# David Pearson (racing driver)

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**David Gene Pearson** (December 22, 1934 – November 12, 2018) was an American [stock car](/source/Stock_car_racing) driver, who raced from 1960 to 1986 in the former NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series (now called the [NASCAR Cup Series](/source/NASCAR_Cup_Series)), most notably driving the No. 21 [Mercury](/source/Mercury_(automobile)) for [Wood Brothers Racing](/source/Wood_Brothers_Racing). Pearson won the 1960 [NASCAR Rookie of the Year](/source/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](/source/NASCAR) described his [1974](/source/1974_NASCAR_Winston_Cup_Series) 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](/source/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]

At his finalist nomination for the [NASCAR Hall of Fame](/source/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](/source/Pole_position).[2] Pearson was successful in different venues of racing; he won three times on [road courses](/source/Road_racing), 48 times on [superspeedways](/source/Oval_track_racing#Superspeedway), 54 times on [short tracks](/source/Oval_track_racing#Short_track), and had 23 [dirt track](/source/Dirt_track_racing) 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

Pearson was born near [Spartanburg, South Carolina](/source/Spartanburg,_South_Carolina). When Pearson was young, he climbed a tree at the local [stock car racing](/source/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](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) coach. Pearson removed the [fenders](/source/Fender_(vehicle)) to convert the vehicle into a [street rod](/source/Hot_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](/source/Dirt_track_racing) 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

### 1960s

Pearson began racing in [NASCAR's Grand National series](/source/NASCAR) during the 1960 season[8] shortly after winning the 1959 track championship at [Greenville-Pickens Speedway](/source/Greenville-Pickens_Speedway).[9] His first NASCAR start was the first 1960 [Daytona 500 qualifying race](/source/Gatorade_Duel) 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](/source/NASCAR_Rookie_of_the_Year). His season was highlighted by a second-place finish at Gamecock Speedway ([Sumter, South Carolina](/source/Sumter,_South_Carolina)), a fourth-place finish at [Hickory Motor Speedway](/source/Hickory_Motor_Speedway) and fifth after starting on the [pole position](/source/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](/source/Darel_Dieringer) had a contract dispute with a tire company and was not able to compete in the inaugural [World 600](/source/Coca-Cola_600) at [Charlotte](/source/Lowes_Motor_Speedway). Littlejohn was at the track, and he recommended that car builder [Ray Fox](/source/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](/source/Richard_Petty) and [Joe Weatherly](/source/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](/source/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]

Pearson 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](/source/Concord_Speedway).[13] Later in the season, he won the [Firecracker 250](/source/Coke_Zero_400) at [Daytona](/source/Daytona_International_Speedway) and the [Dixie 400](/source/Pep_Boys_Auto_500) at [Atlanta](/source/Atlanta_Motor_Speedway).[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](/source/Petty_Enterprises), [Cotton Owens](/source/Cotton_Owens), and [Bud Moore](/source/Bud_Moore_(NASCAR_owner)) 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](/source/Richmond_International_Raceway), [Greenville-Pickens Speedway](/source/Greenville-Pickens_Speedway), [Occoneechee Speedway](/source/Occoneechee_Speedway), Boyd Speedway, Lincoln Speedway, [Rambi Raceway](/source/Myrtle_Beach_Speedway), [Columbia Speedway](/source/Columbia_Speedway) and [Hickory Motor Speedway](/source/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](/source/Mopar) [Hemi engine](/source/Hemi_engine) in 1965, so Petty and Pearson boycotted many races rather than compete with a non-competitive engine against [Ford](/source/Ford_Motor_Company) and [Mercury](/source/Mercury_(automobile)) drivers.[20] Both competed in drag racing. Pearson drove a [Dodge Dart](/source/Dodge_Dart) [station wagon](/source/Station_wagon) nicknamed the "Cotton Picker" for Owens.[21] NASCAR owner [Bill France Sr.](/source/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](/source/Columbia_Speedway) and [Richmond](/source/Richmond_International_Raceway)) to finish fortieth in the season points.[20]

In his second full-time season, Pearson won his first of three [NASCAR](/source/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](/source/Bridgehampton_Race_Circuit), Fonda Speedway, [Bowman Gray Stadium](/source/Bowman_Gray_Stadium), and the [second Richmond race](/source/Chevy_Rock_and_Roll_400).[23]

Pearson ran a partial season in 1967, competing in 22 of 48 races.[22] He began the season racing for [Cotton Owens](/source/Cotton_Owens) before switching after the thirteenth race to [Holman Moody](/source/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](/source/1967_Greenville_200)), both for Owens, in a season that was dominated by Petty's all-time record 27 victories (including all-time record ten 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](/source/Holman-Moody), winning at Bristol, Richmond, North Wilkesboro, [Asheville-Weaverville Speedway](/source/Asheville-Weaverville_Speedway), Darlington, [Beltsville Speedway](/source/Beltsville_Speedway), [Langley Field Speedway](/source/Langley_Field_Speedway), Charlotte, [Middle Georgia Raceway](/source/Middle_Georgia_Raceway), Bristol, [Nashville Speedway](/source/Music_City_Motorplex), Columbia, Bowman-Gray, Asheville-Weaverville, Hickory, and [Augusta Speedway](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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, Pearson 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

The 1970 season started with Pearson competing part-time, as he would for the rest of his career. Pearson led the [Daytona 500](/source/1970_Daytona_500) under caution with thirteen laps remaining and changed only his right side tires in a two-tire pit stop. [Pete Hamilton](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Gatorade_Duel) and [Bristol](/source/Food_City_500)) 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](/source/Wood_Brothers_Racing) 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](/source/Bobby_Isaac) and [Buddy Baker](/source/Buddy_Baker) at the end of the [Winston 500](/source/Aaron's_499) at [Talladega Superspeedway](/source/Talladega_Superspeedway) when Jimmy Crawford spun into Isaac; Pearson won the race.[39] He won later that season at the [Firecracker 400](/source/Coke_Zero_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](/source/Mercury_(automobile)).[43] His 61% win percentage is the highest in NASCAR history.[44] He had wins at [North Carolina Motor Speedway](/source/North_Carolina_Motor_Speedway) (Rockingham), Atlanta, Darlington, [Martinsville](/source/Martinsville_Speedway), Talladega, [Dover](/source/Dover_International_Speedway), [Michigan](/source/Michigan_International_Speedway), second Daytona race, second Atlanta race, second Dover race, and the second Rockingham race.[45] The remaining seven races contained four [Did Not Finishes](/source/List_of_motorsport_terminology#D) (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](/source/Benny_Parsons).[47] Pearson began to earn the nickname of "silver fox" after the 1974 [Firecracker 400](/source/Coke_Zero_400). Entering the final lap, he was leading followed closely by Petty. Fearing that Petty would do a [slingshot pass](/source/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](/source/International_Race_of_Champions) (IROC) invited him to participate in their [first](/source/IROC_I) annual all-star [stock car](/source/Stock_car_racing) 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](/source/Chase_for_the_Cup) format was implemented in 2004.[47] [ABC](/source/American_Broadcasting_Company) televised the second half of the [1975 Daytona 500](/source/1975_Daytona_500) and drew a 10.5 rating opposite an 8.6 rating for an [NBA](/source/National_Basketball_Association) game and a 4.1 for an [NHL](/source/National_Hockey_League) game.[51] Pearson took the lead back from [Benny Parsons](/source/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](/source/Drafting_(aerodynamics)) with Parsons and the duo started closing on Pearson. With less than three laps to go, Pearson collided [Cale Yarborough](/source/Cale_Yarborough) on the backstretch and spun out into the grass. Parsons won the race by a lap over [Bobby Allison](/source/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](/source/IROC_II) during 1974/75 and he finished sixth in points.[52]

The [1976 Daytona 500](/source/1976_Daytona_500) is known for the final lap battle between Pearson and Petty.[53] In 2007, [ESPN](/source/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](/source/Understeer) 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](/source/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](/source/IROC_III) in 1975/1976 at [Michigan International Speedway](/source/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](/source/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](/source/World_600), Pearson was battling for the win against Parsons until Parsons' spin collected both drivers. [Darrell Waltrip](/source/Darrell_Waltrip) edged [Donnie Allison](/source/Donnie_Allison) for the victory.[60] Pearson competed in his final IROC race in June 1978 during [IROC V](/source/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](/source/Lug_nut) 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](/source/Rod_Osterlund)'s rookie driver, [Dale Earnhardt](/source/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](/source/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](/source/NASCAR's_Most_Popular_Driver_Award).[64]

### 1980s

Pearson raced for [Hoss Ellington](/source/Hoss_Ellington) during the 1980 season.[65] He won the rain shortened 1980 [CRC Chemicals Rebel 500](/source/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](/source/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](/source/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](/source/1984_Daytona_500), [World 600](/source/World_600), and the [Miller 400](/source/Dollar_General_300).[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](/source/Neil_Bonnett) in the Wood Brothers' No. 21 at [Charlotte Motor Speedway](/source/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](/source/Tommy_Ellis) replaced Pearson for the race.[77]

## Legacy

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](/source/Motorsports_Hall_of_Fame_of_America) in 1993.[1] He was inducted in the [International Motorsports Hall of Fame](/source/International_Motorsports_Hall_of_Fame) in 1993 and the [Charlotte Motor Speedway](/source/Lowes_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](/source/Mario_Andretti) won the award.[78] In mid-1999, *[Sports Illustrated](/source/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](/source/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](/source/Raymond_Parks_(driver)), [Tim Flock](/source/Tim_Flock), and [Lee Petty](/source/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.](/source/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]

## Personal life

Pearson's wife Helen Ruth Pearson predeceased him in 1991.[85] He had three sons, [Larry Pearson](/source/Larry_Pearson), Ricky Pearson, and [Eddie Pearson](/source/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](/source/Buckshot_Jones)/[Buckshot Racing](/source/Buckshot_Racing) when they won two Busch Series races.[86]

In December 2014, Pearson suffered a mild stroke which partially paralyzed the left half of his body, from which he recovered.[87] Pearson died on November 12, 2018, in [Spartanburg, South Carolina](/source/Spartanburg,_South_Carolina), at the age of 83. No cause was given.[88]

## Motorsports career results

### NASCAR

(key) (**Bold** – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. *Italics* – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

#### Grand National Series

NASCAR Grand National 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 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 NGNC Pts Ref 1960 Pearson Racing 67 Chevy CLT CLB DAY 17 DAY DAY 28 CLT 15 NWS 19 PHO CLB 15 MAR DNQ HCY WIL BGS GPS 8 AWS DAR PIF 5 HBO 14 RCH HMS CLT 10 BGS DAY 18 HEI MAB MBS 11 ATL 32 BIR NSV AWS PIF 18 CLB 19 SBO BGS DAR 27 HCY 4 CSF GSP 2 HBO 15 MAR 7 NWS 8 CLT 21 RCH ATL 25 23rd 5956 [89] 1961 CLT 5 JSP 16 DAY PIF 3 AWS HMS GPS 10 HBO BGS MAR NWS CLB 14 HCY RCH MAR DAR CLT CLT RSD ASP PIF 17 BIR GPS 17 BGS NOR HAS 4 STR CLB 17 MBS 13th 13088 [90] Tony Lavati 66 Pontiac DAY 17 DAY 21 Pearson Racing 26 Pontiac ATL 40 John Masoni 3 Pontiac CLT 1* DAY 1 ATL 40 BRI 30 NSV BGS AWS RCH SBO DAR 3 HCY RCH CSF ATL 1 MAR NWS CLT 21 BRI GPS HBO 1962 Fox Racing 39 Pontiac CON AWS DAY DAY DAY 6 CON AWS SVH HBO RCH CLB 10th 14404 [91] Julian Petty 44 Pontiac NWS 33 GPS MBS MAR BGS Owens Racing 6 Pontiac BRI 7 RCH HCY CON DAR 4 HCY RCH DTS AUG MAR NWS CLT 23 Fox Racing 3 Pontiac DAR 7 PIF 14 CLT 7* ATL 7 BGS AUG RCH SBO DAY 8 CLB ASH GPS AUG SVH MBS BRI 37 CHT NSV HUN AWS STR BGS PIF VAL Bud Moore Engineering 08 Pontiac ATL 11 1963 Owens Racing 6 Dodge BIR GGS THS 4 RSD 33 DAY DAY 18 DAY 48 PIF 18 AWS 18 BRI 31 AUG RCH 14 GPS 5 SBO 8 BGS MAR 9 NWS 6 CLB THS DAR 12 ODS RCH CLT 5 BIR 13 ATL 34 DAY 6 MBS SVH 2 DTS BGS 11 ASH 3 OBS BRR 4 BRI 5 GPS 6 NSV 16 CLB 2 AWS 4 PIF 16 BGS 4 ONA DAR 14 HCY 18 RCH 15 MAR 4 NWS 8 CLT 11 SBO 2 HBO 15 RSD 13 8th 21156 [92] 5 HBO 19 DTS 3 THS 14 Nichels Engineering 02 Pontiac ATL 26 HCY 1964 Owens Racing 5 Dodge CON 4 SVH 12 3rd 32146 [93] 6 AUG 17 JSP 16 RSD 6 DAY 3 DAY DAY 30 RCH 1 BRI 28 GPS 1 BGS 5 ATL 21 AWS 4 HBO 1* PIF 3 CLB 6 NWS 11 MAR 18 SVH 7 DAR 6 LGY 12 HCY 2* SBO 4 CLT 8 GPS 10* ASH 4 ATL 23 CON 2* NSV 2 CHT 1* BIR 4 VAL 8 PIF 16* DAY 6 ODS 2 OBS 5* BRR 8 ISP 14 GLN 6 LIN 1 BRI 17 NSV 3 MBS 1* AWS 2 DTS 2* ONA 17 CLB 1 BGS 4 STR 4 DAR 12 HCY 1* RCH 2 ODS 2 HBO 14* MAR 8 SVH 3 NWS 17 CLT 7 HAR 15 AUG 29 JAC 10 1965 RSD DAY DAY DAY PIF ASW RCH HBO ATL GPS NWS MAR CLB BRI DAR LGY BGS HCY CLT CCF ASH HAR NSV BIR ATL GPS MBS VAL DAY ODS OBS ISP GLN BRI 36 NSV CCF 5* AWS 15 SMR 9 PIF 10* AUG 2 CLB 1 DTS BLV BGS DAR HCY 2 LIN 3 ODS RCH 1 MAR 3 NWS 4 CLT HBO 6 CAR 25 DTS 40th 5464 [94] 1966 AUG 6 RSD 2 DAY DAY 6 DAY 3 CAR 8 BRI 15* ATL 14 HCY 1 CLB 1* GPS 1* BGS 1* NWS 3 MAR 9 DAR 3 LGY 19 MGR MON RCH 1* CLT 17* DTS 1* ASH 1* PIF 16 SMR 1* AWS 2 BLV 27 GPS 1* DAY 15 ODS BRR 1* OXF 7 FON 1* ISP 4 BRI 3 SMR 2* NSV ATL 44 CLB 1 AWS 13 BLV BGS 1* DAR 3 HCY 1* RCH 1* HBO 2 MAR 35 NWS 2 CLT 10 CAR 7 1st 35638 [95] 1967 AUG 3 RSD 8 DAY 7 DAY DAY 24 AWS 4 BRI 1 GPS 1* BGS 15 ATL 21 CLB HCY NWS 26 MAR SVH RCH 7th 26302 [96] Holman-Moody 17 Ford DAR 2 BLV LGY CLT 2 ASH MGR SMR BIR CAR 21 GPS MGY DAY 4* TRN OXF FDA ISP BRI 28 SMR NSV ATL 19 BGS CLB SVH DAR 2 HCY RCH BLV HBO MAR 3 NWS 34 CLT 24 CAR 2 AWS 3 1968 MGR 11 MGY 22 RSD 2 DAY 5 BRI 1* RCH 1* ATL 31 HCY 2 GPS 14* CLB 7 NWS 1* MAR 2 AUG AWS 1* DAR 1* BLV 1 LGY 1* CLT 4 ASH 21 MGR 1* SMR 15 BIR 18 CAR 30 GPS 2* DAY 3 ISP 2 OXF 2 FDA 5 TRN 2 BRI 1* SMR 3 NSV 1 ATL 4 CLB 1* BGS 1 AWS 1* SBO 2 LGY 1* DAR 2 HCY 1 RCH 2 HBO 12 MAR 6 NWS 2 AUG 1 CLT 3* CAR 2 JFC 3 1st 3499 [97] Roy Trantham 84 Ford BLV 23 1969 Holman-Moody 17 Ford MGR 2 MGY RSD 3 DAY 1 DAY DAY 6 CAR 1* AUG 1 BRI 3 ATL 2 CLB 2 HCY 3 GPS 3 RCH 1* NWS 3 MAR 2 AWS 21 DAR 5 BLV 13 LGY 1 CLT 42 MGR 2 SMR 2 MCH 2 KPT 3 GPS 2 NCF 1* DAY 4 DOV 23 TPN 1* TRN 1 BLV 2* BRI 1* NSV 6 SMR 2 ATL 2 MCH 1* SBO 2 BGS 3 AWS 2 DAR 2 HCY 21 RCH 4 TAL Wth CLB 19 MAR 2 NWS 1 CLT 5 SVH 3 AUG 3 CAR 2 JFC 2 MGR 2* TWS 26 1st 4170 [98] 1970 RSD 17 DAY 23 DAY DAY 2* RCH CAR SVH ATL BRI 18 TAL 3 NWS CLB DAR 1* BLV LGY CLT 14 SMR MCH 3 RSD HCY KPT GPS DAY 8 AST TPN TRN BRI 22 SMR NSV ATL 32 CLB ONA MCH 37 TAL 4 BGS SBO DAR 4 HCY RCH DOV 4 NCF NWS CLT 39 MAR 6 MGR CAR 2 LGY 23rd 1716 [99] Junior Johnson 98 Ford MAR 4 1971 Holman-Moody 17 Ford RSD 35 DAY BRI 1 ATL 4 CLB GPS 2 SMR NWS 2 MAR 2 51st 486 [100] Mercury DAY 1 DAY 4 ONT RCH CAR DAR 31 SBO Giachetti Brothers 44 Ford HCY 2 Nichels Engineering 33 Pontiac TAL 43 ASH KPT CLT 34 DOV MCH 33 RSD HOU GPS 17 Plymouth DAY 8 BRI AST ISP TRN NSV ATL BGS ONA MCH Pontiac TAL DNQ CLB HCY DAR 35 MAR CLT DOV TWS 48 99 CAR 36 MGR RCH NWS

#### Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup 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 NWCC Pts Ref 1972 Bud Moore Engineering 15 Ford RSD 26 DAY RCH ONT CAR ATL 4 BRI 20th 4718 [101] Wood Brothers Racing 21 Mercury DAR 1* NWS TAL 1* CLT 25 DOV MCH 1* RSD TWS DAY 1* BRI TRN ATL 3* TAL 26 MCH 1* NSV DAR 2 DOV 1* MAR 3 NWS CLT 3 CAR 4 TWS Ford MAR 8 Donlavey Racing 90 Ford RCH 24 1973 Wood Brothers Racing 21 Mercury RSD 22 DAY 33 RCH CAR 1* BRI ATL 1* NWS DAR 1* MAR 1 TAL 1* NSV CLT 2 DOV 1* TWS RSD MCH 1 DAY 1* BRI ATL 1* TAL 3* NSV DAR 2 RCH DOV 1* NWS MAR 31 CLT 36 CAR 1* 13th 5382.8 [102] 1974 RSD 3 DAY 35 RCH CAR 34 BRI ATL 2* DAR 1* NWS MAR TAL 1* NSV DOV 2 CLT 1* RSD MCH 3 DAY 1 BRI NSV ATL 2* POC 4 TAL 2 MCH 1* DAR 25 RCH DOV 30 NWS MAR CLT 1* CAR 1 ONT 2 3rd 2389.25 [103] 1975 RSD 2 DAY 4* RCH CAR 2 BRI ATL 3 NWS DAR 7* MAR 20 TAL 2 NSV DOV 1* CLT 3 RSD MCH 1* DAY 20 NSV POC 1* TAL 39 MCH 2 DAR 27 DOV 26 NWS MAR 23 CLT 2 RCH CAR 25 BRI ATL 4 ONT 2 14th 3057 [104] 1976 RSD 1* DAY 1 CAR 29 RCH BRI ATL 1 NWS DAR 1 MAR 3 TAL 37 NSV DOV 2 CLT 1* RSD 1 MCH 1 DAY 2 NSV POC 4* TAL 28 MCH 1 BRI DAR 1* RCH DOV 3 MAR 19 NWS CLT 6 CAR 6 ATL 2 ONT 1* 9th 3483 [105] 1977 RSD 1 DAY 21 RCH CAR 32 ATL 2 NWS DAR 4* BRI MAR 5 TAL 22 NSV DOV 2* CLT 2 RSD 2 MCH 4 DAY 5 NSV POC 28 TAL 37 MCH 2 BRI DAR 1 RCH DOV 2 MAR 3 NWS CLT 3 CAR 27 ATL 2 ONT 5 13th 3227 [106] 1978 RSD 3 DAY 34 RCH CAR 1* ATL 21 BRI DAR 29 NWS MAR 21 TAL 35 DOV 1 CLT 5 NSV RSD 27 MCH 2 DAY 1* NSV POC 2 TAL 5 MCH 1 BRI DAR 28 RCH DOV 4 MAR 25 NWS CLT 5 CAR 24 ATL 32 ONT 38 16th 2756 [107] 1979 RSD 2 DAY 37 CAR 23 RCH ATL 18 NWS BRI DAR 22 MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC 32nd 1203 [108] Osterlund Racing 2 Olds TAL 2 Chevy MCH 4 BRI 7 DAR 1 RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT 1980 Ellington Racing 1 Chevy RSD DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR 1* NWS MAR CLT 6 TWS RSD MCH 25 DAR 2 RCH DOV NWS MAR CLT 38 CAR 37th 1004 [109] Olds TAL 3 NSV DOV DAY 2 NSV POC TAL 17 MCH BRI ATL 31 ONT 1981 Halpern Enterprises 16 Chevy RSD DAY 29 RCH CAR 30 ATL 32 BRI NWS DAR 8 MAR TAL NSV 70th - [110] Kennie Childers Racing 12 Olds DOV 25 CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI Ellington Racing 01 Buick DAR 8 RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 1982 Bobby Hawkins Racing 03 Buick DAY RCH BRI ATL CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT 21 POC RSD MCH 36 DAY 5 NSV POC TAL MCH 31 BRI DAR 37 RCH DOV NWS CLT 3 MAR CAR ATL RSD 37th 613 [111] 1983 16 Chevy DAY 8 RCH CAR ATL DAR 22 NWS MAR TAL 31 NSV DOV BRI CLT 39 RSD POC MCH 35 DAY 3 NSV POC TAL 25 MCH 9 BRI DAR 10 RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT 39 CAR ATL RSD 33rd 943 [112] 1984 DAY 9 RCH 32 CAR ATL BRI NWS DAR 37 MAR TAL 32 NSV DOV CLT 9 RSD MCH 9 DAY 17 NSV POC TAL MCH 39 BRI DAR 41 RCH DOV MAR CLT 38 NWS CAR ATL 25 RSD 41st 812 [113] Junior Johnson & Associates 12 Chevy POC QL† 1985 Ellington Racing 21 Chevy DAY 28 RCH CAR ATL 29 BRI DAR 28 NWS MAR TAL 36 DOV CLT 27 RSD POC MCH 17 DAY 10 POC 35 36th 879 [114] Pearson Racing Ford TAL 35 MCH 39 BRI DAR 40 RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT 37 CAR ATL RSD 1986 Chevy DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT 36 RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH 10 BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 82nd 134 [115] † – Qualified for Neil Bonnett

#### Daytona 500

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

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 [116] 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 [117]

### International Race of Champions

(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 [118] 1974–75 Chevy MCH 3 RSD 4 RSD 11 DAY 5 6th $16,500 [119] 1975–76 MCH 1 RSD 10 RSD 8 DAY 4 5th $21,000 [120] 1976–77 MCH 10 RSD 2 RSD 11 DAY 6 9th $10,500 [121] 1978–79 MCH 5 MCH RSD RSD ATL NA - [122]

## References

1. [David Pearson](http://www.mshf.com/hall-of-fame/inductees/david-pearson.html) at the [Motorsports Hall of Fame of America](/source/Motorsports_Hall_of_Fame_of_America)

1. Fleischman, Bill & Pearce, Al (1999). [*The Unauthorized NASCAR Fan Guide (1998–99)*](https://archive.org/details/unauthorizednasc00flei). [Farmington Hills, Michigan](/source/Farmington_Hills,_Michigan): Visible Ink Press. pp. [197](https://archive.org/details/unauthorizednasc00flei/page/197). ISBN 1-57859-111-2.

1. ["Inaugural Class of 2010 Nominee: David Pearson"](http://www.nascar.com/news/features/dpearson.hof.bio/). [NASCAR](/source/NASCAR). 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2009.

1. Hinton, Ed (March 25, 2009). ["Pearson: Just drive the car"](https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=hinton_ed&id=3995976). [ESPN](/source/ESPN). Retrieved December 17, 2009.

1. Falk, Duane (2002). *The Daytona 500:The Great American Race*. Michael Friedman Publishing Group. pp. 71–72. ISBN 1-58663-169-1.

1. Hinton, Ed (October 16, 2009). ["Pearson's plight could be bad news for Johnson"](https://www.espn.com/racing/blog?name=hinton_ed&id=4566541&_slug_=pearson-plight-bad-news-johnson). ESPN. Retrieved December 22, 2009.

1. Jones, Anne B. & White, Rex (2007). [*All around the track*](https://books.google.com/books?id=e9JB3ax1iPgC&q=%22david+pearson%22+nascar&pg=PT146). McFarland. pp. 134–136. ISBN 978-0-7864-2988-2. Retrieved November 18, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 31

1. ["Track Champions"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110504021333/http://www.greenvillepickens.com/track_champions.htm). [Greenville-Pickens Speedway](/source/Greenville-Pickens_Speedway). 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.greenvillepickens.com/track_champions.htm) on May 4, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 307

1. Aumann, Mark (May 12, 2009). ["Pearson career soars after Dieringer contract dispute"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121009093413/http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/features/05/12/charlotte.moments.david.pearson/index.html). [NASCAR](/source/NASCAR). Archived from [the original](http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/features/05/12/charlotte.moments.david.pearson/index.html) on October 9, 2012. Retrieved August 29, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 32

1. Fleischman, page 323

1. Fleischman, page 33

1. ["1962 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070317150439/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1962&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1962&series=W) on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. ["1963 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070317163023/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1963&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1963&series=W) on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 22, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 34

1. ["David Pearson career NASCAR driving statistics"](http://racing-reference.info/driver?id=pearsda01). Racing Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, pp. 324–325

1. Fleischman, page 35

1. McGee, Ryan (September 18, 2009). ["Pearson looks right at home in NHRA"](https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/cup/columns/story?columnist=mcgee_ryan&id=4485331). ESPN: The magazine. Retrieved December 17, 2009.

1. Fleischman, p. 36

1. Fleischman, page 325

1. Cross, Duane (September 9, 2009). ["Forty years later, Pearson still seminal driver of '60s"](http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/features/09/09/inside.nascar.dpearson.retrospective/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved December 14, 2009.

1. ["1967 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120302231100/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1967&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1967&series=W) on March 2, 2012. Retrieved November 22, 2009.

1. Cross, B. Duane (December 12, 2005). ["Cross' Words: Pearson remains gold standard"](http://www.nascar.com/2005/news/opinion/12/12/cross.words.pearson/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved January 19, 2010.

1. Fleischman, page 37

1. El-Bashir, Tarik (August 28, 1998). ["AUTO RACING; A Record for Gordon Is Only Miles Away"](https://www.nytimes.com/1998/08/20/sports/auto-racing-a-record-for-gordon-is-only-miles-away.html?scp=1&sq=%22richard+petty%22+10+straight&st=nyt). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Retrieved December 13, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 38

1. ["1968 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228231932/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1968&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1968&series=W) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 39

1. ["1969 DAYTONA 500 Results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101228072002/http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/News/DAYTONA-500-History/DAYTONA-500-Winners/1969-Daytona-500-Results.aspx). [Daytona International Speedway](/source/Daytona_International_Speedway). Archived from [the original](http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/News/DAYTONA-500-History/DAYTONA-500-Winners/1969-Daytona-500-Results.aspx) on December 28, 2010. Retrieved November 19, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 309

1. Falk, page 62

1. ["1970 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228232002/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1970&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1970&series=W) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Rodman, Dave (June 5, 2007). ["Timeline: Bill France Jr."](http://www.nascar.com/2007/news/headlines/cup/06/04/bfrancejr.dies.timeline/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved February 14, 2010.

1. ["1971 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228231955/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1971&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1971&series=W) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 41

1. Fleischman, page 54

1. ["David Pearson"](http://www.nascar.com/2002/kyn/history/drivers/02/02/dpearson/index.html). [NASCAR](/source/NASCAR). January 22, 2003. Retrieved August 29, 2009.

1. Falk, page 70

1. ["David Pearson driving statistics"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/hof/dpearson00/). NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.

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1. Fleischman, page 311

1. ["Pearson's 1973 driving statistics"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/hof/dpearson00/seasons/1973.html). [NASCAR](/source/NASCAR). Retrieved February 14, 2010.

1. Fleischman, page 56

1. Fleischman, page 58

1. Fleischman, page 57

1. Ganchy, Sally (2008). [*Great Moments in NASCAR Racing*](https://books.google.com/books?id=ghnGM8iY_qIC&pg=PA7). Rosen Publishing Group. pp. 8–10. ISBN 978-1-4042-1397-5. Retrieved November 21, 2009.

1. ["1973–74 IROC drivers standings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070315224003/http://www.racing-reference.info/yeardet?yr=1974&series=I). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/yeardet?yr=1974&series=I) on March 15, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 59

1. ["1974–75 IROC drivers standings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121201184321/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1975&series=I). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1975&series=I) on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 60

1. Blount, Terry (February 15, 2007). ["No. 4 most memorable Daytona 500: The crash"](https://www.espn.com/racing/columns/story?seriesId=2&columnist=blount_terry&id=2763418). [ESPN](/source/ESPN). Retrieved December 19, 2009.

1. Falk, page 73-4

1. Fleischman, page 61

1. ["1975–76 IROC drivers standings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228231922/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1976&series=I). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1976&series=I) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 62

1. ["1976–77 IROC drivers standings"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228232010/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1977&series=I). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1977&series=I) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 63

1. ["IROC drivers standings"](http://racing-reference.info/driver?id=pearsda01). Racing Reference. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. ["1979 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228232013/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1979&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1979&series=W) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 66

1. ["History: Most Popular Driver"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091128203420/http://www.nascar.com/kyn/history/data/popular_driver.html). NASCAR. 2007. Archived from [the original](http://www.nascar.com/kyn/history/data/popular_driver.html) on November 28, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2009.

1. ["1980 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20130228231929/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1980&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1980&series=W) on February 28, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 77

1. ["1981 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070314104020/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1981&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1981&series=W) on March 14, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. ["1982 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121201184301/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1982&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1982&series=W) on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. ["1982 season results"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/hof/dpearson00/seasons/1982.html). NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.

1. ["1983 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20121201002758/http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1983&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1983&series=W) on December 1, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. ["1983 season results"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/hof/dpearson00/seasons/1983.html). NASCAR. Retrieved December 12, 2009.

1. ["1984 Driver's statistics"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/dpearson00/cup/data/1984/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved November 16, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 83

1. ["1985 David Pearson race results"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070317163033/http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1985&series=W). Racing Reference. Archived from [the original](http://racing-reference.info/drivdet?id=pearsda01&yr=1985&series=W) on March 17, 2007. Retrieved November 15, 2009.

1. Fleischman, page 84

1. ["1986 Driver's statistics"](http://www.nascar.com/drivers/dps/dpearson00/cup/data/1986/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved November 16, 2009.

1. ["David Pearson Retires"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=iOobAAAAIBAJ&pg=6605,3026170&dq=david+pearson+retirement&hl=en). *[Sarasota Herald-Tribune](/source/Sarasota_Herald-Tribune)*. September 28, 1989. p. 3C. Retrieved November 17, 2013.

1. ["Andretti Is Honored"](https://www.nytimes.com/1992/10/07/sports/sports-people-auto-racing-andretti-is-honored.html?scp=33&sq=%22david+pearson%22&st=nyt). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. October 7, 1992. pp. B12. Retrieved December 12, 2009.

1. ["South Carolina Concurrent Resolution 4658"](http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess113_1999-2000/bills/4658.doc) (DOC). [South Carolina](/source/South_Carolina). 2000. Retrieved February 14, 2010.

1. ["NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees a who's who of stars"](https://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2009-07-02-hall-of-fame-nominees_N.htm). *[USA Today](/source/USA_Today)*. July 2, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2009.

1. Menzer, Joe (October 14, 2009). ["Pearson's exclusion the surprise of inaugural vote"](http://www.nascar.com/2009/news/opinion/10/14/one.menz.jmenzer.hall.of.fame.class/index.html). NASCAR. Retrieved December 14, 2009.

1. Bowles, Tom (October 15, 2009). ["Pearson, Yarborough top list for NASCAR Hall of Fame class of 2011"](https://web.archive.org/web/20091018160910/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/10/15/hall.of.fame/index.html). *[Sports Illustrated](/source/Sports_Illustrated)*. Archived from [the original](http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tom_bowles/10/15/hall.of.fame/index.html) on October 18, 2009. Retrieved December 22, 2009.

1. ["NASCAR Hall of Fame reveals new class"](https://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/news/story?id=5682017). [ESPN](/source/ESPN). October 13, 2010. Retrieved October 14, 2010.

1. Fryer, Jenna (May 23, 2011). ["NASCAR inducts 2nd Hall of Fame class"](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-nascar-inducts-2nd-hall-of-fame-class-2011may23-story.html). *The San Diego Union-Tribune*. Retrieved October 22, 2020.

1. Green, David (July 23, 1991). ["Helen Pearson was the heart of racing family"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19910722&id=nIQgAAAAIBAJ&pg=6407,2648419). *[Spartanburg Herald-Journal](/source/Spartanburg_Herald-Journal)*. Retrieved May 22, 2010.

1. ["Buckshot at the Big Time"](https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19990115&id=h4QUAAAAIBAJ&pg=6526,6051679). *[Toledo Blade](/source/Toledo_Blade)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). January 15, 1999. Retrieved November 21, 2009.[dead link]

1. ["NASCAR legend David Pearson recovering from stroke"](http://www.foxsports.com/nascar/story/nascar-legend-david-pearson-recovering-from-stroke-012815). *[Fox Sports](/source/Fox_Sports)*. January 28, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.

1. ["David Pearson, NASCAR's Silver Fox, has died at 83"](https://apnews.com/dd3d9dd630a74b788a3d36f315f06ace). *[Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press)*. November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2018.

1. ["David Pearson – 1960 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1960/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1961 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1961/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1962 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1962/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1963 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1963/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1964 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1964/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1965 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1965/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1966 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1966/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1967 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1967/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1968 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1968/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1969/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1970 NASCAR Grand National Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1970/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1971/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 24, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1972/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1973/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1974/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1975/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1976/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1977/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1978/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1979/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1980/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1981/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1982/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1983/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1984/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1985/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results"](http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1986/W). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved January 25, 2017.

1. ["David Pearson – 1982 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1982/B). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1983/B). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1974 IROC Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1974/). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1975 IROC Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1975/I). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1976 IROC Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1976/I). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1977 IROC Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1977/I). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

1. ["David Pearson – 1979 IROC Results"](https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/pearsda01/1979/I). *Racing-Reference*. Retrieved October 23, 2020.

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [David Pearson (racing driver)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pearson_(racing_driver)) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Pearson_(racing_driver)?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.