Jerry Cook
Jerry Cook (born June 20, 1943) is a NASCAR modified championship race car driver.[1] He began racing at the age of 13 and won the track championship at Utica-Rome Speedway in 1969.
| Jerry Cook | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  United States |
| Born | June 20, 1943 Lockport, New York |
| Retired | 1982 |
| NASCAR Modified Tour | |
| Years active | 1970–1982 |
| Wins | 341 |
| Best finish | 1st in 1971–72, 1974–77 |
| Previous series | |
| 1973 | NASCAR Winston Cup Series |
| Championship titles | |
| 1971–72, 1974–77 | NASCAR Modified Tour |
| Awards | |
| 1989 1993 1998 2009 2011 2016 | NM Hall of Fame NYSSCA Hall of Fame NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers IM Hall of Fame NDM Hall of Fame NASCAR Hall of Fame |
Racing career
He eventually went to become a six-time champion in the NASCAR Modified series (1971–72, 1974–77). His rivalry with fellow Rome, New York driver Richie Evans is legendary. He retired after the 1982 season with 342 wins.[2] He stayed with the sport, and helped shape the series.[3]
In 1973, he attempted to qualify for the Daytona 500 in a No. 07 Chevrolet. In his Daytona 500 Qualifying Race, he spun on lap 44 and finished 25th, failing to make the 500.[4][5]
NASCAR administration
Cook served as the Whelen Modified Series' director when it began in 1985, and is currently NASCAR's Competition Administrator.[3]
Awards
- Inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2009
- In 1989, he was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame
- Inducted into the New York State Stock Car Association Hall of Fame in 1993
- As part of NASCAR's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.[3]
- NASCAR named him #3 on its NASCAR Modified All-Time Top 10 list.[2]
- Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016[3]
- Inducted in the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame inducted in 2011.[6]
- Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023)
Motorsports career results
NASCAR
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
References
- "Jerry Cook biography". Eastern Motorsport Professional Association. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
- NASCAR Modified All-Time Top 10 list at nascar.com
- "News & Media: Jerry Cook". nascar.com. NASCAR. May 20, 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
- Verigan, Bill (February 16, 1973). "The Establishment Loses a Race". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Thursday's Results". Orlando Sentinel. February 16, 1973. Retrieved May 21, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Trio to be enshrined in Hall of Fame". Finger Lakes Times. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
- "Jerry Cook – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2019.