The Man - Hank Parker Jr.

Hank Parker Jr. began racing go-karts near his hometown of Denver, North Carolina.  In 1993 Hank moved up to full size stock cars.  He ran a Street Stock purchased from Dale Earnhardt, Jr. at the Concord Motorsports Park where he won 7 features in only 18 starts. 

In 1994, Hank ventured into late models.  That year, he won one event and captured three poles.  In 1995, Hank won two events and also racked up 5 top-fives and 10 top-10's in the black and red Chevy.

After that, Hank moved up to NASCAR, racing in the Slim Jim All Pro Series.  In his first season he ran a limited schedule, but still won a race, showing his true skill behind the wheel.  In his first full season of All Pro racing, Hank won two races and was also honored with the Most Popular Driver Award.  During the season Hank set a speed record at the Homestead Motorsports Complex and finished 4th in the final standings! 

In 1998, Hank jumped into the big leagues of NASCAR and set sail in the Busch Grand National Series.  He only ran three races that year, two in the #78 Mark III Chevrolet and one in the #53 B.A.S.S. Chevrolet, owned by his father.  Hank finished 6th in only his third start!

1999, marked Hank's rookie year as a NASCAR Busch Series competitor.  He and his team turned in three Top-tens and one top-five with a season high of 3rd at South Boston Speedway.  Even more impressive is the fact that Hank and his team accomplished all this without the backing of a major sponsor!  Late in the year, Team Marines and the US Marines Corps signed to sponsor Hank Parker Racing for the 2000 season. 

In the 2000 season, Hank proved that he is worthy of the title "Rising Star".  Running the full Busch Series season is a very demanding task, but Hank Jr. and his team upheld their end of the deal superbly.  Two top-fives and 9 top-tens were marked in the record book for the 2000 season.  Hank also won his first career pole at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, beating NASCAR Winston Cup veteran Mark Martin for the spot and putting himself in the spotlight.

Sponsorship troubles forced his father's race team to close at the end of the 2000 season, leaving Hank searching for a full-time ride.  Unable to pass-up a driver like Hank, Cicci-Welliver Racing signed Hank to drive their #36 Chevrolet, sponsored by GNC Live Well Nutrition Centers. 

The 2001 season would prove to be a significant one in Hank Jr's career.  At the California Speedway, Hank scored his first Busch Series win!  That win would be the highlight of the 2001 season.

In 2002, GNC stuck with Hank Jr. for a second season where Hank won at Pikes Peak, in similar fashion to his California triumph.  Hank also finished second at Homestead in an exciting battle with Scott Wimmer.

Another significant event for Hank during the year 2002 was his first NASCAR Winston Cup Series start.  It came behind the wheel of a Ray Evernham Dodge at Rockingham Speedway. 

Unfortunately, after the 2002 season, GNC did not return to sponsor Hank's team, leaving him without a solid ride in 2003.

2003-

- Hank became a co-host on Inside NASCAR Busch Series on the Speed Channel. 

-On April 13, 2003  Hank Jr. and his wife, Wendy, had a beautiful baby daughter named Alexandria Grace. 

- He ran 2 of the Busch races and got 2 top 10's.

-Parker also has been doing testing for Ray Evernham.