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David Pearson (racing driver)
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David Gene Pearson (December 22, 1934 – November 12, 2018) was an American stock car driver, who raced from 1960 to 1986 in the former NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series (now called the NASCAR Cup Series), most notably driving the No. 21 Mercury for Wood Brothers Racing. Pearson won the 1960 NASCAR Rookie of the Year award[2] and three Cup Series championships (1966, 1968, and 1969). He never missed a race in the years he was active.[2] NASCAR described his 1974 season as an indication of his "consistent greatness", finishing third in the season points having competed in only nineteen of thirty races.[3] Pearson's career paralleled Richard Petty's, the driver who has won the most races in NASCAR history.[4] They accounted for 63 first/second-place finishes, with the edge going to Pearson. Petty had two-hundred wins in 1,184 starts, while Pearson had 105 wins in 574 starts. Pearson was nicknamed the "Fox" (and later the "Silver Fox") for his calculated approach to racing.[5]
Key Information
At his finalist nomination for NASCAR Hall of Fame's inaugural 2010 class, NASCAR described Pearson as "... the model of NASCAR efficiency during his career. With little exaggeration, when Pearson showed up at a race track, he won."[3] Pearson ended his career in 1986, and holds the second position on NASCAR's all-time win list with 105 victories; as well as achieving 113 pole positions.[2] Pearson was successful in different venues of racing; he won three times on road courses, 48 times on superspeedways, 54 times on short tracks, and had 23 dirt track wins.[2] Pearson finished with at least one top-ten finish in each of his 27 seasons. ESPN described him as being a "plain-spoken, humble man, and that added up to...."[6]
Petty had high praises for Pearson, saying, "He could beat you on a short track, he could beat you on a superspeedway, he could beat you on a road course, he could beat you on a dirt track. It didn't hurt as bad to lose to Pearson as it did to some of the others, because I knew how good he was."[4] Pearson said of Petty: "I always felt that if I beat him I beat the best, and I heard he said the same thing about me." Petty went further by saying that he believed Pearson would have pulled off 200 victories like him, if he ran the full schedules of NASCAR racing.
Background
[edit]Pearson was born near Spartanburg, South Carolina. When Pearson was young, he climbed a tree at the local stock car racing track (Spartanburg Fairgrounds) to see the races. Pearson said, "I'd always been interested in cars, and I decided right then that was what I wanted to do with my life." He worked with his brother in a car body repair shop and used the money earned to purchase a Ford coach. Pearson removed the fenders to convert the vehicle into a street rod. He jumped the car over ditches until he rolled it over. His mother paid him to junk the car, and he used the money to purchase another car to build. In 1952, he raced a 1940 Ford at dirt tracks and won $30 in an outlaw class race. He kept winning and attracted the attention of Spartanburg's racing community, including Joe Littlejohn.[7]
Career
[edit]1960s
[edit]Pearson began racing in NASCAR's Grand National series during the 1960 season[8] shortly after winning the 1959 track championship at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.[9] His first NASCAR start was the first 1960 Daytona 500 qualifying race and he finished 17th in a self-owned car that he had purchased from Jack White.[7][10] He started 22 events that season, finishing 23rd in season points and was voted the 1960 NASCAR Rookie of the Year. His season was highlighted by a second-place finish at Gamecock Speedway (Sumter, South Carolina), a fourth-place finish at Hickory Motor Speedway and fifth after starting on the pole position at his hometown track at Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds in Spartanburg.[8]
When Pearson bent the frame of his own race car early in the 1961 season, he began working as a house roofer in Spartanburg to support his family, which included two sons.[11] Darel Dieringer had a contract dispute with a tire company and was not able to compete in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte. Littlejohn was at the track, and he recommended that car builder Ray Fox hire Pearson. Pearson was unsure if he should join the team, and Fox was not convinced that he should trust his car to the relatively untested 26-year-old driver.[11]
After Pearson had a successful test run, he qualified the car with the third fastest time behind Richard Petty and Joe Weatherly. Pearson raced his way into the lead early in the event and was the leader after the first round of pit stops. Pearson and Petty were the only two cars on the lead lap by a restart on the 311th lap (of 400). Petty made up six seconds on Pearson in twenty laps before Petty had to retire with a blown engine. Pearson held a three lap lead over Fireball Roberts and was leading late in the race until he ran over some debris on the backstretch and blew a tire with only two laps remaining. Pearson drove the car around the track slowly for the final lap at approximately 20 miles per hour (32 km/h) to take the victory.[11]
He started in 19 races during the 1961 season and he had three wins to finish thirteenth in season points,[12] winning his first NASCAR race in a Fox-prepared car at Concord Speedway.[13] Later in the season, he won the Firecracker 250 at Daytona and the Dixie 400 at Atlanta.[13]
Pearson started in only twelve of 53 events in 1962 yet managed to finish tenth in season points.[14] Pearson began the season racing for Fox until Fox retired;[7] he started for Petty Enterprises, Cotton Owens, and Bud Moore that season.[15] He had seven top ten finishes and no wins.[15] During 41 starts in 55 races, Pearson finished the 1963 season sixth in points for Cotton Owens.[16] He held two pole positions and had no wins.[17][18]
In 1964, he had eight wins at Richmond, Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Occoneechee Speedway, Boyd Speedway, Lincoln Speedway, Rambi Raceway, Columbia Speedway and Hickory Motor Speedway.[19] Pearson finished third in the championship, which was won by Petty for the first time.[19] He qualified on the pole position for twelve events.[18]
NASCAR banned the Mopar Hemi engine in 1965, so Petty and Pearson boycotted many races rather than compete with a non-competitive engine against Ford and Mercury drivers.[20] Both competed in drag racing. Pearson drove a Dodge Dart station wagon nicknamed the "Cotton Picker" for Owens.[21] NASCAR owner Bill France, Sr. adjusted the engine rules later in the season to bring back Mopar drivers; Petty and Pearson ended up competing in fourteen of 55 events. Pearson won two of the final 21 races (Columbia and Richmond) to finish fortieth in the season points.[20]
In his second full-time season, Pearson won his first of three NASCAR championships in 1966.[22] He won fifteen of 49 events, which was the second most in NASCAR history at that time.[22] Early in the season, Pearson won at Hickory, Columbia, Greenville-Pickens, and Winston-Salem Speedway to complete four straight victories.[23][24] Throughout the season, Pearson won at Richmond, Dog Track Speedway, New Asheville Speedway, Smokey Mountain Raceway, the second Greenville-Pickens race, Bridgehampton Race Circuit, Fonda Speedway, Bowman Gray Stadium, and the second Richmond race.[23]
Pearson ran a partial season in 1967, competing in 22 of 48 races.[22] He began the season racing for Cotton Owens before switching after the thirteenth race to Holman Moody.[25] Pearson quit after there was a misunderstanding about who would drive the team's tow truck.[26] Dodge decided to stop racing in NASCAR, so Pearson switched away from Owen's Dodges in favor of Holman Moody's Fords.[24] He had two wins (Bristol, Greenville-Pickens), both for Owens, in a season that was dominated by Petty's all-time record 27 victories (including all-time record 10 straight).[27][28] Pearson finished seventh in season points.[27]
In the second season of running the full schedule, Petty and Pearson each won 16 races during 1968; Pearson won the championship and Petty finished third.[29] Pearson competed primarily for Holman-Moody, winning at Bristol, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, Asheville-Weaverville Speedway, Darlington, Beltsville Speedway, Langley Field Speedway, Charlotte, Middle Georgia Raceway, Bristol, Nashville Speedway, Columbia, Bowman-Gray, Asheville-Weaverville, Hickory, and Augusta Speedway.[30] He added twelve pole positions.[30]
Pearson won his third and final championship in his final season running the full schedule in 1969.[31] The championship tied Pearson with Lee Petty for the most championships in NASCAR history (Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Jimmie Johnson hold the current record with seven titles each).[24] He started out the season at the 1969 Daytona 500 by being the first driver to qualify faster than 190 miles per hour with a speed of 190.029 miles per hour (305.822 km/h).[7][32]
In 51 starts, he had eleven wins, 42 top-fives, and 44 top-tens. He earned a record $229,760 for his effort.[31] Pearson completed 14,270 laps in 1969, which is the most laps ever in a NASCAR Cup season.[33] He was one of eleven drivers to boycott the first race at Talladega after concerns with the tires; he rejoined the tour at the following event.[24]
1970s
[edit]
The 1970 season started with Pearson competing part-time, as he would for the rest of his career. Pearson led the Daytona 500 under caution with thirteen laps remaining and changed only his right side tires in a two-tire pit stop. Pete Hamilton did a four-tire stop and passed Pearson after the restart for the victory.[34] In nineteen starts, he won a single race (Darlington) and earned two pole positions (Bristol, Darlington) to finish 23rd in points.[35]
R. J. Reynolds began sponsoring NASCAR in 1971 and the Grand National series was retitled the Winston Cup Series.[36] Holman Moody and Pearson split near the middle of the season after Pearson refused to take a 10% pay cut.[37] He won two races before the split (Daytona Twin 125 and Bristol) and four-second-place finishes.[37] Pearson finished the season by competing in seven races for Ray Nichels.[37] He recorded one top-ten finish (eighth at the July Daytona race), but suffered mechanical problems in all of the other races.[37] For the season he finished 51st in points after competing in 17 races with nine top-tens and eight top-fives.[37]
At R. J. Reynolds' request, NASCAR began cutting down on the number of races in 1972 season by eliminating midweek races.[38] It also dropped thirteen short tracks and had a 31-race schedule.[38][39] Pearson began racing for the Wood Brothers that season.[40] He raced in seventeen of the events and had six wins, which earned him a twentieth place finish in the season points.[39] Pearson was racing against Bobby Isaac and Buddy Baker at the end of the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway when Jimmy Crawford spun into Isaac; Pearson won the race.[39] He won later that season at the Firecracker 400, a race that he would win three straight times.[41]
While Pearson only started in 18 (of 28) races during 1973, he was named the NASCAR driver of the Year after finishing eighth in points.[2][42] He won eleven of those eighteen races in the Wood Brothers Mercury.[43] His 61% win percentage is the highest in NASCAR history.[44] He had wins at North Carolina Motor Speedway (Rockingham), Atlanta, Darlington, Martinsville, Talladega, Dover, Michigan, second Daytona race, second Atlanta race, second Dover race, and the second Rockingham race.[45] The remaining seven races contained four Did Not Finishes (DNFs), two-second-place finishes and one third place.[45] At the first Rockingham event, Pearson led 499 of 500 miles, giving up the lead only for a pit stop.[46] He won eight pole positions with a 3.4 average starting position.[45]
Pearson finished third in the 1974 points after competing in nineteen of thirty events.[47] It was the only season where drivers were awarded points based on their money earnings, which ended up rewarding drivers who finished high in the big-money races.[48] He won seven races, including the Winston 500 by 0.17 seconds over Benny Parsons.[47] Pearson began to earn the nickname of "silver fox" after the 1974 Firecracker 400. Entering the final lap, he was leading followed closely by Petty. Fearing that Petty would do a slingshot pass, he slowed a little, pulled his car off to the side to simulate a blown motor, and threw his hand up in the air as a motion of defeat. Petty quickly passed opening a lead of several car lengths exiting turn 2. Using the draft, Pearson closed in quickly down the backstretch and through turns 3 and 4 and drew right behind Petty. Coming out of the final corner, Pearson pulled to the inside and did a slingshot pass back to win the race by a car length.[49] The International Race of Champions (IROC) invited him to participate in their first annual all-star stock car racing series for the 1973–74 season and he finished fourth of the twelve drivers.[50]
In 1975, NASCAR changed to the points system that it would use for nearly three decades until the current Chase for the Cup format was implemented in 2004.[47] ABC televised the second half of the 1975 Daytona 500 and drew a 10.5 rating opposite an 8.6 rating for an NBA game and a 4.1 for an NHL game.[51] Pearson took the lead back from Benny Parsons on lap 177 and began to pull away. Petty, who was eight laps down after several unscheduled pit stops due to engine overheating, began drafting with Parsons and the duo started closing on Pearson. With less than three laps to go, Pearson collided Cale Yarborough on the backstretch and spun out into the grass. Parsons won the race by a lap over Bobby Allison. After the race, Pearson complained that Petty showed favoritism by helping Parsons.[5] His attempt to win his third consecutive Winston 500 fell short when he was unable to catch Baker. Despite these near-wins, he won three times in 21 attempts. He finished fourteenth in points in the thirty–event season.[51] He competed in the second annual IROC season during 1974/75 and he finished sixth in points.[52]
The 1976 Daytona 500 is known for the final lap battle between Pearson and Petty.[53] In 2007, ESPN rated the race as the fourth most interesting Daytona 500.[54] Petty was leading Pearson going into the last lap by a couple of car lengths.[55] Pearson used the draft to attempt a slingshot pass against Petty at the end of the back stretch on the last lap,[55] but his car pushed high into the final turn while going around another car. Petty edged under Pearson, and their cars crashed into each other on the frontstretch in the final turns.[55] They both spun out into the infield grass approximately 100 feet (30 meters) short of the finish line.[55] Benny Parsons who was driving the third place car, was over a lap behind the disabled cars.[55] With Petty unable to restart his car, Pearson slowly drove his Wood Brothers Mercury over the grassy infield past the finish line for his only Daytona 500 victory.[49][53] He won a series-best ten races in 1976, but finished ninth in season points after competing in only 22 of 30 events.[56] He won his only IROC race at the first race of IROC III in 1975/1976 at Michigan International Speedway and finished fifth in points.[57]
Pearson finished 13th in the 1977 NASCAR points, with two wins in 22 (of thirty) races.[58] IROC invited him to participate in IROC IV in 1976/77 and he finished ninth in the four race series.[59]
He competed in 22 races (of thirty) again in 1978, winning four times for a sixteenth place finish in the season points.[60] In March, Pearson won his one-hundredth Winston Cup race at Rockingham.[60] Late in the World 600, Pearson was battling for the win against Parsons until Parsons' spin collected both drivers. Darrell Waltrip edged Donnie Allison for the victory.[60] Pearson competed in his final IROC race in June 1978 during IROC V.[61]
Pearson began 1979 by winning the pole position at year's first race at Riverside; he finished in second place.[62] 1979 was Pearson's final season racing for the Wood Brothers,[40] with his last race happening at Darlington.[62] After a miscommunication, he left the pits without waiting for the pit crew to place lug nuts on the car and the tires fell off the car when he reached the end of pit lane.[26] Pearson quit the team after the race.[26] Pearson had won 43 races between 1972 and 79 while driving for the Wood Brothers.[40] Later during the season, Rod Osterlund's rookie driver, Dale Earnhardt, suffered a shoulder injury.[26] Osterlund hired Pearson to replace Earnhardt during four races; he collected the pole position at Michigan and won the 1979 Southern 500.[26][62] For the season, Pearson had competed in nine races and finished 32nd in points.[63] Fans voted him as NASCAR's Most Popular Driver.[64]
1980s
[edit]Pearson raced for Hoss Ellington during the 1980 season.[65] He won the rain shortened 1980 CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 at Darlington for his final Cup win.[26] He started nine times to finish 37th in season points.[18][66] Pearson qualified on the pole position at Charlotte for his eleventh straight time and he had started on the front row in fifteen straight races between 1972 and 1980.[11] In 1981, he raced in six races for four owners.[67] His season was highlighted by winning the pole position for Kennie Childers at Dover and two top-ten finishes at Darlington.[67]
Bobby Hawkins hired Pearson to race in six events during 1982.[68] He started on the pole position at Charlotte and Darlington and had top-five finishes at the July Daytona race and Charlotte.[68] He ended the thirty-race season in 37th place in the point standings.[68] Pearson entered his first NASCAR Busch Grand National (now Xfinity Series) race that season.[42] He won the pole position for that race at Bristol and he finished second.[69] Pearson raced in two more Busch races that season (Dover, North Carolina), starting second and first; he finished fifth and first.[69] The North Carolina win was his only Busch victory.[42]
Pearson raced in ten events for Hawkins in 1983.[70] He had four top ten finishes, including eighth and third place finishes at Daytona, and finished 33rd in points.[70] He started from the pole position for his final Busch Grand National race at Dover; it resulted in a twelfth place finish.[71] In 1984, Pearson raced in eleven events for Hawkins and finished 41st in the season points.[72][73] He had three top ten finishes, all ninth place finishes, at the Daytona 500, World 600, and the Miller 400.[72]
Pearson raced in twelve races during 1985, the first eight for Hoss Ellington and the final four for himself.[74] He had an average start of 9.2, but ten DNFs resulted in an average finish over thirtieth place. He had one top ten finish at the July Daytona race and finished 36th in points.[74][75] 1986 was Pearson's final season in NASCAR. Pearson drove his own car in two events. After a DNF at Charlotte, he finished tenth in his final race at the August Michigan event.[76]
After a three-year hiatus, Pearson planned to come out of retirement in 1989, replacing the injured Neil Bonnett in the Wood Brothers' No. 21 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Following testing for the event, however, he suffered severe neck and back pain, and chose instead to announce his retirement; Tommy Ellis replaced Pearson for the race.[77]
Legacy
[edit]The National Motor Sports Press Association's Hall of Fame inducted Pearson in 1991,[40] and inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1993.[1] He was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Court of Legends in 1998.[40] He was one of ten finalists for the Driver of the Quarter Century (1967–91) sponsored by a United States businessman; Mario Andretti won the award.[78] In mid-1999, Sports Illustrated used votes from 40 NASCAR insiders to name Pearson the Top Stock Car Driver of the Twentieth Century.[79]
In 2009, Pearson was one of the 25 nominees for the first class to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.[80] NASCAR named the five people to be inducted in its 2010 class and it stated that he finished between sixth and eighth place.[81] Pearson left the premises ten minutes after the inductees were announced.[82] The snub drew public criticism and some writers predicted that he will be the headliner for the 2011 class.[6][82]
At the induction ceremony, Pearson said that he felt the inaugural class should include more pioneers such as Raymond Parks, Tim Flock, and Lee Petty. Pearson said "I feel like if I was going in next year and I knew Raymond Parks wasn't, I'd withdraw my name to get him in." In 2010, Pearson was named to the 2011 class in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.[83] He received the most votes, from 50 of 53 voters. "I am just proud that that many people thought enough to vote for me", Pearson said. He added that he had not felt slighted by Bill France Jr. beating him into the 2010 class by one vote.[83] He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 23, 2011.[84]
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.)
Grand National Series
[edit]Winston Cup Series
[edit]Daytona 500
[edit]| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | Pearson Racing | Chevrolet | 33 | 28 |
| 1961 | Tony Lavati | Pontiac | 30 | 21 |
| 1962 | Fox Racing | Pontiac | 2 | 6 |
| 1963 | Owens Racing | Dodge | 50 | 48 |
| 1964 | 7 | 30 | ||
| 1966 | 12 | 3 | ||
| 1967 | 15 | 24 | ||
| 1968 | Holman-Moody | Ford | 4 | 5 |
| 1969 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1970 | 31 | 2 | ||
| 1971 | Mercury | 4 | 4 | |
| 1973 | Wood Brothers Racing | Mercury | 20 | 33 |
| 1974 | 1 | 35 | ||
| 1975 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1976 | 7 | 1 | ||
| 1977 | 5 | 21 | ||
| 1978 | 5 | 34 | ||
| 1979 | 9 | 37 | ||
| 1981 | Halpern Enterprises | Chevrolet | 9 | 29 |
| 1983 | Bobby Hawkins Racing | Chevrolet | 15 | 8 |
| 1984 | 11 | 9 | ||
| 1985 | Ellington Racing | Chevrolet | 4 | 28 |
Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series
[edit]| NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman 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 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | NBLMSSC | Pts | Ref |
| 1982 | Pearson Racing | 21 | Pontiac | DAY | RCH | BRI 2* |
MAR | DAR 3 |
HCY | SBO | CRW | RCH | LGY | DOV 5 |
HCY | CLT | ASH | HCY | SBO | CAR 1 |
CRW | SBO | HCY | LGY | IRP 19 |
BRI | HCY | RCH | MAR | CLT | HCY | MAR | 35th | 776 | [112] | ||||||
| 1983 | Ford | DAY | RCH | CAR | HCY | MAR | NWS | SBO | GPS | LGY | DOV 12 |
BRI | CLT | SBO | HCY | ROU | SBO | ROU | CRW | ROU | SBO | HCY | LGY | IRP | GPS | BRI | HCY | DAR | RCH | NWS | SBO | MAR | ROU | CLT | HCY | MAR | 112th | 127 | [113] | ||
International Race of Champions
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.)
| International Race of Champions results | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Make | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Pos. | Pts | Ref |
| 1973–74 | Porsche | RSD 9 |
RSD 2 |
RSD 4 |
DAY 4 |
4th | $14,600 | [114] | |||
| 1974–75 | Chevy | MCH 3 |
RSD 4 |
RSD 11 |
DAY 5 |
6th | $16,500 | [115] | |||
| 1975–76 | MCH 1 |
RSD 10 |
RSD 8 |
DAY 4 |
5th | $21,000 | [116] | ||||
| 1976–77 | MCH 10 |
RSD 2 |
RSD 11 |
DAY 6 |
9th | $10,500 | [117] | ||||
| 1978–79 | MCH 5 |
MCH | RSD | RSD | ATL | NA | - | [118] | |||
Personal life
[edit]Pearson's wife Helen Ruth Pearson predeceased him in 1991.[119] He had three sons, Larry Pearson, Ricky Pearson, and Eddie Pearson.[79] Larry raced in NASCAR and he was the 1986 and 1987 Busch Series champion. Ricky Pearson was general manager and a crew chief for Buckshot Jones/Buckshot Racing when they won two Busch Series races.[120]
In December 2014, Pearson suffered a mild stroke which partially paralyzed the left half of his body, from which he recovered.[121] Pearson died on November 12, 2018, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at the age of 83. No cause was given.[122]
References
[edit]- ^ a b David Pearson at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America
- ^ a b c d e Fleischman, Bill; Pearce, Al (1999). The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide (1998–99). Farmington Hills, Michigan: Visible Ink Press. pp. 197. ISBN 1-57859-111-2.
- ^ a b "Inaugural Class of 2010 Nominee: David Pearson". NASCAR. 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
- ^ a b Hinton, Ed (March 25, 2009). "Pearson: Just drive the car". ESPN. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b Falk, Duane (2002). The Daytona 500:The Great American Race. Michael Friedman Publishing Group. pp. 71–72. ISBN 1-58663-169-1.
- ^ a b Hinton, Ed (October 16, 2009). "Pearson's plight could be bad news for Johnson". ESPN. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ a b c d Jones, Anne B.; White, Rex (2007). All around the track. McFarland. pp. 134–136. ISBN 978-0-7864-2988-2. Retrieved November 18, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 31
- ^ "Track Champions". Greenville-Pickens Speedway. 2009. Archived from the original on May 4, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 307
- ^ a b c d Aumann, Mark (May 12, 2009). "Pearson career soars after Dieringer contract dispute". NASCAR. Archived from the original on October 9, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 32
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 323
- ^ Fleischman, page 33
- ^ a b "1962 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ "1963 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 34
- ^ a b c "David Pearson career NASCAR driving statistics". Racing Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, pp. 324–325
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 35
- ^ McGee, Ryan (September 18, 2009). "Pearson looks right at home in NHRA". ESPN: The magazine. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
- ^ a b c Fleischman, p. 36
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 325
- ^ a b c d Cross, Duane (September 9, 2009). "Forty years later, Pearson still seminal driver of '60s". NASCAR. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ "1967 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f Cross, B. Duane (December 12, 2005). "Cross' Words: Pearson remains gold standard". NASCAR. Retrieved January 19, 2010.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 37
- ^ El-Bashir, Tarik (August 28, 1998). "AUTO RACING; A Record for Gordon Is Only Miles Away". The New York Times. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 38
- ^ a b "1968 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 39
- ^ "1969 DAYTONA 500 Results". Daytona International Speedway. Archived from the original on December 28, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 309
- ^ Falk, page 62
- ^ "1970 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ Rodman, Dave (June 5, 2007). "Timeline: Bill France Jr". NASCAR. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e "1971 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 41
- ^ a b c Fleischman, page 54
- ^ a b c d e "David Pearson". NASCAR. January 22, 2003. Retrieved August 29, 2009.
- ^ Falk, page 70
- ^ a b c "David Pearson driving statistics". NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 55
- ^ Fleischman, page 311
- ^ a b c "Pearson's 1973 driving statistics". NASCAR. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ Fleischman, page 56
- ^ a b c Fleischman, page 58
- ^ Fleischman, page 57
- ^ a b Ganchy, Sally (2008). Great Moments in NASCAR Racing. Rosen Publishing Group. pp. 8–10. ISBN 978-1-4042-1397-5. Retrieved November 21, 2009.
- ^ "1973–74 IROC drivers standings". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 59
- ^ "1974–75 IROC drivers standings". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b Fleischman, page 60
- ^ Blount, Terry (February 15, 2007). "No. 4 most memorable Daytona 500: The crash". ESPN. Retrieved December 19, 2009.
- ^ a b c d e Falk, page 73-4
- ^ Fleischman, page 61
- ^ "1975–76 IROC drivers standings". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 62
- ^ "1976–77 IROC drivers standings". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b c Fleischman, page 63
- ^ "IROC drivers standings". Racing Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b c "1979 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 66
- ^ "History: Most Popular Driver". NASCAR. 2007. Archived from the original on November 28, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ "1980 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 77
- ^ a b "1981 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 14, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b c "1982 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ a b "1982 season results". NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "1983 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ "1983 season results". NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "1984 Driver's statistics". NASCAR. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 83
- ^ a b "1985 David Pearson race results". Racing Reference. Archived from the original on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
- ^ Fleischman, page 84
- ^ "1986 Driver's statistics". NASCAR. Retrieved November 16, 2009.
- ^ "David Pearson Retires". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida. September 28, 1989. p. 3C. Retrieved November 17, 2013.
- ^ "Andretti Is Honored". The New York Times. October 7, 1992. pp. B12. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
- ^ a b "South Carolina Concurrent Resolution 4658" (DOC). South Carolina. 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2010.
- ^ "NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees a who's who of stars". USA Today. July 2, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.
- ^ Menzer, Joe (October 14, 2009). "Pearson's exclusion the surprise of inaugural vote". NASCAR. Retrieved December 14, 2009.
- ^ a b Bowles, Tom (October 15, 2009). "Pearson, Yarborough top list for NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2011". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on October 18, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
- ^ a b "NASCAR Hall of Fame reveals new class". ESPN. October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2010.
- ^ Fryer, Jenna (May 23, 2011). "NASCAR inducts 2nd Hall of Fame class". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1960 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1961 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1962 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1963 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1964 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1965 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1966 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1967 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1970 NASCAR Grand National Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 24, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1982 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1974 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1975 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1976 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1977 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ "David Pearson – 1979 IROC Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved October 23, 2020.
- ^ Green, David (July 23, 1991). "Helen Pearson was the heart of racing family". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Retrieved May 22, 2010.
- ^ "Buckshot at the Big Time". Toledo Blade. Associated Press. January 15, 1999. Retrieved November 21, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "NASCAR legend David Pearson recovering from stroke". Fox Sports. January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
- ^ "David Pearson, NASCAR's Silver Fox, has died at 83". Associated Press. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.
External links
[edit]- David Pearson driver statistics at Racing-Reference
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David Pearson (racing driver)
View on GrokipediaEarly Life
Birth and Family Background
David Gene Pearson was born on December 22, 1934, in Whitney, a textile mill village in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.[6] He grew up in a working-class family during the height of the region's textile industry, where mill work provided the primary means of livelihood for many residents amid economic challenges following the Great Depression.[7] Pearson was the son of Eura A. "E.A." Pearson and Lennie Harris Pearson, both of whom labored in the Whitney Mill, reflecting the typical family dynamics of the area's mill village communities where multiple generations often shared similar occupations.[8] He had an older brother, Bill Pearson, and a sister, Josephine Brown, contributing to a close-knit household shaped by the rhythms of mill shifts and community interdependence in Spartanburg's industrial landscape.[9] The textile mill town culture profoundly influenced Pearson's early years, instilling values of hard work and resourcefulness while limiting opportunities beyond factory employment; the family resided in modest mill housing, and young David was expected to follow his parents into mill labor after leaving school in the ninth grade.[10] During his childhood, Pearson's hobbies centered on mechanical pursuits, as he frequently tinkered with old automobiles in the neighborhood, gaining initial hands-on exposure through family vehicles and interactions with local mechanics in the Whitney area.[11] This environment, surrounded by the hum of machinery both in the mills and on nearby roads, laid the groundwork for his fascination with engines and speed.[12]Entry into Local Racing
Pearson began his racing career in 1952 at the age of 17, entering his first competitive event at a hobby race in Woodruff, South Carolina, driving a modified 1940 Ford on a local dirt track.[13][14] He finished first in that debut, earning a modest $13 prize, which fueled his passion despite the limited financial reward.[13] Woodruff, located in the Spartanburg area of upstate South Carolina, served as an entry point into the regional dirt track scene, where Pearson quickly adapted to the demands of short-track racing on loose surfaces.[10] Throughout the early 1950s, Pearson competed regularly on Southeast dirt tracks, including circuits around Spartanburg and Greenville-Pickens Speedway, honing his skills in the modified and sportsman divisions.[10] He secured multiple wins in these classes, building a reputation for smooth, precise driving that allowed him to excel on unforgiving dirt ovals.[10] Early mentors such as Bud Moore and Cotton Owens, prominent figures in the Spartanburg racing community, provided guidance and introduced him to local speed shops and preparation techniques, helping him navigate the informal networks of Southern stock car racing.[13] By 1959, Pearson had claimed the track championship at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, dominating thirty of forty-two dirt track events that year.[10] Financial constraints posed significant challenges during these formative years, as Pearson balanced racing with odd jobs, including work at a gas station, to cover basic expenses.[11] Unable to afford new equipment, he relied on resourcefulness, building and maintaining his own race cars from scrap parts sourced through his brother Bill's body shop in Greer, South Carolina—including modifying a 1949 Ford for competition on Spartanburg-area tracks.[15][10] Supporters in the local racing community often pooled resources to help, such as after his 1959 championship win, underscoring the grassroots support that sustained his early efforts amid tight budgets and mechanical improvisation.[10]Professional Career
1960s: Debut and Championships
Pearson made his NASCAR Grand National Series debut in 1960 during the first qualifying race for the Daytona 500, finishing 17th in a self-owned No. 67 Chevrolet. Competing in 22 of the 44 events that season on a partial schedule, he recorded one pole position, seven top-10 finishes, and earned Rookie of the Year honors, signaling his potential as a top contender despite no victories.[1][16][17] Pearson’s rapid rise continued through the mid-1960s, culminating in his first championship in 1966 with team owner Cotton Owens behind the wheel of the No. 6 Dodge Charger. Running 42 of 49 races, he secured 15 wins—including sweeps at short tracks like Hickory and Richmond—and led the points for most of the season, edging out Richard Petty by 104 points for the title in a year when Petty set a then-record with 27 victories. This success underscored Pearson's emerging rivalry with Petty, as the two frequently dueled for supremacy on tracks across the circuit.[18][5] Transitioning to the Holman-Moody team in 1968, Pearson drove the No. 17 Ford Torino to remarkable dominance, winning 16 races in 48 starts for a championship-clinching performance that highlighted his precise, smooth driving approach. He defended the title in 1969 with 11 victories in 51 races, maintaining high consistency through efficient resource management on the track. These back-to-back championships, achieved amid intense competition from drivers like Petty and Bobby Allison, cemented Pearson's reputation as a master tactician in NASCAR's evolving professional landscape during the decade.[19][20][21]1970s: Peak with Wood Brothers
David Pearson's partnership with the Wood Brothers Racing team, which began in 1972, marked the pinnacle of his NASCAR career and transformed the small Virginia-based operation into a dominant force on the circuit. After securing championships in 1968 and 1969 with other teams, Pearson joined the Woods for a selective schedule that emphasized preparation and major events, allowing the team to compete effectively without the strain of a full-season commitment. This collaboration yielded 43 victories over the course of the decade, showcasing Pearson's precision driving paired with the team's innovative pit strategies and mechanical reliability.[22] One of the era's defining moments came in the 1976 Daytona 500, where Pearson delivered his sole victory in the prestigious event amid a thrilling last-lap duel with rival Richard Petty. Leading into the final turn, Pearson attempted a slingshot pass, but Petty's counter-move hooked his left rear, sending both cars spinning into the wall short of the finish line. Pearson's Mercury Montego, with its engine still running, limped across the line at low speed, edging Petty—who had stalled in the infield—by mere inches in what became NASCAR's most iconic photo finish. This win, the Wood Brothers' first in the Daytona 500, highlighted Pearson's composure under pressure and the duo's synergy in high-stakes superspeedway racing.[23] Pearson's mastery extended to Darlington Raceway, often called "The Track Too Tough to Tame," where he amassed 10 career victories, six of them during his Wood Brothers tenure, including multiple triumphs in the Southern 500. His debut with the team at the 1972 Rebel 400 there ended in victory, setting the tone for a series of dominant performances characterized by flawless line management and minimal contact with the notoriously abrasive walls. These successes at Darlington, a track near Pearson's South Carolina roots, underscored his adaptability and contributed significantly to the team's reputation for excellence on egg-shaped ovals.[24][25] Central to this peak period was Pearson's strategic approach to racing, limiting his starts to 15-20 events annually to focus on superspeedways and crown-jewel races, a tactic that preserved his health and maximized win rates. In 1973 alone, this part-time effort produced 11 victories in 18 starts—a 61% success rate that remains unparalleled in modern NASCAR history—demonstrating how the Wood Brothers' meticulous preparation amplified Pearson's natural talent. This selective philosophy not only sustained his competitive edge but also allowed the team to punch above its weight against larger operations.[26][27]1980s: Winding Down and Retirement
Following his successful tenure with the Wood Brothers in the 1970s, David Pearson transitioned to a series of limited schedules with various teams in the early 1980s, marking the beginning of his career wind-down. In 1980, he joined Hoss Ellington's operation for nine starts, driving a Chevrolet, and achieved his 105th and final NASCAR Cup Series victory in the team's debut race together—the CRC Chemicals Rebel 500 at Darlington Raceway on April 13, where he led 99 laps to defeat Benny Parsons by 3.3 seconds.[28][29] This win highlighted Pearson's enduring skill at age 45, though he finished 37th in the points standings that year after additional top-10 finishes at tracks like Charlotte and Bristol.[30][17] Pearson continued with part-time efforts across multiple teams, including stints with Rod Osterlund in 1981 (six starts, best finish eighth) and Bud Moore Engineering in 1983 (10 starts, four top-10 finishes), reflecting a deliberate reduction in racing commitments amid growing physical demands and sponsorship challenges.[31][32] By 1982, at age 47, he competed in six races primarily for Harry Ranier, posting a best finish of eighth at Riverside and ending the season 37th in points, after which he announced plans to scale back his Cup involvement significantly to focus on family and lower-tier racing with his son Larry.[33] Sporadic appearances followed, with 11 starts in 1984 and 12 in 1985 for teams like Ellington and his own short-lived effort, before two final owner-driver outings in 1986: a 36th-place finish at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May and a 10th at Michigan International Speedway in August, after which he stepped away from Cup competition entirely.[28][34][17] In 1989, at age 54, Pearson attempted a brief comeback with the Wood Brothers, his former team, to substitute for the injured Neil Bonnett in the No. 21 Ford at the October Charlotte Motor Speedway race. He impressed during testing by qualifying 14th with a lap time competitive enough to draw sponsor interest, but severe back and neck pain flared up the next day, compounded by the team's inability to secure funding without a committed backer, leading him to withdraw and officially retire from driving.[1][35][36] This episode underscored the physical toll of his 27-year career, during which he never ran a full season, yet amassed 105 wins—second only to Richard Petty at the time. Post-retirement, Pearson shifted to advisory roles in the garage area, sharing insights with drivers like Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman, and maintaining a presence at tracks as a revered elder statesman of the sport.[28]Other Racing Activities
International Race of Champions Participation
David Pearson debuted in the International Race of Champions (IROC) series during its inaugural season, IROC I, which spanned late 1973 and early 1974. Representing NASCAR alongside fellow stock car drivers Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, Pearson competed in identically prepared Porsche 911 Carrera RSR cars against elite racers from diverse disciplines, including IndyCar stars like A.J. Foyt and Bobby Unser, and Formula One talents such as Emerson Fittipaldi. At Riverside International Raceway in October 1973, he finished ninth in the second race and second in the third, demonstrating his quick adaptation to the rear-engine Porsche setup unfamiliar to most stock car drivers accustomed to front-engine machines.[37][38] Pearson's IROC involvement highlighted his versatility, as he navigated rivalries with top competitors from IndyCar and sports car racing while adjusting to the series' equalized equipment and varied track types, including road courses and ovals. Over multiple seasons, he accumulated 17 starts and one victory but no overall titles, often facing intense battles; for instance, in the opening race of IROC III on September 13, 1975, at Michigan International Speedway, Pearson secured his sole IROC victory in a 100-mile event using Chevrolet Camaros. Leading much of the 50-lap race amid frequent lead changes and a tight field where seven cars stayed within 100 feet, he edged out fellow NASCAR driver Bobby Allison for the win, with Foyt finishing third and Fittipaldi fifth—earning 12 points toward the four-race championship.[39][40] Participating across six seasons from 1973 to 1978, Pearson's consistent presence underscored his all-around skill, with his best championship finishes of fifth in IROC III (1975–76) and sixth in IROC II (1974–75). His final IROC appearance came in June 1978 during IROC V at Michigan, where he raced against multi-discipline stars in Camaros, further affirming his enduring adaptability beyond NASCAR ovals.[39]Late Model and Sportsman Series Involvement
Pearson's racing journey began in the early 1950s on dirt and pavement short tracks across the Carolinas, where he competed in local hobby and modified divisions. In 1952, at age 17, he made his debut at Woodruff Speedway in South Carolina, driving a 1940 Ford and earning $13 for his first victory, which ignited his passion for the sport.[14] By the mid-1950s, he had progressed to more competitive events at tracks like Greenville-Pickens Speedway, building a reputation for precise handling on tight ovals that foreshadowed his future success.[41] These grassroots experiences in the region's sportsman-style races provided the foundation for his transition to national competition, emphasizing mechanical sympathy and tactical racing over raw speed. In 1960, Pearson entered NASCAR's Late Model ranks with a self-owned Chevrolet, marking his formal step into structured stock car racing beyond local circuits. He debuted at the Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway, finishing 18th despite limited resources, and followed with a 10th-place run in the inaugural World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.[14] These early Late Model outings, often on short tracks in the Southeast, allowed him to refine his craft while balancing work as a mechanic, showcasing his ability to maximize underpowered equipment against established competitors. During the 1980s, as he scaled back from full-time NASCAR Cup Series commitments following his prime years with the Wood Brothers, Pearson turned to short-track racing to stay sharp and enjoy the sport's roots. He competed selectively in the Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series—the national touring division for modified stock cars that preceded the Busch Grand National Series—primarily at familiar ovals like Rockingham and Bristol. In 1982, his first full season in the series, Pearson captured the pole and victory in the inaugural Coca-Cola 200 at Rockingham Speedway, leading the majority of the laps in a dominant performance that highlighted his enduring short-track prowess.[42] He added wins in the Southeastern 150 at Bristol Motor Speedway that year and the Sportsman 200 at Dover International Speedway in 1983, accumulating three triumphs across 10 starts while finishing mid-pack in points due to his part-time schedule.[43] These efforts not only kept his competitive edge honed but also demonstrated his adaptability to the series' emphasis on close-quarters battling and fuel-mileage strategy. Pearson also ventured into high-profile short-track exhibitions, such as the annual Snowball Derby at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida, a marquee event drawing top regional talent. He entered the 300-lap race multiple times in the late 1970s and early 1980s, including a 1979 appearance where he ran near the front before retiring on lap 174 with engine trouble, finishing 20th.[44] In 1980, he secured a win in a supporting 25-lap feature at the same venue, underscoring his continued affinity for the high-banked, quarter-mile layout.[45] Through these lower-tier engagements, Pearson exemplified a bridge between NASCAR's elite and developmental levels, influencing the series by competing alongside emerging drivers and preserving the tactical, patient style that defined his career.Achievements and Legacy
Major Wins and Records
David Pearson secured 105 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series across 574 starts, a feat that ranks second all-time behind Richard Petty's 200 wins and equates to an 18.3% winning percentage, underscoring his exceptional efficiency on the track.[46][2] This tally includes standout performances during his tenure with teams like Cotton Owens and the Wood Brothers, where his selective scheduling allowed him to maximize success without full-season commitments.[1] At Darlington Raceway, known as the "Track Too Tough to Tame," Pearson established a record with 10 Cup Series wins, cementing his reputation as the circuit's master and earning him the enduring nickname "Mr. Darlington."[47][29] His prowess extended to superspeedways, where he claimed one Daytona 500 victory in 1976 driving for the Wood Brothers, a race famed for its thrilling last-lap duel with Petty that ended in a crash, allowing Pearson to limp across the finish line first after Petty spun into the wall.[48][23] Pearson's statistical milestones include capturing 12 poles during the 1968 season—his championship year—a mark that led the series that year and highlighted his qualifying dominance with 113 career poles overall.[49] He also holds the distinction for the highest single-season winning percentage in Cup history at 61.1%, achieved in 1973 with 11 triumphs in just 18 starts for the Wood Brothers, including multiple superspeedway victories that showcased his strategic selectivity.[26]Awards and Hall of Fame Honors
David Pearson was honored as the NASCAR Rookie of the Year in 1960 after posting competitive results in his debut season, including a pole position and several top finishes despite running only half the schedule.[1] He went on to secure three NASCAR Grand National Series championships in 1966, 1968, and 1969, driving primarily for the Cotton Owens and Holman-Moody teams, where his selective racing approach yielded a remarkable winning percentage.[2] Pearson's career accolades include induction into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993, recognizing his dominance with 105 Cup Series victories—second all-time—and eleven Daytona 500 starts, including a win in 1976.[14] He was enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as the top vote-getter in its second class, celebrated for his efficiency and 18.3% win rate across 574 starts.[1] In 1998, as part of NASCAR's 50th anniversary celebration, Pearson was named one of the 50 Greatest Drivers, highlighting his pivotal role in the sport's golden era alongside rivals like Richard Petty.[1] This recognition was expanded in 2023 when he was selected for NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers list, affirming his enduring legacy in the series' 75-year history.[50] Pearson received widespread media acclaim, including being voted Sports Illustrated's NASCAR Driver of the 20th Century in 1999 by a panel of 40 industry experts, who praised his precision and impact on stock car racing.[1] Other honors encompassed back-to-back National Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver awards in 1979 and 1980, reflecting his appeal among fans and peers.[51]Influence on NASCAR and Peers
David Pearson earned the enduring nickname "Silver Fox" due to his prematurely graying hair and his shrewd, calculated driving approach that prioritized equipment conservation and strategic patience over reckless aggression.[52][53] This style, often described as cunning and intuitive, allowed him to maximize performance while minimizing risks, setting him apart in an era of high-stakes endurance racing.[22] Longtime NASCAR radio announcer Barney Hall coined the moniker, which perfectly captured Pearson's sly on-track demeanor and his ability to outmaneuver competitors without unnecessary wear on his vehicle.[54] Pearson's selective participation in races—competing in only about half the schedule during his peak years—demonstrated that a part-time approach could still deliver elite results, including three championships and 105 victories across 574 starts.[55] This model proved that quality over quantity in race selection could yield sustained success, influencing the sport's understanding of driver workload and preparation.[1] Modern drivers, such as seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson, have drawn parallels to Pearson's smooth, efficient technique, with Johnson honoring him through a 2016 throwback paint scheme at Darlington Raceway that replicated Pearson's 1979 Lowe's-sponsored Mercury.[56][57] Following Pearson's death on November 12, 2018, at age 83, the NASCAR community issued widespread tributes, including official statements from the NASCAR Hall of Fame expressing condolences to his family and highlighting his unparalleled talent.[52] Drivers, team owners, and broadcasters shared remembrances on social media and in interviews, emphasizing his quiet demeanor and racing prowess, with figures like Dale Earnhardt Jr. calling him a profound influence on the sport.[58] In 2023, as part of NASCAR's 75th anniversary celebration, Pearson was named among the 75 Greatest Drivers in the sport's history, underscoring his enduring legacy.[50] Pearson extended his impact through mentorship of family members and peers, fostering the next generation of racers while elevating team legacies. His sons, Larry and Ricky, pursued careers in NASCAR, with Larry securing back-to-back Xfinity Series championships in 1986 and 1987 under David's ownership and with Ricky serving as crew chief, blending family guidance with professional success.[59][33] Among peers, his measured philosophy inspired respect and emulation, as evidenced by Richard Petty's assertion that Pearson was "the best racer there ever was."[60] At Wood Brothers Racing, where he drove from 1972 to 1978, Pearson's tenure transformed the organization, crediting him with helping it become NASCAR's longest continuously operating team through his 43 wins and innovative approach to performance.[22]Personal Life
Family and Residence
David Pearson married Helen Ruth Ray in 1952, and the couple had three sons: Larry, Ricky, and Eddie. His wife Helen predeceased him in 1991.[11][7] Larry Pearson followed in his father's footsteps by competing in the NASCAR Cup Series and other stock car events during the 1980s and 1990s.[7][61] Pearson spent his entire life in Spartanburg, South Carolina, embracing a modest, low-key existence that emphasized family bonds and his involvement with Whitney Baptist Church.[1][9] Despite his status as a NASCAR icon, he shunned the limelight, opting for a private routine that contrasted sharply with his aggressive prowess on the track.[7] Pearson contributed to his community through philanthropic activities, including participation in local charity races like the Legends Race series and events supporting children's causes in Spartanburg.[62][63] These efforts reflected his commitment to giving back quietly in his hometown.[62]Health Challenges and Death
In the later years of his life, David Pearson encountered significant health difficulties that curtailed his involvement in public events. In December 2014, at age 80, he suffered a mild stroke that impacted his left side, necessitating physical therapy and rehabilitation to restore mobility.[64] This event, combined with ongoing health decline, led to his withdrawal from most NASCAR-related appearances.[65] Pearson died on November 12, 2018, at the age of 83, at Spartanburg Medical Center in Spartanburg, South Carolina—his lifelong hometown—from complications arising from a prolonged illness.[6][60] Funeral services for Pearson were conducted privately, with interment at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Spartanburg; in lieu of flowers, the family requested donations to the local Mobile Meals Service.[6][66] The NASCAR community responded with widespread tributes, underscoring his profound influence. NASCAR Chairman Jim France hailed him as a "true giant of our sport" and the "gold standard" for excellence behind the wheel.[1] Richard Petty, Pearson's fiercest rival and a fellow Hall of Famer, offered a poignant eulogy, stating that Pearson was "the greatest race car driver that I raced against" and emphasizing their deep mutual respect forged through intense competition.[67][68] Pearson's surviving family, including sons Larry, Ricky, and Eddie—all of whom pursued careers in motorsports—remembered him as a humble figure whose quiet demeanor belied his extraordinary achievements, preserving his legacy as one of NASCAR's most revered icons.[6][69][8]Career Statistics
NASCAR Cup Series Overview
David Pearson's NASCAR Cup Series career, spanning from 1960 to 1986, is marked by exceptional efficiency and dominance, with 105 victories in 574 starts, establishing him as one of the sport's most successful drivers.[17] His overall performance included 113 pole positions, 301 top-5 finishes, and 366 top-10 finishes, alongside three championships won in 1966, 1968, and 1969.[17] With an average starting position of 6.2 and an average finishing position of 11.0, Pearson demonstrated consistent excellence across diverse track conditions and eras.[17] Pearson's wins were concentrated in the 1960s and 1970s, reflecting his peak years with teams like Holman-Moody and the Wood Brothers. The following table summarizes his win totals by decade, highlighting the distribution of his 105 victories:| Decade | Wins | Notable Seasons | Average Starts per Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 57 | 15 (1966), 16 (1968), 11 (1969) | ~40 |
| 1970s | 47 | 11 (1973), 10 (1976) | ~45 |
| 1980s | 1 | 1 (1980) | ~10 |
| Track | Starts | Wins | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington Raceway | 53 | 10 | 12 |
| Daytona International Speedway | 54 | 8 | 12 |
| Charlotte Motor Speedway | 49 | 12 | 10 |
| Atlanta Motor Speedway | 47 | 13 | 11 |