NASCAR Hall of Fame Statement on the Passing of Cale Yarborough
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Dec. 31, 2023) – The following is a statement from NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley on the passing of Cale Yarborough.
"First and foremost on behalf of the NASCAR Hall of Fame team, I want to offer our most sincere condolences to Cale's beloved wife Betty Jo, daughters Julie, Kelley, and B.J. and his entire family on the passing of Cale Yarborough.
Known universally as one of the fiercest competitors to ever climb behind the wheel of a NASCAR racecar, the 2012 NASCAR Hall of Fame Inductee's accomplishments rank among our sport's elite. He was the first to win three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships capturing the crown from 1976-1978 driving for fellow Hall of Famer Junior Johnson. His five Southern 500 victories at his home track of Darlington Raceway are tied for 1st all-time, four Daytona 500 triumphs ranks second all-time; his 83 Cup series career victories is tied for 6th all-time and his 69 career Cup series poles ranks 4th all-time.
Always a hard charger, Yarborough led more than 31,500 laps in his career and became the first to qualify at an average speed of over 200 mph at Daytona in 1984 the year he captured his fourth win in the Great American Race.
He was also active and accomplished outside the drivers' seat as a high school and semi-pro football star, Golden Gloves boxer, successful owner of Cale Yarborough Honda for over 30 years and member of the Florence County Council.
The NASCAR industry and our millions of fans have lost one of our grittiest and most successful superstars of all time. Cale's remarkable legacy and accomplishments in NASCAR will live in our minds, our hearts and the archives of the NASCAR Hall of Fame forever."
About the NASCAR Hall of Fame
Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, North Carolina, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive, entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR. The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and NASCAR Productions-operated broadcast studio. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for summer hours and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for winter hours. On designated Group Hot Pass Tuesdays, the facility is open for scheduled group visits and events only. An attached parking garage is available on Brevard Street. The 5-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority. For more information, visit nascarhall.com.