31st December, 2023 marks a tragic day for the NASCAR community as we mourn the passing of the American stock-car racing icon Cale Yarborough at the age of 84. Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Yarborough cemented his name as one of NASCAR’s all-time greats after becoming the first of only two drivers to win the NASCAR championship three consecutive times. Not only was Yarborough a prominent racer, but also a well-established businessman and farmer.

Yarborough’s NASCAR career gave the community intense battles for the victory lane in the late 70s, which placed him level with the formidable Jimmie Johnson with 83 race wins for sixth on the all-time Cup Series winner’s list behind Bobby Allison and Darrell Waltrip. He has also won the National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year award three years in a row.

Cale Yarborough’s death sends shockwaves across the NASCAR community

Dave Moody took to Twitter to break the saddening news. “The great Cale Yarborough has passed; one of the all-time greats in NASCAR history. There was tough, and then there was Cale Yarborough tough. #RIPRacer”

While Cale Yarborough was well-known for his no-nonsense policy after his altercation with Donnie Allison due to their run-in while fighting for the lead at the 1979 Daytona 500, Yarborough was also a dominant force on the track as proven by his consecutive titles.

The NASCAR world came together to pay tribute to the legend. The sport’s chairman, Jim France, shared in a statement, “His combination of talent, grit and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book.” France also reminisced how Yarborough was respected and admired by both the competition and the community alike.

With his farming background, Yarborough was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind a race car. France added, “ On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cale Yarborough.”

Before retiring, Cale Yarborough would spend time quickly becoming Junior Johnson’s most formidable talent in the 80s. He would also go on to become a team owner, though the team’s only major accolade would come when John Andretti won the 1997 Pepsi 400. His team closed its doors in the 2000s. But his legacy would forever be cemented in NASCAR’s Hall of Fame in 2012.

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While Cale Yarborough lived life to the fullest at every turn, the NASCAR community took a minute to let the tragedy fully sink, with NASCAR’s biggest icons sharing their condolences to the Yarborough family.

NASCAR icons extend support to Cale Yarborough’s family

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Richard Petty was among the first to reminisce the Yarborough’s NASCAR dominant but respectful character and legacy. He shared on Twitter, “Richard Petty and The Petty Family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Cale Yarborough. His rivalry and competitive spirit with The King will always be a renowned part of NASCAR History, showcasing their mutual respect and the intensity of their competition on the track. Our thoughts are with the Yarborough family during this difficult time.”

Jimmie Johnson also shared his deepest condolences, sharing that Yarborough was his childhood hero and he was honored to share the sixth all-time NASCAR Cup Series winner spot with him. He added, “He was “the man” and the legacy of Cale Yarborough will forever live on. My deepest condolences to Cale’s family.”

Johnson was not the only one immensely grateful to Yarborough. The icon Jeff Burton also chimed in, “Thank you Cale Yarborough for everything you did for NASCAR. He was one of the greatest, and my favorite driver growing up. He was everything I wanted to be as a driver. He could win at any track, and was as tough as the come. Rest in Peace”

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It’s safe to say Cale Yarborough will forever be remembered as one of NASCAR’s toughest drivers. What was your favorite moment of Yarborough’s legacy?