16 Facts About Fred Lorenzen

Fred Lorenzen was 15 years of age when he and his Elmhurst, Illinois friends competed in a contest to see who could flip a 1937 Plymouth over first by cranking it around in circles.

Fred Lorenzen moved to a USAC stock car, and won the 1958 and 1959 championships driving his Talarico Bros.

On Christmas Eve 1960, Fred Lorenzen received a phone call from team owner Ralph Moody that would change his career.

In 1961, Fred Lorenzen began winning races in what would become a remarkable career.

For five years from 1961 till 1966, Fred Lorenzen dominated NASCAR like few other drivers ever would winning many major races and defeating the best drivers of his day.

In 1962, Fred Lorenzen won the Atlanta 500 and a race at Augusta Speedway.

In 1963, Fred Lorenzen soared to the top and became the top money-winner and the first to break the $100,000 barrier in one season.

In that amazing year, Fred Lorenzen won: the Atlanta 500, the World 600; the Volunteer 500, the Western North Carolina 500; the Mountaineer 300 and the Old Dominion 500 bringing his total winnings to $122,000.

In 1964, Fred Lorenzen won: the Southeastern 500 at Bristol; the Atlanta 500; the Gwyn Staley 400 at North Wilkesboro; the Virginia 500 at Martinsville; the Rebel 300 at Darlington; the Volunteer 500; the Old Dominion 500 and the National 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway; six of those races are current "classics" on the Sprint Cup Circuit as of 2013.

In 1965 Fred Lorenzen won: the Daytona 500; the Virginia 500; the World 600 and the National 400.

In 1966 Fred Lorenzen won: the Old Dominion 500 and the American 500 at Rockingham, North Carolina.

In 1967 Fred Lorenzen won: the Daytona 500 Qualifier.

Fred Lorenzen compiled an amazing record of wins that clearly made him the dominant driver of NASCAR during a very significant portion of its Golden Era.

Fred Lorenzen came back in 1970, driving a Dodge Daytona prepared by Ray Fox in the World 600, but dropped out while leading on lap 252 of 400 due to engine issues, running in a few more events that year, including substituting for LeeRoy Yarbrough in the Junior Johnson No 98 Ford Torino Talladega in that year's Southern 500, as Yarbrough had a prior Indy car commitment.

Fred Lorenzen left that team part way through the season, and was badly injured in a practice crash while trying to drive for the Wood Brothers prior to the Southern 500.

Fred Lorenzen's last start came at the 1972 Old Dominion 500 at Martinsville Speedway.