Cale Yarborough

William Caleb “Cale” Yarborough was an American NASCAR driver, team owner, businessman, and agriculturalist. Regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, he was the first in NASCAR history to win three consecutive Cup Series championships—a feat that cemented his legacy as one of stock car racing’s most significant figures.

Early Life and Background

Cale Yarborough was born on March 27, 1939, in the Sardis community near Timmonsville, South Carolina. He was the eldest of three sons to Julian and Annie Yarborough. His father, a tobacco farmer and store owner, died in a private airplane crash when Cale was twelve, an event that forced him to take on responsibilities at an early age. He developed an early interest in racing, attending the 1951 Southern 500 as a spectator and later participating in sports such as football and Golden Gloves boxing during his youth. Yarborough was a high school football standout and played semi-pro football before turning his focus to auto racing.

Career

Yarborough made his NASCAR Cup Series debut in 1957. After racing sporadically in the early 1960s, his career gained momentum when he drove for legendary car owner Junior Johnson. Yarborough’s driving prowess became fully evident in the late-1970s. He won the Cup Series championship three consecutive times (1976, 1977, 1978)—the first to achieve this in NASCAR history—and his nine-win performances in 1976 and 1977 are regarded among the most dominant in the sport. Yarborough won a total of 83 NASCAR Cup Series races, placing him among the top winners in history, and captured 69 poles, still ranking third all-time. He claimed the legendary Daytona 500 four times (1968, 1977, 1983, 1984) and was a three-time National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year award recipient.

After retiring from driving in 1988, Yarborough transitioned to team ownership, founding Cale Yarborough Motorsports, and continued influencing the sport for over a decade through his team leadership and advisory roles. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

Off‑Track Ventures

Yarborough diversified his interests beyond racing. He owned and operated several successful businesses, including agricultural enterprises and a car dealership—Cale Yarborough Honda—in Florence, South Carolina. He also invested in restaurants and textile businesses during his post-driving years. While media appearances were limited relative to today’s standards, his story and racing insights were documented in his autobiography and numerous interviews.

Net Worth

Cale Yarborough’s estimated net worth was $50 million.

Family Life

Cale Yarborough was married to Betty Jo Thigpen since 1961, and is survived by her and their three daughters: Julianne Hucks, Kelley Woody, and B.J. Yarborough. Further family details are not widely published.

Recent Controversies

Cale Yarborough’s major controversy centers on the 1979 Daytona 500, where he and Donnie Allison wrecked each other while battling for the lead. This led to an infamous on-track crash and a live televised fistfight between Yarborough and the Allison brothers, a moment credited with skyrocketing NASCAR’s popularity.

Yarborough passed away on December 31, 2023.