American stock car racing driver
NASCAR driver
Jim Sauter (June 1, 1943 – October 31, 2014) was an American stock car racing driver from Necedah, Wisconsin . He formerly raced in all three of NASCAR 's national series, and is best known for having been a test driver for the International Race of Champions , as well as winning two championships in the Midwest-based ARTGO Challenge Series.
Racing career
Sauter's 1989 Winston Cup car
Sauter started racing in 1964 in a modified at Raceway Park in Savage, Minnesota .[ 1] He moved up to late models the following year.[ 1] Sauter moved to Wisconsin . He won the first race at the LaCrosse Interstate Fairgrounds (now LaCrosse Fairgrounds Speedway ) on July 14, 1970.[ 2] His career took off after he won the North Star 500 at the Minnesota State Fair in a Dave Marcis Chevelle .[ 1] Sauter said "The funny thing about that race was the fact that we had a barn full of various brands of tires that we wanted to use up and ended up with Goodyear on the outside and Firestone on the inside for no other reason than that. Everyone thought it must be the hot tip."[ 1] Marcis called Sauter in 1978 and asked him to drive his racecar in the ARCA 200. Sauter battled Bruce Hill for the win on the last lap. They crashed, with Hill ending his race along the wall and Sauter won.[ 1]
Sauter raced part time in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the 1980s and 1990s,[ 3] posting four top ten finishes in 76 starts. He said his biggest thrill was leading the 1982 Daytona 500 . He was an independent (non-factory) driver with limited funds. To help pay the bills, Sauter did Goodyear tire tests along with Marcis.[ 3]
Sauter raced primarily in the ARTGO and ASA series. Sauter returned to Wisconsin to win the 1981 track championship at Wisconsin International Raceway .[ 4] Sauter won the 1981 and 1982 ARTGO championships with 16 of 20 career victories in those years (seven in 1981 and nine in 1982).[ 5] Sauter won several major regional races including the 1980 National Short Track Championship at Rockford Speedway and the 1983 All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway .[ 5] He also competed at the Slinger Nationals , Snowball Derby , Winchester 400 and the World Crown.[ 5]
Head of racing family
His sons Tim , Jay , and Johnny have followed his footsteps by racing on the NASCAR circuit. His other son Jim, Jr. has raced on regional events along with his grandson Travis Sauter .[ 6] Sauter raced in his final NASCAR Nationwide Series at the Milwaukee Mile racing against Tim, Jay and Johnny.[ 5] None of Sauter's seven daughters nor his son Joe are involved in racing.[ 3] [ 5]
Sauter and rival Joe Shear are connected in another way; Shear's eponymous son became son Johnny's crew chief in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series , winning Daytona and the series championship.
IROC involvement
Sauter was also well known for preparing the setups and testing International Race of Champions (IROC) cars with Dick Trickle and Dave Marcis .
Death
Sauter died following a brief illness on October 31, 2014. He was 71 years old.[ 7]
Motorsports career results
Racing record
Season
Series
Team name
Races
Wins
Poles
Top tens
Final placing
1969
USAC Stock Car
-
-
1
0
0
0
-
1970
Late model stock car
-
-
5
2
0
4
-
1971
Late model stock car
-
-
1
0
0
0
-
1972
Late model stock car
-
5
17
0
0
13
-
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
0
0
2+
-
1973
Late model stock car
-
-
6
0
0
5
-
1974
Late model stock car
-
-
1
0
0
1
-
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
0
0
1+
-
1975
Late model stock car
-
-
1
1
0
1
-
1976
ARCA Racing Series
-
02
1+
0
0
0
-
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
1+
0
0
0
-
Late model stock car
-
-
9
0
0
9
-
1977
NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division
-
02
2
0
0
2
-
ARCA Racing Series
Marcis Auto Racing
02
2+
0
0
2+
-
USAC Stock Car
Larry Wehrs
02
2
0
0
2
-
Late model stock car
-
-
3
0
0
3
-
1978
ARCA Racing Series
-
02
2+
1
1
2+
-
USAC Stock Car
Sauter Racing
50/58
5
0
0
4
-
1979
NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division
-
62
1
0
0
0
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
1+
0
0
1+
-
USAC Stock Car
Gene Wheeler
39
4
0
0
2
-
1980
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
RahMoc Enterprises
05
1
0
0
0
109th
NASCAR Late Model Sportsman Division
-
62
1
0
0
0
-
ASA National Tour
-
7/27
3
0
0
3
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
21
1
0
20
3rd
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
1+
0
0
1+
-
1981
ASA National Tour
-
17
4+
1
0
3+
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
19+
7
0
18+
1st
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
1+
0
0
0
-
1982
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Jim Stacy
5
3
0
0
1
62nd
ASA National Tour
Howe Racing
5
5
0
0
1
-
All Pro Super Series
-
5
1+
0
0
1+
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
15+
9
0
15+
1st
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
1
0
2+
3rd
1983
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Ulrich Racing
6
0
0
0
0
68th
ASA National Tour
Howe Racing
5
17
2
2
11
-
All Pro Super Series
Howe Racing
5
3+
1
0
2+
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
23+
1
0
15+
3rd
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
0
0
2+
-
1984
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Ulrich Racing
6
3
0
0
0
88th
NASCAR All-American Challenge Series
-
4
1+
0
0
1+
42nd
ASA National Tour
Howe Racing
5
14+
4
1
10+
-
All Pro SSuper Series
-
5
1
0
0
0
-
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
9
2
1
6
5th
1985
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Mueller Brothers
89
3
0
0
0
50th
NASCAR All-American Challenge Series
-
29
1+
0
0
0
-
ASA National Tour
Howe Racing
5
16
0
0
7
9th
All Pro Super Series
-
15
1+
0
0
0
-
1986
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
RahMoc Enterprises
75
8
0
0
0
49th
1987
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Mueller Brothers
89
3
0
0
1
54th
1988
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Mueller Brothers
89
9
0
0
0
44th
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
1+
0
0
1
-
1989
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Bob Clark
31
3
0
0
2
33rd
NASCAR Busch Series
John Pharo
33
1
0
0
0
104th
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2
2
0
2
3rd
1990
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Dick Johnson
38
3
0
0
0
58th
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
6
0
1
4
19th
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
3+
0
0
3+
9th
1991
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Mueller Brothers
89
6
0
0
0
43rd
ARCA Racing Series
-
26
1
0
0
0
141st
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
1
0
2+
-
1992
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Marcis Auto Racing
71
9
0
0
0
37th
ARCA Racing Series
Roulo Brothers Racing
39
1
0
0
1
149th
ASA National Tour
-
20
1+
0
0
0
-
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
2+
1
0
2+
-
1993
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Mueller Brothers
89
4
0
0
0
47th
NASCAR All Pro Series
-
-
1+
0
0
0
-
ARCA Racing Series
Roulo Brothers Racing
39
1
0
0
0
131st
ARTGO Challenge Series
-
-
2
0
0
0
-
Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series
-
-
1+
0
0
1+
-
1996
NASCAR Winston Cup Series
Team SABCO
42
2
0
0
0
52nd
NASCAR Busch Series
Bown Racing
51
1
0
0
0
80th
1997
NASCAR Busch Series
Shoemaker Racing
64
1
0
0
0
86th
1999
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Richard Childress Racing
8
1
0
0
1
81st
2002
NASCAR Busch Series
Richard Childress Racing
29
1
0
0
0
107th
Midwest AllStar Racing Series
-
5S
1
0
0
0
-
2004
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Curb Agajanian Performance Group
43
1
0
0
0
83rd
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
Daytona 500
Busch Series
Craftsman Truck Series
ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series
(key ) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. )
References
^ a b c d e Grubba, Dale (2000). The Golden Age of Wisconsin Auto Racing . Oregon, Wisconsin : Badger Books. pp. 228– 229. ISBN 1-878569-67-8 .
^ Kalwasinski, Stan. "Tom Reffner wins Inaugural Oktoberfest 200 at New Speedway" . ARCA Midwest Tour . Retrieved June 28, 2021 . [permanent dead link ]
^ a b c Flowers, Jack (December 1, 2009). "Sauter Family Is Still Getting It Done" . National Speed Sport News . Retrieved August 10, 2014 .
^ "Final 1981 Point Standings" . Wisconsin International Raceway . Archived from the original on 9 October 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2010 .
^ a b c d e "Family Patriarch Jim Sauter Passes Away" . Speed 51. Retrieved November 10, 2014 .
^ Lillard, Kevin (14 June 2014). "The Sauter Family - Necedah's Racing Heroes" . Juneau County (WI) Star News. Retrieved August 10, 2014 .
^ "NASCAR Official Home | Race results, schedule, standings, news, drivers" .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1987 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1990 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1991 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1992 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1993 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1994 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1996 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 2003 NASCAR Winston Cup Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1989 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1996 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1997 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 2002 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1999 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1976 Season Results ARCA Racing Series" . TheThirdTurn . Retrieved March 30, 2018 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1977 Season Results ARCA Racing Series" . TheThirdTurn . Retrieved March 30, 2018 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1978 Season Results ARCA Racing Series" . TheThirdTurn . Retrieved March 30, 2018 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1981 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved March 27, 2020 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1991 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1992 ARCA SuperCar Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
^ "Jim Sauter – 1993 ARCA Hooters SuperCar Series Results" . Racing-Reference . Retrieved September 27, 2015 .
External links
Sauter racing family
First generation Second generation Third generation
Years active 1984–2011
Personnel Former drivers
NASCAR Hall of Fame Notable events Partnerships and affiliations Other names
Baker-Curb Racing
CAA Performance
Curb-Agajanian Performance Group
Edge Performance Group
Buyouts and mergers
Years active 1969–2003
Personnel Former drivers Partnerships and affiliations
Years active 1971–2006
Personnel Former drivers NASCAR Hall of Fame Former personnel Predecessor teams
Ulrich Racing
U.S. Racing
Partnerships and affiliations Buyouts and mergers
Years active 1978–1992
Personnel Former drivers Coca-Cola 600 winsBusch Clash winsOther incarnations
Butch Mock Motorsports
Galaxy Motorsports