Jimmy Insolo
Encyclopedia
Jimmy Insolo is a NASCAR
Winston Cup Series race driver whose career spanned from 1970 to 1983.
vehicles sponsored by Miller High Life. In addition to his Winston Cup Series starts, Insolo would make 129 appearances in a Chevrolet
vehicle at the Winston West division of NASCAR. Insolo finished an average of 21st place after starting an average of 13th. His only DNQ came at the 1972 Miller High Life 500
. Jimmy's total earnings as a driver were $59,785 ($ in today's money). One of his famous races involved Insolo racing at the Westwood Motorsport Park
(now developed into the Westwood Plateau
neighborhood along with the Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
).
Before Insolo stepped onto the NASCAR scene, very few West Coast
drivers had any level of success in NASCAR. Drivers from that part of the United States were forced by necessity to race in the specially-designated Winston West Series (now K&N Pro Series West). Racing in the Southeastern United States
back in the early days of NASCAR was a financially unsustainable activity that brought about meager amounts of money that probably couldn't feed the family or pay the bills back then. The multi-million dollar purses that make up the basis for today's NASCAR Cup Series races didn't appear until at least the 1980s. For example, the 1955 Southern 500
, one of the highest paying events prior to the inaugural running of the Daytona 500
paid only $50 as its lowest prize ($ in today's money).
Insolo would race in the days before Kevin Harvick
, Ron Hornaday
, and Kurt Busch
made NASCAR into a household name west of the Mississippi River
. Derrike Cope
, Ernie Irvan
, and Chad Little
would become a few of his "West Coast" contemporaries. After racing the equivalent of 7199.2 miles (11,586 km) and leading 24 laps out of 2804, Insolo would retire from his NASCAR career.
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 race driver whose career spanned from 1970 to 1983.
Summary
He would mainly drive the BuickBuick
Buick is a premium brand of General Motors . Buick models are sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Taiwan, and Israel, with China being its largest market. Buick holds the distinction as the oldest active American make...
vehicles sponsored by Miller High Life. In addition to his Winston Cup Series starts, Insolo would make 129 appearances in a 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...
vehicle at the Winston West division of NASCAR. Insolo finished an average of 21st place after starting an average of 13th. His only DNQ came at the 1972 Miller High Life 500
1972 Miller High Life 500
The 1972 Miller High Life 500 is a NASCAR Winston Cup Series racing event that took place on March 5, 1972 at Ontario Motor Speedway in the American community of Ontario, California.-Summary:...
. Jimmy's total earnings as a driver were $59,785 ($ in today's money). One of his famous races involved Insolo racing at the Westwood Motorsport Park
Westwood Motorsport Park
Westwood Motorsport Park was a 8-turn road racing circuit located in Coquitlam, British Columbia on the southern slopes of Eagle Mountain . The track was built and operated by the Sports Car Club of British Columbia...
(now developed into the Westwood Plateau
Westwood Plateau
Westwood Plateau is a neighbourhood in the northern region of Coquitlam, British Columbia, bounded by the city boundary with Port Moody to the west, David Avenue to the south, and Pipeline Road to the east...
neighborhood along with the Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club
Westwood Plateau Golf & Country Club, located in the Canadian city of Coquitlam, British Columbia, comprises two golf courses set into the hillside of Eagle Mountain.-Summary:...
).
Before Insolo stepped onto the NASCAR scene, very few West Coast
West Coast of the United States
West Coast or Pacific Coast are terms for the westernmost coastal states of the United States. The term most often refers to the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Although not part of the contiguous United States, Alaska and Hawaii do border the Pacific Ocean but can't be included in...
drivers had any level of success in NASCAR. Drivers from that part of the United States were forced by necessity to race in the specially-designated Winston West Series (now K&N Pro Series West). Racing in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
back in the early days of NASCAR was a financially unsustainable activity that brought about meager amounts of money that probably couldn't feed the family or pay the bills back then. The multi-million dollar purses that make up the basis for today's NASCAR Cup Series races didn't appear until at least the 1980s. For example, the 1955 Southern 500
1955 Southern 500
The 1955 Southern 500 was a NASCAR Grand National racing event that took place on September 5, 1955 at the Darlington Raceway in the American community of Darlington, South Carolina. This race officially spanned on a paved oval track...
, one of the highest paying events prior to the inaugural running of the Daytona 500
1959 Daytona 500
The 1959 First Annual 500 Mile NASCAR International Sweepstakes at Daytona was the second race of the 1959 NASCAR Grand National season. It was held on February 22, 1959, in front of 41,921 spectators...
paid only $50 as its lowest prize ($ in today's money).
Insolo would race in the days before Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
, Ron Hornaday
Ron Hornaday
Ronald Hornaday, Jr. is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is the father of former NASCAR driver Ronnie Hornaday, and son of the late Ron Hornaday, Sr., a two-time Winston West Champion. Adding on to the family legacy, Ron is a four-time champion in the Truck Series, his most recent...
, and Kurt Busch
Kurt Busch
Kurt Thomas Busch is an American NASCAR and NHRA driver. He drives the No. 22 Shell Oil Company/Pennzoil Dodge Charger in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and will race on an "opportunity permitting" basis in the Pro Stock division of NHRA...
made NASCAR into a household name west of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope
Derrike Cope is a NASCAR driver. He is best known for his win in the 1990 Daytona 500. He currently drives the #28 Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing in the Nationwide Series and the #75 Chevrolet/Dodge for his own team in the Sprint Cup Series.-Early years:Cope was born in San Diego, California...
, Ernie Irvan
Ernie Irvan
Virgil Earnest Irvan, more commonly known as Ernie Irvan is a former race driver in NASCAR. He is best remembered for his comeback after a serious head injury at Michigan International Speedway which earned him numerous awards and respect from his fellow drivers...
, and Chad Little
Chad Little
Chad Little is a former NASCAR driver. He holds a degree in marketing from Washington State University, and a law degree from Gonzaga University...
would become a few of his "West Coast" contemporaries. After racing the equivalent of 7199.2 miles (11,586 km) and leading 24 laps out of 2804, Insolo would retire from his NASCAR career.