Patrick "Pat" Kirkwoood was a 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...

 Grand National Driver from 1949

1949 in NASCAR

The 1949 NASCAR Strictly Stock season was the inaugural season of professional stock car racing in the United States. Beginning at Charlotte Speedway on June 19, 1949, the season included eight races and two exhibition races. The season concluded with the Wilkes 200 at North Wilkesboro Speedway on...

 to 1957.

As a driver

He competed in the first season of what is now known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Kirkwood completed 1479 laps and 1899.6 miles (3,057.1 km) of stock car racing action during his four non-consecutive year career. On average, Kirkwood started and finished a race in 15th place with a total career earning of $3290 ($ in today's money). In 1956, Kirkwood finished 56th in the entire season's championship standings. However he did worse in 1957 with a final result of 178th in that season's championship standings. Although Kirkwood never won a race or a championship, Kirkwood competed in NASCAR during its unregulated and highly unsponsored era. Funding for teams and drivers were so sparse back then that none of the teams could race in all eight races of the 1949 NASCAR Strickly Stock season.

As an owner

Kirkwood was also briefly a NASCAR owner who had his vehicles race in one race in the 1949 season in addition to four races in the 1952 season. The vehicles under his ownership managed to earn two finishes in the top five, two finishes in the top ten, one pole position, 764 laps of racing, and 971.9 miles (1,564.1 km) of experience. With an average start of 14th and an average finish of 15th, Kirkwood's vehicles had an average finish for the time.