Cale Yarborough’s wife, Betty Jo, was at his side at every triumph. They have three kids and have been married for 62 years. Several images, both black and white and color, depicting Betty’s celebration beside Cale after each of his victories can be seen on the internet. The NASCAR great said that having his wife and children in victory lane was routine.
Yarborough, 84, died on Sunday morning. Cale was suffering from a rare genetic disease, according to his relatives. Cale won three consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championships from 1976 to 1978, making him the first driver to do so until Jimmie Johnson. Cale, a native of South Carolina, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012. He and Johnson are tied for sixth in all-time wins. Many racers, including Richard Petty and Dale Earnhardt Jr., have come to pay their respects to the racing veteran.
Meet Betty Jo, the Wife of Cale Yarborough
Betty Jo, Cale Yarborough’s wife, was married to the NASCAR driver for 62 years. Yarborough married Betty when he was 22, a typical age for starting a family. Cale’s racing prowess began shortly after his marriage to Betty. He married in 1961 and became a full-time racer with Herman Beam two years later.
Cale previously said in an interview that his wife was his most important support system. Betty met the driver while working at a medicine shop in South Carolina. During a chat, one of Cale’s buddies mentioned Betty, stating he had seen a gorgeous lady working at a neighboring pharmacy shop. 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 racer to know that his family was always there for him.
Cale contrasted his marital life to those of his opponents throughout his interview. 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 adored seeing her husband succeed on the racetracks. Betty was often seen in victory lane cheering for Cale, something the NASCAR driver felt was significant. Cale said that when asked how they spent their time away from racetracks, that was the only thing they had ever known. He also said that Betty was not a motorsport enthusiast before meeting him, but he was able to convert her.
Betty Jo Was an Excellent Driver
Cale confessed to the Florence Morning News that he didn’t have to educate his wife anything about racing. He said that before he met his wife, she was an experienced driver. Betty was required to drive pickup trucks on occasion while working at the pharmacy store. That, according to the racing legend, was one of many reasons he fell for her.
When asked what his marriage meant to him, Cale said that it inspired him to be a better person both on and off the racetrack. He wanted to provide for the couple’s three kids and help them live better lives than he had. In August, the Florence Morning News posted the interview with Cale to their YouTube page.
Tributes Flood In For NASCAR Legend
The honors for NASCAR great Cale haven’t stopped since his death was announced. NASCAR Chairman and CEO Jim France was among the first to pay respect to Cale. “Cale Yarborough was one of the toughest competitors NASCAR has ever seen,” France remarked. Cale’s skill, guts, and persistence set him apart from his colleagues on the track and in the record books.”
Cale was recognized on X (previously Twitter) by Jimmie Johnson, who snapped his three-year championship run. “Cale Yarborough was my childhood hero,” Johnson writes. What a privilege to be tied for 83 Cup series victories with the great.”
“He was ‘the man,’ and Cale Yarborough’s legacy will live on forever.” My heartfelt sympathies go out to the Cale family.”
Dale Earnhardt Jr. also paid respect to the sport’s great. “A legend behind the wheel for sure, but he had a personality, grit, and swagger that drew fans worldwide to him and NASCAR,” he said with two images of them. He genuinely improved the sport by being a part of it. “My thoughts are with his family.” Thousands of Cale’s followers have also turned to social media to honor the racer’s legacy and to express their sympathies to the Yarborough family.
