Rick Wilson (NASCAR)
Encyclopedia
Rick Wilson is a former NASCAR
Winston Cup driver. He began racing in 1980, and posted 23 top-ten finishes over his career. NASCAR's website says that he is probably best known for his "close, side-by-side second to Bill Elliott
in Daytona's summer event in 1988." He was also known for taking over Richard Petty
's car at Petty Enterprises
after Petty retired in a car numbered 44.
, when he was a consistent top-20 driver and won his only pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway
. He later drove for RahMoc Enterprises
, Stavola Brothers Racing
and Petty Enterprises
and was an Oldsmobile
driver until the brand left NASCAR following the 1992 season. Wilson was the first driver chosen to replace Richard Petty after Petty's retirement—the car's number temporarily changed to #44 at that time. Rick also raced several years in the Busch Series driving for the Abingdon based Food Country #75 Oldsmobile operated by Henderson Motorsports. He won 2 races, Bristol, and Dover, both in 1989. The Bristol race he won was postponed due to snow, and ran on Monday. Wilson led 161 of the 200 laps ran on his way to victory. Wilson started 2nd in 1989 at Martinsville, leading 160 of the 200 laps before blowing a motor and finishing 21st. Wilson has not raced in NASCAR since 1998
. Wilson will be competing in a replica of the 1989 Food Country Oldsmobile in the March 2010 NASCAR Legends race in Bristol. He will be competing against Harry Gant, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, among others.
Wilson won the 2010 NASCAR "Saturday Night Special" also known as The NASCAR Legends Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in a replica of the 1989 Food Country USA Oldsmobile he won with at Bristol in 1989.
and Travis Carter
. He later became a farmer. As of 2007 he ran thousands of cattle on 2000 acres (8.1 km²) and had about 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of orange trees.
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 driver. He began racing in 1980, and posted 23 top-ten finishes over his career. NASCAR's website says that he is probably best known for his "close, side-by-side second to 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...
in Daytona's summer event in 1988." He was also known for taking over Richard Petty
Richard Petty
Richard Lee Petty is a former NASCAR driver who raced in the Strictly Stock/Grand National Era and the NASCAR Winston Cup Series...
's car at Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...
after Petty retired in a car numbered 44.
Career
His most successful reign came from 1986 until 1989, driving the #4 car for Morgan-McClure MotorsportsMorgan-McClure Motorsports
Morgan-McClure Motorsports is an American auto racing team that competed in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series full time until 2007 and now occasionally attempts races. It has been in operation for 27 years, starting in 1982. The team is most notable for running the #4 from 1983 to 2009.-Starting...
, when he was a consistent top-20 driver and won his only pole position at Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway
Bristol Motor Speedway, formerly known as Bristol International Raceway and Bristol Raceway is a NASCAR short track venue located in Bristol, Tennessee. Constructed in 1960, it held its first NASCAR race on July 30, 1961...
. He later drove for RahMoc Enterprises
RahMoc Enterprises
RahMoc Enterprises is a former NASCAR Winston Cup team. The team was owned by long-time engine builder Bob Rahilly and Butch Mock, as well as Darwin Oordt in the team's later years. RahMoc Enterprises continues to operate as an engine supplier for several NASCAR teams.- Beginnings :RahMoc's debut...
, Stavola Brothers Racing
Stavola Brothers Racing
8--98.194.31.156 16:33, 27 November 2011 Stavola Brothers Racing was a NASCAR racing team, owned by Bill and Mickey Stavola, and operating NASCAR Winston Cup and Busch Series teams from 1984 through 1998. The team won the 1988 Daytona 500 with Bobby Allison behind the wheel of the #12 Miller High...
and Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises
Petty Enterprises was a NASCAR racing team based in Randleman, North Carolina, USA. The team was owned by Richard Petty, his son Kyle Petty, and Boston Ventures. At the time of its folding the team operated the #43 and #45 Dodge Chargers in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Petty Enterprises ran from...
and was an 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...
driver until the brand left NASCAR following the 1992 season. Wilson was the first driver chosen to replace Richard Petty after Petty's retirement—the car's number temporarily changed to #44 at that time. Rick also raced several years in the Busch Series driving for the Abingdon based Food Country #75 Oldsmobile operated by Henderson Motorsports. He won 2 races, Bristol, and Dover, both in 1989. The Bristol race he won was postponed due to snow, and ran on Monday. Wilson led 161 of the 200 laps ran on his way to victory. Wilson started 2nd in 1989 at Martinsville, leading 160 of the 200 laps before blowing a motor and finishing 21st. Wilson has not raced in NASCAR since 1998
1998 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...
. Wilson will be competing in a replica of the 1989 Food Country Oldsmobile in the March 2010 NASCAR Legends race in Bristol. He will be competing against Harry Gant, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, among others.
Wilson won the 2010 NASCAR "Saturday Night Special" also known as The NASCAR Legends Race at Bristol Motor Speedway in a replica of the 1989 Food Country USA Oldsmobile he won with at Bristol in 1989.
Personal life
After Wilson retired from racing NASCAR, he became a crew member for Chip GanassiChip Ganassi
Floyd "Chip" Ganassi, Jr is a former American racecar driver and current racecar owner.He is currently the owner and president of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates which operates teams on the IndyCar, NASCAR and Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series circuit...
and Travis Carter
Travis Carter
Travis Carter is a former car owner and crew chief in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He served as crew chief for two decades, winning championships with Benny Parsons and Cale Yarborough in 1973 and 1978, respectively. Carter was the winning crew chief when Parsons won the 1975 Daytona 500. He...
. He later became a farmer. As of 2007 he ran thousands of cattle on 2000 acres (8.1 km²) and had about 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of orange trees.