Jerry Cook

Cook built his first modified in 1956 to compete at Ransomville Speedway in Western New York, naming Cam Gagliardi as his driver. In 1959, he built a car for Hall of Fame driver Ken Meahl. It was number 38 and that became Cook's career number. In 1962, Meahl totaled two cars, and Cook decided that if he had to fix them he might as well drive them. In 1963, at age 18, he started racing and won his first main event that year at Utica-Rome.^[2]

Cook 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.^[3] He stayed with the sport, and helped shape the series.^[4]

In 1973, Cook 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.^[5][6]

Cook served as the Whelen Modified Series' director when it began in 1985, and retired as NASCAR's Competition Administrator in 2015.^[4][7]

• 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^[8]
• As part of NASCAR's 50th Anniversary celebration in 1998, he was named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers.^[4]
• NASCAR named him #3 on its NASCAR Modified All-Time Top 10 list.^[3]
• Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2016^[4]
• Inducted in the Northeast Dirt Modified Hall of Fame inducted in 2011.^[9]
• Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023)