# Robert Pressley

Robert William Pressley (born April 8, 1959) is an American former NASCAR driver who previously served as the promoter at Kingsport Speedway in Kingsport, Tennessee. Pressley currently owns the restaurant Celebrity's Hotdogs in Asheville, North Carolina. Pressley was also a County Commissioner in Buncombe County, North Carolina.

## Beginnings

As his father, also named Robert, was a short track racer in Asheville, the younger Pressley followed a sports career. His brother, Charley, has been a long-time crew chief in the NASCAR level. Pressley began running at New Asheville Speedway and Greenville-Pickens Speedway and won championships at both tracks. He also put together 150 wins in various Late Model Series in the Southeast. In 1984, Pressley made his NASCAR debut in the Busch Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway, finishing 26th. Five years later, Pressley ran a limited schedule in the Busch Series, and won in just his twelfth series start at Orange County Speedway. He ran full seasons from 1991–1994, his best year coming in 1992 when he won races and finished fifth in points. In 1994, he ran three races in the Winston Cup Series in a car sponsored by Manheim Auctions, his best finish being a 31st at Charlotte. In 1990, Pressley was involved in Michael Waltrip's horrific Bristol crash in which Waltrip tapped Pressley in the right rear corner sending Waltrip into a gate disintegrating the car on impact.

## Winston Cup

In 1995, Pressley took over for the retired Harry Gant in the #33 car owned by Leo Jackson Motorsports in Cup. He posted one top-ten finish and was runner-up to Ricky Craven for Rookie of the Year. The following year, he put together two top-five finishes. Unfortunately, Jackson was retiring and sold his operation to crew chief Andy Petree. After Pressley ran just one race for his new owner, he was released, but able to hook onto a ride with Diamond Ridge Motorsports. Pressley ran just ten races for Diamond Ridge in 1997, including the Daytona 500, in which his car flipped on its nose acrobatically in the first few laps.
Pressley posted a season-best finish of 14th, when he was suddenly fired from the ride. While he waited for a Cup ride to appear, Pressley returned to the Busch ranks, running the No. 47 Chevrolet for ST Motorsports, and finished out the year with three top tens. Over in Cup, he joined the No. 77 Jasper Motorsports team, which became one of the more popular tandems in the Cup circuit among fans.
Following his abbreviated Cup run in 1997, Pressley returned full-time in 1998 with the Jasper team, where he posted a then career-best third-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway. Despite being replaced temporarily by Hut Stricklin due to injuries, Pressley finished 32nd in points that year. 1999 was a struggle however, as Pressley and company failed to qualify six times that season, and often had trouble finishing races. Following the addition of Ryan Pemberton in 2000, Pressley was able to increase his position in points to 25th. In 2001, he had five top-tens, nearly won the inaugural Tropicana 400 before finishing in second, and finished 25th in points handing the driving duties to the car for the road course events to Boris Said. Robert Pressley, although competitive in some races, struggled with consistency, and would part ways with Jasper at the conclusion of the 2001 season.
In 2002 he had a one race deal with Melling Racing for the Daytona 500 and locked himself in by qualifying speed on Pole Day, Qualifying 5th overall with the same car they had qualified 3rd or better on the 2001 restrictor plate tracks. After receiving sponsorship from Brand Source he had an engine problem at the end of the race. When he blew up, his car was nearly destroyed on pit road as an accident happened on the tri-oval and Michael Waltrip's car came across onto pit road, also nearly hitting the pace car as well.

## Recent years

At the end of 2001, Pressley was released from Jasper, and he tackled a new venture, the Craftsman Truck Series. He signed with Bobby Hamilton Racing and won his Truck Series debut at Daytona International Speedway. He also ran the season opening Daytona 500 in Cup for what was the last race for Melling Racing, finishing 22nd. In 2003, Pressley moved to HT Motorsports in the Trucks, finishing 12th in points. He returned to the Busch Series to drive the 47 again for ST Motorsports, finishing in the top-ten twice, before moving back to the trucks with HT in 2005, finishing 20th in the standings.
His son Coleman Pressley won the 2010 UARA-Stars championship and raced sporadically in NASCAR. He currently serves as Joey Logano's spotter. His nephew Caleb Pressley is a blogger and podcaster for Barstool Sports.
Pressley served as promoter at the Kingsport (TN) Speedway from 2011-2014, moving the track to NASCAR Whelen All-American Series-sanctioned status beginning with his first season. Pressley also owns a restaurant in the Asheville, North Carolina area called Celebrity's Hot Dogs.
In 2016, Pressley was elected as a county commissioner in Buncombe County, North Carolina, which he held until 2022.

## Motorsports career results
### NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

#### Winston Cup Series

NASCAR Winston Cup Series results :
| Year | Team | 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 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NWCC | Pts |
| 1994 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | 54 | Chevy | DAY 40 | CAR | RCH | ATL | DAR | BRI | NWS | MAR | TAL | SON | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | DAY | NHA DNQ | POC | TAL | IND DNQ | GLN | MCH DNQ | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT 31 | CAR | PHO | ATL 35 | | | | | | 57th | 171 |
| 1995 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | 33 | Chevy | DAY 26 | CAR 42 | RCH 35 | ATL 31 | DAR 30 | BRI 10 | NWS 18 | MAR 17 | TAL 18 | SON 30 | CLT 24 | DOV 19 | POC 37 | MCH 17 | DAY 11 | NHA 13 | POC 34 | TAL 27 | IND 28 | GLN 34 | MCH 18 | BRI 24 | DAR 17 | RCH 30 | DOV 14 | MAR 34 | NWS 33 | CLT 42 | CAR 29 | PHO 19 | ATL 41 | | | | | | 29th | 2663 |
| 1996 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | 33 | Chevy | DAY 30 | CAR 26 | RCH 16 | ATL 27 | DAR 36 | BRI 17 | NWS 4 | MAR 34 | TAL 7 | SON 34 | CLT 33 | DOV | POC 33 | MCH 23 | DAY 17 | NHA 5 | POC 25 | TAL 31 | IND 30 | GLN 30 | MCH 41 | BRI 33 | DAR 27 | RCH 26 | DOV 32 | MAR 32 | NWS 33 | | | | | | | | | | 32nd | 2485 |
| 1996 | Andy Petree Racing | 33 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CLT 32 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32nd | 2485 |
| 1996 | Diamond Ridge Motorsports | 29 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CAR 37 | PHO 36 | ATL 33 | | | | | | | | | 32nd | 2485 |
| 1997 | Diamond Ridge Motorsports | 29 | Chevy | DAY 39 | CAR 37 | RCH 21 | ATL DNQ | DAR 39 | TEX DNQ | BRI 14 | MAR 23 | SON DNQ | TAL 29 | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | CAL | DAY | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | | | | | | | | | | | | | 43rd | 984 |
| 1997 | Jasper Motorsports | 77 | Ford | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | NHA 43 | DOV 39 | MAR 38 | CLT 36 | TAL 27 | CAR 13 | PHO 38 | ATL DNQ | | | | | | | 43rd | 984 | |
| 1998 | Jasper Motorsports | 77 | Ford | DAY 32 | CAR 40 | LVS 23 | ATL 27 | DAR 20 | BRI 28 | TEX 3 | MAR 23 | TAL 31 | CAL 17 | CLT 16 | DOV 39 | RCH 41 | MCH 32 | POC 16 | SON 30 | NHA 34 | POC 32 | IND 29 | GLN 29 | MCH 24 | BRI 40 | NHA 12 | DAR 30 | RCH 43 | DOV | MAR | CLT 41 | TAL 26 | DAY DNQ | PHO 17 | CAR 38 | ATL 28 | | | | 32nd | 2388 |
| 1999 | Jasper Motorsports | 77 | Ford | DAY 19 | CAR 14 | LVS DNQ | ATL DNQ | DAR 15 | TEX 20 | BRI 40 | MAR 23 | TAL 22 | CAL 39 | RCH 27 | CLT 35 | DOV 40 | MCH 42 | POC 35 | SON 40 | DAY DNQ | NHA DNQ | POC 23 | IND 17 | GLN DNQ | MCH 42 | BRI 43 | DAR 25 | RCH 39 | NHA 30 | DOV 23 | MAR 35 | CLT 24 | TAL DNQ | CAR 29 | PHO 38 | HOM 37 | ATL 27 | | | 39th | 2050 |
| 2000 | Jasper Motorsports | 77 | Ford | DAY 20 | CAR 43 | LVS 21 | ATL 33 | DAR 18 | BRI 17 | TEX 26 | MAR 15 | TAL 23 | CAL 21 | RCH 35 | CLT 26 | DOV 26 | MCH 5 | POC 11 | SON 37 | DAY 17 | NHA 38 | POC 14 | IND 27 | GLN 26 | MCH 32 | BRI 37 | DAR 36 | RCH 37 | NHA 18 | DOV 14 | MAR 33 | CLT 35 | TAL 25 | CAR 12 | PHO 31 | HOM 16 | ATL 13 | | | 25th | 3055 |
| 2001 | Jasper Motorsports | 77 | Ford | DAY 14 | CAR 12 | LVS 16 | ATL 36 | DAR 15 | BRI 28 | TEX 43 | MAR 40 | TAL 24 | CAL 10 | RCH 32 | CLT 38 | DOV 22 | MCH 21 | POC 14 | SON | DAY 23 | CHI 2 | NHA 19 | POC 9 | IND 35 | GLN | MCH 14 | BRI 28 | DAR 38 | RCH 15 | DOV 37 | KAN 7 | CLT 25 | MAR 43 | TAL 27 | PHO 42 | CAR 13 | HOM 40 | ATL 21 | NHA 7 | 25th | 3156 |
| 2002 | Melling Racing | 92 | Dodge | DAY 22 | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | MAR | TAL | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | KAN | TAL DNQ | CLT | MAR | ATL | CAR | PHO | HOM | 67th | 97 |
| 2003 | Morgan-McClure Motorsports | 4 | Pontiac | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | BRI | TEX | TAL | MAR | CAL | RCH | CLT | DOV | POC | MCH | SON | DAY | CHI | NHA | POC | IND DNQ | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | NHA | DOV | TAL | KAN | CLT | MAR | ATL | PHO | CAR | HOM | NA | - |

##### Daytona 500

| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
| 1994 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | Chevrolet | 19 | 40 |
| 1995 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | Chevrolet | 31 | 26 |
| 1996 | Leo Jackson Motorsports | Chevrolet | 25 | 30 |
| 1997 | Diamond Ridge Motorsports | Chevrolet | 19 | 39 |
| 1998 | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 30 | 32 |
| 1999 | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 15 | 19 |
| 2000 | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 32 | 20 |
| 2001 | Jasper Motorsports | Ford | 39 | 14 |
| 2002 | Melling Racing | Dodge | 31 | 22 |

#### Busch Series

NASCAR Busch Series results :
| Year | Team | 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 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | NBGNC | Pts |
| 1984 | | 52 | Olds | DAY | RCH | CAR | HCY | MAR | DAR | ROU | NSV | LGY | MLW | DOV | CLT | SBO | HCY | ROU | SBO | ROU | HCY | IRP | LGY | SBO | BRI | DAR | RCH | NWS | CLT 26 | HCY | CAR | MAR | | | | | | | 108th | 0 |
| 1989 | Pressley Racing | 59 | Olds | DAY | CAR | MAR | HCY 15 | DAR | BRI 19 | NZH | SBO 18 | LAN 12 | NSV 12 | CLT | DOV | ROU 9 | LVL 15 | VOL 13 | MYB 21 | SBO 26 | HCY 14 | DUB 10 | IRP 30 | ROU 1* | BRI 20 | DAR | RCH 14 | DOV | MAR 12 | CLT 15 | CAR | MAR 13 | | | | | | | 19th | 2129 |
| 1990 | Alliance Motorsports | 59 | Olds | DAY 15 | RCH 29 | CAR 34 | MAR 26 | HCY 4 | DAR 21 | BRI 15 | LAN 10 | SBO 9 | NZH 11 | HCY 4 | CLT 23 | DOV 11 | ROU 19 | VOL 13 | MYB 16 | OXF 33 | NHA 29 | SBO 16 | DUB 8 | IRP 5 | ROU 3 | BRI 18 | DAR 18 | RCH 7 | DOV 23 | MAR 2* | CLT 24 | NHA 30 | CAR 31 | MAR 29 | | | | | 12th | 3504 |
| 1991 | Alliance Motorsports | 59 | Olds | DAY 20 | RCH 28 | CAR 9 | MAR 25 | VOL 14 | HCY 6 | DAR 25 | BRI 30 | LAN 4 | SBO 20 | NZH 10 | CLT 12 | DOV 15 | ROU 1* | HCY 6* | MYB 2 | GLN 13 | OXF 40 | NHA 7 | SBO 22 | DUB 3 | IRP 13 | ROU 2 | BRI 7 | DAR 19 | RCH 2 | DOV 2 | CLT 18 | NHA 5 | CAR 7 | MAR 29 | | | | | 3rd | 3929 |
| 1992 | Alliance Motorsports | 59 | Olds | DAY 5 | CAR 18 | RCH 36 | ATL 22 | MAR 4 | DAR 1 | BRI 8 | HCY 13 | LAN 4 | DUB 23 | NZH 8 | CLT 9 | DOV 1* | ROU 1* | MYB 25 | GLN 17 | VOL 3 | NHA 2 | TAL 36 | IRP 2* | ROU 6 | MCH 30 | NHA 13 | BRI 9 | DAR 22 | RCH 1 | DOV 1* | CLT 23 | MAR 29 | CAR 27 | HCY 15 | | | | | 5th | 3988 |
| 1993 | Alliance Motorsports | 59 | Olds | DAY 31 | CAR 2 | RCH 5 | DAR 1* | BRI 10 | HCY 25 | ROU 29 | MAR 22 | NZH 1 | CLT 5 | DOV 7 | MYB 4 | GLN 26 | MLW 22 | TAL 7 | IRP 18 | MCH 2 | NHA 1 | BRI 21 | DAR 28 | RCH 26 | DOV 12 | ROU 20 | CLT 43 | | | | | | | | | | | | 8th | 3389 |
| 1993 | Precision Products Racing | 0 | Olds | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MAR 23 | | HCY 26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8th | 3389 | |
| 1993 | Precision Products Racing | 0 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CAR 9 | | ATL 7 | | | | | | | | | | | | 8th | 3389 | |
| 1994 | J&J Racing | 99 | Chevy | DAY 9 | CAR 5 | RCH 13 | ATL 31 | MAR 14 | DAR 15 | HCY 10 | BRI 19 | ROU 13 | NHA 24 | NZH 35 | CLT 6 | DOV 7 | MYB 4 | GLN 6 | MLW 34 | SBO 6 | TAL 29 | HCY 20 | IRP 15 | MCH 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12th | 3043 |
| 1994 | Laughlin Racing Products | 35 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | BRI 26 | DAR 36 | RCH 15 | DOV 40 | CLT 14 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12th | 3043 |
| 1994 | Ferree Racing | 46 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | MAR 36 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 12th | 3043 | |
| 1994 | Petty Enterprises | 43 | Pontiac | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | CAR 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | 12th | 3043 | |
| 1996 | | 7 | | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL DNQ | NSV | DAR | BRI | HCY | NZH | CLT | DOV | SBO | MYB | GLN | MLW | NHA | TAL | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | CLT | CAR | HOM | | | | | | | | | | NA | - |
| 1997 | Team Amick | 35 | Pontiac | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | LVS | DAR | HCY | TEX | BRI | NSV | TAL | NHA | NZH | CLT DNQ | DOV | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 32nd | 1465 |
| 1997 | ST Motorsports | 47 | Chevy | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | SBO 31 | GLN 38 | MLW 21 | MYB 32 | GTY 37 | IRP 18 | MCH 35 | BRI 3 | DAR 14 | RCH 15 | DOV 27 | CLT 16 | CAL 5 | CAR 10 | HOM 31 | | | | | | | | 32nd | 1465 | |
| 1998 | ST Motorsports | 59 | Chevy | DAY 34 | CAR 17 | LVS 38 | NSV 31* | DAR 9 | BRI DNQ | TEX DNQ | HCY 6 | TAL DNQ | NHA 9 | NZH | CLT 26 | DOV 6 | RCH 10 | PPR | GLN | MLW | MYB | CAL 14 | SBO | IRP | MCH 19 | BRI 19 | DAR 9 | RCH 37 | DOV | CLT | GTY | CAR 15 | ATL 31 | HOM 37 | | | | | 31st | 1870 |
| 1999 | Xpress Motorsports | 61 | Pontiac | DAY | CAR | LVS | ATL | DAR | TEX | NSV | BRI | TAL | CAL | NHA | RCH | NZH | CLT | DOV | SBO | GLN | MLW | MYB | PPR | GTY | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR 18 | RCH 28 | DOV 17 | CLT DNQ | CAR | MEM | PHO | HOM | | | | 77th | 300 |
| 2004 | ST Motorsports | 47 | Ford | DAY 17 | CAR 23 | LVS 24 | DAR 22 | BRI 22 | TEX 24 | NSH 11 | TAL 14 | CAL 27 | GTY 36 | RCH 20 | NZH 19 | CLT 20 | DOV 15 | NSH 15 | KEN 16 | MLW 14 | DAY 4 | CHI 35 | NHA 13 | PPR 19 | IRP 22 | MCH 28 | BRI 9 | CAL 25 | RCH 17 | DOV 22 | KAN 20 | CLT 16 | MEM 17 | ATL 13 | PHO 17 | DAR 13 | HOM 24 | | 15th | 3604 |
| 2005 | ST Motorsports | 46 | Ford | DAY | CAL | MXC | LVS | ATL | NSH | BRI | TEX | PHO | TAL | DAR 25 | RCH | CLT DNQ | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | DAY | CHI | NHA | PPR | GTY | IRP 16 | GLN | MCH | BRI 16 | CAL | RCH 33 | DOV | KAN | CLT | MEM | TEX 30 | PHO | HOM | 71st | 455 |
| 2008 | JTG Daugherty Racing | 59 | Ford | DAY | CAL | LVS | ATL | BRI | NSH | TEX | PHO | MXC | TAL | RCH | DAR | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW QL$^†$ | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTY | IRP | CGV | GLN | MCH | BRI | CAL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CLT | MEM QL$^†$ | TEX | PHO | HOM | NA | - |
| $^†$ - Qualified for Marcos Ambrose ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||

#### Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results :
| Year | Team | 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 | NCTS | Pts |
| 2002 | Bobby Hamilton Racing | 18 | Dodge | DAY 1* | DAR 2 | MAR 14 | GTW 31 | PPR 30 | DOV 2 | TEX 6 | MEM 12 | MLW 7 | KAN 7 | KEN 3 | NHA 9 | MCH 1* | IRP 5 | NSH 9 | RCH 15 | TEX 7 | SBO 24 | LVS 7 | CAL 7 | PHO 14 | HOM 4 | | | | 7th | 3097 |
| 2003 | HT Motorsports | 59 | Dodge | DAY 3 | DAR 10 | MMR 11 | MAR 17 | CLT 31 | DOV 10 | TEX 26 | MEM | MLW | KAN 5 | KEN 8 | GTW | MCH 14 | IRP 18 | NSH 15 | BRI 2 | RCH 2 | NHA 14 | CAL 11 | LVS 11 | SBO 10 | TEX 13 | MAR 27 | PHO 8 | HOM 26 | 12th | 2773 |
| 2005 | HT Motorsports | 59 | Dodge | DAY 15 | CAL 24 | ATL 20 | MAR 25 | GTW 8 | MFD 25 | CLT 22 | DOV 26 | TEX 31 | MCH 17 | MLW 14 | KAN 33 | KEN 17 | MEM 32 | IRP 7 | NSH 25 | BRI 17 | RCH 8 | NHA 14 | LVS 24 | MAR 31 | ATL 27 | TEX 26 | PHO 22 | HOM 24 | 20th | 2493 |

#### Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series

Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | NCDDS | Pts |
| 1988 | Page Racing | 54 | Pontiac | DAY | ROU | HCY | MYB | CLT | ASH 14 | NSV | SUM | STH | LAN | AND | MYB | LAN | HCY | CLT | N/A | 0 |
| 1989 | Page Racing | 54 | Pontiac | DAY | FLO | NRV | HCY | CON | LAN | SBO 1 | NSV | SUM | LAN | | | | | | 37th | 180 |
| 1989 | Page Racing | 75 | Pontiac | | | | | | | | | | | AND 1 | BGS | MYB | HCY | LAN 1 | 37th | 180 |

### ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series results :
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | APSC | Pts | Ref |
| 1989 | Collins Racing | 24 | Pontiac | DAY | ATL | KIL | TAL | FRS | POC | KIL | HAG | POC | TAL | DEL | FRS | ISF | TOL | DSF | SLM | ATL 40 | | 120th | - | |
| 1990 | Alliance Training Centers | 24 | Pontiac | DAY DNQ | ATL | KIL | TAL | FRS | POC | KIL | TOL | HAG | POC | TAL | MCH | ISF | TOL | DSF | WIN | DEL | ATL | NA | - | |