NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction: David Pearson 2011

David Gene Pearson (born December 22, 1934) is a former American stock car racer from Spartanburg, South Carolina.[1] Pearson began his NASCAR career in 1960 and ended his first season by winning the 1960 NASCAR Rookie of the Year award.[1] He won three championships (1966, 1968, and 1969) every year he ran the full schedule in NASCAR's Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup Series).[1] NASCAR described his 1974 season as an indication of his "consistent greatness"; that season he finished third in the season points having competed in only 19 of 30 races.[2]
At his finalist nomination for NASCAR Hall of Fame's inaugural 2010 class, NASCAR described Pearson as "... the model of NASCAR efficiency during his career. With little exaggeration, when Pearson showed up at a race track, he won."[2] Pearson ended his career in 1986, and currently holds the second position on NASCAR's all-time win list with 105 victories; as well as achieving 113 pole positions.[1] Pearson was successful in different venues of racing; he won three times on road courses, 48 times on superspeedways, 54 time on short tracks, and had 23 dirt track wins.[1] Pearson finished with at least one Top 10 finish in each of his 27 seasons.[1] Pearson was nicknamed the "Fox" (and later the "Silver Fox") for his calculated approach to racing.[3] ESPN described him as being a "plain-spoken, humble man, and that added up to very little charisma."[4]
Pearson's career paralleled Richard Petty's, the driver who won the most races in NASCAR history.[5] They accounted for 63 first/second place finishes [5] (with the edge going to Pearson). Petty said, "Pearson could beat you on a short track, he could beat you on a superspeedway, he could beat you on a road course, he could beat you on a dirt track. It didn't hurt as bad to lose to Pearson as it did to some of the others, because I knew how good he was."[5]

[@dennismassengill5481]

My favorite story: Lennie Pond leading at Talladega with David Pearson on his bumper at 190 mph lighting a cigarette.

[@adcockbob]

I was lucky to get to speak to David at the reception before the HOF induction. Told him he should have been in the first class, he replied "second pays the same"! The greatest ever!

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Pearson was fast but what set him apart were 3 things: 1) He was the smoothest driver I've ever seen 2) He was the smartest driver I've ever seen 3) His will to win was second to nobody He also raced in an era when you had to take care of your car and he was a master at that. With today's bullet proof parts and pieces, none of the current drivers have ever had to do that.

[@Nocstaa]

In my opinion, Pearson was the best there ever was. If he started as many races as Petty started, he would have crushed his record number of wins

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Let’s not go there. They were both great. Pearson may have been better, but Petty is the way me who elevated the sport in the national conscious. I do believe that their rivalry made both of them better. So great that two fierce rivals could become and remain great friends.

[@atiboyful]

@@Mark-sj3xb Nah! Petty got all the Press attention because he was flamboyant but Pearson was the far better driver!

[@aaronkristofer18]

Controversial opinion but I seriously think Pearson is the most underrated driver of all time. Nobody talks about his 105 wins, his three championships, his Daytona 500 win. Above him is Richard Petty and his 200 wins, and everyone talks about them, whether because he won 200 races or whether becuase he's the GOAT or because they talk about how they think he cheated for most of them and half of them were illegitimate. People talk about Jeff Gordon below him becuase he managed to win 93 races during the points era, but David is just kind of THERE. He won three championships and 105 races as a part-timer, and even his HOF induction just feels like something that was done because they had to.

[@CJODell12]

No less than The King himself said that The Silver Fox was the greatest driver he ever raced against.

[@jasonvogue4487]

“Well lookie here “ my favorite I saw him as 5 year old kid at my first cup race world 600 1976!! Racing in penny loafers, cigarette lighter installed in his race car One of a fucking kind there will never be another David Pearson ever

[@bcfmef]

One of the true class acts in all of motorsports.

[@carlsands4060]

Absolutely

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Correction, one of the true class acts in all of SPORTS!

[@dannyturner5507]

A die hard Petty fan here but Pearson's name CANNOT be mentioned without all the respect that Richard got. He is a class act, tremendous driver, cornerstone of the sport and somebody I admire tremendously. I have been lucky to meet all the greats. The Cale's, Bobby's, Richard's, David's and Buddy's. I feel my life is complete.

[@lewisgraham5417]

David Pearson, just a simple man loaded with raw talent and knew how to use it. He did a lot for nascar, but those that knew him also know how much he did for children in the Hejaz Shrine Temple. Thank you Noble Brother David for everything.

[@wildspowell196]

My grandpa and David we're great friends. He would ask David to come speak at his church and he would always come and bring one of his racecars and all the fans from the whole area knew when pearson came to town. It was like a dream come true when they got to sit in the car.

[@atiboyful]

Even Richard Petty said that Pearson was the better driver!

[@Mark-sj3xb]

Of course Richard is going to say that, because Richard is nothing but class!

[@NeoGraena]

@@Mark-sj3xb technically Pearson IS better than Richard Pearson's win percentage is higher than Richard's

[@atiboyful]

@@Mark-sj3xb If you don't sincerely believe my comment just youtube the 1976 Daytona 500.

[@stanbrantley3510]

Rest In Peace David Person “Silver Fox” - Thank YOU for all You did for NASCAR !!

[@tedlee7155]

nascar's Driver of the Century,The Silver Fox,there is only 1 David Pearson.

[@terryharvey8020]

I lived about 1/4 mile from him in boiling springs S. C. If he was out near the road when I drove by I could stop and talk to him about racing . My uncle grew up with him and they were good friends also a guy I worked with was also friend with them. After I first meet him whenever we would see each other out in public he would always speak to me or give a wave if we not too close to each other. He was a class act . R. I. P. SILVER FOX

[@basketballcoachmike]

"He was the Steve McQueen of NASCAR." can't get a better quote than that.

[@kevinballenger1211]

David Pearson Was From My Father's Hometown Of Spartanburg, SC. I Always Loved When He And Richard Petty Went At It, They Were Like Muhammad Ali And Joe Frazier! 👍

[@AlonsoRules]

Pearson is the greatest.

[@flashy5150]

***** By far the best race driver to ever get in a NASCAR race car. He lived up to his name "The Silver Fox" by sneaking up on a very enthusiastic driver in 1st place and stealing the win. No one could handle a car like him -- legendary is the only word to describe his abilities. I love how the announcer said at 2:39 " a 160 mile an hour of whits and courage, and the master just called checkmate" -- that's an understatement.

[@AlonsoRules]

+flashy5150 just look at what he did when he didn't run for the championship!! Would have won probably 4 or 5 had he run full time.

[@flashy5150]

***** I know, I don't understand why he kept moving around from team to team or running half the season and so on. I liked when he was with the Wood Brothers the best -- driving the 21 Purolator Cyclone. He should have won the cup during that time too. I haven't heard drom him in a long while, I hope he's doing well and his health is good. He's a good ol' southern guy. I think we're going to see a lot more of the great old time drivers passing away shortly -- they're at that age. I built a beatiful model of David's Puro Mercury and the hauler and it sit's in my glass case as a symbol of his excellence. Cheers

[@cjs83172]

And those words came from someone who should be in NASCAR's Hall of Fame in the media category, legendary motorsports commentator Bud Lindemann. It could be argued that, along with Chris Economaki on the TV side with ABC Sports and his National Speed Sport News paper, Lindemann was the voice of auto racing in America from the late 60s through much of the 70s with his Car & Track program. The American racing legends of the 60s and 70s came alive when their exploits were documented by Economaki and Lindemann.

[@karenwall6834]

Statistically he's by far the best driver ever he started just over 500 races and won 105. Petty started 1500 races and won 200. Pearson only raced the full schedule 4 years that qualified him to run for the championship he won three.

[@jason.c2441]

R.I.P. David, the silver fox

[@mustangecoboosthpp3869]

David Pearson should have been in the first hall of fame class he was that good. It was a shame NASCAR did not put him in the hall of fame that first year.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

It sure was a different Era back then More Grass Roots.. David Pearson from Humble beginnings and always stayed humble ..

[@johnwilkerson2195]

I remember as a kid watching Petty and Pearson as far as I can remember in the early 70's two of my favorites

[@jamesmcintire3800]

Him and Petty were two of the best drivers of all time. When they got together on a racetrack it was just so much fun to watch and experience

[@larrymccullough339]

My all time favorite driver

[@terrymartin3036]

My all time favorite

[@KK-ex5zu]

I remember when this first aired, it was an awesome tribute and induction of David Pearson!

[@adcockbob]

I'm fortunate to have seen David win for Ray Fox to the Wood Brothers! Leonard may be right, "the greatest driver in the history of NASCAR!"

[@markstrock6999]

Best there ever was. A true American hero and icon.

[@Dennis-pb7oe]

And the best there ever will be

[@ShawnCOutlaw41]

Rest In Peace Silver Fox.... The best there was in a time when the driver made the difference between the cars . Like how he ended his HOF speech....We'll see you later

[@slabbusterrtr7690]

Would've loved to seen David and sale sr race against each other I do think pearson was best ever

[@americanaxetoolco2076]

David was a good man! Had the pleasure of meeting him at Darlington many years ago!

[@jeffreypatton3321]

Pearson is the goat of stock car racing

[@edge2sword186]

I don't care who you are you don't want to see him in your rear view mirror in the last lap of the race .

[@robbyrobinson4500]

Best race car driver ever

[@user-hm7hq4kj2h]

Simply the best

[@jefffoster5920]

david Pearson was my hero

[@zaymclovin4178]

R.I.P

[@MrShagnasty18]

What a Career ..............Class Act ! !

[@geraldacampora4042]

R.I.P. David Person One thing I will say. there could be another KING But never will be another SILVER FOX Greatest of all time

[@maxpuppy96]

What Nascar driver has a cigarette lighter in his car, smooth as silk.

[@slowrollinlow2313]

Pure class ryt there!

[@kamranivari5046]

R I P A LEGEND

[@randykirchhevel7311]

Awesome driver even though that was way before my time but nice footage and highlights of his driving.

[@ad92833]

best driver in history

[@davidbilly3766]

With a cigarette lighter in the car

[@terrymartin3036]

Epitome of cool

[@Theawatson10]

RIP

[@mrhorsepower1526]

Smooth is always the fastest way around...on and off the track. David was the best at both

[@J.B24]

Just think of the hall of fame speech as the longest post race interview you've ever had. "Boy this Ford Motorcraft 21 car was good all day. We had some trouble early on in the pits but we worked twice as hard afterward and won the race! I'd like to thank Pepsi, Slim Jim, Wood Brothers Racing, Holly Farms, Purolator... everybody!" They should have had a girl to kiss him up there.

[@aaronkristofer18]

2:50 WOW NJ looks young. When is that?!

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

I am a 5 th generation Pearson. I have never seen him in person really would have loved to. I myself have had a hand in racing dirt and black top. I have never driven one my passion is working on them. I have watched many of the interviews and the straight to the point and jocking around lives on.

[@tonystoakley5816]

Mr Cool great driver sadly missed

[@randymekalet4244]

👍👍👍

[@andredesouza9270]

#ripsilverfox

[@ErrolDAllen]

Chewing that gum. Silver Fox.

[@bobbypaluga4346]

No wonder the guy looked so old for his age, that cigarette hanging out his grill does you no good

[@EclecticHillbilly]

Pretty much all of them smoked back then.

[@garywells1294]

Buddy Baker once said he was driving his butt off and Pearson passed him and he looked over and David was lighting a cigarette at 180mph!! He had a cigarette lighter in his race car. LoL

[@Miatacrosser]

@@garywells1294 not surprised at all about a cigarrette lighter in the car. They were production automobiles. The cigarrette lighter was already there.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

There are a Few Great Drivers but millions in backing by Ford or a 426 Hemi helped too. When GM was not even in racing and Smokey Yunick built a '66 Chevelle that could beat the Big 4 Multi Million Dollar Factory Teams they disqualified him .. Ford Mercury Plymouth Dodge.. | Yes there have been exciting times in NASCAR but it was always tainted with NASCAR Politics and Rules that always favored one Brand or another..

[@deletedaccount966]

RIP

[@scottpearsontoolsmore185]

I am a 5 th generation Pearson. I have never seen him in person really would have loved to. I myself have had a hand in racing dirt and black top. I have never driven one my passion is working on them. I have watched many of the interviews and the straight to the point and jocking around lives on.