Fred Lorenzen, a NASCAR Hall of Famer and champion of the 1965 Daytona 500, has passed away at the age of 89, according to an announcement from NASCAR on Wednesday.

With a total of 26 Cup race victories, Lorenzen was recognized as one of NASCAR’s top 50 drivers of all time in 1998 and was the first driver in the series to surpass $100,000 in earnings during a single season in 1963.

He decided to retire at 38 in 1972 to focus more on family, as stated by the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“Fred Lorenzen was one of NASCAR’s pioneering superstars. A beloved figure, he played a significant role in the expansion of NASCAR beyond its early days,” said NASCAR chairman and CEO Jim France. “For a long time, NASCAR’s ‘Golden Boy’ set the standard for excellence, earning his rightful induction into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.”

Lorenzen, affectionately referred to as the ‘Elmhurst Express,’ ‘Fast Freddie,’ and ‘Fearless Freddie’ by fans, had been suffering from dementia for several years, according to reports in the U.S.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame also released a tribute to Lorenzen, calling him “a legendary figure whose influence will always be felt in the sport.”

“Fred’s nicknames truly capture his essence. ‘Fast Freddie’ or ‘Fearless Freddie’ aptly described his love for speed and competing on NASCAR’s largest tracks. ‘The Golden Boy’ recognized his striking looks. This mix made him one of the era’s most prominent and successful NASCAR stars in the 1960s and early 1970s,” commented Winston Kelley, Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

“Even with a relatively brief career, Fred made a lasting impact on NASCAR and his devoted fan base.”