NASCAR Legend Rex White Passes Away
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The world of motorsports mourns the loss of Rex White, NASCAR’s longest-living champion and a Hall of Fame member since 2015. White passed away at the age of 95. The news was confirmed by NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame on Friday. No additional details about his death were provided.White won the Cup title in 1960 and amassed 28 Cup race victories during his career, which spanned 233 starts over nine seasons. His first victory came in 1958 at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where he led the final five laps. In that season, he achieved 13 top-five finishes in 22 races. In the following season, White added five more victories. However, the championship came in 1960, with six wins in 44 races. In the following year, he obtained seven victories and positioned himself as runner-up, behind Ned Jarrett, also a Hall of Fame member, in the overall standings. In 1962, White achieved eight victories, but finished fifth in the standings, competing in 37 of the 53 races that year. In an era when NASCAR held up to 62 races a year, White never completed a full season. White earned six victories at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, where NASCAR returned this year after a long absence. He also won three times at North Wilkesboro Speedway and twice at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Born during the Great Depression and raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White suffered from polio in his childhood, which affected his way of walking for much of his life. From a young age, he showed interest in automobiles, working on the family Model T at age 8. Two years earlier, he had learned to drive using a neighbor’s truck.“Rex personified the formative days of NASCAR, a true pioneer whose contributions helped build the foundations of our sport. His hard work, dedication, and talent allowed him to make a living doing what he loved most: racing cars. He was the model of consistency, finishing in the top five in almost half of his races, and dominated the short tracks.”
Jim France, Chairman of NASCAR
In 1954, White acquired his first car, a 1937 Ford, thanks to the help of a relative of his wife. He immediately began to compete as a means of living. White debuted in the Sportsman division at the West Lanham Speedway in Maryland, where he won the championship in his first season. Two years later, he moved up to NASCAR and, five seasons after winning the championship, he was recognized as the most popular driver and NASCAR’s driver of the year.“I wasn’t aware that the car I worked on represented hope for the people around me, and frustration for those trying to stop the illegal smuggling of liquor. I saw automobiles as a means of transportation, not as the symbol of a multi-million dollar sport that was coming.”
Rex White
“NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers.”“Growing up on a North Carolina farm, Rex became familiar with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels. Rex was one of 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
