Image: Ted Van Pelt, Attribution 2.0 Generic

Cale Yarborough, one of stock car racing’s most successful drivers of all time, has passed away at the age of 84.

Yarborough was a three-time NASCAR champion, winning the Cup Series in 1976, 1977, and 1978. He was the first driver to win three straight championships and earned 83 Cup wins over his career. He is one of just seven drivers with more than 80 wins and is tied for sixth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list. Yarborough was well known for being one of NASCAR’s boldest drivers and even took his driving skills to open-wheel racing where he competed in multiple Indianapolis 500s. After retiring from driving following the 1988 season, he owned Cale Yarborough Motorsports, which competed in the Cup series until 2000. He was elected to the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1993 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

Caleb “Cale” Yarborough is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, whom he married in 1961, and daughters Julie, Kelley, and B.J.

Learn more about the life and legend of Cale Yarborough in this article.

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Author: David Fuller

David Fuller is OnAllCylinders' managing editor. During his 20-year career in the auto industry, he has covered a variety of races, shows, and industry events and has authored articles for multiple magazines. He has also partnered with mainstream and trade publications on a wide range of editorial projects. In 2012, he helped establish OnAllCylinders, where he enjoys covering all facets of hot rodding and racing.