CUP: Auctions Benefit Larry Pearson

Larry Pearson was critically injured in March...

SPEED Staff | Posted August 19, 2010 Charlotte, NC

The firesuits worn by 10 NASCAR drivers during an exhibition race at Bristol Motor Speedway in March are being auctioned on eBay, with the all the proceeds going to two-time NASCAR Nationwide Series champion Larry Pearson, who was critically injured in the event.

In addition, the helmet that Pearson wore in the accident is on the auction block and has been signed by most of today's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers, including: Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, Jimmie Johnson, Kasey Kahne, Jeff Burton, Mark Martin, Kurt Busch and Greg Biffle.

Pearson, 56, was T-boned by Charlie Glotzbach late in the 35-lap Scotts EZ Showdown at BMS on March 20. He suffered a shattered broken pelvis, broken right arm, two broken legs, including a shattered left leg, and three cracked ribs. Pearson, who has now managed to use crutches to get around, is at his Spartanburg, S.C., home and has a long road to recovery with physical therapy. The funds raised from the auctions will go directly to Pearson to aid with expenses.

The "one-of-a-kind" items are indeed just that. The firesuits were produced for each driver especially for this special event by Hinchman Racewear, which has outfitted some of the world's greatest drivers over the years - most notably in IndyCar (since the 1920s) and NASCAR. The firesuits resembled many that were used by NASCAR drivers during 1960s and 1970s.

Ten of the 12 participants in the race have their authentic suits up for auction. They include David Pearson (Larry's father), Cale Yarborough, Harry Gant, Jack Ingram, Rick Wilson (winner of the race), Phil Parsons, Dave Marcis, L. D. Ottinger, Tommy Houston and Jimmy Hensley. The only ones not available are those of Larry Pearson and Glotzbach. The suits are "as is" as the drivers climbed from the cars and changed after the race. Selected ones are autographed.

Fans can place their bids by going to ebay.com and typing in "uniforms to benefit Larry Pearson" in the Search section, or by simply clicking on the driver's name above which will take them directly to the site listing page. The auctions will run until Aug. 27.

The uniforms are off-white in color with the customary red and blue stripes on the upper left chest. The uniforms feature each driver's name in script on the right chest (above zipper pouch) and the logos of the EZ Seed Showdown, Hinchman-Indy, Bristol Motor Speedway, and Scotts. The firesuits were given by the track to assist the fundraising effort for Pearson.

Pearson's helmet was taken to the Darlington Raceway NASCAR weekend in May where it was autographed by most of the drivers competing in the Sprint Cup Series event.

Pearson captured consecutive NASCAR Nationwide Series titles in 1986 and 1987. He competed in the series from 1982-1999 and had 15 victories in 259 starts. His best year was in the '87 title campaign when he had six triumphs. He also had 78 top-five results and 12 pole positions. He won Bristol's Nationwide Series races in 1987 and 1988. His Cup record shows 57 starts with three top-10 finishes.