In 1969, Richard Petty won the inaugural Mason-Dixon 300 at Dover Downs International Speedway, now known as Dover Motor Speedway. It wasn’t just another trophy for “The King.” It was the first-ever NASCAR race at Dover, making it a historic moment in the sport’s expansion into the Northeast. Petty didn’t just win—he dominated. He led 150 of the 300 laps and beat the field by six laps. His name became forever tied to the birth of that track.

But tucked in the shadow of that victory was another debut, one that would go on to shape NASCAR’s media landscape for the next five decades. A young reporter named Al Pearce stepped into a NASCAR press room. Pearce had just returned from serving in Vietnam. He didn’t know much about stock car racing yet—but he was eager. After the race, Petty climbed out of his car through the window. Pearce, still green, raised his hand and asked, “Mr. Petty, why didn’t you just open the door?”

Petty looked at him and said, “Boy, you don’t know much about racing, do you?” Pearce didn’t flinch. “No, sir, but I expect to learn,” he replied. That exchange didn’t just kick off a story—it launched a career. Al Pearce would go on to cover 56 consecutive Daytona 500s and thousands of NASCAR moments over more than five decades. That simple moment of naivety evolved into a lifetime of knowledge, influence, and mentorship. And now, after decades of dedication to the sport, the man once laughed at by The King himself has left the NASCAR world mourning.

Al Pearce grew along with NASCAR!

Media is often called the backbone of NASCAR, and Al Pearce was the guiding book for freshers. He was the voice of millions of fans who felt connected to the sport through his writings. However, after five decades of service, Pearce passed away on Wednesday at the age of 82. Broadcaster Mike Joy, who worked closely with Pearce for years, shared the news on social media. “Sad news: Al Pearce, career sportswriter and most recently Autoweek’s NASCAR editor, passed yesterday,” Joy wrote.

His death has shaken the NASCAR community and those who knew him best. Three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin also left mourning. In a social media post, he said, “Thank you, Al,  for your service to our country and our sport. May you rest in peace.” Those words struck at the heart of Pearce’s legacy—a man who gave not just to racing but also to his nation.

Notably, Pearce’s career stretched across both print and digital eras. He worked at the Newport News Daily Press from 1969 to 2004, covering racing and other sports. At the same time, he was filing reports for Autoweek, a relationship that continued even after he retired from the newspaper world. He wrote 13 books and covered races on nearly every major track in the U.S.—and even internationally.

His most recent work, NASCAR 75 Years, co-authored with Mike Hembree and Kelly Crandall, offers a detailed, decade-by-decade story of the sport. Pearce also earned every major journalism honor in motorsports and was inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Apart from being a journalist, he was also a U.S. Army veteran, a Vietnam War veteran, and—briefly—a teacher before finding his place in journalism. But Pearce had a way of pulling stories out of people with simple but thoughtful questions. That’s what Cup team owner Eddie Wood appreciated most.

“Al would always come by in the garage with a story to tell or a question to ask. He always had relevant questions. He had a way of pulling information out of you without you even knowing it. He’ll be missed,” he said. Notably, Pearce had a special relationship with the Wood Brothers Racing, NASCAR’s oldest team. That connection played out publicly in 2016 during a press conference at Daytona. The Woods weren’t granted a charter due to their part-time schedule from 2009–2015. Pearce pressed them hard on it.

“Isn’t there a part of you that says, ‘We got screwed?’” he asked. Eddie Wood took it in stride, using the moment to recall Pearce’s very first race and his now-famous exchange with Petty. The room burst into laughter. It was classic Pearce—tough question, sharp delivery, but always from a place of respect and love for the sport. That was Al. Honest, bold, and never afraid to push for the truth. He wasn’t chasing headlines. He was chasing answers.

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The NASCAR world mourns Pearce’s departure!

Al Pearce wasn’t just admired. He was deeply loved by those he mentored, interviewed, and joked with over the decades. The tributes that followed his passing read like a who’s who of NASCAR media, but they all focused on one thing—his generosity. NASCAR insider Jeff Gluck shared one of the most personal stories. “He covered 56 Daytona 500s and more than 90 Cup Series races at Richmond. But what I’ll remember most is how willing he was to help me,” he wrote.

Early in Gluck’s career, when he was paying his own way to cover races, Pearce often let him crash on hotel room floors or made sure he had a place to stay. “He never asked for anything in return. I always appreciated him—and always will,” he further added. Kaitlyn Vincie echoed that sentiment. As a college student, she sent Pearce her NASCAR columns, asking for critiques. Not only did he read them, but he also replied with thoughtful notes and introduced her to people who could help her break into the industry.

“He always took time for aspiring journalist. He is one of the absolute best at his craft and will be greatly missed,” she said. Meanwhile, Mike Joy shared how Pearce continued to give back even outside the press box. He managed the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, formerly the Henry McLemore Award. He kept track of nominations, votes, and even fundraising to cover the cost of plaques—year after year.

“It was a labor of love. For his sport and for all of us who cover it,” he wrote. Notably, Pearce also had a big heart for those outside the racing world. He was passionate about Victory Junction Gang Camp, a cause close to the Petty family. He joined the annual charity motorcycle ride and collected autographed helmets from drivers around the world, donating them to raise money for the camp. NASCAR won’t be the same without his voice in the garage or his stories in the press. But the people he mentored, the moments he captured, and the lessons he left behind will live on. RIP, Al. You earned that window exit.