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Fred Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona champion, dies at 89

In this Feb. 14, 1965, photo Fred Lorenzen, of Elmhurst, Ill., gives a victory wave after winning the Daytona 500 mile stock car auto race which was halted by rain at the end of 133 laps, in Daytona Beach, Fla. Associated Press File Photo

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Fred Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona 500 champion, died Wednesday. He was 89.

NASCAR released a statement that Lorenzen had died and had confirmed the death with his family. A cause of death wasn’t given, but Lorenzen had been in declining health for years.

In 1998, he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

One of NASCAR’s first superstars, Lorenzen was known as the “Golden Boy” for his rugged, movie-star looks. He won 26 career Cup races and made starts in 12 seasons from 1956 to 1972.

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