Greg Sacks
Encyclopedia
Greg Sacks is a NASCAR
driver. He is married to his wife Vicky and lives in Ormond Beach, Florida
. Together they had three children: Paul, Brian, and Rachel. He and his sons are partners in Grand Touring Vodka.
Sacks has spent most of his career as a Research & Development
driver for many NASCAR teams. He won the 1985 Firecracker 400 at Daytona
acting as an R&D driver for DiGard Motorsports
.
Featherlite Modified Series. Competing from 1980 to 1983, he won 17 races at Stafford Motor Speedway. 1982 was an especially good year to him, as he won the track championship that year, as well as the [Spring Sizzler, The Ferrera 100 and the Fall Final]. Greg also won The "Dogwood Classic [Martinsville Speedway], the Bud Classic [Oswego Speedway], The Thompson 300 [ Thompson In't Speedway], The World Series of Asphalt (Thompson Speedway) and the Race of Champions at Pocono Raceway
.
In 1983, he made his NASCAR
Winston Cup Series debut at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona
in the #5 car owned sponsored by his father Arnie. He only completed nineteen laps until experiencing engine failure, finishing 38th out of 40 cars. Sacks competed in four more events that season, posting a best finish of 17th in the Champion Spark Plugs 400
at Michigan
, the only race he finished that year.
In 1984, Sacks made a full attempt at the NASCAR
Winston Cup Series, once again in a car owned by his father, only now it ran as #51. Sacks made 29 out of the 30 races, finished 19th in points and runner-up to Rusty Wallace
for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year
award. 1985 got off to a rough start for Sacks. After the first four races, his father's team folded.
Seven races later, Sacks was able to hook on to the #49 Cleaner Hands Formula car owned by 1966 NASCAR Rookie of the Year
James Hylton
. Before the Firecracker 400, DiGard Motorsports
asked Sacks to drive their R & D car. Sacks qualified ninth and defeated pole-sitter Bill Elliott
to earn what so far has been his only NASCAR
Winston Cup Series
victory. The win was considered to be one of NASCAR's biggest upsets, as Sacks' car was only scheduled to run a certain set of laps before going behind the wall to make changes, but his car kept competing for the win, therefore DiGard decided to let Sacks race as normal. After DiGard's regular driver Bobby Allison
quit the team days after the race, the team let Sacks finish the season in their regular car. The next year, Sacks found himself running a limited schedule as DiGard slowly went bankrupt.
In 1987
, he signed to drive the #50 Valvoline Oil Pontiac
for the Dingman Brothers, where he struggled with qualifying for each race. Three-quarters of the way through 1988
, Sacks left the team to drive for Buddy Baker
's team, the #88 Red Baron Frozen Pizza Oldsmobile
. Despite posting two top ten finishes in the first ten races of the 1989
season, Sacks was replaced by rookie Jimmy Spencer
. Sacks was unemployed for a brief period then joined on with Tom Winkle's #75 Dinner Bell Foods Pontiac
for most of the season, joining with Rick Hendrick
at Phoenix
.
in a familiar place; no ride. Sacks was able to get a one-race deal with Hendrick once again at Darlington. This start is notable, as he was driving the #46 City Chevy Lumina. Footage from this race would appear in the movie Days of Thunder
starring Tom Cruise
. Four races later, Sacks was rewarded with a part-time ride at Hendrick, driving the #18 Slim Fast
Chevrolet
. After Darrell Waltrip was injured in a practice crash at Daytona, Sacks drove the #17 Tide
car, earning a 2nd place finish at Michigan. But the most memorable part of his season was winning the pole position
at what has turned out to be a landmark race for him, the Pepsi Firecracker 400. Following the practice crash by teammate Waltrip, NASCAR officials noted that several teams had made modifications, and NASCAR made the teams spot-weld the blocks back into place, causing a loss of power. Trying to make up for lost speed, Sacks raced so hard he caused a massive 23-car pileup at the end of the first lap, taking out eight cars, including Sacks. No one was seriously hurt in that race. But it gave Sacks a reputation of being an excellent qualifier, as shown in 1989, when he won the pole for just his second Busch Series
race.
Sacks started off 1991
at the Daytona 500 driving his own #18 with a special paint scheme from the U.S. Navy, but crashed early in the race. He ran ten more races that year in the #47 Oldsmobile
for Derek Cope, posting two top-twenty finishes. He started 1992 with Larry Hedrick Motorsports
, but suffered injuries in a lap five crash at the Champion Spark Plug 400, and only drove one race for the rest of the season. He moved on to Tri-Star Motorsports
in 1993, and finished sixth at the DieHard 500. In 1994
, Sacks set the track record at Atlanta
when he won the pole. 1994 also marked just the second time in his Cup career he completed the full schedule, piloting the #77 USAir Ford
owned by D.K. Ulrich. Sacks raced part-time in Cup and Busch over the next couple of years, winning a Busch Series
race in a one-off deal for Diamond Ridge Motorsports
at Talladega Superspeedway
in 1996. The next year, he started out driving the #20 Hardee's
Ford
for championship owner Harry Ranier, but was soon released as sponsorship money dried up. Later in the season, he filled in for rookie driver Robby Gordon
, who had suffered burns in the Indianapolis 500
. After Gordon was released later in the year, Sacks finished the season for the team.
, it looked like Sacks would finally find a steady ride, driving the #98 Thorn Apple Valley Ford
for Cale Yarborough
. However, on lap 136 of the Texas 500
at Texas Motor Speedway
, Sacks lost control of his car and wrecked, suffering near-fatal injuries. He missed the rest of the season.
Sacks made his return in 1999
in the Busch Series
, but only qualified for one of the several races he attempted. Sacks tried his hand at Winston Cup again in 2000
, attempting that year's Daytona 500
in the #96 Island Oasis Chevrolet
. He did not make the field. After making sporadic races in modifieds, Sacks announced his return to the Winston Cup Series and Busch Series in the summer of 2002
, driving the #05 Chevy sponsored by the board game FRANCHI$IT. Sacks, who described FRANCHI$IT as "The Board Game
of the 21st Century.," teamed with Loren Fossie to form "Team FRANCHI$IT/Sacks Racing." Originally set to debut at the Brickyard 400, the date was pushed to the fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway
. Nothing has been heard from the team since, and it is not clear if the team was originally planned as a marketing tool for FRANCHI$IT.
In 2004
, Sacks formed Daytona Speed Inc., with Ed Raabe and James Wilsberg. Making its first attempt at Chicagoland Speedway
, the team did not make a race until the Pennsylvania 500
the next month. In February 2005, Raabe departed to form his own race team (Chevrolet), leaving all of the (Dodge) Daytona Speed equipment in care if Sacks. Sacks ran both Pocono races in 2005
, and finished 43rd in both of them.
The team attempted a part-time schedule in 2006
with Who's Your Daddy?
being the team's primary sponsor, but failed to make the field for any race. In early 2007, an arbitrator forced Who's Your Daddy? to pay over a million dollars to Sacks after an alleged contract violation.
in the Nationwide Series Subway
Jalapeño 250 on July 2 at Daytona. Sacks finished 21st after qualifying 7th.
Sacks, who and his family own Grand Touring Vodka, will sponsor JR Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season.
Busch Series
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...
driver. He is married to his wife Vicky and lives in Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach, Florida
Ormond Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The population was 36,301 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 37,929. Ormond Beach is the northern neighbor of Daytona Beach and is home to Tomoka State Park.-History:Ormond Beach was...
. Together they had three children: Paul, Brian, and Rachel. He and his sons are partners in Grand Touring Vodka.
Sacks has spent most of his career as a Research & Development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
driver for many NASCAR teams. He won the 1985 Firecracker 400 at Daytona
Daytona
Daytona may refer to:* Daytona Beach, Florida* Daytona Beach Shores, Florida* South Daytona, Florida-Motor racing:* Daytona Beach Road Course* Daytona International Speedway, a NASCAR speedway, which hosts:** the Daytona 500 NASCAR race...
acting as an R&D driver for DiGard Motorsports
DiGard Motorsports
DiGard Motorsports was a championship-winning race team in NASCAR Winston Cup that had its most success in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
.
Modifieds
Early in his racing career, Sacks was a successful driver in what is now the NASCARNASCAR
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...
Featherlite Modified Series. Competing from 1980 to 1983, he won 17 races at Stafford Motor Speedway. 1982 was an especially good year to him, as he won the track championship that year, as well as the [Spring Sizzler, The Ferrera 100 and the Fall Final]. Greg also won The "Dogwood Classic [Martinsville Speedway], the Bud Classic [Oswego Speedway], The Thompson 300 [ Thompson In't Speedway], The World Series of Asphalt (Thompson Speedway) and the Race of Champions at Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
.
In 1983, he made his NASCAR
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 Series debut at the Pepsi 400 at Daytona
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
in the #5 car owned sponsored by his father Arnie. He only completed nineteen laps until experiencing engine failure, finishing 38th out of 40 cars. Sacks competed in four more events that season, posting a best finish of 17th in the Champion Spark Plugs 400
GFS Marketplace 400
The Pure Michigan 400 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race being held annually at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Michigan since 1969. However, during the 1973 season it was not held after Roger Penske replaced the race with a Champ car event. The inaugural event was scheduled to be 600...
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...
, the only race he finished that year.
Success in the 1980s
In 1982 his team entered 38 races and won 28.In 1984, Sacks made a full attempt at the NASCAR
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 Series, once again in a car owned by his father, only now it ran as #51. Sacks made 29 out of the 30 races, finished 19th in points and runner-up to Rusty Wallace
Rusty Wallace
Russell William Wallace, Jr. is a past NASCAR Winston Cup Champion, currently a broadcaster on ESPN, car owner in the Nationwide Series, and a co-host of NASCAR Angels.-Early racing career:...
for the NASCAR Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
award. 1985 got off to a rough start for Sacks. After the first four races, his father's team folded.
NASCAR Rookie of the Year
The NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award is presented to the first-year driver that has the best season in a NASCAR season. Each of NASCAR's national and regional touring series selects a RotY winner each year....
James Hylton
James Hylton
James Harvey Hylton is a part-time race car driver. He is a two-time winner in NASCAR and competes in the ARCA RE/MAX Series,finishing 16th in points in 2006. He made headlines while attempting to qualify for the 2007 Daytona 500 at age 72...
. Before the Firecracker 400, DiGard Motorsports
DiGard Motorsports
DiGard Motorsports was a championship-winning race team in NASCAR Winston Cup that had its most success in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
asked Sacks to drive their R & D car. Sacks qualified ninth and defeated pole-sitter Bill Elliott
Bill Elliott
William Clyde "Bill" Elliott , also known as Awesome Bill from Dawsonville or Million Dollar Bill, is a part-time driver and former champion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Elliott was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America on August 15, 2007. He won the 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup...
to earn what so far has been his only NASCAR
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 Series
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...
victory. The win was considered to be one of NASCAR's biggest upsets, as Sacks' car was only scheduled to run a certain set of laps before going behind the wall to make changes, but his car kept competing for the win, therefore DiGard decided to let Sacks race as normal. After DiGard's regular driver Bobby Allison
Bobby Allison
Robert Arthur Allison is a former NASCAR Winston Cup driver and was named one of NASCAR's 50 greatest drivers. His two sons, Clifford Allison and Davey Allison followed him into racing, and both died within a year of each other....
quit the team days after the race, the team let Sacks finish the season in their regular car. The next year, Sacks found himself running a limited schedule as DiGard slowly went bankrupt.
In 1987
1987 in NASCAR
The 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Season began February 8 and ended November 22. Dale Earnhardt of RCR Enterprises won the championship for the third time...
, he signed to drive the #50 Valvoline Oil Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
for the Dingman Brothers, where he struggled with qualifying for each race. Three-quarters of the way through 1988
1988 in NASCAR
The 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 7 and ended November 20. Bill Elliott of Melling Racing won the championship.See also: 1988 in NASCAR Busch Series- 1988 Team Chart :- Busch Clash :...
, Sacks left the team to drive for Buddy Baker
Buddy Baker
Elzie Wylie Baker, Jr. , nicknamed "Leadfoot" or more famously Buddy, is a former American NASCAR racecar driver.-Early life:...
's team, the #88 Red Baron Frozen Pizza Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
. Despite posting two top ten finishes in the first ten races of the 1989
1989 in NASCAR
The 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 12 and ended November 19. Rusty Wallace of the #27 Kodiak Pontiac for Blue Max Racing won the championship...
season, Sacks was replaced by rookie Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer
Jimmy Spencer is a current television commentator, and a former NASCAR driver. He formerly hosted the NASCAR inspired talk show, “What’s the Deal?”, on SPEED. He is the former co-host, with John Roberts and Kenny Wallace, of the SPEED's pre-race and post-race NASCAR shows NASCAR RaceDay and...
. Sacks was unemployed for a brief period then joined on with Tom Winkle's #75 Dinner Bell Foods Pontiac
Pontiac
Pontiac was an automobile brand that was established in 1926 as a companion make for General Motors' Oakland. Quickly overtaking its parent in popularity, it supplanted the Oakland brand entirely by 1933 and, for most of its life, became a companion make for Chevrolet. Pontiac was sold in the...
for most of the season, joining with Rick Hendrick
Rick Hendrick
Joseph Riddick Hendrick III , better known as Rick Hendrick, is the current owner of the American NASCAR team, Hendrick Motorsports and founder of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrick Marrow Program. He attended Park View High School in South Hill, Virginia, and began his career in auto...
at Phoenix
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
.
Qualifying King
Sacks started off 19901990 in NASCAR
The 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Sunday February 11 and ended on Sunday November 18. Because of a highly controversial penalty to Mark Martin early in the season, Dale Earnhardt with Richard Childress Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion for the fourth time, edging out Martin by 21...
in a familiar place; no ride. Sacks was able to get a one-race deal with Hendrick once again at Darlington. This start is notable, as he was driving the #46 City Chevy Lumina. Footage from this race would appear in the movie Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
starring Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise
Thomas Cruise Mapother IV , better known as Tom Cruise, is an American film actor and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and he has won three Golden Globe Awards....
. Four races later, Sacks was rewarded with a part-time ride at Hendrick, driving the #18 Slim Fast
Slim Fast
Slim•Fast is a brand of shakes, bars, snacks, packaged meals, and other dietary supplement foods sold in the U.S., UK, Ireland, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland and Latin America by Unilever. Slim Fast promotes diets and weight loss plans featuring its food products. Its U.S...
Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
. After Darrell Waltrip was injured in a practice crash at Daytona, Sacks drove the #17 Tide
Tide
Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon and the sun and the rotation of the Earth....
car, earning a 2nd place finish at Michigan. But the most memorable part of his season was winning the pole position
Pole position
The term "pole position", as used in motorsports, comes from the horse racing term where the number one starter starts on the inside next to the inside pole. The term made its way, along with several other customs, to auto racing. In circuit motorsports, a driver has pole position when he or she...
at what has turned out to be a landmark race for him, the Pepsi Firecracker 400. Following the practice crash by teammate Waltrip, NASCAR officials noted that several teams had made modifications, and NASCAR made the teams spot-weld the blocks back into place, causing a loss of power. Trying to make up for lost speed, Sacks raced so hard he caused a massive 23-car pileup at the end of the first lap, taking out eight cars, including Sacks. No one was seriously hurt in that race. But it gave Sacks a reputation of being an excellent qualifier, as shown in 1989, when he won the pole for just his second Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
race.
1991 in NASCAR
The 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began February 10 and ended November 17. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing was crowned champion at the end of the season. It was his fifth championship.-1991 Team Chart:-Busch Clash:...
at the Daytona 500 driving his own #18 with a special paint scheme from the U.S. Navy, but crashed early in the race. He ran ten more races that year in the #47 Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile
Oldsmobile was a brand of American automobile produced for most of its existence by General Motors. It was founded by Ransom E. Olds in 1897. In its 107-year history, it produced 35.2 million cars, including at least 14 million built at its Lansing, Michigan factory...
for Derek Cope, posting two top-twenty finishes. He started 1992 with 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 :...
, but suffered injuries in a lap five crash at the Champion Spark Plug 400, and only drove one race for the rest of the season. He moved on to Tri-Star Motorsports
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...
in 1993, and finished sixth at the DieHard 500. In 1994
1994 in NASCAR
The 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 20 and ended on Sunday November 13. Dale Earnhardt of Richard Childress Racing was crowned champion at season's end, winning consecutive Winston Cups for the third time in his career and tying Richard Petty for the record of most top-level...
, Sacks set the track record at Atlanta
Atlanta 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...
when he won the pole. 1994 also marked just the second time in his Cup career he completed the full schedule, piloting the #77 USAir 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 D.K. Ulrich. Sacks raced part-time in Cup and Busch over the next couple of years, winning a Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
race in a one-off deal for Diamond Ridge Motorsports
Diamond Ridge Motorsports
Pastrana-Waltrip Racing is a NASCAR Nationwide Series team that competed in the Winston Cup and Busch Series from 1990 to 1999, and revived as a Nationwide Series team in 2010. The original Diamond Ridge team was owned and operated by Gary Bechtel...
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...
in 1996. The next year, he started out driving the #20 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...
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...
for championship owner Harry Ranier, but was soon released as sponsorship money dried up. Later in the season, he filled in for rookie driver Robby Gordon
Robby Gordon
Robert W. "Robby" Gordon is an American racecar driver who currently competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series as an owner-driver, driving the No. 7 Speed Energy Dodge Charger for Robby Gordon Motorsports, and also competes part-time in the Nationwide Series...
, who had suffered burns in the Indianapolis 500
Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
. After Gordon was released later in the year, Sacks finished the season for the team.
Struggles
In 19981998 in NASCAR
See Also: 1998 in NASCAR Busch Series-1998 Team Chart:-Bud Shootout Qualifier:The Bud Shootout Qualifier, a race for the fastest second round qualifier, from each race from the previous season, was run on February 8 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sterling Marlin drew the pole...
, it looked like Sacks would finally find a steady ride, driving the #98 Thorn Apple Valley 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...
for Cale Yarborough
Cale Yarborough
William Caleb "Cale" Yarborough , is a farmer, businessman and former NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner. He is one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships...
. However, on lap 136 of the Texas 500
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
The Samsung Mobile 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held at the Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas USA. Even though is advertised as a "500 mile" race, because TMS is a track, the actual distance is . There were 10 different winners in the first ten races, the longest such streak for...
at Texas Motor Speedway
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....
, Sacks lost control of his car and wrecked, suffering near-fatal injuries. He missed the rest of the season.
Sacks made his return in 1999
1999 in NASCAR Busch Series
The 1999 NASCAR Busch Series season began on February 13 and ended on November 13. Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. won the season points championship.See also: 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series-1999 Team chart:...
in the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
, but only qualified for one of the several races he attempted. Sacks tried his hand at Winston Cup again in 2000
2000 in NASCAR
The 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 13 and ended on Sunday November 20. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Bobby Labonte was crowned champion at season's end. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was won by Ford when they captured 14 wins and 234 points to better Pontiac's 11 wins...
, attempting that year's 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....
in the #96 Island Oasis Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
. He did not make the field. After making sporadic races in modifieds, Sacks announced his return to the Winston Cup Series and Busch Series in the summer of 2002
2002 in NASCAR
The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup began on Saturday, February 10, and ended on Sunday, November 17. Tony Stewart with Joe Gibbs Racing was crowned the Winston Cup champion. The NASCAR Manufacturers' Championship was captured by Ford after winning 14 events, and gaining 245 points over second place...
, driving the #05 Chevy sponsored by the board game FRANCHI$IT. Sacks, who described FRANCHI$IT as "The Board Game
Monopoly
A monopoly exists when a specific person or enterprise is the only supplier of a particular commodity...
of the 21st Century.," teamed with Loren Fossie to form "Team FRANCHI$IT/Sacks Racing." Originally set to debut at the Brickyard 400, the date was pushed to the fall race at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
. Nothing has been heard from the team since, and it is not clear if the team was originally planned as a marketing tool for FRANCHI$IT.
In 2004
2004 in NASCAR
The 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season began on Saturday, February 7 and ended on Sunday, November 21. Kurt Busch with Roush Racing driving a Ford was the Nextel Cup champion....
, Sacks formed Daytona Speed Inc., with Ed Raabe and James Wilsberg. Making its first attempt at Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway
Chicagoland Speedway is a tri-oval speedway in Joliet, Illinois, USA, southwest of Chicago. The speedway opened in 2001 and currently hosts NASCAR racing including the opening event in the 2011 Chase for the Sprint Cup. Until 2011, the speedway also hosted the IZOD IndyCar Series, recording...
, the team did not make a race until the Pennsylvania 500
Pennsylvania 500
The Good Sam RV Insurance 500 is the second of two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, the other being the Pocono 500...
the next month. In February 2005, Raabe departed to form his own race team (Chevrolet), leaving all of the (Dodge) Daytona Speed equipment in care if Sacks. Sacks ran both Pocono races in 2005
2005 in NASCAR
The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began on Saturday, February 12. The ten race Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 18, and ended on Sunday, November 20, with the Ford 400....
, and finished 43rd in both of them.
The team attempted a part-time schedule in 2006
2006 in NASCAR
The 2006 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup season started at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 12 with the Bud Shootout and ended on Sunday, November 19 with the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The Chase for the NEXTEL Cup began with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 17 at New Hampshire...
with Who's Your Daddy?
Who's Your Daddy? (company)
Who's Your Daddy? Inc. is a licensing and branding company with trade names on over 300 products. The company currently concentrates on its distribution of the Who's Your Daddy "King of Energy" energy drink nationwide and via the internet...
being the team's primary sponsor, but failed to make the field for any race. In early 2007, an arbitrator forced Who's Your Daddy? to pay over a million dollars to Sacks after an alleged contract violation.
2008 plans
Greg has no immediate plans for a full race time schedule, but will run a partial schedule in the NASCAR Nationwide Series and ARCA/ReMAX series in 2008. He tried to qualify for the ARCA race at Daytona but missed the field after posting the 48th best qualifying time.2010 plans
Greg drove the #88 car owned by Dale Earnhardt, Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* NOTE: References to "Earnhardt", "he", and "him" refer to the subject of this article, unless otherwise specified. References to his father will include "Sr."...
in the Nationwide Series Subway
Subway (restaurant)
Subway is an American restaurant franchise that primarily sells submarine sandwiches and salads. It is owned and operated by Doctor's Associates, Inc. . Subway is one of the fastest growing franchises in the world with 35,519 restaurants in 98 countries and territories as of October 25th, 2011...
Jalapeño 250 on July 2 at Daytona. Sacks finished 21st after qualifying 7th.
Sacks, who and his family own Grand Touring Vodka, will sponsor JR Motorsports for the 2011 Nationwide Series season.
Races won
Winston Cup- 1985: Firecracker 400 (Daytona International SpeedwayDaytona International SpeedwayDaytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
)
Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
- 1996: Hummingbird Fishfinder 500K (Talladega SuperspeedwayTalladega SuperspeedwayTalladega 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...
)