NASCAR: Jack Ingram dies
Jack Ingram, winner of five NASCAR championships and more than 300 races during his career, has died. The Avery’s Creek, North Carolina, native and 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee was 84.
Ingram was a force in NASCAR Sportsman competition during the 1970s, winning championships in 1972, ’73 and ’74. He continued to whip the competition when the series underwent major changes and emerged as the Busch Series (now Xfinity) in 1982. NASCAR.com
NASCAR Statement:
“There is no better way to describe Jack Ingram than ‘Iron Man.’ Jack was a fixture at short tracks across the Southeast most days of the week, racing anywhere and everywhere. He dominated the Late Model Sportsman division like few others. He set the bar for excellence in the Xfinity Series as its Most Popular Driver in 1982 and champion in 1985. Jack was an “old school racer” and his work on his own car helped propel him to Victory Lane hundreds of times. Of our current 58 NASCAR Hall of Fame members, he is one of only six that was elected based on his career and contributions in the grassroots level of our sport. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my condolences to the friends and family of NASCAR Hall of Famer Jack Ingram.”
– Jim France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO
The following is a statement from NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley on the passing of Jack Ingram.
“First and foremost on behalf of the NASCAR Hall of Fame team, I want to offer our most sincere condolences to Jack’s wife Aline and the entire Ingram family on the passing of Jack Ingram.
Jack’s contributions, accomplishments and tenacity in NASCAR are legendary. A dominant short track racer and five-time series champion are among the reasons this 2014 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee was the first inductee whose career was predominately in what is now NASCAR’s Xfinity Series. He literally stockpiled wins by the bucket with a record 31 wins in the NASCAR Busch (now Xfinity) Series, a record that stood until 1997 as well as 286 wins in the predecessor division, the NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division, along with 12 track championships.
Known unilaterally as “The Iron Man” for his relentless, hard driving style to win, along with the incredible schedule he kept crisscrossing the country racing wherever there was a checkered flag to be captured. Ingram owned, built and worked on the cars himself and although his talent could have allowed him to compete in the premier series of NASCAR, he chose to stay in the series he knew and loved best. His two NASCAR Busch Series championships both came after the age of 45 – in 1982 and 1985, further solidifying this Iron Man’s legacy as a tenacious competitor and future Hall of Famer.
Jack was among the Hall of Fame’s staunchest supporters, actively participating in literally every event he was asked to from groundbreaking and grand opening of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, to voting days and induction ceremonies prior to and after his induction, as well as the annual Darlington Raceway “Throwback” weekend events with fellow Hall of Famers.
NASCAR has lost a true racer’s racer and the NASCAR Hall of Fame team and I have lost a dedicated supporter and cherished friend. Jack’s legacy and incredible accomplishments and contributions in NASCAR will live in our minds, our hearts and our archives at the NASCAR Hall of Fame forever.”