Steve Grissom

Steve Grissom’s career could have been drastically different had he accepted a scholarship, playing quarterback, at the University of Alabama. Instead, he chose to focus on his racing career, and by doing so, become one of great champions in recent years of the NASCAR Busch Series. Born June 26, 1963 in Gadsden, Alabama, young Grissom began his sporting career at an early age working on cars with his father, who happened to be a sponsor of short track drivers in their state. Grissom soon started to race, while at the same time playing as the captain of his high school football and basketball teams. He eventually joined the Winston All-Pro Series, winning the championship in 1985, and being nominated for Alabama Pro Athlete of the Year the following season.

The turning point in his career, however, came in 1986, when he made his debut in the Busch Series at the Freedlander 200 in the #31 Oldsmobile owned by his father. In 1988, he moved to the Series full time and obtained four to-10’s despite lacking major sponsorship. After finding the support of Big Mama Meats, Grissom finished in the third position in 1990, behind Chuck Bown and Jimmy Hensley. The next few years were difficult, once again due to the absence of sponsorship, a situation that finally changed with the arrival of Channellock in 1992, propelling Grissom to two victories during the season and ultimately, to the first place and the Busch Series Championship.

The following years would find Steve Grissom constantly changing teams, racing for Diamond Ridge Motorsports, Larry Hendrick Motorsports, American Equipment Racing and LJ Racing, among others, in an effort to regain some of his past glory. His last victory goes was at the Goody’s Headache Powder 300 in Daytona, in 1996. He currently drives the #49 Advil Ford Fusion for Jay Robinson Racing, and so far has a record of 11 wins, 74 top-10’s and 4 poles.