Nelson Stacy

Nelson Stacy (December 28, 1921 – May 14, 1986) was an American race car driver from Maysville, Kentucky. He won the 1958, 1959, and 1960 MARC Series (now ARCA Menards Series) championships. He also won four NASCAR Grand National Series races in 1961 and 1962, including the 1961 Southern 500 at Darlington Speedway and the 1962 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. he decided it would be best to drive in the MARC Series (later the ARCA Menards Series). Stacy's move enabled him to win the series championship in 1958, 1959 and 1960. In 1959, he started the season in April by winning two of three races (Dayton and Canfield).

NASCAR career After a decade in the MARC series, Stacy decided to give Grand National racing another try. In 1961, he returned to NASCAR competition at age 40, competing in 15 of the 52 scheduled races. He won the 1961 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway beating Fireball Roberts and leading 72 laps. He also accumulated eight top-ten finishes and four top-five finishes.

In 1962, Stacy won the Rebel 300 at Darlington Raceway, the final convertible race in NASCAR history, beating Marvin Panch, as well as winning the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, coming from 18th place to beat Joe Weatherly, and the 1962 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway, beating out Richard Petty by over three laps. He accumulated three wins, seven top-tens, and five top-five finishes for the 1962 season. As mentioned, he also won the NASCAR Convertible Division race that year at the Darlington Rebel 300. He died on May 14, 1986, at the age of 64.

Family life Stacy was married to Mary Stacy. The couple had three children, two girls and a boy.