David Pearson

1966, 1968, 1969 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion

Born: December 22, 1934
Hometown: Spartanburg, SC
The File: Dubbed the "Silver Fox" for his driving style as well as his prematurely graying hair, Pearson is considered amonf the most cunning of drivers. Ran for NASCAR Winston Cup Series honors only five times and won three titles in 1966, 1968 and 1969. His career 105 career NASCAR Winston Cup wins is second only to Richard Petty's 200, but Pearson started only 574 races - less than half as many as Petty. Also ranks second with 113 career poles. Won 64 races on superspeedways. Won 11 of the 18 races he entered in 1973 and a total of 43 races during 1972-1979 while driving for the Wood Brothers. Won 18 percent of his starts and finished in the top five 52 percent of the time.

David Pearson was a smart race car driver. Crafty. Calculating. Cunning. Cool. When he had to be fast, Pearson was as fast as anyone.

But his style was to save his equipment early in the races - usually after winning the pole - then charge late.

"You couldn't make David race you on the tenth or the one-hundredth lap," said Bobby Allison, one of Pearson's fiercest rivals. "But when they got that checkered flag out, he was ready to go."

Pearson raced on his terms - not his rivals'.

"He worked hard at making it look easy," said Ned Jarrett. "He took care of his equipment. He knew when to race hard and when not to. And he was smart."

The 1974 Firecracker 400 at Daytona was an example of Pearson at his best. Petty was stalking race leader Pearson and setting "the Silver Fox" up for a slingshot pass entering the final lap. As they approached the white flag, Pearson slowed and dropped low on the track as Petty flew past.

Pearson had flipped off his ignition for a split second, then refired. The hunter was now the hunted. Pearson passed Petty on the final turn for the win.

"David was just so smooth. He made it look easy," said Leonard Wood. "He knew exactly what he could do with a car and when he could do it. And before you'd know it, he'd run you into the ground."