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NASCAR GDS: Mickey York to Start 300th Race

30 April 1999

When the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series competes at Caraway Speedway near Asheboro, NC on May 8, 1999, Mickey York, the series' "elder statesman" will start his 300th race in the series.

It's ironic that this milestone comes at Mickey's "home track." He started his racing career back in 1971 in the Rookie Division when Caraway was still dirt. He won the championship in that division in 1972. When the track was paved, he moved up to the Limited Sportsman Division and won the track championship in 1976. In 1977, he began racing in the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series, then called the NASCAR Baby Grand Series, with his first attempt at North Wilkesboro, NC. After qualifying, the cam shaft broke and he was unable to start the race. So, his first official race in the series occurred on June 18, 1977 at a very familiar track, Caraway Speedway. It turned out to be a pretty good night as he finished seventh in the Baby Grand race after an early spin and then finished second in the limited sportsman feature. Mickey and his family own and operate Randolph Auto Parts, Inc. in Asheboro.

Mickey was the NASCAR Goody's Dash Series Champion in 1992, the first year that Goody's Pharmaceuticals, a Division of Block Drug Company from Jersey City, NJ became the title sponsor for the series. Since he began in the series, he has compiled a record of 28 victories, which is third on the all times winner's list for the series behind Dean Combs and Larry Caudill, 121 top five finishes, and 180 top ten finishes. His first win came at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1978 and his most recent victory was at the USA International Speedway in Lakeland, FL during the 1998 season. He also has 22 Busch poles. He was voted the most popular driver on three occasions in 1985, 1991, and 1993.

The 1999 season has started off slowly with two finishes out of the top ten. At the season opener at the Daytona International Speedway in February, Mickey was caught up in a multi-car crash on lap 11 and last week at the Hickory Speedway, he developed clutch problems. Getting "back home" may be just what the number 24 team needs. He continues his search for a full-time sponsor for the 1999 season and welcomes any leads.

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