A fixture at major auto races for more than 50 years, longtime Autoweek reporter Al Pearce died April 9. He was 82 years old.
Pearce worked for the Newport News Daily cover racing and other sports from 1969 through 2004.
Working for Autoweek and the Daily Press simultaneously, Pearce remained with Autoweek after his retirement from the Daily Press and remained an active contributor to the magazine and website until his death.
Pearce won every major auto racing journalism award, including the American Motorsports Media Award of Excellence. He was also a member of the Virginia Sports Hal of Fame.
Pearce, who wrote 13 racing books, covered 56 consecutive Daytona 500s at Daytona Int’l Speedway.
He is survived by his wife Francie, and their daughter, Annie.
