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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rex White, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 1960 champion, dies at 95
NASCAR has lost one of its pioneers. Rex White, the 1960 NASCAR champion, has died at the age of 95, NASCAR confirmed on Friday, July 18. White, who at the time was just the seventh driver to capture a championship in NASCAR's premier series, won 28 times in 233 starts during a nine-year driving career and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015. "We mourn the loss of NASCAR Champion and Hall of Famer, Rex White," NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France said in a statement. "Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation 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 nearly half of his races — and dominated the short tracks. "On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Rex White.' Born in 1929 in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White began his NASCAR career in 1956 at the age of 26. He scored three top-five finishes in his rookie season and finished 11th in the season standings. He earned his first career win in the 1958 season opener in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and finished the season with two victories. For the next four years, White won at least five races a season. In 1960, he took the checkered flag six times on his way to the championship and was also named NASCAR's most popular driver. The following year, in 1961, White won seven times and finished as the series runner-up to Ned Jarrett. His peak year for wins came in 1962 when he scored eight. White, who stood 5 feet, 4 inches tall and weighed just 135 pounds during his prime, was considered one of NASCAR's fiercest competitors despite his slight size and a right leg damaged by childhood polio. He was also one of the series' best short-track drivers, with 27 of his 28 career wins coming at smaller venues. His last victory, at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1962, was also his lone win on an intermediate oval. In his relatively short but excellent career, White scored 110 top-five and 163 top-10 finishes in NASCAR's premier series and won 36 pole positions. In addition to induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame, White is also a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Rex White, NASCAR Hall of Famer and 1960 champion, dies at 95
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rex White, who was NASCAR's oldest living champion and a Hall of Famer, dies at 95
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rex White, who was NASCAR's oldest living champion and a 2015 inductee into the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 95. NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame confirmed White's death on Friday. No additional details were provided. 'Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport," NASCAR chairman Jim France said. "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 nearly half of his races – and dominated the short tracks. "On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Rex White.' White won the 1960 Cup Series title and 28 Cup races in a career that spanned 233 starts across nine seasons. He led the final five laps of the 1958 season opener at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to earn his first career victory and scored 13 top-five finishes in 22 starts. White won five more races the next season, but didn't earn his only championship until 1960, when he won six times in 44 starts. He won seven times the next year, when he was runner-up to fellow Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett in the championship standings. White then won eight times in 1962, but finished fifth in the standings as he competed in only 37 of the 53 races that year. White never contested a complete season at a time when NASCAR ran as many as 62 times a year. White notched a career-high six victories at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, where NASCAR this year returned after a lengthy absence. He also won three times at North Wilkesboro Speedway and two times at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Born during the Great Depression and raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White suffered from polio as a child and that altered his gait for most of his life. He had an early interest in cars and was working on the family Model T by the time he was 8. He had learned how to drive two years earlier using a neighbors truck. 'I was unaware the car on which I labored represented hope to people around me, frustration to those trying to stop illegal moonshine," he said. "I saw automobiles as transportation, not the symbol of an upcoming billion-dollar sport.' White purchased his first car in 1954 when a relative of his wife helped him with the $600 needed to buy a 1937 Ford. He immediately began racing as a means to earn a living. White ran his first race in the Sportsman division at West Lanham Speedway in Maryland. He went on to win the championship in his rookie season of the Sportsman division. He moved up to NASCAR two years later and by the time he won the championship five seasons later, he was named both NASCAR's most popular driver and driver of the year. 'Growing up on a North Carolina farm, Rex familiarized himself with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels," said Winston Kelly, executive director for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. "Rex was among NASCAR's 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 requested to participate in. 'NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers.' ___ AP auto racing:
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS NASCAR icon Rex White dies aged 95
Rex White, who was NASCAR's oldest living champion and a 2015 inductee into the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 95. NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame confirmed White's death on Friday. No additional details were provided. 'Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR - a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport,' NASCAR chairman Jim France said. '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 nearly half of his races - and dominated the short tracks. 'On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Rex White.' White won the 1960 Cup Series title and 28 Cup races in a career that spanned 233 starts across nine seasons. He led the final five laps of the 1958 season opener at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to earn his first career victory and scored 13 top-five finishes in 22 starts. White won five more races the next season, but didn't earn his only championship until 1960, when he won six times in 44 starts. He won seven times the next year, when he was runner-up to fellow Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett in the championship standings. White then won eight times in 1962, but finished fifth in the standings as he competed in only 37 of the 53 races that year. White never contested a complete season at a time when NASCAR ran as many as 62 times a year. White notched a career-high six victories at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, where NASCAR this year returned after a lengthy absence. He also won three times at North Wilkesboro Speedway and two times at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Born during the Great Depression and raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White suffered from polio as a child and that altered his gait for most of his life. He had an early interest in cars and was working on the family Model T by the time he was 8. He had learned how to drive two years earlier using a neighbors truck. 'I was unaware the car on which I labored represented hope to people around me, frustration to those trying to stop illegal moonshine,' he said. 'I saw automobiles as transportation, not the symbol of an upcoming billion-dollar sport.' White purchased his first car in 1954 when a relative of his wife helped him with the $600 needed to buy a 1937 Ford. He immediately began racing as a means to earn a living. White ran his first race in the Sportsman division at West Lanham Speedway in Maryland. He went on to win the championship in his rookie season of the Sportsman division. He moved up to NASCAR two years later and by the time he won the championship five seasons later, he was named both NASCAR's most popular driver and driver of the year. 'Growing up on a North Carolina farm, Rex familiarized himself with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels,' said Winston Kelly, executive director for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 'Rex was among NASCAR´s 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 requested to participate in. 'NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers.'
Associated Press
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Rex White, who was NASCAR's oldest living champion and a Hall of Famer, dies at 95
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Rex White, who was NASCAR's oldest living champion and a 2015 inductee into the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 95. NASCAR and the NASCAR Hall of Fame confirmed White's death on Friday. No additional details were provided. 'Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport,' NASCAR chairman Jim France said. '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 nearly half of his races – and dominated the short tracks. 'On behalf of NASCAR and the France family, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Rex White.' White won the 1960 Cup Series title and 28 Cup races in a career that spanned 233 starts across nine seasons. He led the final five laps of the 1958 season opener at Champion Speedway in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to earn his first career victory and scored 13 top-five finishes in 22 starts. White won five more races the next season, but didn't earn his only championship until 1960, when he won six times in 44 starts. He won seven times the next year, when he was runner-up to fellow Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett in the championship standings. White then won eight times in 1962, but finished fifth in the standings as he competed in only 37 of the 53 races that year. White never contested a complete season at a time when NASCAR ran as many as 62 times a year. White notched a career-high six victories at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, where NASCAR this year returned after a lengthy absence. He also won three times at North Wilkesboro Speedway and two times at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. Born during the Great Depression and raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, White suffered from polio as a child and that altered his gait for most of his life. He had an early interest in cars and was working on the family Model T by the time he was 8. He had learned how to drive two years earlier using a neighbors truck. 'I was unaware the car on which I labored represented hope to people around me, frustration to those trying to stop illegal moonshine,' he said. 'I saw automobiles as transportation, not the symbol of an upcoming billion-dollar sport.' White purchased his first car in 1954 when a relative of his wife helped him with the $600 needed to buy a 1937 Ford. He immediately began racing as a means to earn a living. White ran his first race in the Sportsman division at West Lanham Speedway in Maryland. He went on to win the championship in his rookie season of the Sportsman division. He moved up to NASCAR two years later and by the time he won the championship five seasons later, he was named both NASCAR's most popular driver and driver of the year. 'Growing up on a North Carolina farm, Rex familiarized himself with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels,' said Winston Kelly, executive director for the NASCAR Hall of Fame. 'Rex was among NASCAR's 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 requested to participate in. 'NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers.' ___ AP auto racing:
NBC Sports
5 days ago
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
NASCAR issues forceful response to court over 23XI, Front Row request to reclaim charter status
Citing 'no logical basis' for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to be granted a temporary restraining order to compete as chartered teams, NASCAR issued a forceful response in court documents Wednesday. NASCAR also alleged in court documents that the two teams 'manufactured evidence of harm' when requesting a previous preliminary injunction. This is the third time 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports have sought court intervention to race as chartered teams this season without signing the agreement. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports were the only two Cup organizations not to sign the charter agreement and later filed an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR and NASCAR CEO Jim France. That lawsuit is scheduled to begin Dec. 1. 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports filed documents Monday seeking a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction to race as chartered teams — as they had done all season until that status was revoked recently by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Dustin Long, Sunday's race at Dover Motor Speedway would be the first time 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports would compete without charter status, pending the U.S. District Court's ruling. No timetable has been set for the court's decision, although it is expected before Sunday's race. 23XI Racing employs drivers Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace and Riley Herbst. Front Row Motorsports' drivers are Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson and Zane Smith. A charter guarantees a car a starting spot in every race. That won't matter this weekend at Dover. There won't be a full 40-car field. Only 37 cars are entered. NASCAR stated in court documents that there will be no more than 40 cars entered next week at Indianapolis. That would mean that all three 23XI Racing and all three Front Row Motorsports cars would not be in jeopardy of missing that race should the court not grant their request to run with the charter status. Charters also provide a fixed and guaranteed amount of money that is significantly more than a team without a charter receives. Under the system, money awarded to chartered teams is based on: — Race performance (race purse). — Performance for the season (year-end points fund). — Overall performance over the previous three seasons (historical plan). — Payments for being a charter member and competing in each race (fixed owner's plan). In court documents Monday, 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports stated that losing their charter status would cause 'irreparable harm.' The teams cited 'new information surfaced through the discovery process' that made this third request relevant. The teams stated in court documents that NASCAR has 'signaled its intention to immediately move or sell (their) charters to other entities — putting (23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports) in irreparable jeopardy of never getting their charters back and going out of business.' NASCAR denied that claim in its filing Wednesday, stating: 'Although based on the false premise that Plaintiffs have Charters, and notwithstanding the substantial interest in Charters from motorsports companies racing in INDYCAR, Xfinity, and other series, NASCAR has represented it will not sell any Charters before the Court can rule on Plaintiffs' motion for preliminary injunction.' The teams also stated in their filing Monday: 'As the Court has already found, it is not economically viable for a team to participate in the Cup Series on a long-term basis racing under an 'open' agreement. 'Moreover, if Plaintiffs are forced to relinquish their charters before trial, they once again will face the prospect of losing key sponsors and star drivers, who will have the right to terminate their contracts and have already signaled their intention to pursue driving opportunities with other teams (should Plaintiffs lose their charter rights).' NASCAR stated in the documents that the charters do not belong to 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports since they did not sign the agreement for each of their cars. NASCAR noted throughout its 32-page response the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to vacate the preliminary injunction the two teams were granted last December to run with the charter status. NASCAR also raised questions about the information 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports provided when asking the District Court to grant a preliminary injunction last year. In court documents, NASCAR stated: 'Discovery has revealed that evidence Plaintiffs submitted to the Court in connection with their second (preliminary injunction) motion was manufactured. It has also shown that declarations submitted under penalty of perjury suggesting that Plaintiffs had no involvement in the creation of that evidence were false.' NASCAR also stated in court documents: ' … And Plaintiffs manufactured evidence of harm to support their second (preliminary injunction) motion, and misled the Court in declarations. This means that Plaintiffs' latest submissions should, at the very least, be viewed skeptically.' 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports first requested a preliminary injunction to race with charter status last fall. That was denied by U.S. District Court judge Frank D. Whitney on Nov. 8, 2024. The teams amended their request. A preliminary injunction was granted Dec. 18, 2024, by U.S. District Court judge Kenneth D. Bell for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports to compete this season with the charter status. NASCAR appealed the decision to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. A three-judge panel from that circuit heard oral arguments May 9 and vacated the preliminary injunction June 5. The two teams asked the full Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals to hear the matter. The court declined on July 9. That set up this week's filings with16 races left in the Cup season — beginning with Sunday's event at Dover. NASCAR noted in court documents that 23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan stated in a deposition that his organization would compete the rest of the season even if it didn't have the charter status. That echos comments co-owner Denny Hamlin made to the media June 7 at Michigan. NASCAR cited Jordan's deposition elsewhere in its response. NASCAR stated in court documents that Jordan 'conditioned 23XI's long-term participation in NASCAR on the implementation of a permanent Charter system.' That was an item teams wanted when negotiating with NASCAR but did not get. Instead, the current charters go seven seasons through the 2031 campaign — the same length of the current media rights deal — with the option extend the charters another seven years.
