NASCAR Family Tree: The Lineage Of The No. 17
Arizona Free Press
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Pearson, Waltrip, Kenseth Account For All Of The Numbers 63 Victories
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 20, 2009) Quality trumps quantity big-time, when it comes to assessing the illustrious history of the No. 17 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Over the course of 60 years, a total of 93 drivers have driven cars with the number. Yet, only three of those 93 have taken the No. 17 to Victory Lane.
But what a trio it is.
All three are past series champions David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip and the current No. 17 driver, Matt Kenseth of Roush Fenway Racing. Those three account for seven championships and a total of 207 victories overall 63 in the No. 17.
It started with Pearson, the man many believe to be NASCARs very best driver, winner of three championships and 105 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Pearson had 30 victories in the No. 17 between 1967-71, the first coming in the spring of 1968, in the Southeastern 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
And with only 140 starts in the No. 17, Pearsons winning percentage in the ride was 42% which by any measurement, is just this side of incredible.
Waltrip also snared three championships during his storied career. His 84 victories included 15 in the No. 17 in 344 starts, highlighted by perhaps the numbers most memorable win: the 1989 Daytona 500, driving for Hendrick Motorsports. That win was immersed in coincidence that amounted to numerology overload: Waltrip, driving the 17, finally won the 500 on his 17th try. The race purse was $1.7 million, and he was assigned pit stall No. 17.
Kenseth, the 2003 champion, is amid adding to the numbers legacy by working on his own. His first victory in the No. 17 was during his rookie season of 2000 at the Coca-Cola 600, which will be held for the 50th time on Sunday at Lowes Motor Speedway.
Kenseth started this season by tacking on two more victories to the No. 17s list the Daytona 500 and the Auto Club 500. Going into the Coca-Cola 600 Kenseth has 18 wins in 338 starts in the No. 17.
Two others had significant stints in the No. 17. Fred Harb made 110 starts between 1957-63; Roger Hamby made 67 between 1977-81. Like 90 others in the numbers rich history, they went winless.
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 20, 2009) Quality trumps quantity big-time, when it comes to assessing the illustrious history of the No. 17 in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
Over the course of 60 years, a total of 93 drivers have driven cars with the number. Yet, only three of those 93 have taken the No. 17 to Victory Lane.
But what a trio it is.
All three are past series champions David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip and the current No. 17 driver, Matt Kenseth of Roush Fenway Racing. Those three account for seven championships and a total of 207 victories overall 63 in the No. 17.
It started with Pearson, the man many believe to be NASCARs very best driver, winner of three championships and 105 races in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. Pearson had 30 victories in the No. 17 between 1967-71, the first coming in the spring of 1968, in the Southeastern 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
And with only 140 starts in the No. 17, Pearsons winning percentage in the ride was 42% which by any measurement, is just this side of incredible.
Waltrip also snared three championships during his storied career. His 84 victories included 15 in the No. 17 in 344 starts, highlighted by perhaps the numbers most memorable win: the 1989 Daytona 500, driving for Hendrick Motorsports. That win was immersed in coincidence that amounted to numerology overload: Waltrip, driving the 17, finally won the 500 on his 17th try. The race purse was $1.7 million, and he was assigned pit stall No. 17.
Kenseth, the 2003 champion, is amid adding to the numbers legacy by working on his own. His first victory in the No. 17 was during his rookie season of 2000 at the Coca-Cola 600, which will be held for the 50th time on Sunday at Lowes Motor Speedway.
Kenseth started this season by tacking on two more victories to the No. 17s list the Daytona 500 and the Auto Club 500. Going into the Coca-Cola 600 Kenseth has 18 wins in 338 starts in the No. 17.
Two others had significant stints in the No. 17. Fred Harb made 110 starts between 1957-63; Roger Hamby made 67 between 1977-81. Like 90 others in the numbers rich history, they went winless.