Bob Leverone/Getty Images

NASCAR Is Saddened By Death Of Legendary Hall Of Famer

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Dec 18, 2024 4:20 PM ET

2024 has claimed the lives of a number of great athletes and sports people and sadly the year has claimed one more NASCAR great before New Year's Day.

On Wednesday, NASCAR announced that Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen passed away today at the age of 89. Lorenzen won 26 races between 1961 and 1967, eight of which came in the year 1964 alone. Perhaps his biggest racing win was the 1965 Daytona 500.

In a statement, NASCAR chairman & CEO Jim France paid tribute to Lorenzen, highlighting the "Golden Boy" as the "gold standard" of racing during his career.

"Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR's first true superstars. A fan favorite, he helped NASCAR expand from its original roots. Fred was the picture-perfect NASCAR star, helping to bring the sport to the silver screen - which further grew NASCAR's popularity during its early years. For many years, NASCAR's 'Golden Boy' was also its gold standard, a fact that eventual led him to the sport's pinnacle, a rightful place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Fred Lorenzen," France wrote.

NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen died today at age 89. He won 26 races including the 1965 Daytona 500. Jim France statement: pic.twitter.com/nrgCFvm9cr
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 18, 2024

Fans and friends of Lorenzen across social media have come out to pay respects to the NASCAR legend.

"So very sad to hear of the passing of @NASCARHall Class of 2015 Inductee, Fred Lorenzen. One of our earliest superstars and truly an amazing driver and even more so person and Dad. Condolences to Chris, Amanda and the family. #ForeverLegend," NASCAR executive Winston Kelly posted on X.

"RIP legend. One of the original wheelmen of the sport," another user wrote.

"RIP to one of the true pioneers of NASCAR. We have lost some greats this year. I’m glad to know he lived a full life though. He was one NASCAR’s first real showman," wrote another.

In 158 professional races from 1956 to 1972, Lorenzen had 26 wins, 84 top 10s and claimed pole 32 times. He was named to NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers list in 1998 and was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of Fame of America in 2001 before his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction in 2015.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: