Rob Moroso
Rob Moroso ( born September 28, 1968 in Madison, Connecticut, † September 30, 1990 in Mooresville, North Carolina) was an American NASCAR driver. In 1989 he was champion and Most Popular Driver NASCAR Busch Grand National Series, today's Nationwide Series. He died on September 30, 1990 in a traffic accident.
NASCAR Career
Busch Grand National Series
Moroso began his NASCAR career in the Busch Grand National Series, today's Nationwide Series. On September 28, 1986, his 18th birthday, he made his debut in Roses Stores 150 at the Orange County Speedway. He drove here in an Oldsmobile with the start number 23, with which he started from sixth place. After 56 laps he dropped out due to suspension problems. He played in the same year yet another race at the North Carolina Speedway, which he finished in 18th place.
Although he had participated in only two races up to that time, he was in the 1987 season a regular place in the team of his father Dick Moroso. Just like last year, he was driving a Oldsmobile. Of the 25 races he contested, he finished two in the top five and eight in the top 10. In the overall classification, he finished at the end of the season the 15th Place. The race of the 1988 season played Moroso in the car of his father. On 2 July 1988, he won the Myrtle Beach 200 on the Myrtle Beach Speedway. This was his first victory in the Busch Grand National Series. Another followed in the same year at the All Pro 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, known as Lowe 's Motor Speedway today. With ten top five and 18 top-10 results at the end of the season, he finished second in the overall standings behind Tommy Ellis. In the 1989 season he struggled from the beginning to the title. During the season, succeeded him win four races. After the penultimate race of the season, he was 19 points behind Tommy Houston in second place in the overall standings. Houston had in the last race of the season, which took place on 29 October at the Martinsville Speedway, early retire with engine failure and watch as Moroso brought his car safely to third place finish and thus won the championship. Moroso at the time was the youngest champion of the NASCAR history. It was after the season for Most Popular Driver, the most popular driver, named.
Winston Cup
While he was active in the Busch Grand National Series, Moroso also denied a few races in the Winston Cup, now Sprint Cup. He made his debut on 9 October 1988 at the Oakwood Homes 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He drove a Chevrolet Rick Hendrick, with whom he crossed the finish line in 14th place. In the same year he drove yet another race at the North Wilkesboro Speedway in a car of his father, with whom he, however, the total of 400 retired from the race after 142. Even during his championship season Moroso drove two races in the Winston Cup, which he completed both in the car of his father. However, he was eliminated in both after accidents.
In 1990, the Moroso finished their Busch Series - commitment completely and focused on participation in a full Winston Cup season. Rob drove sponsored by Crown Petroleum Oldsmobile his father Dick Moroso. His own stated goal for the season was winning the Rookie of the Year Awards. His season, however, was marked by disappointment. In the first 13 races, he brought his car to the finish only twice. The highlight of the season was a ninth place in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway. This should be his only top-10 result. However, many continued to believe that Moroso was a talented driver who could be successful in the highest division of NASCAR. But Moroso could not prove it. He died on September 30, 1990 in a traffic accident near Mooresville, North Carolina. Investigations revealed that Moroso was under the influence of alcohol and was responsible for the accident, in which also the driver of another vehicle involved died, responsible. He was declared after the season posthumously for Rookie of the Year.