Cale Yarborough was an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner, businessman, farmer, and rancher. In 1976, 1977, and 1978, he was one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships, winning. From the 1960s to the 1980s, Cale was one of the preeminent stock car drivers 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 and Darrell Waltrip, who are tied for fourth with 84). Yarborough was a three-time winner of the National Motorsports Press Association Driver of the Year Award (1977, 1978, 1979).
Birth Name
William Caleb Yarborough
Nickname
Cale
Profession
Professional Racing Driver, Owner, Businessman, Farmer, and Rancher
Nationality
American
Personal Life
Birthday / Date of Birth
Cale Yarborough was born on the 27th of March 1939, in Timmonsville, South Carolina, United States.
Died
He was died on the 31st of December 2023 (aged 84), in Florence, South Carolina, United States (After a lengthy illness).
Sun Sign
Aries
Ethnicity
Caucasian
Religion
Christianity
Education
Cale attend at Timmonsville High School.
Family Details
- Father – Julian Yarborough
- Mother – Annie Yarborough
- Siblings – Unknown
Marital Status
Married
Girlfriend / Spouse
Cale Yarborough has dated –
- Betty Jo Thigpen – Since 1961, Yarborough and Betty Jo Thigpen have been married; their three daughters are Julie, Kelley, and B.J.
Physical Statistics
Height
- In feet – 5 feet 7 inches
- In centimeters – 170 cm
- In meters – 1.70m
Weight
- In Kilograms – 79 kg
- In Pounds – 175 lbs
Body Build
Slim
Eye Color
Blue
Hair Color
Brown
Shoe Size
He wears a size 9.5 (US) shoe.
Sexuality
Straight
Professional Statistics
Famous For
Cale became known as an American NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver and owner, businessman, farmer, and rancher. He was one of only two drivers in NASCAR history to win three consecutive championships, winning (1976, 1977, and 1978). After retiring, from driving he owned Cale Yarborough Motorsports and several successful agricultural businesses as well as being a rancher and farmer himself on his own ranch at his home in Florence, South Carolina.
Politics
In 1972, Yarborough became the first Republican elected to the Florence County Council since Reconstruction. During the 1976 United States presidential election, he campaigned for his longtime friend, Jimmy Carter. That year, Yarborough was reelected to the county council, this time as a Democrat.
Cale Yarborough Net worth
Cale Yarborough has an estimated net worth of $50 million dollars as of 2024.
Some Lesser Known Facts About Cale Yarborough
- Yarborough was born to Julian and Annie Yarborough in the tiny, unincorporated community of Sardis near Timmonsville, South Carolina, the oldest of three sons.
- His father Julian was a tobacco farmer, cotton gin operator, and store owner who was killed in a private airplane crash when Cale was twelve years of age.
- Yarborough was a high school football star at Timmonsville High School and played semi-pro football in Columbia, South Carolina for four seasons and was a Golden Gloves boxer.
- In 1963, Yarborough started without a full-time ride, but soon signed on to drive the No. 19 Ford for Herman Beam. His best finish was fifth twice, at Myrtle Beach and Savannah Speedway, respectively.
- After lying about his age as a youngster to try to qualify for NASCAR, Cale Yarborough made his racing debut at the Southern 500.
- In 1976, 1977, and 1978, Cale who won the Winston Cup is one of just two drivers to ever win three straight championships.
- Yarborough had won 18 races by the time the 1980s rolled around, and thanks to his subsequent efforts, he went on to win the Daytona 500 three more times, (i1983 and 1984).
- From 1987 to 2000, Yarborough Motorsports, a Winston Cup team that ran was founded by Yarborough when he retired.
- After retiring, Cale owned Cale Yarborough Motorsports and several successful agricultural businesses as well as being a rancher and farmer himself on his own ranch at his home in Florence, South Carolina.
