88

The number 88 first took the trace in Nascar all the way back to Sept. 11, 1949 at Langhorne Speeday in
Pennsylvania. The driver was Pepper Cunningham, he started 15th in a 1949 Lincoln.
He finished that race in 33rd. This was a Stricly-Stock event which meant you raced a car just like
the one on the showroom floor. Some drove their car to the race, then drove them home afterwards. Some
hitched a ride home cuz they couldn't drive their race car home after the race due to engine failure or
wrecks back then. Curtis Turner won that race.

Ralph Earnhardt drove the 88 a time or two. Once he drove it for Petty Enterprises, and it was in fact
and "Oldsmobile 88". (This olds model would later be called the Delta 88)
Ralph drove it in 1957 at Martinsville. Buck Baker won that race.

Drivers of the 88 include a who's who of nascar lore.....
Bobby Allison, Donnie Allison, Buck Baker, Buddy Baker, Geoff Bodine, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett,
Benny Parsons, Jim Paschal, Fireball Roberts, Ricky Rudd, Rusty Wallace, Darrell Waltrip, and Joe Weatherly.
I am sure Junior is happy to be named with that crowd. All of those will most likely enter NASCARS hall
of fame.

The 88 has won 65 races, which makes it the ninth winningest car in nascar history.
It ranks 10th in all time starts with 1,264.
It ranks 12th in all time poles with 52.
315 top fives and 526 top tens.
It has led 18,398 laps and almost 350,000 miles.

Brad Keselowski, who drives Juniors Busch series #88 car also has a connection to the #88.
His uncle Ron drove the 88 in the early 1970's.


Here is a photo of DW in the 88....