Jerry Cook: Highlights at a glance
Born: June 20, 1943, Lockport, N.Y.
Family: Wife, Sue; two children, Kristi and David.
Career highlights: Built his first race car, a modified for short track competition, especially popular in New England, at age 13. Fielded cars for other drivers until 1963, when a “hired driver” wrecked twice. Cook then figured, “If I have to fix ’em, I might as well drive ’em.” Quickly showed a knack for winning. Cook became a six-time national champion in NASCAR’s Modified Division, 1971-72 and 1974-77. He finished second in the point standings six times and third twice. Had 1,474 NASCAR-sanctioned starts in a career spanning 20 years, 1963-82. Posted 342 victories and finished in the top 10 an amazing 85 percent of the time. Named among NASCAR’s 50 greatest drivers. He had a legendary rivalry with a fellow New Yorker, the late Richie Evans, who was posthumously inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. Cook became NASCAR’s Modified Division director in 1985. He now serves as the sanctioning body’s competition administrator and is based in Concord. Cook and his wife reside in Mooresville.
Reflections
Retired Observer motorsports writer Tom Higgins on Jerry Cook:
I first saw him: In a Modified Division preliminary event to a Cup Series race in 1965 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, the southern Mecca for modified teams and fans.
My favorite memory of him: Although soft-spoken and pleasant with a low-key personality, Cook allowed great elation to show upon winning Martinsville’s 1969 Dogwood 500, one of the circuit’s major races. It proved to be the biggest victory of his career.
What people might not know about him: Cook attempted to qualify for only one Cup Series race, the 1973 Daytona 500. His car’s engine failed seven laps from the finish of a preliminary 125-mile qualifying race and he didn’t make the main event. Cook compared the annual earnings of Cup drivers without auto manufacturer support to what he was making in modified racing, and opted to stay with what he did best.
Most memorable quote: “Every time I reached in my pocket, I had money in it.” On his decision in 1963 to continue as a driver.
This story was originally published January 18, 2016 at 5:41 PM with the headline "Jerry Cook: Highlights at a glance."