David Pearson
American racecar driver (1934-2018) · United States · On the map · Athletes · Died at 83
David Gene Pearson was an American stock car driver, who raced from 1960 to 1986 in the former NASCAR Grand National and Winston Cup Series, most notably driving the No. 21 Mercury for Wood Brothers Racing. Pearson won the 1960 NASCAR Rookie of the Year award and three Cup Series championships.
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A typical day, 30 days to 17 August 2026
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He never missed a race in the years he was active. NASCAR described his 1974 season as an indication of his "consistent greatness", finishing third in the season points having competed in only nineteen of thirty races. Pearson's career paralleled Richard Petty's, the driver who has won the most races in NASCAR history. They accounted for 63 first/second-place finishes, with the edge going to Pearson. Petty had two-hundred wins in 1,184 starts, while Pearson had 105 wins in 574 starts. Pearson was nicknamed the "Fox" for his calculated approach to racing.
The same award as David
Chase ElliottBoth received NASCAR Rookie of the Year
Bobby AllisonBoth received International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Cale YarboroughBoth received NASCAR Hall of Fame
Herb ThomasBoth received International Motorsports Hall of Fame
Junior JohnsonBoth received NASCAR Hall of Fame
Juan Pablo MontoyaBoth received NASCAR Rookie of the Year