[1] He had a successful short track racing career in Southern California, primarily driving for owner Floyd Johnson.
He had five career victories in the PCLM series, the last one coming at Tri-Cities Speedway in West Richland, Washington in July 1969.
Cook's racing career came to an end when he was severely injured in a crash during the 1970 Motor Trend 500 at Riverside International Raceway on January 18, 1970.
After his accident left him using a wheelchair full-time and with large medical and hospital bills, benefit races were held for him at Southern California tracks.
Cook was murdered on November 29, 1983, by a drifter who broke into his Oceanside, California apartment and beat him to death with one of his racing trophies.