Gary Bradberry
Encyclopedia
Gary Bradberry is a race car driver. He raced in the NASCAR
All-Pro Series, and had top-ten points finishes from 1990-1993. After that, Bradberry made the jump to major NASCAR leagues. His younger brother was fellow NASCAR driver Charlie Bradberry
, who died in an automobile accident in 2006.
in 1994, starting 12th and finishing 30th in a Ford
owned by Jimmy Means
.
Bradberry ran four races in 1995, with the first two for his own team. However, he struggled, with a 41st at Michigan and 43rd at Charlotte
. Then, for the other two races, Bradberry replaced Ward Burton
in the #31 Hardee's
Chevy, with finishes of 35th and 29th.
Bradberry's next job was at Sadler Bros. Racing, driving the #95 Shoney's
Chevy in nine 1996 races, with a 23rd place finish at Talladega Superspeedway
being his best finish, albeit his best career finish to that point.
Bradberry's largest season was in 1997, when he ran a career-high 16 races. At first, he was running for Tri-Star Motorsports
. However, in eight races, all Bradberry could manage was a 31st at Charlotte, causing him to lose his ride Bradberry moved to Triad Motorsports and the #78 Hanes
Ford. His best finish in that ride was a 25th at Darlington being the best run. His 44th in points would prove to be his best career year.
He began 1998 with unlimited backing from Pilot Corporation starting the year. However, Bradberry only qualified for 13 races and only had two top-25 finishes, his best run a 23rd at California Speedway
, matching Bradberry's best career finish. He also qualified 8th at Charlotte, his first career top-10 start. In addition to twelve races for Triad, Bradberry drove the #35 Team Tabasco Pontiac at New Hampshire, after Triad chose to skip that race, finishing fortieth. He went on to a 48th place finish in points.
In 1999, Bradberry new associate sponsor PHARB Hangover Relief did not fulfill their obligations, and Pilot left soon after, causing the team to close its doors, before even running a race. Bradberry's lone start in 1999 was the at the season finale for Larry Hedrick Motorsports
operation. He started 9th but engine problems relegated him to 35th.
Bradberry made two more starts for Hedrick in 2000, with 41st at Texas
and 33rd at Martinsville Speedway
, and a DNQ at Talladega Superspeedway
. After those races, Hedrick closed its doors and Bradberry was left without a ride.
Bradberry was unemployed until 2002, when he ran at Michigan
with Donlavey Racing
, where he finished 43rd due to handling problems.
and 43rd at Michigan
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...
All-Pro Series, and had top-ten points finishes from 1990-1993. After that, Bradberry made the jump to major NASCAR leagues. His younger brother was fellow NASCAR driver Charlie Bradberry
Charlie Bradberry
Charlie Bradberry was an American NASCAR driver who ran part time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2003 and 2004. His best finish was 6th at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway in 2004...
, who died in an automobile accident in 2006.
Winston Cup Series
Bradberry made his Winston Cup debut at Atlanta Motor SpeedwayAtlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
in 1994, starting 12th and finishing 30th in a Ford
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
owned by Jimmy Means
Jimmy Means
James "Jimmy" Means is a former Winston Cup/Nextel Cup owner/driver. Currently, he is an adviser for Front Row Motorsports and owns his own team, Means Racing. He competed in NASCAR for eighteen years in mostly his own equipment, posting seventeen career top-tens...
.
Bradberry ran four races in 1995, with the first two for his own team. However, he struggled, with a 41st at Michigan and 43rd at Charlotte
Lowe's Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
. Then, for the other two races, Bradberry replaced Ward Burton
Ward Burton
John Edward Burton III is an American NASCAR auto racer, who has a total of five career Sprint Cup wins. He last drove the #4 State Water Heaters Chevrolet Impala SS for Morgan-McClure Motorsports in 2007. He is the older brother of fellow NASCAR driver Jeff Burton, against whom he first...
in the #31 Hardee's
Hardee's
Hardee's is a restaurant chain, located mostly in the Southeast and Midwestern regions of the United States. It has evolved through several corporate ownerships since its establishment in 1960. It is currently owned and operated by CKE Restaurants. Along with its sibling restaurant chain, Carl's...
Chevy, with finishes of 35th and 29th.
Bradberry's next job was at Sadler Bros. Racing, driving the #95 Shoney's
Shoney's
Shoney’s is a privately held restaurant chain that operates primarily in the Southeast, Midwest and Mid-Atlantic states and is headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee. It is named after Alex Schoenbaum, who was the owner of the original chain of Big Boy restaurants in the southeastern United States...
Chevy in nine 1996 races, with a 23rd place finish at Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
being his best finish, albeit his best career finish to that point.
Tri-Star Motorsports
TriStar Motorsports is a racing team that competes in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. They currently field the #14 Hefty Chevrolet for Eric McClure, the #19 Chevrolet for Mike Bliss, and the #44 Chevrolet for Jeff Green and Charles Lewandoski...
. However, in eight races, all Bradberry could manage was a 31st at Charlotte, causing him to lose his ride Bradberry moved to Triad Motorsports and the #78 Hanes
Hanes
Hanes and Hanes Her Way are brands of apparel currently owned by the HanesBrands, Inc Corporation...
Ford. His best finish in that ride was a 25th at Darlington being the best run. His 44th in points would prove to be his best career year.
He began 1998 with unlimited backing from Pilot Corporation starting the year. However, Bradberry only qualified for 13 races and only had two top-25 finishes, his best run a 23rd at California Speedway
California Speedway
Auto Club Speedway is a two-mile , low-banked, D-shaped oval superspeedway in Fontana, California which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since 1997. The track was also used for open wheel racing events until 2005. The racetrack is located near the former locations of Ontario Motor Speedway and...
, matching Bradberry's best career finish. He also qualified 8th at Charlotte, his first career top-10 start. In addition to twelve races for Triad, Bradberry drove the #35 Team Tabasco Pontiac at New Hampshire, after Triad chose to skip that race, finishing fortieth. He went on to a 48th place finish in points.
In 1999, Bradberry new associate sponsor PHARB Hangover Relief did not fulfill their obligations, and Pilot left soon after, causing the team to close its doors, before even running a race. Bradberry's lone start in 1999 was the at the season finale for Larry Hedrick Motorsports
Larry Hedrick Motorsports
Larry Hedrick Motorsports is a former NASCAR team. It was owned by businessman Larry Hedrick and always fielded the #41 Chevrolet in both the Winston Cup and the Busch Series. The team ran from 1990 until its closure in 2001.- Beginnings :...
operation. He started 9th but engine problems relegated him to 35th.
Bradberry made two more starts for Hedrick in 2000, with 41st at Texas
Texas Motor Speedway
Texas Motor Speedway is a speedway located in the northernmost portion of the U.S. city of Fort Worth, Texas – the portion located in Denton County, Texas....
and 33rd at Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
, and a DNQ at Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
. After those races, Hedrick closed its doors and Bradberry was left without a ride.
Bradberry was unemployed until 2002, when he ran at Michigan
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
with Donlavey Racing
Donlavey Racing
Donlavey Racing is a stock car racing team that competed from 1950 until 2002 in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. It was owned by Junie Donlavey and ran a total of 863 races in NASCAR...
, where he finished 43rd due to handling problems.
Busch Series Career
Bradberry made four races in his Busch career, all coming in 1998.. His debut came at Darlington, where he started 23rd and finished 32nd. Bradberry tacked on a 21st at Charlotte (best career start of 15th), 20th at Pikes PeakPikes Peak International Raceway
Pikes Peak International Raceway, also known as PPIR, is a participant focused racetrack located in Fountain, Colorado, south of Colorado Springs and north of Pueblo...
and 43rd at Michigan