Joe Shear, Sr. (May 8, 1943 – March 6, 1998) was an American stock car racing driver from Clinton, Wisconsin.

[1] While he was still under age, he would sneak in the pits to work on his father Al Shear's racecar at Rockford Speedway.

[1] Joe Shear began racing at Rockford in 1964 and he won the track's Rookie of the Year award.

[2] Shear finished second behind Dick Trickle with 58 ARTGO wins and he won the championship of the Midwestern touring series in 1986 and 1989.

[1] In 1979, 1987, and 1989 he won the Red, White, and Blue State championship races at Wisconsin International Raceway.

[1] His final victory was winning the 1997 National Short Track Championship race at Rockford.