Fred Lorenzen, who earned the nickname “Golden Boy” for his exploits within the early days of NASCAR, died earlier this month. He was 89.
“Fred Lorenzen was one in every of NASCAR’s first true superstars,” mentioned NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France. “A fan favourite, he helped NASCAR broaden from its authentic roots. Fred was the picture-perfect NASCAR star, serving to to convey the game to the silver display screen — which additional grew NASCAR’s recognition throughout its early years. For a few years, NASCAR’s ‘Golden Boy’ was additionally its gold normal, a incontrovertible fact that ultimately led him to the game’s pinnacle, a rightful place within the NASCAR Corridor of Fame.
“On behalf of the France household and all of NASCAR, I wish to supply our condolences to the family and friends of Fred Lorenzen.”
A member of the NASCAR Corridor of Fame Class of 2015, Lorenzen battled dementia in his later years of life. He was named one in every of NASCAR’s 50 biggest drivers in 1998.
Lorenzen rose to fame throughout a brief however sensible profession. The Illinois native made his NASCAR Cup Sequence debut in 1956 and received his first race in 1961 at Martinsville Speedway.
Lorenzen had an unbelievable 1964 season on the NASCAR Cup circuit. His Holman-Moody group entered him in 16 Cup occasions, and he received half of them, together with 5 begins in a row. ISC Photos & Archives by way of Getty Photos
Though he by no means ran a full season at NASCAR’s highest degree between his first begin in 1956 and final in 1972, Lorenzen was a constant winner when he did enter occasions. Lorenzen received 26 races in 158 begins, together with the Daytona 500 (1965) and two within the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (1963, 1965).
Lorenzen made begins for among the most recognizable group homeowners within the sport. Most of them got here with Holman Moody (whom he received 25 of his 26 races with) however he additionally made a begin with Junior Johnson.
Off the monitor, Lorenzen was named the game’s hottest driver twice in 1963 and ’65. Moreover, he was inducted into the Nationwide Motorsports Press Affiliation Corridor of Fame in 1978 and the Worldwide Motorsports Corridor of Fame in 1991.
