On This Day

Cale Yarborough

Athlete

Born: Died: American

William Caleb Yarborough (March 27, 1939 – December 31, 2023) was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner, businessman, farmer, and rancher. He was the first driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships, winning in 1976, 1977, and 1978. He was one of the preeminent stock car drivers from the 1960s to the 1980s and also competed in IndyCar events. His fame was such that a special model of the Mercury Cyclone Spoiler II was named after him.

His 83 wins tie him with Jimmie Johnson for sixth on the all-time NASCAR Cup Series winner's list (behind Bobby Allison, who has 85 and Darrell Waltrip, who has 84). His 14.82% winning percentage is the ninth best of all-time and third among those with 500 or more starts. Yarborough won the Daytona 500 four times; his first win coming in 1968 for the Wood Brothers, the second in 1977 for Junior Johnson, and back-to-back wins in 1983 and 1984 for Ranier-Lundy Racing. Yarborough was a three-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year Award (1977, 1978, 1979).

Notable For

American racing driver

Cale Yarborough's Historical Timeline

  1. Cale Yarborough is born

    Cale Yarborough, American athlete, known for american racing driver, was born on 1939-03-27.

  2. David Pearson is declared NASCAR Grand National champion as Cale Yarborough wins season ending Peach State 200 at Jeffer

    David Pearson is declared NASCAR Grand National champion as Cale Yarborough wins season ending Peach State 200 at Jefferson, Georgia; Pearson finishes 126 points ahead of Bobby Isaac to secure his 2nd title

  3. 25th Daytona 500: 3rd win in the event for Cale Yarborough; first time an in-car camera goes into victory lane before a

    25th Daytona 500: 3rd win in the event for Cale Yarborough; first time an in-car camera goes into victory lane before a national CBS Sports audience

  4. 37th Daytona 500: Sterling Marlin wins for 2nd straight year; 3rd driver to achieve back-to-back titles (Richard Petty,

    37th Daytona 500: Sterling Marlin wins for 2nd straight year; 3rd driver to achieve back-to-back titles (Richard Petty, Cale Yarborough)

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Cale Yarborough born?
Cale Yarborough was born on 1939-03-27 (American).
What is Cale Yarborough known for?
American racing driver
What historical events involved Cale Yarborough?
Cale Yarborough was involved in 4 recorded historical events, including Cale Yarborough is born, David Pearson is declared NASCAR Grand National champion as Cale Yarborough wins season ending Peach State 200 at Jeffer, 25th Daytona 500: 3rd win in the event for Cale Yarborough; first time an in-car camera goes into victory lane before a .
When did Cale Yarborough die?
Cale Yarborough died on 2023-01-01.

Related Years