Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Hammond To Receive Smokey Yunick Award

Written by 
Published in Racing
Monday, 23 September 2019 12:55
Jeff Hammond

CONCORD, N.C. – Legendary NASCAR crew chief and Charlotte, N.C., native Jeff Hammond will be presented with Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Smokey Yunick Award prior to Sunday’s Bank of America ROVAL 400.

Presented annually since 1997 to honor famed mechanic Henry “Smokey” Yunick, the award recognizes an individual who rose from humble beginnings to make a major impact on the motorsports industry.

Known to many fans as a gregarious NASCAR on FOX personality, Hammond’s legacy as a crew chief can scarcely be matched. The 63-year-old worked as a tire changer and jackman before he took the reins as crew chief for Darrell Waltrip at Junior Johnson’s team in 1982. In a star-studded career that lasted nearly 20 years, Hammond amassed 43 NASCAR Cup Series wins and two championships while atop the pit box for superstar drivers including Waltrip, Terry Labonte and Kurt Busch.

“This is a total shock and honor,” Hammond said. “Smokey Yunick was a hero of mine. I always admired him and could never believe all of the accomplishments he had throughout his career and how he helped grow the sport. To be given this award and see people before me who’ve won it, like Ray Evernham, Dale Inman and Waddell Wilson – all friends of mine – it means a lot. This is right up there with winning championships in my book.”

Hammond’s cars won three points-paying races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including back-to-back Coca-Cola 600s in 1988 and 1989 with Waltrip.

“Charlotte is my home race track,” Hammond said. “I grew up three or four miles away from the speedway. I remember hearing the cars racing before I was old enough to go to a race. I first came in the pits here and I bought my first major race ticket here. To watch this speedway grow from its inception to what it is now is unbelievable. Bruton and Marcus Smith have always been trendsetters, much like Smokey Yunick.”

Read 351 times

Soccer

Van Nistelrooy appointed new Leicester manager

Van Nistelrooy appointed new Leicester manager

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Manchester United forward Ruud van Nistelrooy has been appoi...

'Welcome Back, Emma': A happy, healthy Hayes is ready for Wembley return

'Welcome Back, Emma': A happy, healthy Hayes is ready for Wembley return

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLONDON, England -- United States women's national team head coach E...

The top 50 USWNT players right now: Who sits at No. 1?

The top 50 USWNT players right now: Who sits at No. 1?

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe United States women's national team won a fifth Olympic gold me...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA Cup roundtable: Biggest surprises and disappointments in group play

NBA Cup roundtable: Biggest surprises and disappointments in group play

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsWe're officially nearing the end of group play in the 2024 NBA Cup,...

Nuggets' Westbrook fined for obscene gesture

Nuggets' Westbrook fined for obscene gesture

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- The NBA fined Denver guard Russell Westbrook $35,000 on...

Baseball

Dodgers agree to 5-year, $74M deal with Edman

Dodgers agree to 5-year, $74M deal with Edman

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSuper-utility man Tommy Edman and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to...

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

Dodgers minor leaguer suspended for doping

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Jose D. Hernandez was sus...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated