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Delma Cowart

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Clinton “Delma” Cowart
Born(1941-07-06)July 6, 1941
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
DiedNovember 10, 2021(2021-11-10) (aged 80)
Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
NASCAR Cup Series career
21 races run over 11 years
Best finish44th (1982)
First race1981 Atlanta Journal 500 (Atlanta)
Last race 1992 DieHard 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish135th (1982)
First race1982 Goody's 300 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0

Clinton “Delma” Cowart (July 6, 1941 – November 10, 2021) was an American stock car racing driver. While never achieving much success, Cowart achieved notoriety[by whom?] for being the "clown prince of racing" in the 1980s and 1990s. His jovial nature made him a favorite among competitors.

Racing career

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Cowart began competing in NASCAR in the Late Model Sportsman Division, now the NASCAR Xfinity Series. His notoriety in that series came in 1979 Permatex 300 at Daytona. On lap four, Joe Frasson had wrecked and was sitting in the middle of the race track. Cowart hit Frasson at nearly full speed igniting Frasson's fuel tank into a ball of fire. Neither Frasson or Cowart were injured in the crash although Don Williams was critically injured trying to avoid the accident. When changes to the structure of the late model series were made, Cowart decided that the rising expenses in that series would make it just as economically feasible to race in the Winston Cup Series.

Cowart made his first start in NASCAR by qualifying for the 1981 Atlanta Journal 500 with owner Heyward Grooms. That day he finished 18th. In 1982, Cowart earned his best career finish, in the Firecracker 400 at Daytona, scoring 17th.

A superspeedway driver, Cowart qualified for the Daytona 500 four times, each time throwing an extravagant party for members of the NASCAR community in celebration.

Cowart's primary career was installing pools and septic tanks in the Savannah, Georgia area. He used his day job to advance his racing, once trading Junior Johnson's engine builder a swimming pool for a racing engine.

Tracks

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Cowart's main tracks were Daytona International Speedway or Talladega Superspeedway, but he did run in the 1992 race at Rockingham, North Carolina. Cowart also tried, but failed, to make the 1994 Brickyard 400.

Numbers

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He mainly ran the #0 during his time in the Cup Series, but he also ran the #49 at Daytona in 1987 (also a DNQ). Cowart repeatedly joked that he was the only driver whose car number matched his chance of winning. The inspiration for the number use was from Billy Preston's song, Nothing From Nothing. The song was a favorite of Cowart's.

He also ran the #37 at Daytona in 1982 in what is now the Xfinity Series.

1992 Daytona 500

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Cowart made the 1992 Daytona 500 and made his trademark quote, "I ain't never won a race, though I ain't lost a party." An accident-filled qualifying race allowed Cowart to finish 13th and advance to the Daytona 500. "When we made the race," Cowart said, "I went out and hired a team physician. I figured we needed a team physician. I figured we needed one for all the physical requirements of our fine crew. What does the doctor specialize in? He's a veterinarian, because all we've got on our crew is a bunch of dogs!" A legendary party ensued at a Daytona area hotel. "I don't think he showed back up at the track until Sunday," Benny Parsons recalled.

The Daytona 500 that year was plagued by accidents, allowing Cowart to finish 25th, earning a career high $23,285. With the money, he bought a big screen TV and travelled to the following race at Rockingham, finishing 35th there.

Final years

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Cowart tried to make the Daytona 500 from 1993 to 1997, but failed each time. His last race was the 1997 Winston Open, but he was flagged shortly after the start. Delma Cowart Racing brought two race cars to Charlotte Motor Speedway that weekend. One was for the ARCA race as the newer Penske Ford that Delma had bought was for the Cup race. The Cup engine developed a problem so the team decided to make an engine change. The problems that followed were that the clutch components, some of the brackets, etc., were different from what Delma had as backup parts. Once the ARCA race had completed the team worked feverishly on the Cup car to make the race.

It was about 4:00 pm when the team started making the engine change as well as trying make all of the pieces fit together; by the time the car was ready it was roughly 6:00 pm. The green flag was to drop at 7:30 pm. The car had yet to pass inspection. A little after 6:00 pm, the team started the car and found that there was a transmission problem. The team now had a decision to make: to quit or keep on working. The team decided to go and make the transmission swap. Later on, the command to start engines went out. At that time Delma was still in the garage area and he started his. He left the garage area and entered the track only to see the black flag displayed. A few caution laps were made and then Delma decided to pull off. At that time the NASCAR officials were present in the garage area as Delma and his crew chief had a meeting in the NASCAR trailer.

In later years Delma was featured in a Growing Bolder interview. When asked to as why he did what he did, he said, "Look, it wasn't a points race, just a money race, and the crew worked so hard, I wasn't about to let them down."

In early 1998, at age 56, Cowart announced his retirement at Whiskey Pete's, a saloon in Holly Hill, Florida. "I'm a dinosaur," Cowart said "There ain't no room for guys like me no more. To me, racing was a hobby. Now, you gotta have money."

Personal life

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Delma has a nephew Robbie Cowart who competes in Dirt Late Model competition and also competed in ARCA Menards Series competition from 1988 to 2004 across 18 starts.

Cowart died on November 10, 2021, at the age of 80.[1]

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 32 NWCC Pts Ref
1981 Heyward Grooms 0 Buick RSD DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI NWS DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL
18 		RSD NA - [2]
1982 DAY
33 		RCH BRI CLT
32 		POC RSD MCH 44th 410 [3]
H. L. Waters Racing ATL
23 		CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV DAY
17 		NSV POC TAL
30 		MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV NWS CLT
DNQ 		MAR CAR ATL RSD
1983 DAY
31 		RCH CAR ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV BRI CLT RSD POC MCH DAY
35 		NSV POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS ATL
24 		RSD 49th 277 [4]
Chevy CLT
35 		CAR
1984 DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR TAL
DNQ 		MCH
DNQ 		BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL RSD 64th 152 [5]
Buick ATL
36 		BRI NWS DAR MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT
22 		RSD POC MCH DAY NSV POC
1985 Chevy DAY
40 		RCH CAR ATL
DNQ 		BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		DOV CLT
DNQ 		RSD POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL
37 		MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 80th 95 [6]
1986 DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL
19 		DOV CLT
DNQ 		RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL
29 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
39 		CAR ATL
DNQ 		RSD 60th - [7]
1987 49 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR NWS BRI MAR TAL CLT DOV POC RSD MCH 107th - [8]
0 DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL
24 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR RSD ATL
DNQ
1988 DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV RSD POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR PHO ATL NA - [9]
1989 DAY
DNQ 		CAR ATL RCH DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		CLT
DNQ 		DOV SON POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR PHO ATL NA - [10]
1990 Ford DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL
DNQ 		DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT
DNQ 		DOV SON POC MCH DAY POC TAL
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR
DNQ 		PHO ATL NA - [11]
1991 DAY
DNQ 		RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL CLT DOV SON POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		POC TAL
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR PHO ATL
DNQ 		NA - [12]
1992 DAY
25 		CAR
35 		RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		CLT
DNQ 		DOV SON POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		POC
DNQ 		TAL
37 		GLN MCH
DNQ 		BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL 54th 198 [13]
1993 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		NHA POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR PHO ATL NA - [14]
1994 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		NHA POC TAL
DNQ 		IND
DNQ 		GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR PHO ATL NA - [15]
1995 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY
DNQ 		NHA POC TAL
DNQ 		IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR PHO ATL
DNQ 		NA - [16]
1996 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL
DNQ 		SON CLT
DNQ 		DOV POC MCH DAY NHA POC TAL IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
DNQ 		CAR PHO ATL NA - [17]
1997 DAY
DNQ 		CAR RCH ATL DAR TEX BRI MAR SON TAL CLT DOV POC MCH CAL DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV MAR CLT TAL CAR PHO ATL NA - [18]
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1982 Heyward Grooms Buick 37 33
1983 H. L. Waters Racing 38 31
1984 Chevrolet DNQ
1985 30 40
1986 DNQ
1987 DNQ
1988 DNQ
1989 DNQ
1990 Ford DNQ
1991 DNQ
1992 27 25
1993 DNQ
1994 DNQ
1995 DNQ
1996 DNQ
1997 DNQ

Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series

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NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman 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 NBLMSS Pts Ref
1982 Heyward Grooms 37 Chevy DAY
17 		RCH BRI MAR DAR HCY SBO CRW RCH LGY DOV HCY CLT ASH HCY SBO CAR CRW SBO HCY LGY IRP BRI HCY RCH MAR CLT HCY MAR 135th 112 [19]

ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series

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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.)

ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde 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 ABMHSC Pts Ref
1987 00 Chevy DAY
11 		ATL TAL DEL ACS TOL ROC POC FRS KIL TAL FRS ISF INF DSF SLM ATL 92nd - [20]
1990 H. L. Waters Racing 0 Ford DAY ATL KIL TAL FRS POC KIL TOL HAG POC TAL
14 		MCH ISF TOL DSF WIN DEL ATL 90th - [21]
1991 DAY ATL KIL TAL TOL FRS POC MCH KIL FRS DEL POC TAL
10 		HPT MCH ISF TOL DSF 72nd - [22]
00 TWS
10 		ATL
1994 H. L. Waters Racing 0 Ford DAY
DNQ 		TAL FIF LVL KIL TOL FRS MCH DMS POC POC KIL FRS INF I70 ISF DSF TOL SLM WIN ATL NA - [23]
1995 DAY
16 		ATL
16 		TAL
14 		FIF KIL FRS MCH I80 MCS FRS POC POC KIL FRS SBS LVL ISF DSF SLM WIN ATL
16 		41st 860 [24]
1996 DAY
25 		ATL SLM TAL
27 		FIF LVL CLT
16 		CLT
11 		KIL FRS POC MCH FRS TOL POC MCH INF SBS ISF DSF KIL SLM WIN CLT
20 		ATL
31 		38th - [25]
1997 8 DAY ATL SLM CLT CLT POC MCH SBS TOL KIL FRS MIN POC MCH DSF GTW SLM WIN CLT TAL
DNQ 		ISF NA - [26]
0 ATL
DNQ

References

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  1. ^ "Delma Cowart, driver known for Daytona qualifying attempts, dies at 80". Official Website Of NASCAR. November 10, 2021. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved November 11, 2021.
  2. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  3. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  4. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  5. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  6. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  7. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  8. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  9. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  10. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  11. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  12. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  13. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  14. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  15. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  16. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  17. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  18. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  19. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1982 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  20. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1987 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  21. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1990 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  22. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  23. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1994 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  24. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1995 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
  26. ^ "Delma Cowart – 1997 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 15, 2023.
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