Robert Pressley

Robert William Pressley (born April 8, 1959) is an American former NASCAR driver who previously served as the promoter at Kingsport Speedway in Kingsport, Tennessee. Pressley is now a County Commissioner in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Robert Pressley
Pressley in 1999
BornRobert William Pressley
(1959-04-08) April 8, 1959
Asheville, North Carolina
Achievements2002 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 Winner
Led Busch Series in wins in 1992
1988 Greenville-Pickens Speedway Late Model Champion
NASCAR Cup Series career
205 races run over 9 years
Best finish25th (2000, 2001)
First race1994 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Last race2002 Daytona 500 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 11 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
244 races run over 12 years
Best finish3rd (1991)
First race1983 Miller Time 300 (Charlotte)
Last race2005 O'Reilly Challenge (Texas)
First win1989 Texas Pete 200 (Rougemont)
Last win1993 NE Chevy 250 (Loudon)
Wins Top tens Poles
10 76 6
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career
69 races run over 3 years
Best finish7th (2002)
First race2002 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 (Daytona)
Last race2005 Ford 200 (Homestead)
First win2002 Florida Dodge Dealers 250 (Daytona)
Last win2002 Michigan 200 (Michigan)
Wins Top tens Poles
2 27 0
Statistics current as of April 17, 2013.

Beginnings

Because his father, Bob, was a short track racer in Asheville, the younger Pressley naturally followed his father into the sport. In fact, his brother Charley, has been a long-time crew chief in the NASCAR level. Pressley began running at New Asheville Speedway and Greenville-Pickens Speedway and won championships at both tracks. He also put together 150 wins in various Late Model Series in the Southeast. In 1984, Pressley made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 26th. Five years later, Pressley ran a limited schedule in the Busch Series, and won in just his twelfth series start at Orange County Speedway. He ran full seasons from 1991–1994, his best year coming in 1992 when he won races and finished fifth in points. In 1994, he ran three races in the Winston Cup Series in a car sponsored by Manheim Auctions, his best finish being a 31st at Charlotte.

In 1990 Pressley was involved in Michael Waltrip's horrific Bristol crash in which he tapped Waltrip from behind, sending Waltrip's #30 Kool-Aid car into a fence, disintegrating the car on impact.

Winston Cup

Pressley in 1994.

In 1995, Pressley took over for the retired Harry Gant in the #33 car owned by Leo Jackson Motorsports in Cup. He posted one top-ten finish and was runner-up to Ricky Craven for Rookie of the Year. The following year, he put together two top-five finishes. Unfortunately, Jackson was retiring and sold his operation to crew chief Andy Petree. After Pressley ran just one race for his new owner, he was released, but able to hook onto a ride with Diamond Ridge Motorsports. Pressley just ran ten races for Diamond Ridge in 1997, posting a best finish of 14th, when he was suddenly fired from the ride. While he waited for a Cup ride to appear, Pressley returned to the Busch ranks, running the No. 47 Chevrolet for ST Motorsports, and finished out the year with three top tens. Over in Cup, he joined the No. 77 Jasper Motorsports team, which became one of the more popular tandems in the Cup circuit among fans.

Following his abbreviated Cup run in 1997, Pressley returned full-time in 1998 with the Jasper team, where he posted a then career-best third-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway. Despite being replaced temporarily by Hut Stricklin due to injuries, Pressley finished 32nd in points that year. 1999 was a struggle however, as Pressley and company failed to qualify six times that season, and often had trouble finishing races. Following the addition of Ryan Pemberton in 2000, Pressley was able to increase his position in points to 25th. In 2001, he had five top-tens, nearly won the inaugural Tropicana 400 before finishing in second, and finished 25th in points handing the driving duties to the car for the road course events to Boris Said. Robert Pressley, although competitive in some races, struggled with consistency, and would part ways with Jasper at the conclusion of the 2001 season.[1]

In 2002 he had a one race deal with Melling Racing for the Daytona 500 and locked himself in by qualifying speed on Pole Day, Qualifying 5th overall with the same car they had qualified 3rd or better on the 2001 restrictor plate tracks. After receiving sponsorship from Brand Source he had an engine problem at the end of the race. When he blew up, his car was nearly destroyed on pit road as an accident happened on the tri-oval and Michael Waltrip's car came across onto pit road, also nearly hitting the pace car as well.

Recent years

At the end of 2001, Pressley was released from Jasper, and he tackled on a new venture, the Craftsman Truck Series. He signed with Bobby Hamilton Racing and won his Truck Series debut at Daytona International Speedway. He also ran the season opening Daytona 500 in Cup for what was the last race for Melling Racing, finishing 22nd. In 2003, Pressley moved to HT Motorsports in the Trucks, finishing 12th in points. He returned to the Busch Series to drive the 47 again for ST Motorsports, finishing in the top-ten twice, before moving back to the trucks with HT in 2005, finishing 20th in the standings.

His son Coleman Pressley won the 2010 UARA-Stars championship and raced sporadically in NASCAR.[2] He currently serves as Brad Keselowski's spotter.[3]

Pressley served as promoter at the Kingsport (TN) Speedway from 2011-2014, moving the track to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series-sanctioned status beginning with his first season.[4] Pressley also owns a restaurant in the Asheville, North Carolina area called Celebrity's Hot Dogs. [5]

In 2016, Pressley was elected as a county commissioner in Buncombe County, North Carolina.[6]

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 31 32 33 34 35 36 NWCC Pts Ref
1994 Leo Jackson Motorsports 54 Chevy DAY
40
CAR RCH ATL DAR BRI NWS MAR TAL SON CLT DOV POC MCH DAY NHA
DNQ
POC TAL IND
DNQ
GLN MCH
DNQ
BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT
31
CAR PHO ATL
35
57th 171 [7]
1995 33 DAY
26
CAR
42
RCH
35
ATL
31
DAR
30
BRI
10
NWS
18
MAR
17
TAL
18
SON
30
CLT
24
DOV
19
POC
37
MCH
17
DAY
11
NHA
13
POC
34
TAL
27
IND
28
GLN
34
MCH
18
BRI
24
DAR
17
RCH
30
DOV
14
MAR
34
NWS
33
CLT
42
CAR
29
PHO
19
ATL
41
29th 2663 [8]
1996 DAY
30
CAR
26
RCH
16
ATL
27
DAR
36
BRI
17
NWS
4
MAR
34
TAL
7
SON
34
CLT
33
DOV POC
33
MCH
23
DAY
17
NHA
5
POC
25
TAL
31
IND
30
GLN
30
MCH
41
BRI
33
DAR
27
RCH
26
DOV
32
MAR
32
NWS
33
32nd 2485 [9]
Andy Petree Racing CLT
32
Diamond Ridge Motorsports 29 Chevy CAR
37
PHO
36
ATL
33
1997 DAY
39
CAR
37
RCH
21
ATL
DNQ
DAR
39
TEX
DNQ
BRI
14
MAR
23
SON
DNQ
TAL
29
CLT DOV POC MCH CAL DAY NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH 43rd 984 [10]
Jasper Motorsports 77 Ford NHA
43
DOV
39
MAR
38
CLT
36
TAL
27
CAR
13
PHO
38
ATL
DNQ
1998 DAY
32
CAR
40
LVS
23
ATL
27
DAR
20
BRI
28
TEX
3
MAR
23
TAL
31
CAL
17
CLT
16
DOV
39
RCH
41
MCH
32
POC
16
SON
30
NHA
34
POC
32
IND
29
GLN
29
MCH
24
BRI
40
NHA
12
DAR
30
RCH
43
DOV MAR CLT
41
TAL
26
DAY
DNQ
PHO
17
CAR
38
ATL
28
32nd 2388 [11]
1999 DAY
19
CAR
14
LVS
DNQ
ATL
DNQ
DAR
15
TEX
20
BRI
40
MAR
23
TAL
22
CAL
39
RCH
27
CLT
35
DOV
40
MCH
42
POC
35
SON
40
DAY
DNQ
NHA
DNQ
POC
23
IND
17
GLN
DNQ
MCH
42
BRI
43
DAR
25
RCH
39
NHA
30
DOV
23
MAR
35
CLT
24
TAL
DNQ
CAR
29
PHO
38
HOM
37
ATL
27
39th 2050 [12]
2000 DAY
20
CAR
43
LVS
21
ATL
33
DAR
18
BRI
17
TEX
26
MAR
15
TAL
23
CAL
21
RCH
35
CLT
26
DOV
26
MCH
5
POC
11
SON
37
DAY
17
NHA
38
POC
14
IND
27
GLN
26
MCH
32
BRI
37
DAR
36
RCH
37
NHA
18
DOV
14
MAR
33
CLT
35
TAL
25
CAR
12
PHO
31
HOM
16
ATL
13
25th 3055 [13]
2001 DAY
14
CAR
12
LVS
16
ATL
36
DAR
15
BRI
28
TEX
43
MAR
40
TAL
24
CAL
10
RCH
32
CLT
38
DOV
22
MCH
21
POC
14
SON DAY
23
CHI
2
NHA
19
POC
9
IND
35
GLN MCH
14
BRI
28
DAR
38
RCH
15
DOV
37
KAN
7
CLT
25
MAR
43
TAL
27
PHO
42
CAR
13
HOM
40
ATL
21
NHA
7
25th 3156 [14]
2002 Melling Racing 92 Dodge DAY
22
CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX MAR TAL CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV KAN TAL
DNQ
CLT MAR ATL CAR PHO HOM 67th 97 [15]
2003 Morgan-McClure Motorsports 4 Pontiac DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR BRI TEX TAL MAR CAL RCH CLT DOV POC MCH SON DAY CHI NHA POC IND
DNQ
GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH NHA DOV TAL KAN CLT MAR ATL PHO CAR HOM NA - [16]
Daytona 500
Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
1994 Leo Jackson Motorsports Chevrolet 19 40
1995 31 26
1996 25 30
1997 Diamond Ridge Motorsports Chevrolet 19 39
1998 Jasper Motorsports Ford 30 32
1999 15 19
2000 32 20
2001 39 14
2002 Melling Racing Dodge 31 22

Busch Series

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 NBGNC Pts Ref
1984 52 Olds DAY RCH CAR HCY MAR DAR ROU NSV LGY MLW DOV CLT SBO HCY ROU SBO ROU HCY IRP LGY SBO BRI DAR RCH NWS CLT
26
HCY CAR MAR 108th 0 [17]
1989 Pressley Racing 59 Olds DAY CAR MAR HCY
15
DAR BRI
19
NZH SBO
18
LAN
12
NSV
12
CLT DOV ROU
9
LVL
15
VOL
13
MYB
21
SBO
26
HCY
14
DUB
10
IRP
30
ROU
1*
BRI
20
DAR RCH
14
DOV MAR
12
CLT
15
CAR MAR
13
19th 2129 [18]
1990 Alliance Motorsports DAY
15
RCH
29
CAR
34
MAR
26
HCY
4
DAR
21
BRI
15
LAN
10
SBO
9
NZH
11
HCY
4
CLT
23
DOV
11
ROU
19
VOL
13
MYB
16
OXF
33
NHA
29
SBO
16
DUB
8
IRP
5
ROU
3
BRI
18
DAR
18
RCH
7
DOV
23
MAR
2*
CLT
24
NHA
30
CAR
31
MAR
29
12th 3504 [19]
1991 DAY
20
RCH
28
CAR
9
MAR
25
VOL
14
HCY
6
DAR
25
BRI
30
LAN
4
SBO
20
NZH
10
CLT
12
DOV
15
ROU
1*
HCY
6*
MYB
2
GLN
13
OXF
40
NHA
7
SBO
22
DUB
3
IRP
13
ROU
2
BRI
7
DAR
19
RCH
2
DOV
2
CLT
18
NHA
5
CAR
7
MAR
29
3rd 3929 [20]
1992 DAY
5
CAR
18
RCH
36
ATL
22
MAR
4
DAR
1
BRI
8
HCY
13
LAN
4
DUB
23
NZH
8
CLT
9
DOV
1*
ROU
1*
MYB
25
GLN
17
VOL
3
NHA
2
TAL
36
IRP
2*
ROU
6
MCH
30
NHA
13
BRI
9
DAR
22
RCH
1
DOV
1*
CLT
23
MAR
29
CAR
27
HCY
15
5th 3988 [21]
1993 DAY
31
CAR
2
RCH
5
DAR
1*
BRI
10
HCY
25
ROU
29
MAR
22
NZH
1
CLT
5
DOV
7
MYB
4
GLN
26
MLW
22
TAL
7
IRP
18
MCH
2
NHA
1
BRI
21
DAR
28
RCH
26
DOV
12
ROU
20
CLT
43
8th 3389 [22]
Precision Products Racing 0 Olds MAR
23
HCY
26
Chevy CAR
9
ATL
7
1994 J&J Racing 99 Chevy DAY
9
CAR
5
RCH
13
ATL
31
MAR
14
DAR
15
HCY
10
BRI
19
ROU
13
NHA
24
NZH
35
CLT
6
DOV
7
MYB
4
GLN
6
MLW
34
SBO
6
TAL
29
HCY
20
IRP
15
MCH
28
12th 3043 [23]
Laughlin Racing Products 35 Chevy BRI
26
DAR
36
RCH
15
DOV
40
CLT
14
Ferree Racing 46 Chevy MAR
36
Petty Enterprises 43 Pontiac CAR
10
1996 7 DAY CAR RCH ATL
DNQ
NSV DAR BRI HCY NZH CLT DOV SBO MYB GLN MLW NHA TAL IRP MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV CLT CAR HOM NA - [24]
1997 Team Amick 35 Pontiac DAY CAR RCH ATL LVS DAR HCY TEX BRI NSV TAL NHA NZH CLT
DNQ
DOV 32nd 1465 [25]
ST Motorsports 47 Chevy SBO
31
GLN
38
MLW
21
MYB
32
GTY
37
IRP
18
MCH
35
BRI
3
DAR
14
RCH
15
DOV
27
CLT
16
CAL
5
CAR
10
HOM
31
1998 59 DAY
34
CAR
17
LVS
38
NSV
31*
DAR
9
BRI
DNQ
TEX
DNQ
HCY
6
TAL
DNQ
NHA
9
NZH CLT
26
DOV
6
RCH
10
PPR GLN MLW MYB CAL
14
SBO IRP MCH
19
BRI
19
DAR
9
RCH
37
DOV CLT GTY CAR
15
ATL
31
HOM
37
31st 1870 [26]
1999 Xpress Motorsports 61 Pontiac DAY CAR LVS ATL DAR TEX NSV BRI TAL CAL NHA RCH NZH CLT DOV SBO GLN MLW MYB PPR GTY IRP MCH BRI DAR
18
RCH
28
DOV
17
CLT
DNQ
CAR MEM PHO HOM 77th 300 [27]
2004 ST Motorsports 47 Ford DAY
17
CAR
23
LVS
24
DAR
22
BRI
22
TEX
24
NSH
11
TAL
14
CAL
27
GTY
36
RCH
20
NZH
19
CLT
20
DOV
15
NSH
15
KEN
16
MLW
14
DAY
4
CHI
35
NHA
13
PPR
19
IRP
22
MCH
28
BRI
9
CAL
25
RCH
17
DOV
22
KAN
20
CLT
16
MEM
17
ATL
13
PHO
17
DAR
13
HOM
24
15th 3604 [28]
2005 46 DAY CAL MXC LVS ATL NSH BRI TEX PHO TAL DAR
25
RCH CLT
DNQ
DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR GTY IRP
16
GLN MCH BRI
16
CAL RCH
33
DOV KAN CLT MEM TEX
30
PHO HOM 71st 455 [29]
2008 JTG Daugherty Racing 59 Ford DAY CAL LVS ATL BRI NSH TEX PHO MXC TAL RCH DAR CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW
QL
NHA DAY CHI GTY IRP CGV GLN MCH BRI CAL RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM
QL
TEX PHO HOM NA - [30]
- Qualified for Marcos Ambrose

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck 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 NCTS Pts Ref
2002 Bobby Hamilton Racing 18 Dodge DAY
1*
DAR
2
MAR
14
GTW
31
PPR
30
DOV
2
TEX
6
MEM
12
MLW
7
KAN
7
KEN
3
NHA
9
MCH
1*
IRP
5
NSH
9
RCH
15
TEX
7
SBO
24
LVS
7
CAL
7
PHO
14
HOM
4
7th 3097 [31]
2003 HT Motorsports 59 Dodge DAY
3
DAR
10
MMR
11
MAR
17
CLT
31
DOV
10
TEX
26
MEM MLW KAN
5
KEN
8
GTW MCH
14
IRP
18
NSH
15
BRI
2
RCH
2
NHA
14
CAL
11
LVS
11
SBO
10
TEX
13
MAR
27
PHO
8
HOM
26
12th 2773 [32]
2005 HT Motorsports 59 Dodge DAY
15
CAL
24
ATL
20
MAR
25
GTW
8
MFD
25
CLT
22
DOV
26
TEX
31
MCH
17
MLW
14
KAN
33
KEN
17
MEM
32
IRP
7
NSH
25
BRI
17
RCH
8
NHA
14
LVS
24
MAR
31
ATL
27
TEX
26
PHO
22
HOM
24
20th 2493 [33]

ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series

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

ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 APSC Pts Ref
1989 24 Pontiac DAY ATL KIL TAL FRS POC KIL HAG POC TAL DEL FRS ISF TOL DSF SLM ATL
40
120th - [34]
1990 Alliance Training Centers DAY
DNQ
ATL KIL TAL FRS POC KIL TOL HAG POC TAL MCH ISF TOL DSF WIN DEL ATL NA - [35]

References

  1. "Blaney replaces Pressley at Jasper". Crash.net. October 18, 2001. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  2. Hembree, Mike. "Father's experience helping Coleman Pressley navigate move into NASCAR". Scene Daily. Retrieved 8 June 2010.
  3. Albert, Zack (January 7, 2019). "Coleman Pressley to serve as spotter for Brad Keselowski, No. 2 Ford in 2019". NASCAR. Retrieved October 10, 2019.
  4. https://www.buncombecounty.org/governing/commissioners/default.aspx?ref=primnav
  5. https://www.citizen-times.com/story/news/local/2016/07/29/robert-pressley-run-district-3-commissioner/87730664/
  6. https://carolinapublicpress.org/26129/voters-across-wnc-pick-local-government-leaders/
  7. "Robert Pressley – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  8. "Robert Pressley – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  9. "Robert Pressley – 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  10. "Robert Pressley – 1997 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  11. "Robert Pressley – 1998 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  12. "Robert Pressley – 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  13. "Robert Pressley – 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  14. "Robert Pressley – 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  15. "Robert Pressley – 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  16. "Robert Pressley – 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  17. "Robert Pressley – 1984 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  18. "Robert Pressley – 1989 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  19. "Robert Pressley – 1990 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  20. "Robert Pressley – 1991 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  21. "Robert Pressley – 1992 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  22. "Robert Pressley – 1993 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  23. "Robert Pressley – 1994 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  24. "Robert Pressley – 1996 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  25. "Robert Pressley – 1997 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  26. "Robert Pressley – 1998 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  27. "Robert Pressley – 1999 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  28. "Robert Pressley – 2004 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  29. "Robert Pressley – 2005 NASCAR Busch Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  30. "Robert Pressley – 2008 Kroger On Track For The Cure 250 qualifying results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  31. "Robert Pressley – 2002 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  32. "Robert Pressley – 2003 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  33. "Robert Pressley – 2005 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  34. "Robert Pressley – 1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  35. "Robert Pressley – 1990 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
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