March 13, 2003

It was almost a dozen years ago, in the fall of 1991 that Harry Gant earned the nickname, Mr. September. As the ’91 season entered the homestretch Harry ruled the sport of Winston Cup racing. That month he won four consecutive races: Darlington, Richmond, Dover and Martinsville. Unfortunately, a ten-cent O-ring cost him a record breaking fifth win at North Wilkesboro. Gant lead for most of the race but lost his brakes and finished second to Dale Earnhardt. "The brake pedal went swoosh – all the way to the floor," said Gant. "With 10 laps to go I had zero brakes. I had to let him go because we would have wrecked if I tried to race him. I don’t do people like that." That’s Harry Gant.

A native of North Carolina Harry began his racing career at the old dirt track in Hickory. Harry and some buddies built a hobby class car and took turns behind the wheel. Eventually, Harry became the full-time driver and won the track championship. In 1967, after Ned Jarrett became the promoter, Hickory Speedway was paved. Gant took to asphalt racing and won his first race in the Sportsman division that season. To hone his skills Harry raced whenever and wherever he could. And man did he race! During a five-day period in May 1977 he ran six races, in three states. He won four of the events.

Harry’s first full season in the Winston Cup series was 1979. That July, Harry won his first pole at the Coca-Cola 600. He competed for Rookie of the Year honors along with Dale Earnhardt and Terry Labonte. It was a hotly contested battle that went down to the last race of the season. Earnhardt took the top honors, but the sport won three times over with this freshman class.

Long before he was known as Mr. September Gant was called Handsome Harry. With his movie star good looks perhaps it was inevitable that the driver and Hollywood should cross paths. In 1981 Harry joined the Mach I/Skoal Bandit team owned by movie producer Hal Needham and actor Burt Reynolds. Driving for the tinsel town owners Harry’s career took off. After finishing second ten times Harry got his first Winston Cup win at Martinsville in April ’82. It was a wild affair with only 14 of the 32 starters finishing the race. Even Harry’s winning car looked like it belonged in the junkyard instead of victory lane. The #33 Skoal Bandit was victorious again in October, at Charlotte. Gant won eight more races and finished in the top-five in points four times driving for Needham and Reynolds.

The Hollywood types bowed out of the sport in 1989. Harry Gant and the Skoal Bandit sponsorship moved to a team owned by businessman Leo Jackson. It was with Jackson and a young crew chief named Andy Petree that Handsome Harry swept September ‘91. In August 1992, at age 52 years and 219 days Harry won at Michigan International Speedway. This made him the oldest driver to win a Winston Cup race. Harry raced the #33 Skoal Bandit until he retired from Winston Cup at the end of the ’94 season. After almost 14 years with the sponsor Harry summed up his feelings quite simply. "I'd like to be remembered as the driver of the No. 33 Skoal Bandit Racing car. That's all." This is definitely an understatement.

Harry Gant is a man of many interests. In addition to racing he owns a successful restaurant, The Harry Gant Family Steakhouse, near his home in Taylorsville, NC. He also operates a 350-acre cattle ranch and farm. Harry also continues to make personal appearances for his former sponsor, U.S. Tobacco. And when there’s time he enjoys hitting the road on his motorcycle. He has been riding in the Kyle Petty Charity Ride since it’s inception.

Gant was asked his advice for young drivers, "Learn a trade or have a profession that doesn’t have anything to do with racing. You have to be able to earn a living without there being any racing. No drivin’, no building cars, no working on them. That way you can always make a living and take care of your family." This is experience talking, folks. Handsome Harry is a crackerjack carpenter. In fact, he responded to a member of the media who called him a great driver by saying, "I’m not a great driver. I’m a good driver. I’m a great carpenter." That’s Harry Gant.

TO THE WOODSHED: The three guys from Bass Pro Shops that started the race Sunday must go to the shed of dread. The command to start engines is a sacred ritual in racing; it is not the time for a commercial. The script is a short four words, stick to it please.

You can contact Orlena at: Insider Racing News