White was raised in Taylorsville and was described as one of stock car racing’s pioneers.
TAYLORSVILLE, N.C. β Rex White, described as one of the pioneers of stock car racing, has passed away at 95 years old.
White’s passing was announced Friday, July 18, by NASCAR CEO and chairman Jim France and NASCAR Hall of Fame executive director Winston Kelley. France remarked that White “epitomized the formative days of NASCAR” and that White’s time on the track “helped shape the foundation of the sport”.
Kelley noted White was named to the Hall of Fame in 2015 and noted that White “familiarized himself with all things mechanical and enjoyed driving anything with wheels” and remained visible at tracks and industry events for years.
White was raised in Taylorsville, North Carolina, located about 68 miles northwest of Charlotte. His career included capturing NASCAR’s top prize as both driver and car owner in 1960, winning the Cup Series championship with six wins and 35 top 10 finishes in 40 starts. Kelley’s statement noted White was a short track specialist and made his name known when short tracks were dominant on the schedule. 26 of his 28 career wins in NASCAR’s premier series were on tracks with a length of a mile or less.Β
“NASCAR has lost one of its true pioneers and the NASCAR Hall of Fame team and I have lost one of our staunchest supporters and cherished friends,” Kelley’s statement concluded. “Rexβs legacy and incredible accomplishments in and contributions to NASCAR will forever remain in our hearts, minds, archives and at the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”
NASCAR notes that White was also a member of the International Motorsports Hall of Fame, the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame and the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
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