:Pete Orr (racing driver)

{{Infobox NASCAR driver

| name = Charles "Pete" Orr

| image =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1956|07|29}}

| birth_place = Miami, Florida

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2002|11|18|1956|07|29}}

| death_place = Montverde, Florida

| death_cause = Lymphoma

| achievements =

| awards =

| Total_Busch_Races = 6

| Years_In_Busch = 2

| Best_Busch_Pos = 65th (1996)

| First_Busch_Race = 1995 Gatorade 200 (Darlington)

| Last_Busch_Race = 1996 Goody's Headache Powder 250 (Bristol)

| Busch_Wins = 0

| Busch_Top_Tens = 0

| Busch_Poles = 0

}}

Charles "Pete" Orr (July 29, 1956 – November 18, 2002) was an American stock car racing driver. Regarded as a superstar in Florida late model competition,{{cite news|title=DiCandio holds on for first feature win|last=Marseglia|first=Paul|date=August 7, 1990|work=The Daily Journal|page=4|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1901&dat=19900807&id=VAwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=LtMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3622,3919383}} Orr competed primarily in the lower levels of racing, but did have a brief NASCAR Busch Series career; his death from lymphoma in 2002 led to the State of Florida enacting insurance reform.

Career

Born in Miami but a long-time resident of Montverde, Florida,{{cite news|title=Montverde's Orr skids out of Daytona race|last=Coole|first=Terri|date=February 22, 1996|work=Lake Sentinel|page=11B|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1996/02/22/montverdes-orr-skids-out-of-daytona-race/}} Orr competed in local short track racing events throughout Florida starting in the 1970s.{{cite news|title=Orr Captures Hobby Race|date=July 21, 1974|work=The Palm Beach Post-Times|page=E6|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=West Palm Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1964&dat=19740721&id=YKM1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=l7cFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6319,911297}} He ran for Rookie of the Year in the NASCAR Winston All-American Challenge Series, later renamed the Slim Jim All Pro Series, in 1988;{{cite news|title=Pete Orr wins race on way to Challenge|year=1988|work=The Daily Journal|page=9|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1901&dat=19880302&id=MAwqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K9MEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2481,1043418}} he competed in the series over the next several years, both as a driver and as crew chief for fellow Florida racer David Russell.{{cite news|title=Orlando's Russell making run for rookie points title|last=Dame|first=Mike|date=August 15, 1991|work=Orlando Sentinel|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1991/08/15/orlandos-russell-making-run-for-rookie-points-title/}} Orr continued competing in local events as well, winning the FASCAR Triple Crown Series in 1991.{{cite news|title=Orr wins $1,000 prize in Speedworld 50 laps|last=Marseglia|first=Paul|date=November 5, 1991|work=The Daily Journal|page=4|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Jw8qAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rNQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3763,3333814}} In 1992 he won the prestigious Orange Blossom 100 at New Smyrna Speedway for the second consecutive year;{{cite news|title=Orr keeps hands on Orange Blossom title|last=Marseglia|first=Paul|date=January 29, 1992|work=The Daily Journal|page=5|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1901&dat=19920129&id=qwsqAAAAIBAJ&sjid=GtMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3005,7985190}} he also won the speedway's World Series of Asphalt championship.{{cite news|title=New Smyrna gets green flag|last=Marseglia|first=Paul|date=February 9, 1993|work=The Daily Journal|page=6|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1901&dat=19930209&id=Ko8fAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ytMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2277,3803310}}

Busch Series

In 1995, having left local competition in an attempt to make it at the top levels of the sport,{{cite news|title=Orr races to DeSoto win|date=April 17, 1995|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|page=5C|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Sarasota, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19950417&id=pLsdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H78EAAAAIBAJ&pg=5636,3168741}} Orr made his debut in NASCAR national touring competition, driving for David Ridling in the Busch Grand National Series.{{cite news|title=Orr takes long road to Grand National|last=Zizzo|first=Mike|date=July 27, 1995|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=D10|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/07/27/orr-takes-long-road-to-grand-national/}} Orr was 39; he had promised his wife he would retire if he hadn't reached the Busch Series level by age 40. Driving the No. 88 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Farmer's Choice Fertilizer, he ran two races in the 1995 season, at Darlington Raceway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, with a best finish of 29th; he failed to qualify for the two final races of the season.

Remaining with Ridling's team for the 1996 season, Orr planned full-time in the Busch Series, declaring his intention to compete for Rookie of the Year honors; in the season-opening Goody's 300 at Daytona International Speedway, Orr qualified tenth for the series' biggest race of the year,{{cite news|title=Purvis is making splash at Daytona|date=February 17, 1996|work=The Gadsden Times|page=B5|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Gadsden, AL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1891&dat=19960217&id=JbgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=q9cEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3677,1593772}} but was involved in an accident, finishing 40th of 46 cars and completing only 50 laps.{{cite news|title=Busch rookie Orr banged up, finishes 40th|last=Williams|first=Charlean|date=February 18, 1996|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=S2|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-02-18/features/9602170406_1_busch-waltrip-wallace-will-start|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130235520/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1996-02-18/features/9602170406_1_busch-waltrip-wallace-will-start|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 30, 2013}} Orr failed to qualify three times over the next six races, with his best finish in the three races which he qualified for being 34th, at Richmond International Raceway in the third race of the season, and Bristol International Raceway in the seventh. Bristol's Goody's Headache Powder 250 would be Orr's final race in NASCAR's higher levels; before the race the following week at Hickory Motor Speedway, Ridling released him from the team, replacing him with Kevin Lepage,{{cite news|title=Lepage gets a big break, deservedly so|last=Oakes|first=Kalle|work=Sun-Journal|page=1C|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Lewiston, ME|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1914&dat=19960503&id=2VIpAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zmoFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4151,424680}} who would go on to win at the season's final race.{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-11-04/news/9611040060_1_randy-lajoie-david-hutto-kevin-lepage|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110323021050/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-11-04/news/9611040060_1_randy-lajoie-david-hutto-kevin-lepage|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 23, 2011|title=Lepage Wins A Safe Jiffy Lube|last=Biebrich|first=Richard Jr.|date=November 4, 1996|work=South Florida Sun-Sentinel|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Fort Lauderdale, FL}}

Following his aborted Busch Series career, Orr returned to local short track competition,{{cite news|title=Racing back on track at Speedway|date=June 27, 1998|work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal|page=5A|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NJ&p_theme=nj&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FAD9D13A15EEC9E&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM}} racing as far afield as DeSoto Speedway in Florida and Jennerstown Speedway in Pennsylvania in 2000.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HT&p_theme=ht&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAFE7CDD5C1F98B&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Patience pays off for No. 6 qualifier|date=February 7, 2000|work=Sarasota Herald-Tribune|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Sarasota, FL}}{{cite news|title=Florida driver increases level of competition in Late Models|date=April 30, 2000|work=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette|page=D20|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Pittsburgh, PA|url=http://old.post-gazette.com/sports_headlines/20000430distcars6.asp}}

Legacy

Suffering from lymphoma, he retired from racing in 2001, having scored over 300 wins in racing competition{{cite news|title=Insurance Scams Dupe Floridians|last=Groeller|first=Greg|date=April 15, 2002|work=The Ledger|page=B1|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Lakeland, FL|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1346&dat=20020415&id=A_IvAAAAIBAJ&sjid=r_0DAAAAIBAJ&pg=6212,4589877}} Orr became a victim of insurance fraud, with over $250,000 in claims being refused by his insurance company; the racing community assisted in paying for his medical treatment.{{cite news|title=Racing-memorabilia sales to aid driver's cancer fund|last=Cole|first=Christine|date=June 21, 2002|work=Lake Sentinel|page=G4|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2002/06/21/racing-memorabilia-sales-to-aid-drivers-cancer-fund/}} Orr died of his cancer on November 18, 2002; he was survived by his wife Terri, three sons, and a daughter.{{cite news|title=Racing legend Charles 'Pete' Orr captured trophies for 3 decades|last=Matthews|first=Mark K.|date=November 21, 2002|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=B6|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2002/11/21/racing-legend-charles-pete-orr-captured-trophies-for-3-decades/}}

Orr's insurance issues led to the Florida Legislature passing insurance reform following his death;{{cite news|title=Legislators take on unlicensed insurers|last=Groeller|first=Greg|date=April 6, 2003|work=Orlando Sentinel|page=H1|access-date=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2003/04/06/legislators-take-on-unlicensed-insurers/}} the measure was referred to as the "Pete Orr Insurance Anti-Fraud Act",{{cite web|url=http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/newswire/southeast/2003/06/18/29940.htm|title=Florida's Gallagher Applauds Anti-Fraud Law|date=June 18, 2003|work=Insurance Journal|publisher=Wells Media Group|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=San Diego, CA}} or more simply as the "Pete Orr Bill".{{cite web|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2003/03/24/daily40.html|title=State financial officer applauds Pete Orr bill|date=March 27, 2003|work=Orlando Business Journal|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Orlando, FL}} from 2003 until 2015, the Orange Blossom 100 was named the Pete Orr Memorial, with the family supporting the race;{{cite news|title=Pete Orr Memorial Orange Blossom 125 set|last=Shacklette|first=Buddy|date=February 1, 2003|work=The Daytona Beach News-Journal|page=2A|accessdate=2012-06-15|location=Daytona Beach, FL|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NJ&p_theme=nj&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F90019C2B13B758&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM}} Orr had won the event four times, more than any other driver.

Motorsports career results

=NASCAR=

(key) (Bold - Pole position awarded by time. Italics - Pole position earned by points standings. * – Most laps led.)

==Busch Series==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" !colspan=45\| NASCAR Busch Series results
Year ! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! 26 ! {{Tooltip\|NBGNC\|NASCAR Busch Grand National classification}} ! Pts ! Ref
1995 ! rowspan=2\| Ridling Motorsports ! rowspan=2\| 88 ! rowspan=2\| Chevy \| DAY \| CAR \| RCH \| ATL \| NSV \| DAR \| BRI \| HCY \| NHA \| NZH \| CLT \| DOV \| MYB \| GLN \| MLW \| TAL \| SBO \| IRP \| MCH \| BRI \| style="background:#CFCFFF;"\| DAR 29 \| RCH \| DOV \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| CLT 31 \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| CAR DNQ \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| HOM DNQ ! 80th ! 146 ! {{cite web\|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1995/B\|title=Pete Orr – 1995 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}
1996 \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| DAY 40 \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| CAR DNQ \| style="background:#CFCFFF;"\| RCH 34 \| style="background:#CFCFFF;"\| ATL 36 \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| NSV DNQ \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| DAR DNQ \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| BRI 34 \| HCY \| NZH \| CLT \| DOV \| SBO \| MYB \| GLN \| MLW \| NHA \| TAL \| IRP \| MCH \| BRI \| DAR \| RCH \| DOV \| CLT \| CAR \| HOM ! 65th ! 220 ! {{cite web\|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1996/B\|title=Pete Orr – 1996 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"

!colspan=45| NASCAR Busch Series results

Year

! Team

! No.

! Make

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! 17

! 18

! 19

! 20

! 21

! 22

! 23

! 24

! 25

! 26

! {{Tooltip|NBGNC|NASCAR Busch Grand National classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

1995

! rowspan=2| Ridling Motorsports

! rowspan=2| 88

! rowspan=2| Chevy

| DAY

| CAR

| RCH

| ATL

| NSV

| DAR

| BRI

| HCY

| NHA

| NZH

| CLT

| DOV

| MYB

| GLN

| MLW

| TAL

| SBO

| IRP

| MCH

| BRI

| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| DAR
29

| RCH

| DOV

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT
31

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| CAR
DNQ

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| HOM
DNQ

! 80th

! 146

! {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1995/B|title=Pete Orr – 1995 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}

1996

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAY
40

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| CAR
DNQ

| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| RCH
34

| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ATL
36

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| NSV
DNQ

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAR
DNQ

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI
34

| HCY

| NZH

| CLT

| DOV

| SBO

| MYB

| GLN

| MLW

| NHA

| TAL

| IRP

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| CLT

| CAR

| HOM

! 65th

! 220

! {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1996/B|title=Pete Orr – 1996 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}

=ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series=

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
colspan=45\| ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series results
Year ! Team ! No. ! Make ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 ! 4 ! 5 ! 6 ! 7 ! 8 ! 9 ! 10 ! 11 ! 12 ! 13 ! 14 ! 15 ! 16 ! 17 ! 18 ! 19 ! 20 ! 21 ! 22 ! 23 ! 24 ! 25 ! {{Tooltip\|ABSC\|ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref
1996 ! Ridling Motorsports ! 88 ! Chevy \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| DAY DNQ \| ATL \| SLM \| TAL \| FIF \| LVL \| CLT \| CLT \| KIL \| FRS \| POC \| MCH \| FRS \| TOL \| POC \| MCH \| INF \| SBS \| ISF \| DSF \| KIL \| SLM \| WIN \| CLT \| ATL ! NA ! 0 ! {{cite web\|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1996/A\|title=Pete Orr – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"

colspan=45| ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series results

Year

! Team

! No.

! Make

! 1

! 2

! 3

! 4

! 5

! 6

! 7

! 8

! 9

! 10

! 11

! 12

! 13

! 14

! 15

! 16

! 17

! 18

! 19

! 20

! 21

! 22

! 23

! 24

! 25

! {{Tooltip|ABSC|ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

1996

! Ridling Motorsports

! 88

! Chevy

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY
DNQ

| ATL

| SLM

| TAL

| FIF

| LVL

| CLT

| KIL

| FRS

| POC

| MCH

| FRS

| TOL

| POC

| MCH

| INF

| SBS

| ISF

| DSF

| KIL

| SLM

| WIN

| CLT

| ATL

! NA

! 0

! {{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/orrpe01/1996/A|title=Pete Orr – 1996 ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Series|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=June 28, 2020}}

References

External links

{{Racing-Reference driver|Pete_Orr|Pete Orr}}
[http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=10249& CS/SB 1680 – Pete Orr Insurance Anti-Fraud Act]

Category:1956 births

Category:2002 deaths

Category:Sportspeople from Lake County, Florida

Category:Racing drivers from Miami

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:Deaths from lymphoma in Florida

Category:Insurance legislation