Cale Yarborough’s wife, Betty Jo, was by his side at every triumph. They have three children and have been married for 62 years. Several pictures can be seen online, in black and white and in color, showing Betty celebrating next to Cale after each of his victories. The NASCAR great said his wife and kids in victory lane is routine.
Yarborough, 84, died Sunday morning. Cale suffered from a rare genetic disease, according to his relatives. Cale won three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships from 1976 to 1978, becoming the first driver to do so since Jimmie Johnson. Cale, a South Carolina native, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. He and Johnson are tied for sixth all-time in wins. Many racers, including Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr., came to pay their respects to the racing veteran.
Meet Betty Jo, Cale Yarborough’s wife
Betty Jo, Cale Yarborough’s wife, was married to the NASCAR driver for 62 years. Yarborough married Betty when he was 22, the typical age for starting a family. Cale’s racing prowess began shortly after his marriage to Betty. He got married in 1961 and two years later became a regular runner with Herman Beam.
Cale previously said in an interview that his wife is his most important support system. Betty met the driver while working at a drug store in South Carolina. During the conversation, one of Cale’s friends mentioned Betty, saying that he saw a beautiful lady working at the pharmacy next door. So Cale went to meet Betty and fell in love with her. Cale said that Betty was completely behind him in all situations. It meant a lot to the runner to know that his family was always by his side.
During his interview, Cale compared his married life to that of his opponents. Cale said he knew some people who had to leave the field because their spouses didn’t like it, but Betty wasn’t one of them. She loved seeing her husband succeed on the race tracks. Betty was often seen in victory lane cheering on Cale, something the NASCAR driver found significant. Cale said when asked how they spent their time off the racetrack it was the only thing they ever knew. He also said that Betty was not a motorsports enthusiast before she met him, but he managed to convert her.
Betty Jo was an excellent driver
Cale admitted to the Florence Morning News that he didn’t have to educate his wife about racing. He said that before he met his wife, she was an experienced driver. Betty occasionally had to drive a pickup truck while working at the pharmacy. According to the racing legend, this was one of the many reasons why he fell in love with her.
When asked what marriage means to him, Cale said it has inspired him to be a better person on and off the race track. He wanted to provide for the couple’s three children and help them live better than he had. In August, the Florence Morning News published an interview with Cale on their YouTube page.
Tributes flood in for NASCAR Legend
Tributes to NASCAR great Cale have not stopped since his death was announced. NASCAR President and CEO Jim France was among the first to pay tribute to Cale. “Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen,” noted France. Cale’s skill, courage and tenacity set him apart from his peers on the track and in the record books.”
Cale was recognized on X (formerly Twitter) by Jimmie Johnson, who ended his three-year title reign. “Cale Yarborough was my childhood hero,” Johnson writes. What a privilege to be tied on 83 Cup wins with the greats.”
“He was ‘the man,’ and Cale Yarborough’s legacy will live on forever.” My sincere condolences go out to the Cale family.”
Husband of Betty Jo
Dale Earnhardt Jr. he also paid respect to the great of this sport. “A legend behind the wheel for sure, but he had the personality, courage and swagger that drew fans around the world to him and NASCAR,” he said alongside two pictures of them. He truly advanced the sport by being a part of it. “My thoughts are with his family.” Thousands of Cale’s followers also took to social media to pay tribute to the runner’s legacy and express their condolences to the Yarborough family.
Categories: Entertaintment
Source: HIS Education