Wikipedia

Elton Sawyer

Elton Everett Sawyer (born November 5, 1959) is a former NASCAR driver. He is married to former NASCAR driver Patty Moise. Sawyer is currently the senior Vice President of competition of NASCAR, having previously been the Vice President of Officiating and Technical Inspection.[1]

Elton Sawyer
BornElton Everett Sawyer
(1959-11-05) November 5, 1959 (age 65)
Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
NASCAR Cup Series career
29 races run over 2 years
Best finish38th (1995)
First race1995 Hanes 500 (Martinsville)
Last race1996 NAPA 500 (Atlanta)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
392 races run over 20 years
Best finish5th (1998, 1999, 2001)
First race1983 Cardinal 250 (Martinsville)
Last race2002 Ford 300 (Homestead)
First win1994 Cardinal Pride/Budweiser 250 (Myrtle Beach)
Last win1999 Busch 200 (Loudon)
Wins Top tens Poles
2 131 2
Statistics current as of November 2, 2013.

Early career

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Sawyer began his career in the NASCAR Busch Series. He ran a handful of races in 1983, 1984, and 1985, scoring 8 top tens while running his own team. From 1986 to 1989, he ran full-time seasons with Lewis Motorsports. Sawyer ran competitively, scoring many top tens, while finishing between 14th and 18th in points in all of those years. Sawyer left the Lewis organization, after not winning in his four seasons with the team, and headed to the team owned by A.G. Dillard. In 1990, Sawyer ran his best career season, scoring 4 top fives and finishing 13th in the points. However the following year, the Dillard team faced sponsorship problems, which kept Sawyer from completing the whole year. He salvaged a 20th-place finish in the points that year. The sponsorship issues that affected Sawyer in 1991 also caused problems for him the next two years. He was not able to find a solid ride, and only competed in 4 races.

Mid-1990s

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However, luck changed for Sawyer in 1994 when he found a solid ride at Sutton Racing. He would go on to win his first Busch Series race at Myrtle Beach Speedway. He would only have six more top tens the remaining of the year, finishing 14th in points. In 1995, Sawyer continued driving in the Busch Series full-time for Sutton, but he was named to replace Loy Allen Jr. in the No. 27 Winston Cup car Junior Johnson & Associates.[2] Sawyer's Cup season did not fare too well, but his Busch year was his best of date, finishing 9th in points. In that same year, Sawyer competed in the Winston Select, driving the No. 27 car of Junior Johnson that made it in, thanks to Jimmy Spencer winning twice the previous year.

Sawyer started the 1996 Cup season driving for David Blair Motorsports. However, after sponsorship problems, he was released from the team. He then decided to jump back down to Busch, however he did not grab a solid ride until 1997, when he rejoined Sutton. Sawyer would go on to finish 8th in points. In 1998, he had a great year, finishing 5th in points, after scoring 10 top tens. In 1999, Sawyer joined Akins Motorsports in the Busch Series. Sawyer had one of his most competitive years, winning a race at New Hampshire International Speedway. He also scored 14 top tens, and finished 5th in points. 2000 was also a great year for Sawyer after he scored once again 14 top tens and finished 6th in points.

2001–present

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2001 turned out to be Sawyer's last full season in NASCAR. He raced competitively, scoring his career high of 19 top-tens in a season, while finishing 5th in points. Akins had sold the No. 98 car to Michael Kranefuss in April 2001, however the team was unable to secure sponsorship after the season and folded, causing Sawyer to search for a ride for 2002. Sawyer did race 3 races in 2002 for the ailing Jeff Purvis at Brewco Motorsports. However, David Green received the ride in 2003. Sawyer continued looking for a ride; however, he was unable to find one due to the trend of teams wanting young drivers with sponsorship money.

On February 2, 2015, NASCAR announced that Sawyer would become the managing director of the Camping World Truck Series, replacing Chad Little, who was moved to a new role within the organization. Sawyer had previously served as the director of team operations for Action Express Racing in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship.[3]

Sawyer, along with John Probst, helped the design of the Next Gen car that debuted in 2022.

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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

Winston Cup Series

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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 31 NWCC Pts Ref
1995 Junior Johnson & Associates 27 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR
20 		TAL
27 		SON
DNQ 		CLT
25 		DOV
41 		POC MCH
23 		DAY NHA
23 		POC
29 		TAL
14 		IND
41 		GLN
29 		MCH
21 		BRI
DNQ 		DAR
32 		RCH
38 		DOV
40 		MAR
33 		NWS
34 		CLT
28 		CAR
31 		PHO
30 		ATL
28 		38th 1499 [4]
1996 David Blair Motorsports 27 Ford DAY
25 		CAR
DNQ 		RCH
30 		ATL
19 		DAR
30 		BRI
37 		NWS
32 		MAR
DNQ 		TAL
37 		SON CLT
21 		DOV POC MCH DAY NHA POC TAL IND GLN MCH
DNQ 		BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO 43rd 705 [5]
Ranier-Walsh Racing 20 Ford ATL
23
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1996 David Blair Motorsports Ford 18 25

Busch Series

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NASCAR Busch 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 31 32 33 34 35 NBSC Pts Ref
1983 Zervakis Racing Team 01 Pontiac DAY RCH CAR HCY MAR NWS SBO GPS LGY DOV BRI CLT SBO HCY ROU SBO ROU CRW ROU SBO HCY LGY IRP GPS BRI HCY DAR RCH NWS SBO MAR ROU CLT HCY MAR
30 		141st 73 [6]
1984 Sawyer Racing 02 Pontiac DAY RCH
7 		CAR HCY MAR
5 		DAR ROU NSV 38th 577 [7]
0 LGY
9 		MLW DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU SBO ROU HCY IRP LGY SBO BRI DAR
Lewis Motorsports 42 Pontiac RCH
9 		NWS CLT HCY CAR MAR
2
1985 DAY CAR HCY BRI MAR
8 		DAR SBO LGY
4 		DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU IRP SBO LGY
9 		HCY MLW BRI DAR RCH
27 		NWS ROU MAR
20 		38th 577 [8]
Olds CLT
23 		HCY CAR
1986 DAY CAR
29 		15th 3046 [9]
Pontiac HCY
12 		MAR
8 		BRI DAR SBO
6 		LGY
3 		JFC
14 		SBO
8 		HCY
15 		ROU IRP
21 		SBO
4 		RAL
20 		OXF SBO
10 		HCY
8 		LGY
9 		ROU
7 		BRI
12 		RCH
6 		DOV MAR
9 		ROU
11 		CLT MAR
5
Chevy DOV
12 		CLT
12 		DAR
39 		CAR
27
1987 DAY
14 		HCY
13 		MAR
27 		DAR
25 		BRI
25 		LGY
3 		SBO
24 		CLT
39 		DOV
11 		IRP
2 		ROU
11 		JFC
14 		OXF
32 		SBO
14 		HCY
20 		RAL
18 		LGY
3 		ROU
2 		BRI
4 		JFC
24 		DAR
24 		RCH
12 		DOV
28 		MAR
26 		CLT
43 		CAR
36 		MAR
8 		14th 2955 [10]
1988 DAY
28 		HCY
21 		CAR
38 		MAR
21 		DAR
23 		BRI
22 		LNG
6 		NZH
34 		SBO
15 		NSV
25 		CLT
36 		DOV ROU LAN LVL MYB
7 		OXF
35 		SBO
8 		HCY
12 		LNG
15 		IRP
16 		ROU
9 		BRI
15 		DAR
17 		RCH
29 		DOV
36 		MAR
3 		CLT
34 		CAR
15 		MAR
7 		16th 2686 [11]
1989 DAY
23 		CAR
15 		MAR
3 		HCY DAR
32 		BRI NZH
24 		SBO CLT
32 		DOV
21 		ROU
6 		LVL
3 		VOL
23 		MYB
5 		SBO
12 		HCY
15 		DUB
24 		IRP
18 		ROU
17 		BRI DAR RCH
35 		DOV MAR
30 		CLT CAR MAR
15 		18th 2202 [12]
Huffman Racing 70 Olds LAN
11 		NSV
1990 A.G. Dillard Motorsports 41 Buick DAY
5 		13th 3442 [13]
Roy Hill Racing 4 Buick RCH
8
A.G. Dillard Motorsports 27 Buick CAR
19 		MAR
2 		HCY
10 		DAR
27 		BRI
30 		LAN
27 		SBO
10 		NZH
14 		HCY
23 		CLT
19 		DOV
9 		ROU
17 		VOL
2 		MYB
22 		OXF
29 		NHA
25 		SBO
24 		DUB
28 		IRP
6 		ROU
5 		BRI
31 		DAR
41 		RCH
12 		DOV
25 		MAR
18 		CLT
34 		NHA
6 		CAR
13 		MAR
15
1991 DAY
15 		RCH
26 		CAR
25 		MAR
5 		VOL
12 		HCY
12 		DAR
29 		BRI
27 		LAN
11 		SBO
7 		NZH
11 		CLT
38 		DOV
23 		ROU
23 		20th 2481 [14]
Henderson Motorsports 75 Olds HCY
24
Laughlin Racing 45 Pontiac MYB
26 		GLN OXF NHA
Fred Harris 67 Pontiac SBO
7 		DUB
DNQ 		IRP
14 		ROU
27 		BRI
12 		DAR
23 		RCH
34 		DOV
21 		CLT
DNQ 		NHA CAR MAR
30
1992 Huffman Racing 77 Buick DAY CAR RCH ATL MAR
16 		DAR BRI HCY LAN DUB NZH CLT DOV ROU MYB 81st 179 [15]
Owen Racing 91 Buick GLN
33 		VOL NHA TAL IRP ROU MCH NHA BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT MAR CAR HCY
1993 Akins-Sutton Motorsports 38 Ford DAY CAR RCH DAR BRI HCY ROU MAR NZH CLT DOV MYB GLN MLW TAL IRP MCH NHA BRI DAR RCH
25 		DOV ROU CLT
36 		MAR CAR HCY ATL 80th 143 [16]
1994 DAY
20 		CAR
12 		RCH
4 		ATL
DNQ 		MAR
22 		DAR
13 		HCY
28 		BRI ROU
31 		NHA
DNQ 		NZH
2 		CLT
21 		DOV
13 		MYB
1 		GLN
35 		MLW
8 		SBO
17 		TAL
21 		HCY
14 		IRP
22 		MCH
20 		BRI
15 		DAR
9 		RCH
31 		DOV
13 		CLT
5 		MAR
19 		CAR
39 		14th 2873 [17]
Bobby Allison Motorsports 82 Ford ATL
38
1995 Akins-Sutton Motorsports 38 Ford DAY
39 		CAR
32 		RCH
15 		ATL
10 		NSV
30 		DAR
38 		BRI
18 		HCY
26 		NHA
2 		NZH
8 		CLT
27 		DOV
12 		MYB
10 		GLN
22 		MLW
14 		TAL
10 		SBO
7 		IRP
2 		MCH
13 		BRI
26 		DAR
8 		RCH
10 		DOV
17 		CLT
20 		CAR
14 		HOM
12 		9th 2952 [18]
1996 MS Racing 14 Ford DAY CAR RCH ATL
33 		NSV
12 		DAR BRI HCY
17 		NZH CLT DOV SBO MYB GLN MLW NHA TAL IRP 39th 1217 [19]
Akins-Sutton Motorsports 38 Ford MCH
25 		BRI
12 		DAR
16 		RCH
22 		DOV
8 		CLT
19 		CAR
14 		HOM
15
1997 DAY
16 		CAR
12 		RCH
11 		ATL
2 		LVS
31 		DAR
17 		HCY
6 		TEX
11 		BRI
32 		NSV
17 		TAL
42 		NHA
4 		NZH
23 		CLT
43 		DOV
9 		SBO
5 		GLN
19 		MLW
6 		MYB
5 		GTY
4 		IRP
3 		MCH
16 		BRI
34 		DAR
13 		RCH
31 		DOV
16 		CLT
22 		CAL
19 		CAR
12 		HOM
32 		8th 3419 [20]
1998 DAY
28 		CAR
14 		LVS
30 		NSV
10 		DAR
11 		BRI
4 		TEX
27 		HCY
27 		TAL
10 		NHA
27 		NZH
36 		CLT
8 		DOV
8 		RCH
18 		PPR
4 		GLN
11 		MLW
2 		MYB
11 		CAL
12 		SBO
25 		IRP
8 		MCH
8 		BRI
18 		DAR
12 		RCH
33 		DOV
3 		CLT
13 		GTY
38 		CAR
32 		ATL
13 		HOM
26 		5th 3533 [21]
1999 98 DAY
21 		CAR
7 		LVS
26 		ATL
8 		DAR
2 		TEX
12 		NSV
8 		BRI
3 		TAL
41 		CAL
7 		NHA
1 		RCH
34 		NZH
32 		CLT
8 		DOV
9 		SBO
23 		GLN
11 		MLW
34 		MYB
7 		PPR
8 		GTY
13 		IRP
8 		MCH
26 		BRI
7 		DAR
14 		RCH
16 		DOV
26 		CLT
19 		CAR
14 		MEM
3 		PHO
15 		HOM
13 		5th 3891 [22]
2000 Akins Motorsports DAY
30 		CAR
12 		LVS
25 		ATL
18 		DAR
9 		BRI
12 		TEX
28 		NSV
13 		TAL
18 		CAL
9 		RCH
34 		NHA
9 		CLT
9 		DOV
9 		SBO
3 		MYB
3 		GLN
7 		MLW
6 		NZH
2 		PPR
25 		GTY
10 		IRP
6 		MCH
31 		BRI
29 		DAR
3 		RCH
19 		DOV
33 		CLT
29 		CAR
19 		MEM
2 		PHO
11 		HOM
40 		6th 3776 [23]
2001 DAY
43 		CAR
29 		LVS
8 		ATL
35 		DAR
9 		BRI
17 		TEX
21 		NSH
5 		TAL
6 		CAL
12 		RCH
40 		NHA
9 		NZH
11 		CLT
19 		DOV
6 		KEN
4 		MLW
6 		GLN
6 		CHI
8 		GTY
8 		PPR
30 		IRP
4 		MCH
7 		BRI
5 		DAR
2 		RCH
8 		DOV
11 		KAN
16 		CLT
9 		MEM
26 		PHO
38 		CAR
10 		HOM
2 		5th 4100 [24]
2002 Brewco Motorsports 37 Chevy DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEX NSH TAL CAL RCH NHA NZH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI GTY PPR IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL CAR
22 		PHO
20 		HOM
22 		70th 297 [25]

References

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  1. ^ "NASCAR enhances competition executive team". Archived from the original on 2017-05-15. Retrieved 2016-09-22.
  2. ^ Pearce, Al (May 17, 1995). "Driver To Do Double Duty: Sawyer To Run Cup, Grand National Races". Daily Press. Newport News, VA. Archived from the original on 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2013-10-03.
  3. ^ "NASCAR moves Chad Little to inspection role; Elton Sawyer to lead Truck Series". Fox Sports. February 2, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
  4. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  5. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  6. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1983 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  7. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1984 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  8. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1985 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  9. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1986 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  10. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1987 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  11. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1988 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  12. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1989 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  13. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1990 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  14. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1991 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  15. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1992 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  16. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1993 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  17. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1994 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  18. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1995 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  19. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1996 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  20. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1997 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  21. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1998 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  22. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 1999 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  23. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 2000 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  24. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 2001 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
  25. ^ "Elton Sawyer – 2002 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved January 5, 2015.
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