Fred Lorenzen, the 1965 Daytona 500 winner, passed away on December 18th, 2024. NASCAR and Jim France released a statement about his death.
Jim France Pays Tribute To “Golden Boy” Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen
NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Fred Lorenzen died today at age 89. He won 26 races including the 1965 Daytona 500. Jim France statement: pic.twitter.com/nrgCFvm9cr
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) December 18, 2024
NASCAR’s Jim France has said that Fred Lorenzen “was one of NASCAR’s first true superstars” and a fan favorite after his passing at the age of 89, much like the likes of Chase Elliott and Kyle Busch. He also credited Lorenzen with elevating NASCAR’s standing in the world. He did this by bringing more eyes to it and ensuring it was able to make a success of itself on the TV screens.
Lorenzen was once referred to as NASCAR’s “Golden Boy,” and this is something France picked up on in his statement. He said that “NASCAR’s “Golden Boy” was also its gold standard, a fact that eventually led him to the sport’s pinnacle, a rightful place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”
READ MORE: NASCAR All-Time Wins List; From 1st to 203rd
Lorenzen, 1965 Daytona 500 Champion:
The NASCAR family mourns the loss of Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen. pic.twitter.com/szcPwjBGLc
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 18, 2024
Lorenzen was one of the most successful NASCAR drivers of his era, winning 26 races, including the 1965 Daytona 500. This year, NASCAR introduced new rules to increase the safety of cars and tracks while reducing vehicle speeds. Lorenzen qualified fourth in the race but moved into the lead around lap 69 before reclaiming the lead again on lap 129 after a collision with Marvin Panch.
On lap 133, the race was red-flagged due to persistent rain. The result was declared official, allowing Lorenzen to claim the victory. Just as well, after the collision with Panch, NASCAR’s “Golden Boy” suffered damage to his Ford, which could have taken him out of the race.
Lorenzen, a 26-time race winner:
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Fred Lorenzen, a true NASCAR legend and a cornerstone of Ford's racing history. Fred’s hands-on approach, talent and charisma helped shape the sport, earning him iconic victories and a rightful place in the hearts of fans and the NASCAR… pic.twitter.com/qsaTsJUUYg
— Ford Performance (@FordPerformance) December 18, 2024
In addition to his Daytona 500 victory, Lorenzen has won 25 other races in his NASCAR career, finished in the top ten 84 times, and won 32 pole positions.
In the early 1960s, he became one of its leading drivers, leading the Holman Moody team and winning events such as the Grand National 200 at Martinsville, the Rebel 300 at Darlington, and the Festival 250 at Atlanta.
Although Lorenzen didn’t win a championship, he still enjoyed a very successful career. However, his wins had dried up by the 1970s. His final victory came in the second 1967 Daytona 500 qualifier. He retired from NASCAR after the 1972 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville. In 2015, he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.
