John Paul Linville (January 2, 1943 – November 1, 2005) was an American stock car driver, who raced from 1982 until 1995 in the division that would become the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Throughout his career, Linville made 136 starts in the Xfinity Series where he finished in the top ten three times.
[1] He went on to win the Late Model Sportsman Division Championship at Bowman Gray Stadium in 1968, 1969, and 1971.
Additionally, he won the 1970 Limited Sportsmen Championship at State Fairgrounds Speedway in Raleigh, NC.
In 1982, Linville made his NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series debut at Daytona International Speedway in the Goody's 300 at the age of 39.
[5] In total Linville competed in 136 races, finishing in the top ten, three times.
Linville's final professional race came in the ARCA Menards Series in September 1998 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.