Jay Sommers (racing driver)

{{Infobox NASCAR driver

| name = Jay Sommers

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|10|15}}

| birth_place = Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| death_cause =

| height =

| weight =

| achievements =

| awards =

| Total_Cup_Races = 1

| Years_In_Cup = 1

| Cup_Car_Team =

| Prev_Cup_Pos =

| Prev_Cup_Year =

| Best_Cup_Pos = 83rd (1988)

| First_Cup_Race = 1988 Budweiser 500 (Dover)

| Last_Cup_Race =

| First_Cup_Win =

| Last_Cup_Win =

| Cup_Wins = 0

| Cup_Top_Tens = 0

| Cup_Poles = 0

| Total_Busch_Races = 1

| Years_In_Busch = 1

| Busch_Car_Team =

| Prev_Busch_Pos =

| Prev_Busch_Year =

| Best_Busch_Pos = 133rd (2003)

| First_Busch_Race = 2003 Food City 250 (Bristol)

| Last_Busch_Race =

| First_Busch_Win =

| Last_Busch_Win =

| Busch_Wins = 0

| Busch_Top_Tens = 0

| Busch_Poles = 0

}}

Jay Sommers (born October 15, 1967) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competed in the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series in the late 1980s. After winning the Michigan Lottery in 1988, he used his earnings to bankroll racing endeavors in NASCAR. Sommers eventually raced in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series and NASCAR Busch Series.

He last raced in the Champion Racing Association's JEGS All-Stars Tour.

Racing career

In 1987, Sommers competed in the ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series race at Atlanta International Raceway, finishing 34th after crashing on lap 26.{{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/1987_96_Rock_500k/A|title=1987 96 Rock 500k|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

A year later, at the age of 20, Sommers won one-fifth of a $28.9 million jackpot in the Michigan Lottery, getting $5.8 million. As part of his winnings, Sommers received an annual payment of $290,000, which he used to purchase race cars and equipment from NASCAR team owner Hoss Ellington.{{cite magazine|last1=Lambert|first1=Pam|last2=Tresniowski|first2=Alex|url=http://people.com/archive/the-high-cost-of-winning-vol-61-no-10/|title=The High Cost of Winning|magazine=People|date=March 15, 2004|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Griffis|first=Richard|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20246469/millionaire_lotto_winners_put_money/|title=Millionaire lotto winners put money into racing careers|newspaper=Lansing State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 26, 1988|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} He finished fourth in the season-opening ARCA race at Daytona International Speedway, followed by a 31st-place run at Atlanta due to mechanical problems. Rumors eventually surfaced of his death or critical injury, which he attributed to people envious of his lottery success.{{cite news|last=Finkelstein|first=Jim|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20246044/jay_sommer_death_rumors/|title=Rumors dead wrong|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=March 22, 1988|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

In April 1988, he entered a self-owned No. 78 Chevrolet in the Winston Cup race at North Wilkesboro Speedway, but failed to qualify.{{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/1988_First_Union_400/W|title=1988 First Union 400|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} Two months later, Sommers made his first Cup start at Dover Downs International Speedway, starting 36th after setting a qualifying time of {{convert|140.242|mph|km/h}}.{{cite news|last=Bryson|first=Gene|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20246314/jay_sommers_cup_debut/|title=Speed has right tools for faster qualifying|newspaper=The News Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 5, 1988|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} He retired from the race on lap 280 for overheating issues and finished 37th.{{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/1988_Budweiser_500/W|title=1988 Budweiser 500|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} Sommers also missed the races at Michigan International Speedway, Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway, and Atlanta.

In 1989, Sommers was encouraged by high school friend John Paganes to let him manage his lottery winnings for the next decade. As part of the deal, Paganes would send Sommers $57,000 each year. Though the money was set to run through 2008, Sommers ultimately lost it, prompting him to sue.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20246649/jay_sommers_sues_his_money_manager/|title=Jackpot winner sues his money manager|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 10, 2000|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} Although he won the case on a $887,000 settlement, Sommers had to spend much of it to pay off debts. He eventually became a pizza delivery person and construction worker.

After a four-year retirement from stock car racing, Sommers attempted a return to the sport in 2000, driving late models in the Midwestern United States.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20246513/jay_sommers_busch_series/|title=Clinton Township racer makes Busch field|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 22, 2003|accessdate=May 20, 2018}} In 2003, he competed in the NASCAR Busch Series race at Bristol Motor Speedway, driving the No. 0 for JD Motorsports. After qualifying 33rd, he was involved in a lap 197 crash with Johnny and Tim Sauter, resulting in a 28th-place finish.{{cite news|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/2003_Food_City_250/B|title=2003 Food City 250|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

In 2005, he won a track championship in Ohio. With the support of car owners Barb and John Stajninger, Sommers later raced in the CRA/JEGS All-Stars Tour, driving the No. 98 car. In the series, he ran two races apiece in 2015 and 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.driverdb.com/drivers/jay-sommers/|title=Jay Sommers|work=DriverDB|accessdate=May 21, 2018}} Outside of racing, he works as a self-employed marine mechanic.{{cite news|last=Pohly|first=George|url=http://www.macombdaily.com/article/MD/20140813/SPORTS/140819868|title=County residents Bob Varney, Jay Sommers answer call to auto racing|newspaper=The Macomb Daily|date=August 13, 2014|accessdate=May 21, 2018}}

Motorsports career results

=NASCAR=

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

==Winston Cup Series==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"
colspan=45\| NASCAR Winston Cup 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 ! 27 ! 28 ! 29 ! {{Tooltip\|NWCC\|NASCAR Winston Cup classification}} ! Pts ! Ref
1988 ! Jay Sommers ! 78 ! Chevy \| DAY \| RCH \| CAR \| ATL \| DAR \| BRI \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| NWS DNQ \| MAR \| TAL \| CLT \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| DOV 37 \| RSD \| POC \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| MCH DNQ \| DAY \| POC \| TAL \| GLN \| MCH \| BRI \| DAR \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| RCH DNQ \| DOV \| MAR \| CLT \| NWS \| CAR \| PHO \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| ATL DNQ ! 83rd ! 52 ! {{cite web\|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1988/W\|title=Jay Sommers – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

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

colspan=45| NASCAR Winston Cup 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

! 27

! 28

! 29

! {{Tooltip|NWCC|NASCAR Winston Cup classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

1988

! Jay Sommers

! 78

! Chevy

| DAY

| RCH

| CAR

| ATL

| DAR

| BRI

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

| MAR

| TAL

| CLT

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV
37

| RSD

| POC

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

| DAY

| POC

| TAL

| GLN

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

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

| DOV

| MAR

| CLT

| NWS

| CAR

| PHO

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

! 83rd

! 52

! {{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1988/W|title=Jay Sommers – 1988 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

==Busch Series==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" ! colspan=42\| 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 ! 27 ! 28 ! 29 ! 30 ! 31 ! 32 ! 33 ! 34 ! {{Tooltip\|NBSC\|NASCAR Busch Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref
2003 ! Davis Motorsports ! 0 ! Chevy \| DAY \| CAR \| LVS \| DAR \| BRI \| TEX \| TAL \| NSH \| CAL \| RCH \| GTY \| NZH \| CLT \| DOV \| NSH \| KEN \| MLW \| DAY \| CHI \| NHA \| PPR \| IRP \| MCH \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| BRI 28 \| DAR \| RCH \| DOV \| KAN \| CLT \| MEM \| ATL \| PHO \| CAR \| HOM ! 133rd ! 79 ! {{cite web\|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/2003/B\|title=Jay Sommers – 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

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

! colspan=42| 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

! 27

! 28

! 29

! 30

! 31

! 32

! 33

! 34

! {{Tooltip|NBSC|NASCAR Busch Series classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

2003

! Davis Motorsports

! 0

! Chevy

| DAY

| CAR

| LVS

| DAR

| BRI

| TEX

| TAL

| NSH

| CAL

| RCH

| GTY

| NZH

| CLT

| DOV

| NSH

| KEN

| MLW

| DAY

| CHI

| NHA

| PPR

| IRP

| MCH

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI
28

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| KAN

| CLT

| MEM

| ATL

| PHO

| CAR

| HOM

! 133rd

! 79

! {{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/2003/B|title=Jay Sommers – 2003 NASCAR Busch Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

=ARCA Permatex SuperCar 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 Permatex SuperCar 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 ! {{Tooltip\|APSSC\|ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series classification}} ! Pts ! Ref
1987 ! rowspan=3\| Jay Sommers ! rowspan=3\| 78 ! Pontiac \| DAY \| ATL \| TAL \| DEL \| ACS \| TOL \| ROC \| POC \| FRS \| KIL \| TAL \| FRS \| ISF \| INF \| DSF \| SLM \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| ATL 34 \| colspan=2\| ! 114th ! - ! {{cite web\|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1987/A\|title=Jay Sommers – 1987 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}
1988 ! rowspan=2\| Chevy \| style="background:#DFDFDF;"\| DAY 4 \| style="background:#EFCFFF;"\| ATL 31 \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| TAL DNQ \| FRS \| PCS \| ROC \| POC \| WIN \| KIL \| ACS \| SLM \| POC \| TAL \| DEL \| FRS \| ISF \| DSF \| SLM \| ATL ! 82nd ! - ! {{cite web\|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1988/A\|title=Jay Sommers – 1988 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}
1989 \| style="background:#FFCFCF;"\| DAY DNQ \| ATL \| KIL \| TAL \| FRS \| POC \| KIL \| HAG \| POC \| TAL \| DEL \| FRS \| ISF \| TOL \| DSF \| SLM \| ATL \| colspan=2\| ! NA ! - ! {{cite web\|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1989/A\|title=Jay Sommers – 1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results\|work=Racing-Reference\|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

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

colspan=45| ARCA Permatex SuperCar 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

! {{Tooltip|APSSC|ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

1987

! rowspan=3| Jay Sommers

! rowspan=3| 78

! Pontiac

| DAY

| ATL

| TAL

| DEL

| ACS

| TOL

| ROC

| POC

| FRS

| KIL

| TAL

| FRS

| ISF

| INF

| DSF

| SLM

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

| colspan=2|

! 114th

! -

! {{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1987/A|title=Jay Sommers – 1987 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

1988

! rowspan=2| Chevy

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| DAY
4

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

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

| FRS

| PCS

| ROC

| POC

| WIN

| KIL

| ACS

| SLM

| POC

| TAL

| DEL

| FRS

| ISF

| DSF

| SLM

| ATL

! 82nd

! -

! {{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1988/A|title=Jay Sommers – 1988 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

1989

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

| ATL

| KIL

| TAL

| FRS

| POC

| KIL

| HAG

| POC

| TAL

| DEL

| FRS

| ISF

| TOL

| DSF

| SLM

| ATL

| colspan=2|

! NA

! -

! {{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/drivdet/sommeja01/1989/A|title=Jay Sommers – 1989 ARCA Permatex SuperCar Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=May 20, 2018}}

References

External links

{{Racing-Reference driver|Jay_Sommers}}
{{DriverDB driver|jay-sommers}}

Category:1967 births

Category:Living people

Category:Sportspeople from Mount Clemens, Michigan

Category:Racing drivers from Detroit

Category:Lottery winners

Category:ARCA Menards Series drivers

Category:NASCAR drivers