Dave Watson

Dave Watson (born November 7, 1945) is an American racing driver from Milton, Wisconsin. Watson was the 1977 USAC Stock Car Rookie of the Year. He raced five NASCAR Winston Cup (now Sprint Cup Series) races with one top-ten finish. Watson won in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA), Grand American and IMSA. and the Lake Geneva Raceway track championship in 1976. In 76 events entered during 1976, Watson won 41 short track races which was the second most in the United States that year behind Larry Schuler with 43 wins. Watson won the Oktoberfest main event at the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway in 1978.

ASA / USAC racing

Watson began racing on two national tours in 1977 - the American Speed Association (ASA) and USAC Stock Car. Watson started 22nd of 39 cars; he completed 316 of 328 laps before a crash ended his race with a 17th-place finish in his own car. At the following race at Rockingham Speedway, he started 15th and he finished eighth in his only career top-ten finish. Watson quit the race and went to the hospital but Wade was pronounced dead at the hospital. Watson was inducted in the Hall of Fame for Madison international Speedway in 2015 in its second class. In 2020, he was inducted into the Circle of Fame at Wisconsin International Raceway. [Marty Nussbaum, owner/curator of the COF]

Life after racing After his racing career ended, Watson was the crew chief and team manager for several teams. He took over as the Director of Special Projects in 2002.