Hut Stricklin

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wayman "Hut" Stricklin
Born: June 24, 1961 (age 45)
Birthplace: Flag of United States Calera, Alabama
Awards: 1986 NASCAR Dash Series champion
NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Statistics
328 races run over 15 years.
Best Cup Position: 16th - 1991 (Winston Cup)
First Race: 1987 Holly Farms 400 (North Wilkesboro)
Last Race: 2002 Sharpie 500 (Bristol)
Wins Top Tens Poles
0 29 1
NASCAR Busch Series Statistics
54 races run over 12 years.
Best NBS Position: 25th - 1992
First Race: 1985 Miller 400 (Charlotte)
Last Race: 2000 NAPAonline.com 250 (Michigan)
Wins Top Tens Poles
0 8 2

Wayman "Hut" Stricklin is a race car driver in NASCAR.

Stricklin was born on June 24, 1961, in Calera, Alabama. He soon became a legend in racing and married Pam Allison, the daughter of NASCAR legend Donnie Allison. Hut was the last member of the Alabama Gang.

In 1986, he won NASCAR's Dash Series Championship. The next year, he made his debut in NASCAR Winston Cup.

Two years later he finished second to Dick Trickle in the NASCAR Rookie of the Year championship with Rod Osterlund. In his sophomore season, he only competed in only three events before taking over the driving chores of Bobby Allison's #12 Raybestos Brakes Buick. 1991 turned out to be one of his best seasons yet, as he finished 16th in the championship point standings as well as a career high 2nd place at Michigan International Speedway. Halfway through 1992, Hut left Allison to drive Junior Johnson's McDonald's Ford. The next year, Stricklin paired with owner Travis Carter to form a new team, the Number 23 Camel Cigarettes Ford. It was a disappointing year for all, and Hut finished 26th in points.

After he couldn't find a ride for 1995, he served as a consultant for Kenny Bernstein's rookie driver Steve Kinser, a World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion who was struggling to transition from dirt to pavement. During the season, Kinser resigned, and Stricklin took it over, posting five top 10 finishes. Unfortunately the team closed at the end of the year, and Hut had to find a new job.

He joined the Stavola Bros. Racing #8 Circuit City Ford in 1996. He had a second-place finish at Darlington Raceway, and ended up 22nd in points that year.

In 1998, Stricklin went between jobs, first the 8 car, which closed because of sponsorship woes, then drove substitute duty for David Green and Robert Pressley for the rest of the year.

1999 presented Hut with a new challenge. He was now the crew chief for Gary Bradberry's 78 Ford for Triad Motorsports. When that team was sold, He took over the 58 Ford for businessman Scott Barbour. He posted some of the best finishes of the year for that team, including a top-ten finish at Michigan. Despite posting three consecutive DNQs, Strickling appeared to have found solid footing, as Barbour announced Stricklin would be his driver through 2003, and would have Motorsports Safety Technologies as his sponsor. Unfortunately, sponsorship again plagued Stricklin, as shortly after Stricklin signed the deal, MST produced a bounced check, causing Stricklin's team to close its doors forever.

In 2000, Stricklin drove for longtime owner Junie Donlavey at the Brickyard 400 and finished 14th. The next year he had a 6th place finish at Michigan. However, sponsor Hills Brothers wanted to find a new team, and they both moved to Bill Davis' #23 Dodge.

In 2002, Stricklin struggled mightily and was soon released. That was the last time he has driven a NASCAR race. He made his NASCAR Busch Series debut in 1985. He never won a Busch Series race.

Hut Stricklin's family now owns an Auto and Truck parts company.

[edit] External links

Persondata
NAME Stricklin, Waymond
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Stricklin, "Hut"
SHORT DESCRIPTION NASCAR racer
DATE OF BIRTH June 24, 1961
PLACE OF BIRTH Calera, Alabama
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH