Jerry Cook
Encyclopedia
Jerry Cook is a NASCAR
championship race car driver. He began racing at the age of 13 and won the track championship at Utica-Rome Speedway in 1969.
Modified
series (1971–72, 1974–77). His rivalry with fellow Rome, New York driver Richie Evans
is legendary. He retired after the 1982 season with 342 wins. He stayed with the sport, and helped shape the 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...
championship race car driver. He began racing at the age of 13 and won the track championship at Utica-Rome Speedway in 1969.
Driving career
He eventually went to become a six-time champion in 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...
Modified
Whelen Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned and operated by NASCAR in the Modified division. The Modified division is NASCAR's oldest division, and its one of two open-wheeled divisions...
series (1971–72, 1974–77). His rivalry with fellow Rome, New York driver Richie Evans
Richie Evans
Richard Ernest Evans , was an American racing driver who won nine NASCAR National Modified Championships, including eight in a row from 1978 to 1985. The International Motorsports Hall of Fame lists this achievement as "one of the supreme accomplishments in motorsports"...
is legendary. He retired after the 1982 season with 342 wins. He stayed with the sport, and helped shape the series.
NASCAR administration
Cook served as the Whelen Modified Series' director when it began in 1985, and is currently NASCAR's Administrative Director.Awards
- Inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of FameInternational Motorsports Hall of FameThe International Motorsports Hall of Fame is a Hall of Fame dedicated to enshrining those who have contributed the most to auto racing either as a driver, owner, developer or engineer...
in 2009 - In 1989, he was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 1993
- As part of NASCAR's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest DriversNASCAR's 50 Greatest DriversNASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers is a list of NASCAR drivers.In 1998, as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, NASCAR gathered a panel to select "The 50 Greatest NASCAR Drivers of All Time." It was inspired in part by the NBA's decision to select the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History on its 50th...
. - NASCAR named him #3 on its NASCAR Modifed All-Time Top 10 list.