NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen Dies at 89

American NASCAR driver Frederick Lorenzen Jr., also known as “the Golden Boy”, “Fast Freddie”, “the Elmhurst Express” and “Fearless Freddy”, died Wednesday, December 18, at age 89 from what is believed to be complications from dementia.

The Illinois native is famously known for being the first NASCAR driver to earn $100,000 in a single season. That achievement took place in 1963, but only scratches the surface of Lorenzen’s quick but rich history from behind the wheel.

After dabbling in drag racing, Lorenzen began racing in the 159 Cup Series in 1956 and continued through 1972. As he was struggling to field his own stock car team, Lorenzen was invited to join the Ford-backed Holman-Moody Racing team in 1961. That phone call on Christmas eve changed his life forever.

“(It was) the biggest day of my life,” Lorenzen told TNT Sports in 2009, speaking of the phone call. “A miracle, that’s what it was. Everybody waits for this, but you make your own way. I earned it, I guess. That’s what Ralph (Moody) said, ‘you’re here because they want you. They like the way you run, the way you drive. You don’t jump out front, you just cool it and wait, take your time.’”

Between 1961 and 1967, Lorenzen won 32 poles and 26 races, including the 1965 Daytona 500. Several of those wins were achieved at of NASCAR’s current tracks, such as his six wins at Martinsville, four at Charlotte, four at Atlanta, three wins at Bristol, and two at both Darlington and Daytona Beach. Wins at Former Cup venues include Rockingham, Weaverville, Augusta, Huntington, and North Wilkesboro.

In 1962, Lorenzen won his first dirt-track race. The year 1964 was one of his biggest, marking when he won eight of his 16 starts, including four poles and five consecutive victories at Bristol, Atlanta, North Wilkesboro, Martinsville, and Darlington. Lorenzen led 86-percent of the 1,953 possible laps in NASCAR that season, a feat that is almost unimaginable in today’s competitions.

Lorenzen was a two-time Most Popular Driver (1963 and 1965). He retired at age 37 in 1972 with hopes to spend more time with his wife and two children after being focused on his racing career. Lorenzen was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.

Jim France, president and CEO of NASCAR, spoke warmly of the charismatic NASCAR legend. “Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR’s first true superstars,” he said. “A fan favorite, he helped NASCAR expand from its original roots (as the) picture-perfect NASCAR star. For many years, the ‘Golden Boy’ was also its gold standard, a fact that led him to the sport’s pinnacle, the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

Hall of Fame Executive Director Winston Kelley called Lorenzen “a legend whose impact will forever be felt in the sport,” adding;  “Fred’s nicknames personify him as well as anyone.”

“His leading-man good looks and smooth driving earned him legions of fans and brought a new style and class to the sport. NASCAR has lost one of our earliest and most charismatic superstars (but) his remarkable legacy and accomplishments will live in our minds, our hearts and the archives of the Hall of Fame forever.”

Chief mechanic Herb Nab at H-MR witnessed many of Lorenzen’s victories firsthand. “Freddie was a stickler,” he said. “He worried about everything. He wanted everything to be just so. He was never satisfied unless it was. Maybe that was the key to his success. He wanted perfection, and he made sure he got it.”

The NASCAR Hall of Fame also issued a statement praising Lorenzen as “a legend whose impact will forever be felt in the sport.”

The following words were posted to Frederick Lorenzen’s Facebook page after his passing:

“It is with great sadness to announce, Fred Lorenzen, passed away early this morning, just shy of his 90th birthday. Our sincere thank you for your fan-ship, friendship, love and memories over the years. Growing up in Elmhurst, IL, a Midwestern small town, racing was always on in the background but Fred, our Dad was incredibly humble. We didn’t learn until much older that Fred meant so much to so many and that he was a famous NASCAR race car driver. It was through your letters, posts and shared stories that we learned there was a whole other side to our Dad. We are forever grateful for your sharing of memories. Keep them coming! Fred’s determination and drive was an inspiration to many. His infectious smile brought joy to us all. He was authentic and kind and always encouraged you to follow your dreams. Thank you all, please feel free to share your memories here. They have been a comfort and will be as we honor Fred now and forever #28. The world has lost a legend, but his spirit will live on in all that he touched. Blessings.”

The post NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen Dies at 89 appeared first on The Online Automotive Marketplace.