NASCAR’s first true superstar “golden boy” Fred Lorenzen passed away at the age 89

The original golden boy of NASCAR, Fred Lorenzen, has passed away and the NASCAR community is mourning the death.

NASCAR’s first true superstar “golden boy” Fred Lorenzen passed away at the age 89

Fred Lorenzen (Via @Basso488/X)

The CEO of NASCAR Jim France has announced that Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen has passed away at the age of 89. He is a 26 times Cup race winner and a Daytona 500 winner, who has raced in the series from 1956 to 1971. Lorenzen was a true superstar who won the most popular driver award twice.

Sharing the sad news of Fred Lorenzen’s death, Jim France pointed out that the legend was one of the first ever true superstars of the sport. Fred Lorenzen was a fan favorite and played a significant role in the sports growth in its early years, be becoming a true ambassador and the picture-perfect superstar, the sport needed.

Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR’s first true superstars… A fan favorite, he helped NASCAR expand from its original roots. Fred was the picture-perfect NASCAR star, helping to bring the sport to the silver screen. Which further grew NASCAR’s popularity during its early years.

Jim France said in a statement.

The NASCAR boss pointed out that Lorenzen, who was known as the Golden Boy, was the gold standard for the racers. He offered his condolences to the friends and family of Fred Lorenzen, asserting the legend had a rightful place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

For many years, NASCAR’s “Golden Boy” was also its gold standard. A fact that eventually led him to the sport’s pinnacle, a rightful place in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I want to offer our condolences to the friends and family of Fred Lorenzen.

Jim France added.

What made Fred Lorenzen a successful driver?

Fred Lorenzen was a true businessman when it comes to racing, who didn’t take anything less than perfection. His ex-crew chief Herb Nab revealed that the key to the HOF’s success was his passion for perfection and relentless pursuit of it.

Fred Lorenzen
Fred Lorenzen (Via X)

Freddie was a stickler. He worried about everything. He wanted everything to be just so. He was never satisfied unless it was. Maybe that was the key to his success. He wanted perfection, and he made sure he got it.

Herb Nab said.

The comment from Nab shows how much of a true racer Fred Lorenzen was and how much he has worked over the years to accomplish greatness. It would be interesting to see if NASCAR will do anything special to honor the legend in 2025.