Fast Times
by Kris Johnson
Keep on truckin', Bandit
February 28, 2008
More blog postings from Kris Johnson
They call him Bandit, but his real name is Gale Wilson.
Find a nicer guy in the Cup garage, and you’re either lucky or lying.
Wilson, presently driving the No. 01 transporter for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Raybestos rookie driver Regan Smith, earned his nickname in the early ’80s while working for the Skoal Bandit Cup team.
After spending two weeks in Daytona to start this new season, Bandit is now in the midst of another fortnight away from his Statesville, N.C., home and wife, Bobbie, as the Sprint Cup Series competes in California and Las Vegas.
In his nearly three decades of driving duty, it’s a safe bet that Bandit has logged more miles than any Cup driver out there.
“It’s tougher now than it was back in the day because then we started out at Daytona and then we went to Richmond, Rockingham, Atlanta,” said Wilson, noting changes to the early portion of the Cup schedule. “So after we got home from Daytona for two weeks, we had three days off before we went to Richmond. Now we turn around and leave the next day and are gone for two more weeks. That’s the tough part right there: more time away from home.”
Last fall, Wilson was honored with a special award, one presented to him by Kyle Petty, but given by the Transport Drivers of Motorsports Association in honor of his then 28 years of service and dedication.
“That really took me by surprise,” Wilson said at the time. “But it was sure an honor to receive this recognition, especially from my fellow transport drivers.”
Bandit is reaching the traditional retirement age, but here’s hoping his ride continues just a little longer.
Find a nicer guy in the Cup garage, and you’re either lucky or lying.
Wilson, presently driving the No. 01 transporter for Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Raybestos rookie driver Regan Smith, earned his nickname in the early ’80s while working for the Skoal Bandit Cup team.
After spending two weeks in Daytona to start this new season, Bandit is now in the midst of another fortnight away from his Statesville, N.C., home and wife, Bobbie, as the Sprint Cup Series competes in California and Las Vegas.
In his nearly three decades of driving duty, it’s a safe bet that Bandit has logged more miles than any Cup driver out there.
“It’s tougher now than it was back in the day because then we started out at Daytona and then we went to Richmond, Rockingham, Atlanta,” said Wilson, noting changes to the early portion of the Cup schedule. “So after we got home from Daytona for two weeks, we had three days off before we went to Richmond. Now we turn around and leave the next day and are gone for two more weeks. That’s the tough part right there: more time away from home.”
Last fall, Wilson was honored with a special award, one presented to him by Kyle Petty, but given by the Transport Drivers of Motorsports Association in honor of his then 28 years of service and dedication.
“That really took me by surprise,” Wilson said at the time. “But it was sure an honor to receive this recognition, especially from my fellow transport drivers.”
Bandit is reaching the traditional retirement age, but here’s hoping his ride continues just a little longer.
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