Wayne Peterson (racing driver)

Wayne Peterson (born May 24, 1938) is an American professional stock car racing owner/driver and former paratrooper and United States Army Special Forces member. He currently operates Wayne Peterson Racing, a team in the ARCA Menards Series.

Wayne Peterson
Peterson competing in the 2013 ARCA race at Road America
Nationality American
Born (1938-05-24) May 24, 1938
Boaz, Alabama
ARCA Menards Series career
Debut season1983
Current teamWayne Peterson Racing
Car number0
EngineChevrolet
Starts116
Wins0
Poles0
Best finish18th in 2016
Finished last season32nd (2020)
Military career
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1954–1981
UnitXVIII Airborne Corps
Third United States Army
Army Special Forces (77th, 10th, 1st, 5th, 7th Special Forces Groups)
Battles/warsVietnam War
Bay of Pigs Invasion
Operation Eagle Claw

Military career

Peterson grew up in a poor family in Boaz, Alabama, and when he was 15 years old, his high school was visited by Army National Guard recruiters. Attracted by benefits of food and clothing, he enlisted and entered active duty at 16, but was sent back to school upon discovering his age. After graduating, he returned to the military and was stationed at Fort Bragg as a paratrooper in the XVIII Airborne Corps. Peterson was a member of the United States Army Parachute Team (Golden Knights), and worked with NASA on performing High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) landings.[1]

He was later assigned to the Third United States Army for 30 days, during which he was placed in the 77th and attended Ranger School in Fort Benning, followed by survival training in Antarctica and language studies in California, the latter in which he learned French and Vietnamese. Peterson served in Germany and Okinawa with the 10th and 1st Special Forces Groups, respectively, before being deployed to Vietnam in 1963 as an advisor and eventually a combat role. He served multiple tours during the Vietnam War until 1972.[1]

In 1961, Peterson trained Cuban refugees and participated in the failed Bay of Pigs Invasion. Two years later, he guarded President John F. Kennedy's body in the United States Capitol rotunda after his assassination. He also served as Richard Nixon and South Vietnamese President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu's English/Vietnamese translator.[1]

Peterson was scheduled to complete his service in 1980 when the government extended it by 13 months. He was ordered to Diego Garcia, where plans were made for Operation Eagle Claw, an effort to free United States embassy members in the Iran hostage crisis.[1][2] However, the mission failed after two aircraft were destroyed during refueling. Peterson compared the debacle and resulting public backlash to that received by American troops withdrawing from Vietnam: "We had to abort, put our tail between our legs, same way we came out of Nam. We just didn't finish the job. [...] We had way too much TV coverage in Nam. The public don't need to know our missions; it messed with intelligence. Nam was a hard time, soldiers condemned for pulling the trigger. Of course, if you waited one second and thought about it, you were dead. We fought for the country, and our own survival. It wasn't pretty. You were there to save your people."[1]

Racing career

As a teenager, Peterson befriended a dirt track racing driver who would let him test his car. While he was stationed at Fort Bragg, he purchased a 1948 Hudson and converted it into a dirt track car.[1] Peterson later joined NASCAR driver Lee Petty's crew as a gasman, followed by a tenure with Junior Johnson on the DiGard Motorsports team. As compensation, Johnson gave him a car, which he fielded for Lennie Pond at Talladega Superspeedway.[1] He also competed in modified stock cars in the 1970s.[3]

During the 1980s, he began competing in the Automobile Racing Club of America.[4] In 1983, he entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series' Atlanta Journal 500, but spun out during qualifying due to tire issues.[5] The following year, he tried to qualify for the Daytona 500, but did not make the race after suffering an engine failure in his Twin 125 qualifier and finishing tenth in the consolation race.[6][7][8]

Wayne Peterson Racing fields various cars in the ARCA Racing Series. Drivers included Tim Mitchell, a colorectal cancer survivor who raced for the team in the 2000s;[9] Zachary Gibson, son of ARCA Midget Series racer Larry Gibson and grandson of Indianapolis 500 driver Todd Gibson, in 2009;[10] and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series driver Clay Greenfield in 2004. Greenfield, described by The Leaf-Chronicle as a "talented kid with no name", finished 12th in his series debut at Salem Speedway, marking the team's strongest finish since 1998.[11][12] As of 2020, Tim Richmond, Steve Cronenwett and Jim Walker share the team's best race finish of ninth at Toledo Speedway and Talladega in 2004 as well as Toledo in 2020, respectively.[13]

Personal life

Peterson was married to Sarah Peterson and has three sons, Michael, Brian, and Kevin, and five grandchildren. Sarah died in February 2008.[14] Peterson currently resides in Pulaski, TN.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

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

Winston Cup Series
NASCAR Winston Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 NWCC Pts Ref
1983 Peterson Motorsports 83 Buick DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV BRI CLT RSD POC MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR
DNQ		 ATL
DNQ		 RSD NA - [15]
1984 06 DAY
DNQ		 RCH CAR ATL BRI NWS DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL RSD NA - [16]
Daytona 500
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1984 Peterson Motorsports Buick DNQ

ARCA Menards Series

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

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 AMSC Pts Ref
1983 8 Buick DAY NSV TAL LPR LPR ISF IRP SSP FRS BFS WIN LPR POC TAL
26		 MCS FRS MIL DSF ZAN SND NA - [17]
1984 Peterson Motorsports 06 Buick DAY ATL TAL
22		 CSP SMS FRS MCS LCS IRP TAL FRS ISF DSF TOL MGR NA - [18]
1994 Wayne Peterson Racing 06 Pontiac DAY
32		 TAL FIF LVL KIL TOL FRS MCH DMS POC POC KIL FRS IND I70 ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL 133rd - [19]
2001 Wayne Peterson Racing 6 Chevy DAY NSH WIN SLM GTY KEN CLT KAN MCH POC MEM GLN
28		 KEN MCH POC NSH ISF 133rd 165 [20]
7 CHI
36		 DSF SLM TOL BLN CLT TAL ATL
2002 06 DAY
DNQ		 ATL NSH SLM KEN CLT KAN POC MCH TOL SBO KEN BLN POC NSH ISF WIN DSF CHI SLM TAL CLT NA - [21]
2003 27 DAY ATL NSH SLM TOL KEN CLT BLN KAN
36		 MCH LER 131st 165 [22]
06 POC
37		 POC NSH ISF WIN
0 DSF
37
6 CHI
QL†		 SLM
0 TAL
DNQ		 CLT SBO
2004 06 DAY NSH SLM KEN
36		 TOL CLT KAN
21		 SBO
24		 BLN KEN DSF
23		 CHI SLM TAL 52nd 580 [23]
16 POC
38		 MCH
DNQ		 POC
DNQ		 LER NSH ISF TOL
Jan Gibson Racing 56 Chevy GTW
33
2005 Wayne Peterson Racing 06 Chevy DAY NSH SLM KEN TOL
DNQ		 LAN MIL POC
40		 78th 385 [24]
09 MCH
DNQ		 DSF
DNQ		 CHI SLM
DNQ		 TAL
Day Enterprises 90 Ford KAN
37		 KEN BLN
Wayne Peterson Racing 0 Chevy POC
40
Norm Benning Racing 8 Chevy GTW
40		 LER NSH MCH
Wayne Peterson Racing 16 Chevy ISF
35		 TOL
2006 0 Ford DAY NSH
DNQ		 SLM
DNQ		 WIN
DNQ		 KEN TOL POC MCH BLN
DNQ		 POC GTW NSH TOL
DNQ		 DSF
35		 CHI
DNQ		 SLM TAL IOW 107th 205 [25]
Chevy KAN
DNQ		 KEN MCH
DNQ		 ISF MIL
2007 DAY USA NSH
DNQ		 SLM
DNQ		 KAN WIN KEN
DNQ		 TOL IOW
35		 POC
DNQ		 MCH
DNQ		 BLN KEN
DNQ		 POC
DNQ		 NSH ISF
37		 MIL
39		 GTW DSF
DNQ		 CHI SLM TAL TOL 68th 385 [26]
2008 DAY SLM
DNQ		 IOW
DNQ		 KAN
DNQ		 CAR
50		 KEN
40		 POC
38		 MCH
DNQ		 CAY
33		 BLN
30		 POC
DNQ		 NSH
41		 ISF
DNQ		 DSF
36		 CHI
DNQ		 SLM
DNQ		 NJE TAL TOL 33rd 1050 [27]
Ford TOL
DNQ		 KEN
DNQ
2009 10 Chevy DAY SLM CAR TAL
41		 KEN TOL POC 40th 725 [28]
0 MCH
DNQ		 IOW
37		 KEN
37		 BLN
34		 DSF
36		 NJE SLM KAN
40
Ford MFD
32		 TOL
31
08 POC
DNQ		 ISF CHI
06 CAR
DNQ
2010 DAY PBE
28		 TAL
41		 ISF
35		 DSF
34		 TOL 31st 900 [29]
Chevy SLM
27		 TEX
0 Chevy TOL
32		 POC
DNQ		 MCH
DNQ		 IOW
39		 POC
DNQ		 BLN
33		 NJE
35		 CHI
39		 KAN
DNQ		 CAR
Brad Smith Motorsports 2 Ford MFD
31		 SLM
32
2011 Wayne Peterson Racing 06 Chevy DAY TAL
29		 NJE
32		 CHI POC 41st 585 [30]
Ford SLM
21		 TOL IOW
36		 IRP
0 Chevy MCH
39		 WIN
29		 BLN
32		 KAN
38		 TOL
Ford POC
DNQ		 ISF MAD DSF SLM
2012 06 DAY MOB
DNQ		 SLM
26		 TAL TOL ELK POC MCH ISF
29		 MAD SLM DSF
C		 70th 305 [31]
0 WIN
26		 NJE IOW CHI IRP POC BLN KAN
39
2013 Chevy DAY MOB SLM TAL TOL ELK
22		 POC MCH
27		 ROA
25		 WIN
22		 CHI
26		 NJE POC
31		 BLN
24		 ISF
32		 KEN
31		 KAN
31		 21st 1320 [32]
06 Ford MAD
26		 DSF IOW
Chevy SLM
26
2014 0 Ford DAY MOB SLM
28		 TAL TOL 26th 1080 [33]
Carter 2 Motorsports 97 Dodge NJE
26		 POC
Wayne Peterson Racing 06 Chevy MCH
26		 ELK
23		 WIN
19		 CHI
Ford IRP
28
Hylton Motorsports 49 Ford POC
31
Wayne Peterson Racing 00 Chevy BLN
24		 ISF
30		 MAD
28		 DSF
30		 SLM KEN
33		 KAN
2015 Kimmel Racing 80 Ford DAY MOB
25		 21st 1505 [34]
Wayne Peterson Racing 00 Ford NSH
29		 SLM
26		 TAL TOL NJE POC KAN
27
Chevy MCH
27		 DSF
29
0 Ford CHI
27		 WIN
21		 BLN
24		 ISF
29		 SLM
28
Chevy IOW
29		 IRP POC KEN
26
2016 Ford DAY NSH SLM
25		 TAL 18th 1430 [35]
00 Chevy TOL
27		 NJE
27		 POC MCH
32		 MAD
23		 WIN
22		 IOW
28		 IRP
31		 POC BLN
25		 ISF KAN
34
0 DSF
21		 SLM CHI KEN
31
2017 88 DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL ELK POC MCH
29		 MAD IOW IRP POC WIN ISF ROA DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN 117th 85 [36]
2018 1 Ford DAY NSH SLM TAL TOL CLT POC MCH
26		 MAD 43rd 465 [37]
Chevy GTW
25
23 CHI
27		 IOW
23		 ELK POC ISF
0 Dodge BLN
19		 DSF
Chevy SLM
24		 IRP KAN
2019 Toyota DAY FIF SLM TAL NSH TOL CLT POC MCH MAD GTW
22		 CHI ELK IOW POC 34th 495 [38]
Ford ISF
21		 DSF
20		 SLM IRP
Chevy KAN
22
2020 DAY PHO TAL POC IRP KEN IOW KAN TOL TOL MCH DAY GTW L44 TOL BRI
26		 WIN
14		 MEM
17		 ISF
17		 KAN
17		 32nd 102 [39]
† – Qualified for Brian Conz

ARCA Menards Series East
ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 AMSEC Pts Ref
2020 Wayne Peterson Racing 0 Chevy NSM TOL DOV TOL BRI
26		 FIF 52nd 18 [40]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

References
  1. Radebaugh, Don (April 6, 2015). "A military salute...this one for American hero Wayne Peterson". ARCA Racing Series. Archived from the original on April 12, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  2. "Marine speaks on leading 1980 Iranian rescue mission". Pensacola News Journal. June 30, 2015. Retrieved February 25, 2018. To prevent anyone of knowing about the plan, the helicopters had to be painted inconspicuously below deck with the hangar doors closed because the Russians were using submarines and cruisers to follow them. But the paint was left on Diego Garcia, an island in the Indian Ocean used as a base of operations of sorts.
  3. Associated Press (February 17, 1979). "NASCAR 200 leaders". Montgomery Advertiser. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  4. Harris, Mike (May 6, 1984). "Davey Allison drives to victory". The News Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  5. Helms, Tracy (November 6, 1983). "Mike Waltrip wins stop-and-go 150". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  6. "1984 Daytona 500". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  7. "1984 First UNO Twin 125 Qualifier". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  8. "1984 Daytona 500 Consolation Race". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  9. Brudenell, Mike (February 9, 2008). "ARCA driver glad to be racing, glad to be alive". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  10. McCurdy, Rob (June 18, 2009). "Young racer has big dreams". Telegraph-Forum. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  11. Trodglen, Jimmy (September 30, 2004). "Greenfield likes first taste of ARCA racing". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  12. Trodglen, Jimmy (February 19, 2004). "Clarksville driver hunting for ARCA ride". The Leaf-Chronicle. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  13. "Wayne Peterson (owner) – ARCA Racing Series Results (races)". Racing-Reference. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
  14. "February 2008". The Pit Lane. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  15. "Wayne Peterson – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  16. "Wayne Peterson – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  17. "Wayne Peterson – 1983 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  18. "Wayne Peterson – 1984 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  19. "Wayne Peterson – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  20. "Wayne Peterson – 2001 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  21. "Wayne Peterson – 2002 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  22. "Wayne Peterson – 2003 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  23. "Wayne Peterson – 2004 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  24. "Wayne Peterson – 2005 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  25. "Wayne Peterson – 2006 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  26. "Wayne Peterson – 2007 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  27. "Wayne Peterson – 2008 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  28. "Wayne Peterson – 2009 ARCA Re/Max Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  29. "Wayne Peterson – 2010 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  30. "Wayne Peterson – 2011 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  31. "Wayne Peterson – 2012 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  32. "Wayne Peterson – 2013 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  33. "Wayne Peterson – 2014 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  34. "Wayne Peterson – 2015 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  35. "Wayne Peterson – 2016 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  36. "Wayne Peterson – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 25, 2018.
  37. "Wayne Peterson – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
  38. "Wayne Peterson – 2019 ARCA Menards Series results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  39. "Wayne Peterson – 2020 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 5, 2020.
  40. "Wayne Peterson – 2020 ARCA Racing Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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