NASCAR has been around for a long time and over the course of its seven-decade-long history, there have been several major players. Teams, drivers, crew chiefs, and even team owners have come and gone. One such team was Leo Jackson Motorsports which had given fans a lot of memorable moments to cherish during the 80s and the 90s. Today, the world of NASCAR is mourning the loss of Leo Jackson, one of the most underrated team owners in the history of the sport.

Leo Jackson Motorsports was founded in 1985 by Leo and his brother Richard. Back then, it was called Jackson Bros Motorsports. Leo took full control of ownership after this brother splintered the team to invest in his separate racing project in 1990. Under Leo’s leadership, the team saw the rise of their most successful driver Harry Gant, and his crew chief (currently, Richard Childress Racing‘s Vice President of Competition) Andy Petree.

One of the most underrated careers in NASCAR history

Leo Jackson’s journey to becoming a NASCAR team owner began at a young age and it was all thanks to his grandfather and uncle. In a 1992 article published in The Ashville Citizen-Times, the then 59-year-old team owner had revealed his love for all things mechanical. His uncle, Lawrence Kitchen, and grandfather, Creed Kitchen, were both mechanics. Leo considered them to be his heroes.

“I always liked mechanical things. My granddaddy [Creed Kitchen] was an automotive machinist and my uncle [Lawrence Kitchen] was a diesel mechanic. They were my heroes,” Jackson had said at the time.

But being interested in mechanics and being interested in racing are not the same thing. Jackson revealed that his love for racing was ignited thanks to one of the most iconic motorsports events of all time—the Indianapolis 500.  “I got interested in racing by listening to the Indianapolis 500 on the radio when I was young. There wasn’t any stock car racing then,” Jackson had said.

Leo Jackson Motorsports, at the time, was coming off of an outstanding performance in the 1991 Winston Cup Series performance. A common trait in the team during Leo’s time in charge was while they never won the Cup Series, their drivers were perennial challengers for race wins. 1991 saw Harry Gant rise to the occasion and take four successive wins. During his time with the team, “Handsome Harry” started 175 races and scored nine wins, 44 top-5, and 74 top-10 finishes.

The team was sold by Leo Jackson to his crew chief Andy Petree in 1996. He was looking to retire from motorsports at the time and his trusted crew chief was the man he entrusted the reins to. The team was then renamed Andy Petree Racing and remained so until its closure in 2004.

Deceased Cup Series team owner showered with love as the racing community pays homage

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Leo Jackson’s career as a team owner may not be mentioned alongside some of the greats but his team had its fair share of supporters. After all, they were underdogs throughout their time in the sport. Despite never winning the Cup Series, the Leo Jackson Motorsports cars usually found themselves fighting at the front of the pack. After the news Jackson’s demise was shared on social media, fans poured in their love and respect for one of the most respected team owners of his time.

“Really upsetting to see him go, was a proud owner of the Skoal Bandit ride. Gant won 9 races for him including a streak of 4 in a row in 1991,” one fan commented.
“He owned some iconic cars with some iconic drivers, crew members and crew chiefs on board. Great team owner. thoughts and prayers to his friends and family,” wrote another.

People expressed their condolences for the departed NASCAR icon and sent thoughts and prayers to his family and friends. “Rest in peace Leo. Prayers for his family and friends,” one user commented. “Sad news. My condolences to his family, friends and everyone in the racing community,” wrote another.

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An overwhelming sense of sadness was perceptible among the NASCAR faithful. A lot of old-time fans did witness Leo Jackson Motorsports and Harry Gant tearing it up as the underdogs against some of the greats of the time. “Handsome Harry Gant and the whole racing community owes Leo Jackson a debt of gratitude. You’ll be missed, but never forgotten. You’ve taken the last checkered flag now. Rest in peace, Leo.” commented a fan.
“So sad to hear this RIP Leo Jackson,” wrote another.

Leo Jackson may be gone but his legacy will never be erased from the history books. His time in NASCAR won’t be remembered by title wins, but by his and his team’s will to keep pushing regardless of how strong the competition was. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Jackson family and Leo’s friends.

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