Jerry Cook

Jerry Cook (born June 20, 1943) is a NASCAR modified championship race car driver. He began racing at the age of 13 and won the track championship at Utica-Rome Speedway in 1969.

Racing career
He 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. He stayed with the sport, and helped shape the series.

In 1973, he 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.

NASCAR administration
Cook served as the Whelen Modified Series' director when it began in 1985, and is currently NASCAR's Competition Administrator.

Awards

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

NASCAR
(key) ( Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. )