NASCAR Legend and Hall of Famer Rex White Passes Away

NASCAR Legend Rex White Passes Away

The NASCAR community mourns the loss of Rex White, the longest-lived champion of the series and a Hall of Fame member since 2015, at the age of 95. The news was confirmed by NASCAR and the Hall of Fame, although no further details about his death were provided.

“Rex personified the formative days of NASCAR, a true pioneer whose contributions helped forge the foundations of our sport. His hard work, dedication, and talent allowed him to make a living doing what he loved most: racing cars”.

Jim France, NASCAR Chairman

White left an indelible mark on NASCAR history. His consistency on the track is notable, finishing in the top five in almost half of his races and dominating short tracks. White’s legacy includes the 1960 Series Cup championship and 28 Cup race wins, achieved in 233 races over nine seasons. His first victory came in 1958 at the Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The following season, he earned five more victories and was finally crowned champion in 1960, with six wins in 44 races. In 1961, White achieved seven victories and finished as runner-up, behind Ned Jarrett, also a Hall of Fame member, in the overall standings. In 1962, he achieved eight victories, but finished fifth in the overall standings due to his participation in only 37 of the 53 races that year.

White had a significant impact on several circuits, excelling with six victories at the Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem. He also achieved three victories at the North Wilkesboro Speedway and two at the Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Born during the Great Depression and raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White overcame polio in his childhood, which affected his gait. From a young age, he showed interest in automobiles, working on the family Model T at the age of 8. His experience with cars led him to see them as a form of transportation, not as the symbol of a multimillion-dollar sport. In 1954, White bought his first car, a 1937 Ford, and quickly began racing to make a living. His racing debut was in the Sportsman division at the West Lanham Speedway in Maryland, where he won the championship in his rookie season. Two years later, White ascended to NASCAR and, after winning the championship, was recognized as the most popular driver and driver of the year.

“Growing up on a North Carolina farm, Rex became familiar with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels. Rex was among the NASCAR pioneers who remained very visible at tracks and industry events for years. He was a dedicated ambassador who enjoyed supporting any event or activity he was asked to participate in.”

Winston Kelly, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame

The passing of Rex White represents a great loss for NASCAR.