Rex White, the famed 1960 NASCAR Cup Series champion and notable driver from the late 1950s to early 1960s, has passed away at 95 years of age. He was recognized as NASCAR’s oldest living champion.

White, hailing from Taylorsville, North Carolina, faced hardships during the Great Depression, with his family relying on their Model T for moonshine transportation. His childhood battle with polio left him with a withered leg, yet instilled a resilient spirit that defined his racing career.

“Most of the lessons I have learned have stayed with me all my life… The biggest one was how to conquer fear.” — Rex White in his autobiography “Gold Thunder.”

After leaving school, he worked in a Washington, D.C. service station, starting his racing journey at Lanham Speedway in Maryland in 1952, initially as a crew member for NASCAR Modified champion Frankie Schneider. By 1956, he debuted in NASCAR’s Grand National division.

White’s breakout season was in 1960, where he triumphed six times, securing the Grand National championship with an impressive record of 25 top-five finishes in 40 races. Notably, he collected a total of 28 wins during his career, outpacing many legendary drivers of the era, including Lee and Richard Petty.

White retired from racing after struggling financially in 1963 but remained influential in the motorsports community through his automobile dealership and trucking business.

In statements reflecting on White’s impact, NASCAR chairman Jim France remarked:

“Rex epitomized the formative days of NASCAR — a true pioneer whose contributions helped shape the foundation of our sport.”

Honors throughout his life included being named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers and an induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2015.