Tim Flock, one of the pioneering drivers of early NASCAR,had a brilliant idea for a publicity stunt. Why not have a crazy wild animal, like a Rhesaus Monkey, ride shotgun in a already terrifying stock car??  We’ll give him a cute name like Jocko Flocko, give him a matching racing suit and hell, we’ll even give him a little booster seat as well. What could go wrong? Surprisingly, not a whole lot at first. The little fella rode along in 8 races in 1953 and even rode to victory lane.

All was going great until one race when Flock’s little sidekick got down from his seat and discovered the trap door to the wheelwell that drivers used to check tire wear. The monkey stuck his head in the wheelwell of a 150MPH+ car and promptly lost his little mind. In what was probably the longest lap in recorded history, Flock had to fight off a crazed monkey scared out of his wits. Flock had to pit to pry the hysterical animal off of his face and lost 2nd place and 600 dollars, thus earning young Jocko early retirement.

Maybe if Dale Earnhardt, Jr. rode with a Badger,it would be the kick in the pants he needs to do better. What better way to motivate a driver to finish as quickly as possible than fear of death by crazed Badger.