Pearson, David G.
Auto Racing
b. Dec. 22, 1934, Whitney, SC
After winning $13 in a 1952 hobby race, Pearson decided on a career in racing. He was very successful in NASCAR's sportsman class, but couldn't get a ride in the big races. He bought his own car and tried it in 1960, but the car just wasn't up to it.
He finally got a sponsor and a good car in 1961 and won the World 600, the Firecracker 250 and the Dixie 400, becoming the first driver to win at three of NASCAR's Big Four tracks in a year. He was named Rookie of the Year.
After less success in 1963 and 1964, he missed the entire 1965 season because Chrysler refused to let its cars run on the NASCAR circuit, and he was driving a Dodge. But in 1966 he won 15 Grand National races to take the first of his three NASCAR championships.
His second championship came in 1968, when he had 16 wins, and he made it two in a row in 1969. Pearson concentrated on big races in 1970, making only 19 starts and winning only one. Ford, his new manufacturer, pulled out of NASCAR racing in 1971 and he went without a major victory. But in 1972 he won the Yankee 400, Motor State 500, Firecracker 400, Rebel 400, Delaware 500 and the Winston 500. The following year, he won three superspeedway races.
Pearson retired with 105 Grand National wins, second only to Richard Petty. He now manages a racing team for his son, Larry.