Favorite #33: NASCAR Driver, Hut Stricklin

Hut and Taylor Stricklin: Vision of things to come

NASCAR Legend, Hut Stricklin

 Hut Stricklin is a name NASCAR fans are familiar with because at one time he was a top driver on that circuit. Starting out on short tracks in Alabama as a teenager, his career with NASCAR began in 1978.

Growing up, Hut saw his dad, Waymond Stricklin, run a used car parts store during the week, only to race cars and trucks at short tracks on the weekends. When Hut was 17, Waymond began investing money in his racing efforts instead. This lasted for about five years until one day Waymond explained he couldn’t sponsor racing anymore because of finances.

Hut thought this was the worst thing that could have happened to him, but eventually found it to be the best because it forced him to seek sponsorship on his own. From that pivotal moment, Hut had to stand on his own two feet.

Even though each team Hut signed with lasted for only a year or two, he still managed to stay in NASCAR for over twenty years, with wins and championships along the way. Some of his special moments were winning NASCAR’s Dash Series Championship in 1987, finishing fourth at Daytona in the Spring Cup Series and being a stunt driver for Days of Thunder starring Tom Cruise.

While recently visiting with Hut at his shop in Cleveland, NC, I was pleasantly surprised when his twenty-four year old son, Taylor Stricklin, walked in and joined the conversation. Knowing Taylor also loves racing, I asked how things were going. He said things were going good and that he was working hard to get his car ready for the first race of the season in March. Like his dad, he too started on the short track.

Taylor hopes to find sponsorship soon, but until that happens he will continue to save the money he makes, investing in the sport he loves, working side by side with his dad at Stricklin’s Auto Car and Truck Parts in Cleveland, NC.

To read more of the Stricklin story, check out the following Salisbury Post link:http://salisburypost.com/article/20130308/SP01/130309750/0/SEARCH&slId=1

Congratulations, Hut Stricklin! Even though retired, you are my choice for favorite NASCAR driver of the week for creating memories for over twenty years and for passing the love of the sport on to the next generation.

Who is your favorite NASCAR driver of all time and why? Leave a comment, Facebook message or email at dicysm@yahoo.com

Thanks,

Dicy