Monk Tate

John Dillard "Monk" Tate (March 29, 1934 – May 15, 2020) was an American racing driver, moonshine runner, tobacco farmer and business owner. He was a competitor in the NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series, winning the 1975 Cardinal 500 at Martinsville Speedway.

Racing career After becoming a racing fan in his youth, Tate started his racing career with a 1938 Chevrolet, driving it at Rainbow Speedway in his late teens. He later raced locally at tracks like Concord International Speedway, Draper Speedway and Log Cabin Raceway. He later expanded to regional racing in the eastern United States, running races as far away as the World Series of Asphalt in Florida. Tate claimed a NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division win at the Cardinal 500 at Martinsville Speedway in 1975, inheriting the lead late after Butch Lindley slowed from tire wear. After briefly retiring from competitive racing in the 1980s, Tate began vintage racing in 1996 and continued to do so until 2004.

Tate also dabbled in car ownership, fielding a ride for Cale Yarborough in 1977 at Trico Motor Speedway. In the 2010s, Tate was a modified car owner at Ace Speedway.

Personal life Tate was nicknamed "Monk" after he climbed a falling tree in his childhood.

Motorsports career results NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series results Year Car 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 Pts Ref 1982 Monk Tate 88 Olds DAY RCH BRI MAR DAR HCY SBO CRW RCH LGY DOV HCY CLT ASH HCY SBO CAR CRW SBO HCY LGY IRP BRI HCY RCH MAR CLT HCY MAR 173rd 67