David Pearson, the 21 and Elliott Sadler
Just three weeks to go before the Daytona 500!!!!! Bill Marx of the Sporting News has been counting down the days.
21: The No. 21 is one of the most famous numbers in NASCAR. It has been to victory lane 90 times, fourth most in NASCAR’s top series. Leading the way is David Pearson, who won 43 of his 105 races in the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 Mercury, with his first coming at Darlington on April 16, 1972. That touched off a remarkable run of 43 victories in 131 races in that car, ending at Michigan on Aug. 20, 1978.
Add to Bill’s note: Elliott Sadler became a fave of Left Turns when Sadler drove the Wood Brothers’ No. 21 in 2002. After being spun out by Ryan Newman in the Winston that year, Sadler waited for Newman to come back around the track, then he fired his helmet at Newman’s car. Heck of a throw.
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