NASCAR champion, Hall of Fame driver dies at age 95

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – A NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and former champion died this past week at age 95.

NASCAR announced the death of 1960 Cup Series champion Rex White on Friday, July 18.

The chairman and CEO of NASCAR, Jim France, called White a “true pioneer” of the sport and said his “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,” a statement from France read in part. “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 raced in only 233 races from 1956-1964, but he won 28 times and finished in the top 10 in 163 of those events. He clinched the 1960 title with four races to go in the season, besting the likes of Richard and Lee Petty, Buck Baker, Ned Jarrett and Junior Johnson.

White, who was born in Taylorsville, N.C. in Alexander County, was a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s 2015 class.

“Rex was among NASCAR’s pioneers who remained very visible at tracks and industry events for years,” Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley said in a statement. “Rex’s legacy and incredible accomplishments in and contributions to NASCAR will forever remain in our hearts, minds, archives and at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

In addition to being part of 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.

It is unclear how White died.

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