In the annals of NASCAR history, few tales are as whimsical or as bizarre as that of Jocko Flocko, the Rhesus monkey who became the only primate co-driver in the sport’s storied past. This capuchin caper is a slice of the 1950s racing scene that defies belief, involving one of the era’s most accomplished drivers, Tim Flock, and his simian sidekick, who briefly gripped the wheel of destiny before an untimely pebble spelled the end of his racing career.
Jocko Flocko’s journey to NASCAR fame began as a publicity stunt in the 1953 Grand National race at Hickory, North Carolina. The little monkey, donning his own driving suit emblazoned with the number 91 to match Flock’s Hudson Hornet, quickly enamored fans. Flock, a two-time NASCAR series champion and member of the famous racing Flock family, admitted the primate’s presence began in good fun: “It started as a publicity stunt, and we gave him his own driving uniform and a specially designed seat.”
The stunt turned serious when Flock and Jocko won the 200-lap race at Hickory. However, the duo’s success was short-lived. On May 30, during the Raleigh 300, tragedy struck. Jocko Flocko escaped his restraints and, after being hit in the head with a pebble, became unruly, clawing at Flock and forcing him to make an unscheduled pit stop to remove the agitated animal.
Flock recounted”Back then the cars had a trap door that we could pull open with a chain to check our tire wear. Well, during the Raleigh 300, Jocko got loose from his seat and stuck his head through the trap door, and he went berserk! Listen, it was hard enough to drive those heavy old cars back then under normal circumstances, but with a crazed monkey clawing you at the same time, it becomes nearly impossible! I had to come into the pits to put him out and ended up third. The pit stop cost me second place and a $600.00 difference in my paycheck. Jocko was retired immediately. I had to get that monkey off my back!”
This incident marked the end of Jocko’s career, but the legacy of that unique partnership lives on. While Tim Flock’s racing achievements are well-documented, including his remarkable victory record and a place in multiple Halls of Fame, it’s the story of his brief partnership with a monkey that continues to capture the imaginations of racing fans.