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Hoss Ellington

Facts

Raleigh, NC

Hometown

Bio

Charles “Hoss” Ellington, better remembered as a Winston Cup car owner, enjoyed a few good years as a race car driver himself. Born in Raleigh, North Carolina, he moved to Wilmington in 1961 and began racing on local dirt tracks where he won 17 out of 21 races. He qualified second his first time out on asphalt. In 1968 Ellington moved into Grand National/Winston Cup racing. In 21 events, from 1968 to 1970, he best finish was seventh in 1969. As a car owner he sponsored two of the strongest drivers of their time, David Pearson and Donnie Allison. From 1968-1988 the team won a total of five races, eight poles, and $1.3 million in 262 races, including wins in the 1978 Dixie 500 at Atlanta and the 1977 Talladega 500 with Allison driving. Person won the 1980 Rebel 500 at Darlington in an Ellington car. Today Hoss Ellington is retired in Wilmington, North Carolina.