The more I learn about him the more I’m convinced he might be NASCAR’s greatest driver. If he had raced full seasons who knows how many more wins and championships he would have won.
He was a friend off mine, always my hero. I agree 100% Was lucky enough to be working on his car when he won his last race. This was after he retired and raced on local dirt tracks.
I am fortunate to have been in the stands to see him race more than once. I have also seen Petty, Yarborough, Allison, Earnhardt, and all the best NASCAR hosted until 2000. Pearson was the best. He was incredibly consistent, and when it came down to the end of the race, nobody was cooler and more shrewd than the Silver Fox. A winner.
Underrated channel. And Pearson is one of the FEW that regardless of era, you put him in the 80s, 90, 00s etc, he could and would win. And that's a fact
Imo the best ever. He ran part time schedules in lesser equipment for a lot of seasons and look at the numbers. He quit chasing championships and just ran the big events for wood brothers, and won 45 percent over like 3 yrs. Full schedule and he wins those championships to
Excellent video! I've been a NASCAR fan since 1966 and knew of David Pearson's greatness. I guess that I didn't know of all of the top fives and tens. That man was a machine and while he's not the all time winningest driver, nor does he have the seven championships. I now believe him to be the best driver in NASCAR history.
Overall a great vid, but a few errors in the info. One was while subbing for Earnhardt in '79. The narrator said his success wasn't good enough to get a ride afterwards. He turned down opportunities. It had to be the, "right" deal. Not "just" a deal. Dale came back before his injury was healed worried Pearson may take his ride, and Osterland was willing to field two cars, a teammate to Earnhardt, which Pearson turned down. Other possible opportunities were out there, but Pearson was very selective. He only wanted a partial schedule, not a full schedule, which most (competitive) teams ran. That's what eventually lead to the "80 Ellington ride. The '81 Halpern deal had a lot of potential, but ended prematurely. After that, never really had a "competitive " ride. A few poles, never to be close to a victory again in Cup. Just a kid in the 70's, I was a huge Pearson fan, but very little TV, I had MRN to listen to, but as TV began to cover majority of races in the 80s, I was so disappointed his career was bogging down right before my eyes. And then I had several opportunities later to be in close proximity of my hero, he was a "dick." Absolutely no interest in his loyal fans. Blew me off on two occasions. Not that he was really busy, just didn't like the interaction. He was just a "racer," didn't see himself as a celebrity. One of my biggest disappointments in my life, his funeral was private. Absolutely would have been there. I listened to this again and I'm not so sure Hoss Ellington "let" him go, as DP choose to go the route of the Joel Halpern ride with Jake Elder, fewer races and "as good" or better salary as I recall. Also. Tim Richmond DIDN'T draw back on Pearson at Daytona. Listen to John Dodson's eye witness account and you'll know Richmond was scared, knew he pissed off the old man.
right on about richmond the old man taught him a lesson. i met him at his shop in the early 80s . you are right he shook my and said hello and went about his business. pearson is goat
I watched David Pearson race for many years,before spotters and "team strategy" decisions during a race. Except for pit stops,the driver was responsible. David was always a SHREWD driver. Thought "big picture." He wouldn't hardly race near other cars until it mattered,then suddenly he'd be all over the leader,going "toe to toe" for the win.Much like Dale Sr.
Even The King Richard Petty says that Pearson's was his toughest competitor & if Pearson's would have raced more full time then Petty wouldnt have as many championships or wins & he even says that Pearson's is probably the greatest driver of all time along with Dale Jr. & so many others.
Saw him at Smoky Mountain Raceway in 1965 in Cotton Owens Dodge. He lost a wheel that night cause the track was dirt and very rough. But he became my favorite driver that night....
When David wasn’t inducted into the nascar hall of fame the first year, I said to hell with nascar! It was a crying shame to hell with nascar for that!!!!
The incident between Pearson and Richmond did not happen the way this video says, one of Richmonds crew members was there when this indecent happened. Pearson confronted Richmond who on his way in to the garage after the race ended was on the radio wanting his crew to get down to where he was because Richmond had given Pearson the finger on the track and he knew Pearson was not happy with him. The crew member says Pearson walked up and confronted Richmond telling his he better never disrespect him again and then hauled off and punched Richmond who went down on the spot. The crew member did not intervene because he said Richmond needed to be taught a lesson and that some people grabbed a hold of Pearson to keep him from hitting Richmond again, but Pearson said you can let me go I'm done and that was the end of the incident. The crew member said that Tim Richmond was a wimp. This crew member tells this incident in a TH-cam video interview.
He won 3 out of 4 that he ran for it. 1964 he was 3rd, and if there were as many mechanical issues, maybe.... He was content. Imagine what the record would be if he and the Woods' ran the full schedule with him '72-'79. The "King" wouldn't be a "7 time."
Again this video is not correct about the return of Pearson to the Wood Brothers he was asked to drive for them but after testing the car Pearson said his back and neck was so soar the next morning that he called the Wood Brothers and told them he could not run the car for them. There was no plot by David Pearson to return.
The best ever Started after Richard and quit before him and ran a limited s edit had 100 or so wins, most on big tracks. ,.. so yes, DAVID WAS THE BEST EVER!
David Pearson was the greatest driver to ever race in NASCAR. RIP to the Silver Fox.
The more I learn about him the more I’m convinced he might be NASCAR’s greatest driver. If he had raced full seasons who knows how many more wins and championships he would have won.
Back when Nascar was Nascar not Spec Car
So true
He was a friend off mine, always my hero. I agree 100% Was lucky enough to be working on his car when he won his last race. This was after he retired and raced on local dirt tracks.
I am fortunate to have been in the stands to see him race more than once. I have also seen Petty, Yarborough, Allison, Earnhardt, and all the best NASCAR hosted until 2000. Pearson was the best. He was incredibly consistent, and when it came down to the end of the race, nobody was cooler and more shrewd than the Silver Fox. A winner.
Underrated channel. And Pearson is one of the FEW that regardless of era, you put him in the 80s, 90, 00s etc, he could and would win. And that's a fact
facts
Imo the best ever. He ran part time schedules in lesser equipment for a lot of seasons and look at the numbers. He quit chasing championships and just ran the big events for wood brothers, and won 45 percent over like 3 yrs. Full schedule and he wins those championships to
I saw him, Waltrip, Petty and the other greats race the Monster Mile in Dover in 1977.
Excellent video! I've been a NASCAR fan since 1966 and knew of David Pearson's greatness. I guess that I didn't know of all of the top fives and tens. That man was a machine and while he's not the all time winningest driver, nor does he have the seven championships. I now believe him to be the best driver in NASCAR history.
One of the best drivers in the history of NASCAR.
Overall a great vid, but a few errors in the info. One was while subbing for Earnhardt in '79. The narrator said his success wasn't good enough to get a ride afterwards. He turned down opportunities. It had to be the, "right" deal. Not "just" a deal.
Dale came back before his injury was healed worried Pearson may take his ride, and Osterland was willing to field two cars, a teammate to Earnhardt, which Pearson turned down.
Other possible opportunities were out there, but Pearson was very selective. He only wanted a partial schedule, not a full schedule, which most (competitive) teams ran. That's what eventually lead to the "80 Ellington ride. The '81 Halpern deal had a lot of potential, but ended prematurely. After that, never really had a "competitive " ride. A few poles, never to be close to a victory again in Cup.
Just a kid in the 70's, I was a huge Pearson fan, but very little TV, I had MRN to listen to, but as TV began to cover majority of races in the 80s, I was so disappointed his career was bogging down right before my eyes.
And then I had several opportunities later to be in close proximity of my hero, he was a "dick." Absolutely no interest in his loyal fans. Blew me off on two occasions. Not that he was really busy, just didn't like the interaction.
He was just a "racer,"
didn't see himself as a celebrity.
One of my biggest disappointments in my life, his funeral was private. Absolutely would have been there.
I listened to this again and I'm not so sure Hoss Ellington "let" him go, as DP choose to go the route of the Joel Halpern ride with Jake Elder, fewer races and "as good" or better salary as I recall. Also. Tim Richmond DIDN'T draw back on Pearson at Daytona. Listen to John Dodson's eye witness account and you'll know Richmond was scared, knew he pissed off the old man.
right on about richmond the old man taught him a lesson. i met him at his shop in the early 80s . you are right he shook my and said hello and went about his business. pearson is goat
Best ever to race on Sunday's
David Pearson was the best. RIP Silver Fox…
I watched David Pearson race for many years,before spotters and "team strategy" decisions during a race. Except for pit stops,the driver was responsible. David was always a SHREWD driver. Thought "big picture." He wouldn't hardly race near other cars until it mattered,then suddenly he'd be all over the leader,going "toe to toe" for the win.Much like Dale Sr.
Pearson da GOAT
David Pearson, the GOAT
I just gotta say that was an excellent video. Keep up the great work
Thank you for this. Merry Christmas
How could you not mention the world 600 in 1976 ??? Seriously that’s a crown jewel 💎 race
I was a total Richard Petty fan back in the 60s and 70s, but no question, David was the best there ever was!
THE SILVER FOX OF NASCAR
This is a great video and David Pearson was a fantastic driver in Nascar
Even The King Richard Petty says that Pearson's was his toughest competitor & if Pearson's would have raced more full time then Petty wouldnt have as many championships or wins & he even says that Pearson's is probably the greatest driver of all time along with Dale Jr. & so many others.
My pop was his mentor when he raced at the Pickens speed way. I live in Greer sc
Tim Richmond didn’t do anything but cower! David did what many others wanted to do! I stood right there and watched it! Richmond had it coming
This was really very good.
i met pearson at his shop down the road in spartanburg. the man is goat
Saw him at Smoky Mountain Raceway in 1965 in Cotton Owens Dodge. He lost a wheel that night cause the track was dirt and very rough. But he became my favorite driver that night....
When David wasn’t inducted into the nascar hall of fame the first year, I said to hell with nascar! It was a crying shame to hell with nascar for that!!!!
He was the Best IMHO !
1974 Firecracker 400
A real race story! Quite interesting...
Earnhardt was good
Petty was great
Pearson was the best
I think David Pearson was the best driver of all time.
THE GREATEST
you're welcome for the thumbnail
just a note, "exert" is spelled correctly in your opening, however "excerpt" is not spelled correctly.
Won on a flat!
The incident between Pearson and Richmond did not happen the way this video says, one of Richmonds crew members was there when this indecent happened. Pearson confronted Richmond who on his way in to the garage after the race ended was on the radio wanting his crew to get down to where he was because Richmond had given Pearson the finger on the track and he knew Pearson was not happy with him. The crew member says Pearson walked up and confronted Richmond telling his he better never disrespect him again and then hauled off and punched Richmond who went down on the spot. The crew member did not intervene because he said Richmond needed to be taught a lesson and that some people grabbed a hold of Pearson to keep him from hitting Richmond again, but Pearson said you can let me go I'm done and that was the end of the incident. The crew member said that Tim Richmond was a wimp. This crew member tells this incident in a TH-cam video interview.
Thankfully YT allows you to fast forward thru all the pauses!
I wish he would have drove for more championships.
He won 3 out of 4 that he ran for it. 1964 he was 3rd, and if there were as many mechanical issues, maybe....
He was content. Imagine what the record would be if he and the Woods' ran the full schedule with him '72-'79. The "King" wouldn't be a "7 time."
@@sbmcvp4525 Benny Parsons wouldn't win his 1973 championship
@@coca-colatrackhousewarrior9925
Lol, that's for sure.
1973, 1974, and 1976 would mathematically be his.
Better then Richard Petty.
Double Pearson's career stats, and you have Petty.
@@jasonwiggins6137 well not exactly double of Pearson's starts is 1,148 starts vs petty's 1,185
And double Pearson's wins is 210 vs petty's 200
@@brianglennon3694 Now double Pearson's Championships. It's a rough average, but holds true overall.
@@jasonwiggins6137 petty has admitted pearson was better then him
@@dom.rockchalkjayhawk.8990 No he didn't. He stated that Pearson was the best driver he ever raced against.
Again this video is not correct about the return of Pearson to the Wood Brothers he was asked to drive for them but after testing the car Pearson said his back and neck was so soar the next morning that he called the Wood Brothers and told them he could not run the car for them. There was no plot by David Pearson to return.
First comment
I mean i was a pearson fan...but people got to realize a silver fox is black...
The best ever Started after Richard and quit before him and ran a limited s edit had 100 or so wins, most on big tracks. ,.. so yes, DAVID WAS THE BEST EVER!
That's Why He drove 4 The Wood Brothers so long. That's Who they wanted.🥲