Marv’s Garage: Making a monkey of NASCAR

In the early days of NASCAR the surname Flock was to be feared by fellow racers and cheered by fans. And not just because it sounds like a cuss-word. Julius "Tim" Flock was a 2-time series champion (1952 & '55), 2-time Daytona Beach course-winner, and the only person to win a race with a passenger - his rhesus monkey "Jocko Flocko". Yes, he ran (and won) a NASCAR race with a live monkey.

Along with brothers Bob and Fonty, and sister Ethel (Mobley), Tim ran the early NASCAR circuit and, on May 16, 1953, Jocko became the only monkey to win a NASCAR race when Tim took the honours at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Unfortunately Jocko's career was cut short a fortnight later when he pulled open an inspection plate in the floor at speed, and was hit by a rock. Tim pitted and Jocko was removed from the car.

Thankfully, Tim's career continued on as set record-breaking win rates through the mid-50s. As part of Cark Kiekhaefer's 1955 Mercury Chrysler 300 team, the first multi-car team in NASCAR, he took 19 poles and 18 wins in 45 starts - a record that stood until "King" Richard Petty's 27 race wins in 1967 (Flock still has the record for poles in a season). Tim Flock passed away in 1998 from Bastard Cancer, but was recognised as a member of the International Motorsport Hall of Fame, the American Motorsport Hall of Fame, and one of NASCAR's Top 50 Drivers.