NASCAR Pioneer and Champion, Hall of Famer Rex White Passes Away

NASCAR Legend Rex White Passes Away

The NASCAR community mourns the loss of Rex White, 1960 Cup Series champion and Hall of Fame member since 2015. White, who was NASCAR’s longest-living champion, passed away at the age of 95. The news was confirmed by NASCAR and the Hall of Fame, although no additional details about his death were provided.

Rex personified the formative days of NASCAR, a true pioneer whose contributions helped build the foundations of our sport.

Jim France, Chairman of NASCAR

White had an outstanding career with 28 Cup victories in 233 races over nine seasons. His first victory came in 1958 at the Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina. In that season, he achieved 13 top-five finishes in 22 races. In 1960, White won the championship with six victories in 44 races. The following year, he won seven races and was runner-up, behind Ned Jarrett, also a Hall of Fame member.

In 1962, White won eight races, but finished fifth in the overall standings, competing in only 37 of the 53 races that year. White never competed in a full season in an era when NASCAR could have up to 62 races per year. White achieved 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 and at the age of 8 he was already working on the family Model T.

I grew up on a farm in North Carolina, and Rex became familiar with everything mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels.

Winston Kelly, NASCAR Hall of Fame Executive Director

White acquired his first car in 1954 and began competing to make a living. He participated in the Sportsman division at the West Lanham Speedway in Maryland, where he won the championship in his rookie season. Two years later, he moved up to NASCAR and, five seasons later, was named the most popular driver and NASCAR’s driver of the year.