupt.
In 1987, Sacks signed on to drive the No. 50 Pontiac for the Dingman Brothers, where he struggled with qualifying for each race. Three-quarters of the way through 1988, Sacks left the team to drive for Buddy Baker's team, the No. 88 Oldsmobile. He came close to a victory at Bristol in 1989, where he led 119 laps only to lose the lead to Rusty Wallace with forty laps to go. Although he posted two top-ten finishes in the first ten races of the 1989 season, Sacks was replaced by rookie Jimmy Spencer. Sacks was unemployed for a brief period, then joined on with Tom Winkle's No. 48 Pontiac for most of the season, joining with Hendrick Motorsports for the Autoworks 500 at Phoenix International Raceway as part of the driving team gathering in-race footage for the "Days of Thunder" movie.
1990–1997
[edit]Sacks started off 1990 in a familiar situation with no ride, driving part-time for Hendrick's development team. He participated in the Busch Clash at Daytona and at Darlington in the TranSouth 500, driving the No. 46 'City Chevrolet' Lumina "Days of Thunder" movie car. Four races later, Sacks was rewarded with a part-time ride at Hendrick, driving the No. 18 Ultra Slim-Fast Chevrolet, finishing second at Talladega Superspeedway in the Winston 500. After Darrell Waltrip was injured in a practice crash at Daytona, Sacks drove the No. 17 car for three races—the Champion Spark Plug 400, Busch 500, and the Heinz Southern 500, with a best finish of second at Michigan during this three-race stretch. The highlight of his season was winning the pole position at the Pepsi Firecracker 400. Following a crash in practice by teammate Waltrip, NASCAR officials noted that several teams had made modifications, and NASCAR made the teams spot-weld the blocks back into place, causing a loss of power. Trying to make up for lost speed, Sacks caused a 23-car pileup at the end of the first lap, taking out eight cars, including Sacks.[citation needed] No one was seriously hurt in that race, but it gave Sacks a reputation of being an excellent qualifier, as shown in 1989, when he won the pole in just his second Busch Series race. Sacks was signed to a three-year deal to drive the No. 18 for Hendrick and Paul Newman, with backing from Ultra Slim-Fast, but following the season Ultra Slim-Fast pulled out, the team was folded, and Sacks was released.[1]
Sacks started off 1991 at the Daytona 500 driving his own No. 18 car, but crashed early in the race. He ran ten more races that year in the No. 47 Oldsmobile for Derick Close, posting two top-twenty finishes. He started 1992 with Larry Hedrick Motorsports, but suffered injuries in a lap five crash at the Champion Spark Plug 400, and only drove one race for the rest of the season. He moved on to Tri-Star Motorsports in 1993, and finished sixth at the DieHard 500. In 1994, Sacks set the track record at Atlanta when he won the pole. Nineteen-ninety four also marked the second time in his Cup career that he completed the full schedule, piloting the No. 77 Ford owned by D.K. Ulrich. Sacks raced part-time in the Cup and Busch series over the next two years, winning a Busch Series event in a one-race deal for Diamond Ridge Motorsports at Talladega Superspeedway in 1996. The next year, he started out driving the No. 20 Ford for championship owner Harry Ranier, but was soon released as sponsorship funding ended; following his release, he sued the team, claiming breach of contract.[2] Later in the season, he filled in for rookie driver Robby Gordon, who had suffered burns in the Indianapolis 500. After Gordon was released later in the year, Sacks finished the season for the team.
Struggles
[edit]In 1998, it looked like Sacks had finally found a steady ride, driving the No. 98 Ford for Cale Yarborough. However, on lap 136 of the Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, Sacks lost control of his car and wrecked, suffering life-threatening injuries. He missed the rest of the season.
Sacks made his return in 1999 in the Busch Series, but only qualified for one of the several races he attempted. Sacks tried his hand at Winston Cup again in 2000, attempting that year's Daytona 500 in the No. 96 Chevrolet. He did not make the field. After making sporadic races in modifieds, Sacks announced his return to the Winston Cup Series and Busch Series in the summer of 2002, driving the No. 05 Chevy. Sacks teamed with Loren Fossie to form "Team Franchisit/Sacks Racing". Originally set to debut at the Brickyard 400, the date was pushed to the fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Nothing was ever heard from the team since, and it is not clear if the team was originally planned as a marketing tool for Franchisit.
In 2004, Sacks formed Daytona Speed Inc., with Ed Raabe and James Wilsberg. Making its first attempt at Chicagoland Speedway, the team did not make a race until the Pennsylvania 500 the next month. In February 2005, Raabe departed to form his own race team (Chevrolet), leaving all of the (Dodge) Daytona Speed equipment in the care of Sacks. Sacks ran both Pocono races in 2005, and finished 43rd in both of them.
The team attempted a part-time schedule in 2006, but failed to make the field for any race. In early 2007, an arbitrator forced his sponsor Who's Your Daddy? to pay over a million dollars to Sacks after a contract violation.[3]
2008–present
[edit]2008
[edit]Sacks was to attempt a partial schedule in the ARCA/ReMAX series in 2008. He tried to qualify for the ARCA race at Daytona but missed the field after posting the 48th best qualifying time.
2010
[edit]Sacks drove the No. 88 car owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. in the Nationwide Series Subway Jalapeño 250 on July 2 at Daytona. Sacks finished 21st after qualifying 7th.[4]
Sacks and his family, who own Grand Touring Vodka, sponsored JR Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season.
Personal life
[edit]Sacks is married and has three children. He lives in Ormond Beach, Florida. He and his sons are partners in Grand Touring Vodka.
Motorsports career results
[edit]NASCAR
[edit](key) (Bold – pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – most laps led.)
Nextel Cup Series
[edit]Daytona 500
[edit]| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sacks & Sons | Chevrolet | 20 | 18 |
| 1985 | 13 | 6 | ||
| 1986 | DiGard Motorsports | Pontiac | 26 | 35 |
| 1987 | Dingman Brothers Racing | Pontiac | 42 | 20 |
| 1988 | 7 | 40 | ||
| 1989 | Baker-Schiff Racing | Oldsmobile | 37 | 23 |
| 1991 | Daytona Speed Inc. | Chevrolet | 25 | 42 |
| 1992 | Larry Hedrick Motorsports | Chevrolet | 9 | 14 |
| 1994 | U.S. Motorsports Inc. | Ford | 31 | 6 |
| 1995 | Dick Brooks Racing | Pontiac | DNQ | |
| 1997 | Ranier-Walsh Racing | Ford | 34 | 37 |
| 1998 | Yarborough-Burdette Motorsports | Ford | 24 | 39 |
| 2000 | Petty-Huggins Motorsports | Chevrolet | DNQ | |
| 2005 | Sacks Motorsports | Dodge | DNQ | |
Nationwide Series
[edit]Craftsman Truck Series
[edit]| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | NCTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||
| 2004 | Ron Rhodes Racing | 48 | Dodge | DAY DNQ |
ATL DNQ |
MAR | MFD | CLT | DOV | TEX 32 |
MEM | MLW | KAN | KEN | GTW | MCH | IRP | NSH | BRI | RCH | NHA | LVS | CAL | TEX | MAR | PHO | DAR | HOM | 106th | 67 | [36] | |||||||||||||
ARCA Re/Max Series
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Re/Max Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | ARMC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||
| 1985 | 5 | Chevy | ATL | DAY | ATL | TAL 40 |
ATL | SSP | IRP | CSP | FRS | IRP | OEF | ISF | DSF | TOL | NA | 0 | [37] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003 | Bobby Jones Racing | 88 | Ford | DAY 7 |
ATL | NSH | SLM | TOL | KEN | CLT | BLN | KAN | MCH | LER | POC | 40th | 680 | [38] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dodge | POC 26 |
NSH | ISF | WIN | DSF | CHI 2 |
SLM | TAL | CLT 19 |
SBO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004 | DAY 28 |
NSH 38 |
SLM | KEN | TOL | CLT | KAN | POC | MCH | SBO | BLN | KEN | GTW | POC | LER | NSH | ISF | TOL | DSF | CHI | SLM | TAL | 139th | 135 | [39] | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | DAY | NSH | SLM | KEN | TOL | LAN | MIL | POC | MCH | KAN | KEN | BLN | POC | GTW | LER | NSH | MCH | ISF | TOL | DSF | CHI 17 |
SLM | TAL | 127th | 145 | [40] | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Bobby Jones Racing | 50 | Dodge | DAY DNQ |
SLM | IOW | KAN | CAR | KEN | TOL | POC | MCH | CAY | KEN | BLN | POC | NSH | ISF | DSF | CHI | SLM | NJE | TAL | TOL | NA | - | [41] | |||||||||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^ Dame, Mike (February 16, 1991). "Sacks Scurries To Start Season After Setbacks". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 7 May 2020.
- ^ Byrd, Alan (September 29, 1997). "Driver wins cash, loses contract, sues NASCAR team". Orlando Business Journal. Orlando, FL. Retrieved 2014-02-26.
- ^ [1] Archived May 13, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Greg Sacks returns to NASCAR under Dale Jr.'s wing". Archived from the original on 2014-10-26. Retrieved 2013-12-29.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1987 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1989 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1990 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1995 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1996 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1997 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1999 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2000 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 1985 ARCA Talladega SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2004 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
- ^ "Greg Sacks – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Unofficial website Archived 2012-11-07 at the Wayback Machine
- Greg Sacks driver statistics at Racing-Reference
- Greg Sacks at IMDb
Greg Sacks
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Gregory Sacks (born November 3, 1952) is an American former professional stock car racing driver best known for his tenure in the NASCAR Cup Series, where he made 263 starts from 1983 to 2005, achieved 20 top-10 finishes, and secured his sole victory in the 1985 Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway while serving as a research and development driver for DiGard Motorsports.[1][2][3][4]
Born in Mattituck, New York, Sacks developed an early passion for racing after visiting Riverhead Raceway as a child around 1963 or 1964, leading him to compete in go-karts and bicycle races by age 11.[5] He began his formal racing career at age 16 with Figure 8 cars and quickly rose in Modified racing, earning Rookie of the Year honors at Riverhead Raceway in 1970 and achieving dominance at tracks like Islip Speedway and Stafford Motor Speedway, where he won 17 races from 1980 to 1983.[6][5][7] In 1982, Sacks won 28 out of 38 Modified races, including two separate 11-race winning streaks, and claimed the World Series of Asphalt Racing title at New Smyrna Speedway.[5]
Sacks debuted in the NASCAR Cup Series in 1983 with his family's team before running a full season in 1984, posting five top-10 finishes in 1985 en route to his Daytona triumph, which remains one of the series' most unexpected victories as he inherited the lead late in the race after leaders crashed.[1][2] He also competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series (formerly Busch Series), earning one win at the 1996 Hummingbird Fishfinder 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.[5][8] Throughout his career, Sacks often worked as an R&D driver for prominent teams, contributing to vehicle testing and development while accumulating over $3.4 million in earnings.[4][5]
Post-retirement from full-time driving, Sacks transitioned into business ventures, co-owning Grand Touring Vodka with his family, which sponsored JR Motorsports entries in the Xfinity Series during the 2010 and 2011 seasons, including a one-off start for Sacks himself at Daytona in 2010 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of his Cup win.[9] He resides in Port Orange, Florida, with his wife Vicky, whom he married in 1975, and their three children.[5]
Sacks' sole Cup Series victory occurred in the 1985 Pepsi Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway, where he led 33 laps en route to a 23.98-second margin of victory over Bill Elliott.[21] He demonstrated particular strength at superspeedways like Daytona and Talladega, venues where drafting dynamics favored his driving style; across 33 combined starts at these tracks, he recorded the aforementioned win, 2 additional top-5 finishes, and 7 top-10 results, with an improved average finish of approximately 24.5 compared to his overall career mark.[56] One of his poles came at Daytona International Speedway in 1990, further illustrating his restrictor-plate prowess.[57] His final Cup Series start was the 2005 Pennsylvania 500, finishing 43rd after an early incident.[56]
Source for table: Racing-Reference.info[58]
These figures highlight the targeted but unsuccessful nature of Sacks' Truck Series efforts, where high attrition and competitive depth posed barriers for sporadic participants.[56]
These ARCA appearances served as late-career opportunities for Sacks to maintain racing sharpness amid sporadic NASCAR entries, though he did not compete further in the series after 2005.[62][63][64]
Early Life and Racing Beginnings
Childhood and Family Background
Greg Sacks was born on November 3, 1952, in Mattituck, New York, a small community on the North Fork of Long Island.[10] He grew up on a family farm on New Suffolk Avenue, where his parents, Arnie and Pat Sacks, operated a produce business.[5] As a competitive child, Sacks developed an early interest in speed and mechanics, racing bicycles through the woods and go-karts in local parking lots by the age of 11.[5] His brother Harry later ran a racing shop, further embedding the family in automotive pursuits.[5] Sacks' passion for cars was ignited without formal training, shaped by hands-on experimentation on the farm. Alongside his father, he built a beach buggy from an old car, racing it against friends and honing basic vehicle mechanics through trial and error.[5] His first exposure to organized racing came around 1963 or 1964, when he visited Riverhead Raceway with family friends Edie and Parker Wickham, an experience that deepened his fascination.[5] The vibrant local racing culture in the Northeast, featuring drivers like John Ambrose and Joe Krakowski, provided informal inspiration as Sacks observed and learned from the Riverhead community.[5] In adulthood, Sacks relocated from New York, eventually settling in Port Orange, Florida, with his wife Vicky, whom he married in 1975; the couple had three children, Paul, Brian, and Rachel.[5] This early foundation in family-driven tinkering and regional motorsport enthusiasm paved the way for his entry into competitive racing in the 1970s.[5]Local Speedway Debut (1970s)
Greg Sacks began his competitive racing career in the late 1960s at local tracks on Long Island, New York, debuting in the Novice class at Riverhead Raceway around 1969–1970 driving a Figure Eight car qualified by a friend. His early efforts quickly earned recognition, as he was named Rookie of the Year in 1970 at the quarter-mile Riverhead Raceway for his promising performances in modified-style races. Supported initially by his father, who helped purchase a beach buggy for practice, Sacks navigated the modest equipment and tight budgets typical of regional racing.[5][6] Throughout the 1970s, Sacks established himself as a standout driver at both Riverhead Raceway and the nearby fifth-mile Islip Speedway, competing in short-track modified events that demanded precise handling on banked asphalt ovals amid Northeast weather challenges like humidity and variable track surfaces. A notable early finish came in a 1976 NASCAR Modified race at Riverhead, where he placed fourth behind winner Charlie Jarzombek, demonstrating growing consistency in feature events. These local outings honed his aggressive driving style, including quick adaptations to pack racing and mechanical tweaks learned from mentors like local engine expert John Ambrose.[5][6][11] Sacks' regional success built a strong local following, with fans recalling his bold moves—such as a memorable T-bone collision at Riverhead that branded him the "crazy kid" among spectators—while he earned multiple victories at both tracks, solidifying his reputation without venturing into national circuits. This period of intense short-track competition laid the foundation for his transition to structured modified touring, as his skill in navigating the demanding conditions of Long Island venues prepared him for broader challenges.[5][6]Modified Racing Career
Whelen Modified Tour Entry
Following success at local short tracks in New York, including Rookie of the Year honors at Riverhead Raceway in 1970, Greg Sacks transitioned to national modified racing by entering the NASCAR National Modified Championship—the predecessor to the modern Whelen Modified Tour—in 1980.[6] In his debut season, Sacks made 2 starts out of 40 events, achieving 1 top-5 finish (4th at Shangri-La Speedway) en route to 70th place in the points standings with 276 points.[12][13] Adapting from regional short-track formats to the broader national schedule required Sacks to relocate to New England and compete at larger venues like Stafford Motor Speedway, where he contributed to a total of 17 wins across various tracks from 1980 to 1983.[6] Sacks drove his own equipment during this entry phase, drawing on self-reliant operations from his local career before forming key affiliations, such as partnering with car owner Ernie Wilsberg in 1982.[6] By 1981, Sacks showed growing momentum with 4 starts out of 33 races, including 1 top-5 finish (2nd at Shangri-La Speedway) and an 11th-place finish at Martinsville Speedway, finishing 22nd in points with 708 points.[14][15]Key Wins and Championships
During the early 1980s, Greg Sacks established himself as a dominant force in modified racing, securing 17 victories between 1980 and 1983 across various prominent tracks in the Northeast.[10] These wins included his first major triumph in the 1980 Busch 100 at Westboro Speedway, marking his rapid ascent in the discipline despite initial adaptation challenges on the tour.[6] Sacks' pinnacle came in 1982, when he captured the Stafford Motor Speedway Modified track championship by winning 12 of 21 races at the half-mile oval, including high-profile events such as the Spring Sizzler, Labor Day 200, and Fall Final 100.[6][16] That season also featured victories in the Thompson 300 and World Series 50 at Thompson Speedway, as well as the Dogwood Classic at Martinsville Speedway and a 150-lap feature at Oswego Speedway.[6] His most prestigious achievement was winning the 1982 Race of Champions Modified event at Pocono Raceway, a marquee invitational that drew top talent from the modified ranks.[6][17] Overall in 1982, Sacks won 28 out of 38 Modified races, including two separate 11-race winning streaks, and claimed the World Series of Asphalt Racing title at New Smyrna Speedway.[5] In 1983, Sacks added to his tally with wins in the Thompson Ice Breaker and another Spring Sizzler at Stafford, contributing to his overall total of 16 victories at Stafford alone over three years.[6][16] These accomplishments solidified Sacks' reputation as one of the era's elite modified drivers, paving the way for opportunities in higher-profile NASCAR series by showcasing his skill in intense, competitive environments.[10][6]NASCAR Cup Series Career
1980s Breakthrough
Following his success in the Whelen Modified Tour, Greg Sacks transitioned to the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in 1983 with limited starts, but made a full-time bid in 1984 driving the #51 Chevrolet for his family-owned Sacks & Sons Racing team. He competed in 29 of 30 races that year, achieving a best finish of ninth at Bristol Motor Speedway and ending the season 19th in the final points standings, just behind Rusty Wallace in the Rookie of the Year battle.[18][10] Sacks' breakthrough came in 1985 when DiGard Motorsports tapped him to pilot their unsponsored #10 Chevrolet as a research and development (R&D) entry for the Pepsi Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway. Qualifying ninth on the grid, Sacks capitalized on a series of late-race cautions and strategic pit stops under the guidance of crew chief Gary Nelson, staying out longer to gain track position while leaders like pole-sitter Bill Elliott pitted for fresh tires and fuel. This allowed Sacks to lead the final 9 laps, crossing the finish line 23.5 seconds ahead of Elliott for his sole Cup Series victory, earning $45,350 in the process.[19][20][21] Throughout the 1980s, Sacks established himself as a versatile journeyman driver, logging 113 Cup starts across multiple teams including DiGard, where his R&D contributions focused on aerodynamic testing and setup experimentation to aid primary entries like Bobby Allison's #22. He secured 12 top-10 finishes during the decade, with five coming in 1985 alone, demonstrating consistency despite varying equipment. Although he earned no poles in this period, his opportunistic style and technical insights paved the way for sustained opportunities in the series.[18]1990–1997 Period
Following his research and development work in the 1980s, which helped secure opportunities with prominent teams, Greg Sacks transitioned to a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series during the early 1990s due to ongoing funding challenges that limited full-season participation.[18] In 1990, he competed in 16 races primarily for Hendrick Motorsports, achieving two top-five finishes, including a runner-up result in the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, where he dueled closely with winner Dale Earnhardt over the final laps.[22] His efforts that year earned him 1,663 points and a 32nd-place points finish, highlighting his competitiveness despite inconsistent sponsorship.[23] Sacks' schedule remained sporadic through the mid-1990s, with starts ranging from 9 to 31 per season across teams like Larry Hedrick Motorsports and D.K. Ulrich Racing, often hampered by sponsorship shortfalls that forced him to seek multiple rides annually.[24] Notable superspeedway performances included a 14th-place finish in the 1992 Daytona 500 for Larry Hedrick Motorsports and a sixth-place result in the 1994 Daytona 500 driving the USAir Ford.[25][26] These results underscored his strength on restrictor-plate tracks, where he frequently ran near the front despite resource constraints. In 1996, Sacks expanded into the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, securing his lone victory in that division with a win in the Humminbird Fishfinder 500K at Talladega Superspeedway, holding off pole-sitter Joe Nemechek on the final lap for Diamond Ridge Motorsports.[27] His Cup efforts that year were limited to nine starts, reflecting continued funding instability. By 1997, contract disputes further disrupted his momentum; Sacks filed a lawsuit against Ranier-Walsh Racing for breach of contract after limited opportunities with the team.[28] Overall, from 1990 to 1997, he logged 138 Cup starts with no victories but demonstrated reliability at high-speed ovals, amassing eight top-10 finishes amid 7 did-not-qualify attempts in 1997.[18]1998–2007 Challenges
Greg Sacks' NASCAR Cup Series career faced significant setbacks beginning in 1998, marked by a severe crash during the Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 5. Driving the No. 98 Ford for Cale Yarborough Motorsports, Sacks lost control on lap 136, slamming into the outside wall and sustaining a serious head injury along with stretched nerves in his neck, which caused numbness and required him to be airlifted to Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas.[29][30][31] He spent time in the intensive care unit and underwent multiple tests, including CAT scans and MRIs, all of which came back negative for fractures but confirmed the nerve damage.[32] This incident forced Sacks into an extended hiatus from Cup racing, as he left the hospital in a wheelchair and struggled with mobility, ultimately sidelining him for the remainder of the 1998 season after just seven starts, where his best finish was 25th at Las Vegas.[29][33][34] Recovery proved challenging, with Sacks requiring six years of rehabilitation before attempting a full return to competitive driving. During this period, he focused on lower-tier series like modified racing to rebuild his strength, eventually running 3 miles three times a week by 2004.[29] In 2000, he attempted a comeback by trying to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Petty Enterprises in the No. 96 Ford but did not make the field, marking his only Cup activity that year.[18] No further Cup starts occurred from 2001 to 2003, as Sacks dealt with the lingering effects of his injuries and the evolving demands of the sport. Sacks launched his own team, Daytona Speed Inc., in 2004 alongside partners Ed Raabe and James Wilsberg, aiming to secure consistent rides despite limited resources.[35] The team fielded the No. 13 Dodge in three Cup races that year, but results were dismal due to mechanical failures and crashes: a 42nd-place finish at Pocono after just 19 laps from vibration, 41st at Charlotte after 10 laps in a crash, and 42nd at Homestead after overheating on lap 3.[36] The effort included seven failed qualifying attempts, underscoring funding shortages that hampered equipment reliability and track time.[29][36] Comeback attempts continued into 2005 with Daytona Speed Inc. running the No. 13, but participation remained sporadic and unfruitful, limited to two starts amid ongoing financial constraints. At the Pocono 500, Sacks qualified 41st but completed only 12 laps before retiring due to engine failure, finishing 43rd; at the Pennsylvania 500, also at Pocono, he started 35th but lasted just 5 laps due to brake issues, again placing 43rd.[37] These outings highlighted persistent struggles with sponsorship and budget, as the team managed three DNQs alongside the starts, preventing broader participation.[38] No Cup races followed in 2006 or 2007, with Sacks attempting three qualifications in 2006 but failing to advance.[18] By the mid-2000s, at age 52, Sacks increasingly shifted from full-time driving to research and development (R&D) roles for various NASCAR teams, influenced by his age, injury recovery, and the sport's growing emphasis on younger talent and corporate funding.[39] This transition allowed him to contribute expertise from his 263 Cup starts without the physical and financial demands of competitive racing.[29][6]Other NASCAR Series
Xfinity Series Participation
Greg Sacks competed in 34 NASCAR Xfinity Series races from 1989 to 2010, primarily serving as a research and development (R&D) driver for various teams during the 1990s and 2000s.[40] His participation often focused on testing setups and gathering data to benefit primary teams' efforts in the Cup Series, with affiliations including Rick Hendrick Motorsports in 1990.[41][6] Outside his lone victory in 1996 at Talladega Superspeedway, Sacks achieved a runner-up finish, including second place at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October 1990 driving the No. 45 City Chevrolet for Hendrick.[42] He recorded five top-10 finishes overall, with notable performances at superspeedways such as third place in the season-opening Goody's 300 at Daytona International Speedway in February 1990, where he led five laps in the same Hendrick entry.[42] Sacks' Xfinity outings strategically supported Cup Series preparation, particularly for restrictor-plate and short-track events; for instance, his 1990 Daytona run provided aerodynamic insights for Hendrick's Cup program ahead of the Daytona 500.[42] In 1997, he made 15 starts for Laughlin Racing Team in the No. 45 Chevrolet, focusing on data collection across diverse tracks to refine chassis setups for affiliated Cup operations.[40] By the 2000s, his driving role diminished to sporadic appearances, such as a single start for Davis Motorsports in 2004 and JR Motorsports in 2010 at Daytona, evolving into an occasional advisory capacity for teams leveraging his testing expertise.[41][6]Craftsman Truck Series Runs
Greg Sacks made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series during the 2004 season, marking his only start in the series.[43] On June 11, 2004, Sacks competed in the O'Reilly 400k at Texas Motor Speedway, driving the No. 48 truck for Ron Rhodes Racing. Starting 32nd in a 34-truck field, he completed just 6 of the 167 scheduled laps before retiring due to a transmission failure, finishing 32nd.[44] This single appearance represented Sacks' limited involvement in the Truck Series, where he recorded no laps led and an average finish of 32.0, with his best (and only) finish at Texas Motor Speedway.[45]Later Career and Ventures
ARCA Appearances (2008–2010)
In 2008, Greg Sacks attempted to return to competitive stock car racing through the ARCA RE/MAX Series, driving the No. 50 Dodge for Bobby Jones Racing with sponsorship from Woody's BBQ and Woodard Pool. He entered the season-opening ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway on February 9 but failed to qualify for the 43-car field after posting a time insufficient to advance.[46] This marked his only attempt in the series, as he made no further ARCA entries after 2008. Sacks made no starts in ARCA during this period.[47] Following a period of inconsistent opportunities and financial hurdles in the NASCAR Cup Series during the prior decade, Sacks viewed ARCA as an accessible platform to leverage his experience at superspeedways like Daytona, where he had secured his lone Cup victory in 1985, potentially easing back into racing without the high-stakes pressure of national series.[48] Sacks' final on-track appearance came in 2010 with a one-off entry in the NASCAR Nationwide Series' Subway Jalapeño 250 at Daytona on July 2, driving the No. 88 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports under GT Vodka sponsorship. Starting seventh after strong qualifying, he completed 100 of 102 laps before finishing 21st in a race marked by multi-car incidents, serving as a nostalgic nod to the 25th anniversary of his 1985 Cup triumph at the same track.[49][50] This outing, arranged through connections with team co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., represented Sacks' last competitive drive before fully retiring from the cockpit to focus on off-track endeavors.[48]Business Endeavors and Sponsorships
Following his retirement from competitive driving after the 2010 season, Greg Sacks transitioned into motorsports-related business activities, leveraging his extensive experience as a research and development (R&D) driver. In 2003, he founded Daytona Speed, Inc., a Florida-based corporation where he served as president, initially operating out of Port Orange, Florida.[51] The company focused on R&D and consulting services for NASCAR teams, providing testing and development support drawn from Sacks' career-long expertise in vehicle setup and performance optimization.[52] Although the entity became administratively dissolved in 2006 for failure to file annual reports, Sacks continued to reference it in later discussions as a platform for his consulting work in the industry.[51] A significant family business venture for Sacks was Grand Touring Vodka, co-founded with his sons Paul and Brian around 2010 as a premium spirits brand inspired by racing heritage.[9] The company tied directly to motorsports through targeted sponsorships, aiming to blend beverage marketing with Sacks' NASCAR connections to build brand visibility. This endeavor marked Sacks' shift from driver to sponsor, using the vodka label to support racing teams while expanding the family business beyond traditional automotive pursuits. Through Grand Touring Vodka, Sacks sponsored JR Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series) starting in 2010, covering 10 races that year and 15 in 2011 as the primary sponsor on the No. 88 car.[53] This partnership included Sacks' final driving appearance at Daytona International Speedway in July 2010, commemorating the 25th anniversary of his 1985 Firecracker 400 victory, and extended to advisory roles where he provided team consultations on aerodynamics and setup based on his R&D background.[54] The sponsorship helped JR Motorsports secure additional funding while allowing Sacks to maintain industry ties post-retirement. As of November 2025, Sacks has entered semi-retirement, focusing on selective business oversight rather than full-time involvement. In an October 2025 podcast interview, he reflected on his career transitions, emphasizing the enduring impact of Daytona Speed, Inc., and Grand Touring Vodka on his post-driving legacy, while noting a scaled-back role in motorsports consulting.[52]Personal Life
Sacks married Vicky in 1975.[5] They have three children: sons Paul and Brian, and daughter Rachel.[5] As of 2020, Sacks resides in Ormond Beach, Florida.[55]Motorsports Career Results
NASCAR Cup Series Statistics
Greg Sacks participated in 263 NASCAR Cup Series races across 18 seasons from 1983 to 2005, achieving 1 victory, 3 top-5 finishes, 20 top-10 finishes, and 2 pole positions. His career average starting position was 23.1, with an average finishing position of 27.1 and 123 did-not-finishes (DNFs), reflecting the challenges of consistent equipment and funding throughout much of his tenure.[56] These statistics underscore Sacks' opportunistic success in a highly competitive series, where his single win highlighted his capability in restrictor-plate racing environments. His performance metrics, including a 7.6% top-10 rate, positioned him as a mid-pack contender reliant on strong superspeedway showings for standout results.[1] The following table summarizes his year-by-year performance in the NASCAR Cup Series:| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47th |
| 1984 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19th |
| 1985 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 25th |
| 1986 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41st |
| 1987 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 33rd |
| 1988 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 37th |
| 1989 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 32nd |
| 1990 | 16 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 32nd |
| 1991 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39th |
| 1992 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30th |
| 1993 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 35th |
| 1994 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 31st |
| 1995 | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39th |
| 1996 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42nd |
| 1997 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45th |
| 1998 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53rd |
| 2004 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 71st |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 79th |
NASCAR Xfinity Series Statistics
Greg Sacks made 34 starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 1989 to 2010, primarily as a research and development driver preparing for Cup Series events.[58] His career in the series yielded one victory, three top-five finishes, five top-ten finishes, and two pole positions, with an average starting position of 21.8 and an average finishing position of 24.9 across 4,758 laps completed and 49 laps led.[58] Participation was concentrated in the 1990s, when he ran multiple seasons with varying team affiliations, including his most active year in 1997 with 15 starts for teams like PC Racing.[58] Sacks' lone win occurred in the 1996 Hummingbird 500 at Talladega Superspeedway, where he held off Joe Nemechek on the final lap in the No. 77 KODAK Chevrolet for BACE Motorsports. His best seasonal average finish was 19.0 in 1996, bolstered by the victory and consistent mid-pack runs. Earlier highlights included two top-five finishes in 1990, with runner-up results at Talladega and Michigan International Speedway, contributing to a strong 19.3 average finish that year. He earned poles at North Carolina Speedway in 1989 and Dover Motor Speedway in 1990.[58] Among notable tracks, Sacks performed best at Daytona International Speedway with an average finish of 10.0 over multiple starts, including competitive superspeedway efforts.[59] His final Xfinity Series appearance came in 2010 at Road America, starting 23rd and finishing 21st in the No. 28 Black's Tire Chevrolet.Year-by-Year Statistics
| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Poles | Avg. Finish | Points Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29.3 | 69th |
| 1990 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 19.3 | 45th |
| 1995 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36.0 | 70th |
| 1996 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19.0 | 57th |
| 1997 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23.0 | 34th |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34.0 | 123rd |
| 2004 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 | 144th |
| 2010 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21.0 | 113th |
| Total | 34 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 24.9 | - |
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Statistics
Greg Sacks' participation in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series was limited, with only one official start across his career, reflecting his primary focus on higher-tier series while occasionally venturing into trucks for select opportunities.[56] This single appearance occurred in 2004, during a period when Sacks was exploring part-time entries in the series amid his ongoing research and development testing roles with various NASCAR teams.[45] In the 2004 O'Reilly 400K at Texas Motor Speedway, an intermediate oval track known for its high speeds and demanding handling on heavier trucks, Sacks piloted the No. 48 Dodge for Ron Smith Racing.[44] Qualifying 32nd out of 34 entrants, he managed to complete just 6 of the scheduled 167 laps before retiring early, resulting in a 32nd-place finish.[60] The low completion rate in this race underscored the mechanical and durability challenges inherent to Truck Series competition, where equipment reliability often determined outcomes for underfunded or occasional entries like Sacks'. Sacks attempted to qualify for two additional Truck Series events in 2004 but failed to secure spots in the field, limiting his overall involvement that year and across the decade.[56] Over his lone start, he recorded no wins, top-5 finishes, or top-10 results, with an average starting position of 32.0 and an average finishing position of 32.0.[45]| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Starts | 1 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Top 5s | 0 |
| Top 10s | 0 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Average Start | 32.0 |
| Average Finish | 32.0 |
| Laps Led | 0 |
| DNFs (1 start) | 1 |
| Completion Rate | 3.6% |
ARCA Menards Series Statistics
Greg Sacks made seven starts in the ARCA Menards Series (formerly ARCA Re/Max Series) from 2003 to 2005, primarily as supplementary events during a period of reduced NASCAR national series activity. He recorded no wins or pole positions but earned one runner-up finish and two top-10 results, with an average finishing position of 19.6 across those outings. Sacks led 48 laps in total, demonstrating occasional competitiveness in the developmental series despite his veteran status and limited schedule.[61] His most notable ARCA performance was a second-place finish in the 2003 ReadyHosting.com 200 at Chicagoland Speedway, starting from the outside pole and leading 31 of 134 laps before settling behind winner Frank Kimmel. Other highlights included a seventh-place run at the season-opening 2003 Daytona event, where he completed all 80 laps. Sacks experienced mechanical issues and crashes in several races, such as a transmission failure at Pocono in 2003 (26th) and a radiator problem at Nashville in 2004 (38th), but he completed the full distance in four of his seven starts.| Year | Starts | Wins | Top 5s | Top 10s | Laps Led | Avg. Start | Avg. Finish | Points Standings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 36 | 20.5 | 13.5 | 40th |
| 2004 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 18.0 | 33.0 | 139th |
| 2005 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19.0 | 17.0 | 127th |
| Total | 7 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 48 | 19.3 | 19.6 | N/A |