Fred Lorenzen, the NASCAR Hall of Fame champion and Daytona 500 winner, has died

“Fast Freddie” Lorenzen was just weeks away from his ninetieth birthday when he died on Wednesday. The Elmhurst, Illinois native was an early NASCAR star, competing from 1956-1972. He had many nicknames including “Golden Boy”, “Fearless Freddie”, “Elmhurst Express” and was adored by fans. Lorenzen was a two-time winner of the game's hottest driver award. His family announced his death on Facebook, praising him for his humility and authenticity.

“Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR's first true superstars,” NASCAR president and CEO Jim France said in a press release from the sanctioning body. “A fan favorite, he helped NASCAR grow from its original roots. Fred was the perfect NASCAR star to help bring the sport to the silver screen, further boosting NASCAR's popularity in its early years. For many years, NASCAR's “Golden Boy” was also his gold standard, which ultimately propelled him to the top of the sport and his rightful place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I want to express my condolences to Fred Lorenzen's friends and family.”

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During his racing profession, Lorenzen quickly found success behind the wheel, winning back-to-back USAC Stock Car Championships in 1958 and 1959. He went on to win 26 NASCAR Cup races, tying him for thirty third with Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the all-time wins list. These victories included crown jewel events corresponding to winning the 1965 Daytona 500 in a Holman-Moody Ford and the World 600 (now Coke 600) in 1963 and 1965. The yr he won the five hundred, Lorenzen won also all superspeedway races on target schedule.

Tiny Lund and Fred Lorenzen race side by side

Photo: Ford Motor Company

He never ran a full schedule, focusing more on big-money events than point totals, but he still finished third within the championship standings in 1963. However, the 1964 season was perhaps his most impressive season, winning half of the races he entered (8). 16), including five starts in a row without defeat.

Lorenzen's stellar profession earned him a spot amongst NASCAR's Top 50 Drivers in 1998, and he was later inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame within the 2015 class.