Dave Marcis
Encyclopedia
Dave Marcis is a retired driver on the NASCAR
Winston Cup (now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup) circuit whose career spanned five decades. Marcis won five times over this tenure, twice at Richmond
, including his final win in 1982. Dave was most famous for two things: racing for his own team and racing while wearing wingtip shoes
to absorb the heat in the car. He made the Daytona 500
every year from 1968 until 1999. The 2002 Daytona 500 was the last time Marcis raced in NASCAR.
and Rod Osterlund
. Marcis retired in second place on the all time starts list with 883 behind Richard Petty
. Ricky Rudd
has since passed him for second on the list. Marcis often owned/drove the #71 car. He finished 8 times in the Top 10 season long driver's points.
Marcis finished as high as second in the season standing in 1975 driving Nord Krauskopf
's K & K Dodge Charger
in the first year for NASCAR's modern standard of calculating points. Despite driving for some of the top teams of the day, Marcis opted to field his own teams following his sudden departure from Osterland Racing after the 1978 season. Marcis was replaced by seven time champion Dale Earnhardt
, who would begin his rookie campaign the following year. Former crew Harry Hyde
once said of Marcis, "he had the talent to be a champion, if only he weren't so stubborn."
spun out and Marcis passed him. All three drivers that were ahead of Marcis pitted and he assumed the lead as it began to rain. The race was called complete as darkness set in, and Marcis was declared the winner. Marcis described the win, "I wasn't praying for rain, but I told the guys when I got out of the car (during the break before the race was canceled) that if the good Lord wanted to help an independent, this was his chance." "It was one of my greatest moments in racing," Marcis said. "I had even built my own engine for that race." From that point Marcis' team gradually became less competitive as more well-funded teams found their way into the series. Marcis was occasionally known to moonlight for other car owners such as Larry Hedrick
(later of Hedrick Motorsports). Often Marcis would still field his own car, usually with Jim Sauter
behind the wheel.
During the twilight of his career Marcis landed the first major internet sponsor in Winston Cup, Prodigy Internet. This company would sponsor Marcis as an associate and primary sponsor between 1994 and 1996. Marcis was frequently the test driver for the Richard Childress
GM Goodwrench
#3 of his friend Dale Earnhardt
during the prime of his career. This agreement with Childress was made by Marcis to help fund his own race team, but backfired because he rarely had the time to test his own equipment. Marcis finished out his career in the 2002 Daytona 500
, a race he has competed in more than any other driver in history.
Marcis finished 16th in the 1994 inaugural Brickyard 400.
Marcis was a test driver for the IROC
and the Nextel Cup
series after his retirement from racing competition in early 2002. He currently resides with his wife in the Asheville, North Carolina
area.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Winston Cup (now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup) circuit whose career spanned five decades. Marcis won five times over this tenure, twice at Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
, including his final win in 1982. Dave was most famous for two things: racing for his own team and racing while wearing wingtip shoes
Brogues
The Brogue is a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations and serration along the pieces' visible edges...
to absorb the heat in the car. He made the Daytona 500
Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 is a -long NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is one of four restrictor plate races on the Cup schedule....
every year from 1968 until 1999. The 2002 Daytona 500 was the last time Marcis raced in NASCAR.
Career Overview
Marcis' career is notable in the history of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. While he is best known as the last of the non-factory supported independent owner drivers, he is also known as one of the top drivers of the 1970s. During his career, he drove for series championship car owners Nord KrauskopfNord Krauskopf
Nord Krauskopf was a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car owner whose career spanned from 1966 to 1977. He was the owner of K&K Insurance and a part of the business since its foundation in 1952. This was a position that he kept in the corporate world while having a second career in the...
and Rod Osterlund
Rod Osterlund
Rod Osterlund was a NASCAR Winston Cup Series car owner spanning from 1977–1981, and then again from 1989 - 1991. He earned his money off rental property in California.-Team history:...
. Marcis retired in second place on the all time starts list with 883 behind Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
. Ricky Rudd
Ricky Rudd
Ricky Rudd is a former American NASCAR driver. He is the uncle of actor Skeet Ulrich and Nationwide Series driver Jason Rudd. Rudd is known as the "Iron Man" of NASCAR; holding the record for most consecutive starts in NASCAR racing. At the conclusion of the 2005 season, Rudd had made 788...
has since passed him for second on the list. Marcis often owned/drove the #71 car. He finished 8 times in the Top 10 season long driver's points.
1970s
Nord Krauskopf
Nord Krauskopf was a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series race car owner whose career spanned from 1966 to 1977. He was the owner of K&K Insurance and a part of the business since its foundation in 1952. This was a position that he kept in the corporate world while having a second career in the...
's K & K Dodge Charger
Dodge Charger (B-body)
The Dodge Charger was a mid-size automobile produced by Dodge. The 1966-1974 Chargers were based on the Chrysler B platform. The 1975-1978 Chargers were based on the Chrysler Cordoba.-Origin of the Charger:...
in the first year for NASCAR's modern standard of calculating points. Despite driving for some of the top teams of the day, Marcis opted to field his own teams following his sudden departure from Osterland Racing after the 1978 season. Marcis was replaced by seven time champion Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
, who would begin his rookie campaign the following year. Former crew Harry Hyde
Harry Hyde
Harry Hyde was a leading crew chief in NASCAR stock car racing in the 1960s through the 1980s, winning 56 races and 88 pole positions. He was the 1970 championship crew chief for Bobby Isaac...
once said of Marcis, "he had the talent to be a champion, if only he weren't so stubborn."
1980s
Marcis experienced moderate success as an owner driver during the 1980s. The highlight of Marcis' career as an owner-driver was winning at the old Richmond Fairgrounds in 1982 driving a very un-racable looking 81 Chevy Malibu. Marcis was a lap down, but made up the lap when the race leader Joe RuttmanJoe Ruttman
Joe Ruttman , is an American former racecar driver. He currently lives in Franklin, Tenn. He actively competed in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series, and Camping World Truck Series and is a 13 time winner in the Truck Series, the seventh most wins by any driver in the Truck...
spun out and Marcis passed him. All three drivers that were ahead of Marcis pitted and he assumed the lead as it began to rain. The race was called complete as darkness set in, and Marcis was declared the winner. Marcis described the win, "I wasn't praying for rain, but I told the guys when I got out of the car (during the break before the race was canceled) that if the good Lord wanted to help an independent, this was his chance." "It was one of my greatest moments in racing," Marcis said. "I had even built my own engine for that race." From that point Marcis' team gradually became less competitive as more well-funded teams found their way into the series. Marcis was occasionally known to moonlight for other car owners such as Larry Hedrick
Larry Hedrick
Larry Hedrick is a North Carolina-born businessman and former NASCAR team owner.In 1976, he formed Statesville Auto Auction, which became one of the largest and most profitable auto sales businesses until it was sold to Manheim Auctions in 1993...
(later of Hedrick Motorsports). Often Marcis would still field his own car, usually with Jim Sauter
Jim Sauter (NASCAR)
Jim Sauter is a former NASCAR race car driver from Necedah, Wisconsin.-Racing career:Sauter started racing in 1964 in a modified at Raceway Park in Savage, Minnesota. He moved up to late models the following year. Sauter moved to Wisconsin, and his career took off after he won the North Star 500...
behind the wheel.
1990s
Richard Childress
Richard Childress is a former NASCAR driver and the current team owner of Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup series. As a business entrepreneur, Childress became one of the wealthiest men in North Carolina...
GM Goodwrench
GM Goodwrench
GM Goodwrench is an auto repair service for General Motors in Canada, and previously, the United States. In 2011, GM replaced Goodwrench in the US with separate Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC Certified Service brands.-Background:...
#3 of his friend Dale Earnhardt
Dale Earnhardt
Ralph Dale Earnhardt, Sr. was an American race car driver, best known for his involvement in stock car racing for NASCAR...
during the prime of his career. This agreement with Childress was made by Marcis to help fund his own race team, but backfired because he rarely had the time to test his own equipment. Marcis finished out his career in the 2002 Daytona 500
2002 Daytona 500
The 2002 Daytona 500 was held on February 17 at Daytona International Speedway. The race was won by Ward Burton. Rookie Jimmie Johnson won the pole, with fellow Daytona 500 rookie Kevin Harvick qualifying second, the first time the field would be led by two rookies...
, a race he has competed in more than any other driver in history.
Marcis finished 16th in the 1994 inaugural Brickyard 400.
Marcis was a test driver for the IROC
International Race of Champions
International Race of Champions, better known as IROC, was a North American auto racing competition, promoted as an equivalent of an American All-Star Game or The Masters...
and the Nextel Cup
NEXTEL Cup
The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is the top racing series of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing . The series was originally known as the Strictly Stock Series and Grand National Series . While leasing its naming rights to R. J...
series after his retirement from racing competition in early 2002. He currently resides with his wife in the Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
area.
Career statistics
| Year | Starts | Poles | Wins | Top 5's | Top 10's | Final Points Ranking |
| 1968 | 10 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 34 |
| 1969 | 37 | 00 | 00 | 03 | 11 | 19 |
| 1970 | 47 | 00 | 00 | 07 | 15 | 09 |
| 1971 | 29 | 02 | 00 | 09 | 14 | 21 |
| 1972 | 27 | 00 | 00 | 05 | 11 | 15 |
| 1973 | 23 | 00 | 00 | 03 | 06 | 24 |
| 1974 | 30 | 00 | 00 | 06 | 18 | 06 |
| 1975 | 30 | 04 | 01 | 16 | 18 | 02 |
| 1976 | 30 | 07 | 03 | 09 | 16 | 06 |
| 1977 | 18 | 00 | 00 | 05 | 07 | 25 |
| 1978 | 30 | 00 | 00 | 14 | 24 | 05 |
| 1979 | 25 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 06 | 20 |
| 1980 | 31 | 00 | 00 | 04 | 14 | 09 |
| 1981 | 31 | 01 | 00 | 04 | 09 | 09 |
| 1982 | 30 | 00 | 01 | 02 | 14 | 06 |
| 1983 | 30 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 07 | 11 |
| 1984 | 30 | 00 | 00 | 03 | 09 | 13 |
| 1985 | 28 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 05 | 18 |
| 1986 | 29 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 04 | 17 |
| 1987 | 29 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 07 | 18 |
| 1988 | 29 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 02 | 19 |
| 1989 | 27 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 25 |
| 1990 | 29 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 21 |
| 1991 | 27 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 29 |
| 1992 | 29 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 29 |
| 1993 | 23 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 33 |
| 1994 | 23 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 01 | 36 |
| 1995 | 28 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 35 |
| 1996 | 27 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 38 |
| 1997 | 19 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 42 |
| 1998 | 13 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 45 |
| 1999 | 20 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 42 |
| 2000 | 11 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 46 |
| 2001 | 03 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 53 |
| 2002 | 01 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 00 | 82 |
| Total | 883 | 14 | 5 | 94 | 222 | Avg.: 24.63 |