David Pearson Trivia Quiz

Answer: South Carolina

David Gene Pearson was born in Whitney, South Carolina, in 1934. Pearson became interested in stock car racing at a young age, winning his first local race in 1953. Pearson raced on the NASCAR Cup circuit from 1960 to 1986. John C. Calhoun, a fellow Sandlapper, was vice-president of the United States from 1825 to 1832.

Answer: Charlotte

David Pearson won his first career NASCAR Cup race in the 1961 World 600, held at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It was Pearson 31st career start, and he drove the #1 Pontiac. During his career, Pearson would win 4 races and earn 14 poles in 46 starts at the Charlotte track. Bristol is located in Tennessee; Atlanta is situated in Georgia; and Daytona is located in Florida.

Answer: the Silver Fox

David Pearson probably became known as "The Silver Fox" because of his penchant for being patient and cunning during races. Pearson would invariably stay in the middle of the pack for most of the race, saving his equipment; he would then race full throttle in the last few laps to emerge victorious.

More than one competitor commented, "Pearson was like a sly fox just waiting for the right moment to spring a trap."

Answer: Darlington

David Pearson loved racing at the famed Darlington, SC, racetrack, the "Lady in Black." In 47 career starts at the track "too tough to tame", Pearson won 10 races and 12 poles in 47 career starts. Pearson captured the prestigious Southern 500 race three times. Pearson's second most favorite track was the Michigan Speedway, where he won nine races.

He won six races at Richmond and one race each at Pocono and Martinsville.

Answer: Richard Petty

The finish to the 1976 Daytona 500 race is one of the most famous film clips in NASCAR history. Heavyweight drivers David Pearson and Richard Petty battled side by side in the final lap of the race. Going into the final turn of the race, the two drivers collided and both cars went spinning out of control. Petty's car got stuck in the infield grass, but Pearson managed to refire his engine.

He then somehow got his car to cross the finish line for the checkered flag. Petty was later disqualified because his pit crew helped to push the famed #43 STP car over the finish line. Overall, Pearson and Petty finished 1-2 a total of 63 times during their careers, with Pearson winning 33 of those duels.

The Allison brothers, Bobby and Donnie, were born in Alabama, and Cale Yarborough was born in South Carolina.

Answer: He won his first NASCAR Cup racing title.

David Pearson won the first of his three NASCAR Grand National driving titles in 1966. In 42 starts that season for owner Cotton Owens, Pearson won 15 races and 7 poles. He also earned NASCAR championships in 1968 and 1969. During 1966, Pearson drove the #6 Dodge car. He earned his 50th career victory at Richmond, Virginia, during the 1969 season.

Answer: Mercury

During the 1973 NASCAR campaign, David Pearson drove the Purolator Mercury machine in only 18 events. Yet Pearson won 11 races and captured 8 poles in a fabulous display of skill. Benny Parsons, who ran the entire schedule of 28 races, was the NASCAR Winston Cup champion for 1973. Pearson earned victories for Mercury each season between 1972 and 1978.

Answer: 21

Between 1972 and 1978, David Pearson drove the number 21 car to victory lane a total of 43 times. Pearson and the Wood Brothers became synonymous with NASCAR racing excellence during those years. During his career, Pearson drove six different car numbers to victory lane: numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 17, and 21. Roberto Clemente of the Pirates wore number 21 during his Fall of Fame baseball career from 1955 to 1972.

Answer: He started more NASCAR Cup races than any other driver.

David Pearson achieved considerable success in a rather limited number of starts. He started in only 574 NASCAR Cup races, compared with 1184 career starts for King Richard Petty. Some stock car experts consider Pearson to be the greatest driver in NASCAR history. By the way, Pearson won his final race in a Chevrolet at Darlington in 1980.

Answer: 105

When he retired, David Pearson had won 105 races in his NASCAR Cup career, second only to Richard Petty's total of 200 victories. Pearson won Cup races at 36 different tracks during his 27-year career. In addition, Pearson won 113 poles, second only to Petty's total of 123. Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip are each credited with 84 Cup victories, while Dale Earnhardt won 76 Cup races.