Career
He began racing in 1980, and posted 23 top-ten finishes over his career. National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing"s website says that he is probably best known for his "close, side-by-side second to Bill Elliott in Daytona"s summer event in 1988." He was also known for taking over Richard Petty"s car at Petty Enterprises after Petty retired in a car numbered 44. Wilson"s most successful run came from 1986 until 1989, driving the Number.
He later drove for RahMoc Enterprises, Stavola Brothers Racing and Petty Enterprises and was an Oldsmobile driver until the brand left National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing following the 1992 season.
Wilson was the first driver chosen to replace Richard Petty after Petty"s retirement—the car"s number temporarily changed to Number. 44 at that time. Wilson also raced several years in the Busch Series driving for the Abingdon-based Food Country Number.
75 Oldsmobile operated by Henderson Motorsports. Wilson led 161 of the 200 laps ran on his way to victory.
Wilson started second in 1989 at Martinsville, leading 160 of the 200 laps before blowing a motor and finishing 21st.
Wilson has not raced in National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing since 1998. He returned to active competition for a single race in the USARacing Pro Cup Series at Bristol later that year, finishing 19th following an accident. After Wilson retired from racing National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, he became a crew member for Chip Ganassi and Travis Carter.
He later became a farmer in his native Florida.
As of 2007 he ran thousands of cattle on 2,000 acres (81 km2) and had about 200 acres (081 km2) of orange trees.