Ernie Derr

Ernest Virgil Derr (October 29, 1921 – January 8, 2014) was an American stock car racing driver. He won 12 IMCA Stock Car championships, made one start in the NASCAR Grand National Series, and won eleven ARCA Racing Series races. Along with Dick Hutcherson, Ramo Stott and Don White, Derr was a member of the "Keokuk Komets", a collection of racing drivers from Keokuk, Iowa.

Racing career After watching brother-in-law Don White race in the late 1940s, Derr began his racing career in 1950. Earning his reputation mainly on half-mile dirt tracks, Derr won his first International Motor Contest Association championship in 1953, and won four consecutive IMCA championships between 1959 and 1962. He picked up factory backing from General Motors in 1963, but switched to Chrysler support the following year and stuck with them through 1970.

Derr retired from racing after the 1977 season, running his last race at Knoxville Raceway. He said that his only regret in racing was not running more NASCAR races during the sport's formative years.

Personal life Derr served in the 6th Armored Division during World War II. Before racing full-time, Derr was an automotive parts worker. After retiring from racing, Derr became a property manager in Keokuk, Iowa.

Motorsports career results NASCAR Grand National Series NASCAR Grand National Series results Year Owner 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 37 Pts Ref 1953 Ernie Derr Olds PBS DAB HAR NWS CLT RCH CCS LAN CLB HCY MAR PMS RSP LOU FFS LAN TCS WIL MCF PIF MOR ATL RVS LCF DAV HBO AWS PAS HCY DAR CCS LAN BLF WIL NWS MAR ATL N/A N/A