The weekend began with the sudden passing of 2003 Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran, and ends with the death of four-time Daytona 500 winner Cale Yarborough. The three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was undefeated between 1976 and 1978.
NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley, speaking on Yarborough's passing, said the following: "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."
Below is a collection of social media posts from across NASCAR, paying tribute to Yarborough's legendary career.
Cale Yarborough was my childhood hero. What an honor to be tied with the legend for 83 Cup series wins. He was “the man” and the legacy of Cale Yarborough will forever live on. My deepest condolences to Cale’s family. pic.twitter.com/xcikjl2pu6
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 31, 2023
Richard Petty and The Petty Family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/9sU2pJlNNQ
— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) December 31, 2023
My heart is sad today. Cale was a part of so many of my childhood memories. I watched him race my dad and all the greats and I was blessed to race against him. Cale was a great man. I’ll always remember him sawing the wheel fighting for the win. My prayers go out to his family. pic.twitter.com/Iv0JOe6CS1
— Kyle Petty (@kylepetty) December 31, 2023
Sad news about the passing of Cale today. A legend behind the wheel for sure, but he had a personality, grit, and swagger that attracted fans around the world to him and to Nascar. He truly made the sport far better for being a part of it. My heart goes out to his family. pic.twitter.com/D8lFkCF8HL
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 31, 2023
the only man Chuck Norris was scared of was Cale. Rip man pic.twitter.com/RUpwoTV713
— Sterling Marlin (@SMR_114) January 1, 2024
I can’t believe that I’ve now lost 2 of my Heroes! RIP CALE hopefully you and JR will have more laughs together 🏆 My thoughts and prayers to Betty Jo and the girls 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/34Ck88gJdk
— Jeff Hammond (@HollywoodJeff) December 31, 2023
The NASCAR family lost another legend today. Whenever you heard the name Cale Yarborough, you immediately thought “tough” and “competitor”. During his era he was a threat to win every week and a true NASCAR Hall of Famer in every sense of the title. RIP, Cale and 🙏 for your… https://t.co/inlWQW7uKO
— Marcus Smith (@MarcusSMI) December 31, 2023
Tough news the past couple mornings, my thoughts are with the families of Gil de Ferran and Cale Yarborough. Two of the greatest racers to ever compete who were looked up to by so many. They will never be forgotten and their legends will live on forever.
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) December 31, 2023
Cale was a great friend, he gave me a heads up about Jr Johnson wanting to hire me, I don’t know of anyone tougher than Cale, love you
— Darrell Waltrip (@AllWaltrip) December 31, 2023
my friend, RIP
Rip 11. #legend
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 31, 2023
Tough way to finish the year.
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 31, 2023
Great racer and nascar superstar. #GodSpeed https://t.co/v4MCNti63w
Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors and one of the greatest drivers. so many looked up to him and admired him. thank you for all you did for the sport of NASCAR.
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) December 31, 2023
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 pic.twitter.com/sxPgopUJ90
— Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton) December 31, 2023
Will be forever grateful to Cale Yarborough for the opportunity to drive the #29 car in the Cup series pic.twitter.com/wuHVLD5wnS
— Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett) December 31, 2023
#CaleYarborough pioneered CBS-TV's use of the John Porter-Peter Larson in-car camera that could tilt and pan, raising the bar for all who followed.
— Mike Joy (@mikejoy500) December 31, 2023
Cale won with it, silencing all doubters ! https://t.co/2DZNmLMeQh
Cale Yarborough was as tough as they get. His hard-charging, fearless driving style put him in a class of his own. @TooToughToTame lifts his family & friends up in prayer. Rest easy Cale. We will miss you dearly. pic.twitter.com/2X1pg4jqOq
— Kerry Tharp (@Kerry_Tharp) December 31, 2023
It’s sad to hear the news of Cale Yarborough passing. I met him at Greenville Pickens in the pit area one night. We were both there just watching and taking in the race. As genuine as they come.
— William Byron (@WilliamByron) December 31, 2023
I spent a lot of time with, Cale Yarborough. He taught me this and I share it all the time. My prayers to his family ❤️
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) December 31, 2023
“Kenny, there is always somebody bigger than you” - Cale Yarborough
R.I.P. Cale Yarborough 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/mRwprt3Wb4
— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) December 31, 2023
I had the pleasure of working with Cale Yarborough one time when I still was in B’ham, AL. Cale came to the local short track “BIR” and drove the #11 late model car I worked on for a big race! We didn’t have the greatest race, but so cool to at least work one race with a true…
— Larry McReynolds (@LarryMac28) December 31, 2023
My thoughts and prayers are with Cales family. If you grew up a @NASCAR fan like me, you knew Cale was the toughest, most tenacious competitor on the track. The toughest ever. I am thankful I got to race against Cale, to share stories and laughs with this legendary racer RIP Cale
— Michael Waltrip (@MW55) December 31, 2023
We're saddened to learn of the death of racing legend Cale Yarborough.
— INDYCAR on NBC (@IndyCaronNBC) December 31, 2023
A winner of three NASCAR championships and four Daytona 500s, Yarborough went to Indianapolis to compete in the Indy 500 four times, recording a best finish of 10th in 1972. pic.twitter.com/J6wRBQzpei
I met Cale Yarborough when I was 7 years old. He was larger than life! Imagine getting to race along side one of your heroes and become friends. I’ll forever cherish knowing Cale. A true legend! Prayers to Cale’s family. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/oCB5n5N37C
— Phil Parsons (@philparsons98) December 31, 2023
A stallion in a world of ponies. RIP Cale… https://t.co/XJ1ogmCYLF
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) December 31, 2023
My sincere condolences to the family of Cale Yarborough. He was my first favorite driver. This is a pic of me getting his autograph in Daytona. That Busch Beer car #11 is still my favorite. RIP to one of the all time greats and one tough competitor. 🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/wGlP3HtH1l
— Hermie Sadler (@HermieSadler) December 31, 2023
Saddened to learn of the passing of NASCAR legend and Hall-of-Famer Cale Yarborough. He was one of the toughest drivers ever to sit in a race car, one of the all-time great competitors and a trailblazer of the sport. Cale was a self-made, hard-working man, and was always…
— Jim Campbell (@CampbellJim) December 31, 2023
Statement from Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles on the passing of four-time Indianapolis 500 starter and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/s3Xb87ilii
— Indianapolis Motor Speedway (@IMS) December 31, 2023
A statement from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France on the passing of Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/8Wiel4tbmV
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 31, 2023
