King Racing
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Owner(s) name | Kenny Bernstein |
Racing series | Winston Cup |
Number of championships | 0 |
Number of wins | 3 |
Car number(s) | 26 |
Notable driver(s) | Joe Ruttman, Morgan Shepherd, Ricky Rudd, Brett Bodine, Dick Trickle, Steve Kinser, Hut Stricklin |
Notable sponsor(s) | Quaker State |
Manufacturer | Buick, Ford |
Shop location | Huntersville, North Carolina |
Year opened | 1986 |
Year closed | 1995 |
King Racing was the name of famed NHRA Champion Kenny Bernstein's NASCAR Winston Cup team that operated in the late-1980's and early-1990's.
The team won its first race in 1988 with Ricky Rudd at the wheel of the Quaker State Buick at The Budweiser at the Glen race at Watkins Glen. Rudd also won the Banquet Frozen Foods 300 at Sears Point Raceway in 1989.
The third and final win for King Racing came in 1990 at the First Union 400 at North Wilkesboro Speedway with Brett Bodine driving. Bodine competed in the most events with the team, driving in 158 races.In 1995, Sprint Car champion Steve Kinser started the season in the car but struggled and was released.Hut Sricklin took over and ran the rest of the season. Bernstein sold the team in 1995, but has maintained his NHRA team with continuing success. In 1996 Quaker State became an associate sponsor for Hendrick Motorsports, using defending Nascar Champion Jeff Gordon in its marketing.
[edit] IndyCar
From 1988-1994, King Racing ran an Indycar team. Jim Crawford led laps during the 1988 Indianapolis 500 in a Buick-powered entry and finished 6th. Johnny Rutherford's final Indy 500 start came driving for King Racing in the same year. The team scored a pole position at the 1992 Indianapolis 500 with Roberto Guerrero at the wheel, but he wrecked his car during the pace lap and did not start the race. In the 1993 Indianapolis 500, Al Unser led laps and finished 12th. The 1994 Indianapolis 500 was King Racing's final Indycar start, with driver Scott Goodyear.