Bill Venturini (February 14, 1953 - ) is a former NASCAR driver and a two-time ARCA Champion. Venturini's daughter, Wendy Venturini is a pit road reporter for Speed Channel and his son Billy Venturini is an ARCA driver who once attempted a NASCAR race. The elder Venturini competed in seven Nextel Cup, four Busch Series, and two Craftsman Truck Series events in his own right.
Busch Series
Venturini first entered NASCAR in 1982, competing in the series' inaugural event at Daytona. Starting 24th in the field of thirty-four, Venturini completed all but five laps in route to a solid 15th place finish. Venturini would also compete there in 1983, finishing a mid-pack 24th.
Venturini's first NASCAR race outside of Daytona came in 1984, when he took his Busch car to the Milwaukee Mile. Starting 12th in the field of twenty-six, Venturini kept his car near the front all day and was rewarded with a NASCAR-best 11th place finish.
His final race in the Busch Series came in 1985, when Venturini raced at ORP. Starting 28th in the field of thirty, Venturini fell a number of laps down and wound up finishing 21st, his last NASCAR finish until transferring into the Cup ranks.
Nextel Cup
Venturini's Cup debut came in 1989, when the journeyman driver competed at Michigan. Starting 38th in the field of forty, Venturini crashed early in the event and finished 37th.
Venturini's busiest year on the NASCAR circuit was in 1990, when the driver managed to pull together a four-race schedule. It started off well enough for Venturini, driving to a series-best 18th place finish at Talladega. He then struggled to a 30th place (camshaft problems) finish at Michigan, but rebounded nicely by running at the finish of the summer races at Talladega (25th) and Michigan (28th).
Venturini wound out his Cup career in 1991, competing in just two events. Both went poorly for Venturini, as early mechanical issues left him 40th at Michigan and 39th at Pocono.
Craftsman Trucks
Venturini also wound up giving the Truck Series a try, making his debut in 1995 by racing at Phoenix. Starting 30th in the field of forty, Venturini crashed out of the race early and struggled to a 34th place finish as a result.
Venturini made his final NASCAR start of any kind in the Trucks event at Milwaukee in 1996. Starting last (34th) in the field, Venturini again fell out of a race early, this time due to an engine problem. But his 31st place finish was still a series-best for the driver.
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