Glenn 'Fireball' Roberts was one of NASCAR's first superstars, winning 33 Grand National races including the 1962 Daytona 500. Handsome and charismatic, he helped bring the sport national attention in the late 1950s and early 1960s, winning on every type of track and becoming a fan favorite across the South.
On May 24, 1964, Roberts crashed at Charlotte and his car erupted in flames. He survived 39 days with severe burns before dying on July 2. His death, along with others that era, forced NASCAR to mandate fuel cells and fire-resistant suits, saving countless lives since.
At a Glance
- Born: January 20, 1929, Tavares, Florida
- Died: July 2, 1964, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Age: 35
- Cause of death: Burns sustained in a crash at the 1964 World 600
Final Resting Place
Daytona Memorial Park, Daytona Beach, Florida.
From the Book
This profile is adapted from Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends by Howard Wear.
Portrait: from the Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends book files.