In a heartfelt tribute to NASCAR legend Cale Yarborough, Dale Jarrett took the wheel of Yarborough’s historic No. 11 Oldsmobile at Darlington Raceway. Ahead of the Southern 500, this tribute brought together fans and family to honor the legacy of the late Yarborough, whose indelible mark on the sport continues to inspire new drivers.
The tribute preceded the Southern 500 race, a significant event closely tied to Yarborough’s storied career. Dale Jarrett, himself a NASCAR Hall of Famer and now an analyst for NBC Sports, paced the field driving Yarborough’s car, an iconic car from 1978.
Cale Yarborough, enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame, boasts a résumé that few in the sport can match. With 83 Cup Series victories, he’s tied for sixth place in all-time wins alongside Jimmie Johnson.
His remarkable career includes winning five Southern 500 races and securing four Daytona 500 titles. Incredibly, Yarborough was the first driver to win three consecutive Cup Series championships from 1976 to 1978—a feat only later matched by Jimmie Johnson, who extended the record with five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010.
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Jarrett guided the No. 11 Oldsmobile around Darlington Raceway while wearing the helmet Yarborough sported during his victorious 1978 Southern 500 race.
The tribute included the unveiling of the No. 11 Oldsmobile at the Darlington Raceway Stock Car Museum, an event attended by former championship-winning crew chief Jeff Hammond and members of Yarborough’s family.
“If we couldn’t put on a show and go to Victory Lane, you felt like you let him down,” the chief said. “He wanted to come here and go home and see Betty Jo and his family with a big smile on his face because he did his job here and that was win.”
He added: “Back then, racers like Cale did not hold on to grudges like we might see today.”
Darlington Raceway holds special significance as its garage bears Cale Yarborough’s name, memorializing his dominance and dedication to the track where he won five Southern 500s. Wearing the vintage helmet, Jarrett’s ceremonial lap was a tribute that likely resonated highly with fans at the track.
“It’s going to be really special to see Daddy’s car on the track again,” said Yarborough’s daughter, Julie, before the event.
Bubba Wallace also added his thoughts:
“It’s pretty special to hear and see how much the sport has evolved and changed,” he said. “From scheduling, to fans, to whatever it is, it’s definitely nice to take a trip down memory lane.”