NASCAR Mourns Death Of Beloved Racer

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One of America’s most beloved and well-known stock car legends in the history of NASCAR has sadly passed away at the age of 83.

Known for his incredible skill on the track and great accomplishments in a career that often rivaled Richard Petty’s, this treasured racing champion was truly a role model for the sport.

David Pearson, who led this illustrious career in motorsports, was known industry-wide as the “Silver Fox” and won 105 races, 113 poles, with 3 championship titles in NASCAR’s top-tier Cup Series.

From 1960 through 1986, Pearson competed fiercely as one of the top racers in the series and earned a reputation that has carried on in the decades since he retired.

The NASCAR Hall Of Fame honoree truly was one of the most revered and beloved members of the community – and the world of motorsports is mourning the passing of Pearson in the hours following the news.

His nickname stemmed from his prematurely-gray hair and his cunning nature during the later parts of races – many times cinching a top spot for this racing heavyweight.

NASCAR’s CEO and Chairman issued a statement on Pearson’s passing that was shared widely across social media.

“David Pearson’s 105 NASCAR premier series victories and his classic rivalry in the 1960s and ’70s with Richard Petty helped set the stage for NASCAR’s transformation into a mainstream sport with national appeal. When he retired, he had three championships — and millions of fans. Richard Petty called him the greatest driver he ever raced against. We were lucky to be able to call him one of our champions. The man they called the ‘Silver Fox’ was the gold standard for NASCAR excellence.

“On behalf of the France Family and everyone at NASCAR, I want to offer sincere condolences to the family and friends of David Pearson, a true giant of our sport.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with Pearson’s family, friends, and his fans during this very difficult time. The passing of an icon like Pearson leaves the world just a little bit darker.

Watch this unforgettable video of David Pearson’s supersonic career below. 

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