The NASCAR family is in mourning to start 2024, as NASCAR Hall of Famer and three-time Cup champion Cale Yarborough passed away on New Year's Eve at 84.
Yarborough was the first driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships and finished his Cup career with 83 victories.
His three titles in a row, from 1976 to 1978, was a feat many thought nearly impossible to match until Jimmie Johnson broke that record when he won five consecutive titles from 2006-2010.
Many key figures in NASCAR have posted tributes to the four-time Daytona 500 champion. That includes Richard Petty, Jimmie Johnson, and NASCAR CEO Jim France.
Johnson has long held Yarborough as a hero, and that was felt in Johnson's tribute on his X page, after hearing the sad news.
Cale Yarborough was my childhood hero. What an honor to be tied with the legend for 83 Cup series wins. He was ?the man? and the legacy of Cale Yarborough will forever live on. My deepest condolences to Cale?s family. pic.twitter.com/xcikjl2pu6
— Jimmie Johnson (@JimmieJohnson) December 31, 2023
"Cal Yarborough was my childhood hero," Johnson said. "What an honor to be tied with the legend for 83 Cup series wins. He was 'the man' and the legacy of Cale Yarborough will forever live on. My deepest condolences to Cale's family."
NASCAR CEO Jim France gave a moving testament to the importance of Cale's legacy in NASCAR and offered his and his family's deepest condolences to the Yarborough family.
A statement from NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France on the passing of Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/8Wiel4tbmV
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) December 31, 2023
"Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen. His combination of talent, grit, and determination separated Cale from his peers, both on the track and in the record book," France said. "He was respected and admired by competitors and fans alike and was as comfortable behind the wheel of a tractor as he was behind the wheel of a stock car. On behalf of the France family and NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to the family and friends of Cale Yarborough."
Other key NASCAR figures all shared their condolences and memories of Yarborough via social media. Those tributes came from the likes of Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denny Hamlin and 2023 Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney.
Richard Petty and The Petty Family extend their deepest condolences to the family of Cale Yarborough. pic.twitter.com/9sU2pJlNNQ
— Richard Petty (@therichardpetty) December 31, 2023
Sad news about the passing of Cale today. A legend behind the wheel for sure, but he had a personality, grit, and swagger that attracted fans around the world to him and to Nascar. He truly made the sport far better for being a part of it. My heart goes out to his family. pic.twitter.com/D8lFkCF8HL
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) December 31, 2023
Hamlin who famously drives the number 11 that Yarborough made famous had a simple post on his social media.
"Rip 11 #legend," Hamlin said.
Rip 11. #legend
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) December 31, 2023
As for Blaney, it has been a rough couple of days, as he wished well upon both Yarborough's family and Indy 500 winner Gil De Ferran's family, who also passed away over the weekend.
Tough news the past couple mornings, my thoughts are with the families of Gil de Ferran and Cale Yarborough. Two of the greatest racers to ever compete who were looked up to by so many. They will never be forgotten and their legends will live on forever.
— Ryan Blaney (@Blaney) December 31, 2023
Yarborough will be missed dearly. Thanks for everything you did for the sport Cale. You can rest now.
