1 week Ago By Charlie Wilson
NASCAR lost two beloved figures within the sport on Wednesday with Jeff Gordon's close friend and publicist passing , before the announcement that long-time correspondent Al Pearce had also died. Edwards served as Gordon's PR rep for nearly three decades at Hendrick Motorsports and recently worked with Kyle Larson, while being one of Gordon's best friends throughout his sensational career. Later that day, news emerged that Pearce had passed, having been a reporter for Autoweek for decades.
He formed close relationships with a number of NASCAR drivers, having traveled with them to race circuits. NASCAR's 'next big thing' beat Kyle Larson and gets honest about dirt switch Jeff Gordon shares McLaren influence as Kyle Larson move into F1 targeted Pearce won every major auto-racing journalism award, while being inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame for his efforts covering the sport he loved. A veteran of the U.
S. Army and the Vietnam War before moving into teaching and then to sports journalism, he began covering NASCAR in 1969. Sign up to our NASCAR newsletter here.
He died aged 82, after covering a sensational 56 consecutive Daytona 500's with a number of figures within the sport paying tribute to him. FOX Sports reporter Mike Joy said: "Sad news: Al Pearce, career sportswriter and most recently Autoweek's Nascar editor, passed yesterday. Al also administered the Henry McLemore Award, now the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence, voted on annually by past winners, including Al.
" Kaitlyn Vincie added: "Devastating news. In college, I emailed Al Pearce my NASCAR column every week for his critiques. He always took time for aspiring journalists, and introduced me to dozens of industry professionals.
He is one of the absolute best at his craft & will be greatly missed." Meanwhile, Bob Pockrass said: "Al Pearce loved journalism and wasn't afraid to take a different / non-conforming look at things as NASCAR changed throughout the decades. Will miss seeing him at media centers and reading his stories.
RIP." DON'T MISS Katherine Legge makes NASCAR career announcement after Cup Series controversy Danica Patrick's golf outfit while sending drive down fairway before Masters Denny Hamlin gives credit to Kyle Larson's team for NASCAR decision Meanwhile, Gordon had also paid tribute to Edwards, writing: "I'm devastated by the loss of my dear friend, Jon. For almost three decades, we were side by side through every high and low, every celebration, and every challenge.
"I will be forever grateful for his immeasurable impact on my life and my career. My heart is with Jon's family and everyone who loved him. He was truly one of a kind.
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