Jay Sommers

Jay Sommers (born October 15, 1967) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competed in the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series in the late 1980s. After winning the Michigan Lottery in 1988, he used his earnings to bankroll racing endeavors in NASCAR. Sommers eventually raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

He last raced in the Champion Racing Association's JEGS All-Stars Tour.

Racing career In 1987, Sommers competed in the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series race at Atlanta International Raceway, finishing 34th after crashing on lap 26.

A year later, at the age of twenty, Sommers won one-fifth of a $28.9 million jackpot in the Michigan Lottery, getting $5.8 million. As part of his winnings, Sommers received an annual payment of $290,000, which he used to purchase race cars and equipment from NASCAR team owner Hoss Ellington. He finished fourth in the season-opening ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway, followed by a 31st-place run at Atlanta due to mechanical problems. Rumors eventually surfaced of his death or critical injury, which he attributed to people envious of his lottery success.

In April 1988, he entered a self-owned No. 78 Chevrolet in the Winston Cup race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but failed to qualify. Two months later, Sommers made his first Cup start at Dover Downs International Speedway, starting 36th after setting a qualifying time of . He retired from the race on lap 280 for overheating issues and finished 37th. Sommers also missed the races at Michigan International Speedway, Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, and Atlanta. Although he won the case on a $887,000 settlement, Sommers had to spend much of it to pay off debts. He eventually became a pizza delivery person and construction worker. In 2003, he competed in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 0 for JD Motorsports. After qualifying 33rd, he was involved in a lap 197 crash with Johnny and Tim Sauter, resulting in a 28th-place finish.

In 2005, Sommers won a track championship in Ohio. With the support of car owners Barb and John Stajninger, Sommers later raced in the CRA/JEGS All-Stars Tour, driving the No. 98 car. Outside of racing, he works as a self-employed marine mechanic.

Motorsports career results NASCAR (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.) Winston Cup Series NASCAR Winston Cup Series results Year Team 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 Pts Ref 1988 Jay Sommers 78 Chevy DAY RCH CAR ATL DAR BRI NWSDNQ MAR TAL CLT DOV37 RSD POC MCHDNQ DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCHDNQ DOV MAR CLT NWS CAR PHO ATLDNQ 83rd 52

Busch Series NASCAR Busch Series results Year Team 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 Pts Ref 2003 Davis Motorsports 0 Chevy DAY CAR LVS DAR BRI TEX TAL NSH CAL RCH GTY NZH CLT DOV NSH KEN MLW DAY CHI NHA PPR IRP MCH BRI28 DAR RCH DOV KAN CLT MEM ATL PHO CAR HOM 133rd 79

ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series (key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.) ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pts Ref 1987 Jay Sommers 78 Pontiac DAY ATL TAL DEL ACS TOL ROC POC FRS KIL TAL FRS ISF INF DSF SLM ATL34 114th - 1988 Chevy DAY4 ATL31 TALDNQ FRS PCS ROC POC WIN KIL ACS SLM POC TAL DEL FRS ISF DSF SLM ATL 82nd - 1989 DAYDNQ ATL KIL TAL FRS POC KIL HAG POC TAL DEL FRS ISF TOL DSF SLM ATL NA -