Fred Lorenzen, 'The Elmhurst Express' and 'Golden Boy,' was one of NASCAR's first Northern stars, winning 26 Grand National races including the 1965 Daytona 500. Driving for Holman-Moody, his matinee-idol looks and smooth style helped the sport expand beyond its Southern roots in the 1960s.
Lorenzen retired young in 1967, made brief comebacks, then lived quietly for decades. He died in December 2024 at 89, one of the last links to the era when NASCAR first went national.
At a Glance
- Born: December 30, 1934, Elmhurst, Illinois
- Died: December 18, 2024, Elmhurst, Illinois
- Age: 89
- Cause of death: Natural causes
Final Resting Place
Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery, Hillside, Illinois.
Photo: Paul via Find a Grave
From the Book
This profile is adapted from Legends at Rest: NASCAR Legends by Howard Wear.
Grave photo: Photo: Paul via Find a Grave.