Rob Moroso
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| Birthplace: | Madison, Connecticut | |
| Born: | September 28, 1968 | |
| Died: | September 30, 1990 | |
| Cause of Death: | Automobile crash | |
| Awards: | 1989 Busch Series champion
1990 Rookie of the Year (posthumously) |
|
| NASCAR Cup statistics | ||
| 29 races run over 3 years. | ||
| Best Cup Position: | 30th - 1990 (Winston Cup) | |
| First Race: | 1988 Charlotte | |
| Last Race: | 1990 Tyson Holly Farms 400 North Wilkesboro | |
| First Win: | ||
| Last Win: | ||
| Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
| 0 | 1 | 0 |
Rob Moroso (September 28, 1968 - September 30, 1990) was a NASCAR racing driver who was champion of the NASCAR Busch Series in 1989. He was killed in a traffic accident on the roads of North Carolina.
Born in Madison, Connecticut, he was the son of Dick Moroso, founder of Moroso Performance, suppliers of aftermarket automotive parts, and Moroso Motorsports Park in Jupiter, Florida.
[edit] NASCAR Busch career
He made his debut in the Busch series at age 17 and won his first race in 1988, when he was 19. He finished second in the final Busch series points in 1988. Moroso won a total of six races from 1988 to 1989, including 3 consecutive at Charlotte Motor Speedway, and was voted the most popular driver on the circuit.
In 1989 Moroso was vying with veteran driver Tommy Houston for the championship in the final race of the year, at Martinsville Speedway. Houston's engine failed during the race, while Moroso finished third and won the title by 55 points from Houston. At the time Moroso was the youngest champion in the history of NASCAR.
[edit] NASCAR Cup career
In 1990 Moroso made his debut in the premiere Winston Cup division, scoring a top-ten finish (ninth) in the Pepsi 400 at the Daytona International Speedway. Leading in rookie points, and thought by many to be the sports next big star, Moroso would not have a chance to finish the season.
[edit] Death
On September 30, 1990, Moroso was killed in an automobile crash near Mooresville, North Carolina only hours after finishing 21st in the Holly Farms 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Investigation revealed that Moroso had been driving under the influence of alcohol. The driver he hit, Tammy Williams, was killed. He was posthumously awarded the Raybestos NASCAR Rookie of the Year Award in 1990 after completing 25 of 29 races.
| Preceded by: Dick Trickle |
NASCAR Rookie of the Year 1990 |
Succeeded by: Bobby Hamilton |
| Preceded by: Tommy Ellis |
NASCAR Busch Series Champion 1989 |
Succeeded by: Chuck Bown |
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