DUKE COOK PASSES AWAY AT 78

By: Richie Murray – USAC Media

Speedway, Indiana (October 9, 2022)………Dennis “Duke” Cook, a driver, promoter and one of the most unique personalities in all of USAC racing from the 1960s through the 1980s, passed away from natural causes on Saturday, October 8, at the age of 78.

The Sidney, Ohio native, who listed his hometown as Gasoline Alley at one point, made his debut as a driver with USAC in 1965, making his initial National Sprint Car feature start on the high banks of Winchester (Ind.) Speedway late in the season.

In all, Cook made 114 career USAC National Sprint Car starts, first highlighted by a close runner-up finish in the 1978 Tony Hulman Classic at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track behind Dick Tobias.  However, less than two months later, Cook reached victory lane for the first and only time with USAC at Ohio’s Wayne County Speedway, passing series champion Tom Bigelow with two laps remaining.

Superduke’s USAC Silver Crown resume encompassed 37 starts between 1978-1988, earning Most Improved Driver honors for his 1985 performance in which he finished a career-best 14th in the standings.  Cook scored a best champ car result of 3rd at the Florida State Fairgrounds season opener in 1987.  Additionally, he made 33 feature starts with the USAC National Midget division.

Serving as a Firestone racing tire representative at the track, Cook trekked to venues on the USAC circuit in his red Firestone emblazoned van, Cook also served as the promoter for 10 USAC national events between 1977-2004.  His first such promotion being a midget race at Ohio’s Limaland Motorsports Park and his final one coming at Missouri’s I-44 Speedway.