NASCAR hall countdown: Cale Yarborough

Editor's note: We're looking at some of the NASCAR Hall of Fame nominees as Wednesday's selection of the inaugural class nears.

Cale Yarborough

Competed: 1957-88

Starts: 562

Wins: 83

Poles: 69

Yarborough’s string of three consecutive Cup championships from 1976-78 was unprecedented – and unmatched until 2008, when Jimmie Johnson was crowned champion for the third straight year.

During his three-year dominance, Yarborough won 28 races – nine in 1976, nine in ’77 and 10 in ’78. His points margin over second place was never fewer than 195 and as large as 474 in 1978.

Tom Higgins on Cale Yarborough

Motorsports writer and historian Tom Higgins shares a standout memory of each of the 10 nominees we're featuring as we count down to the NASCAR Hall of Fame vote and announcement.

Daytona, February 1983

It appeared as smooth as the takeoff of an airplane.

The race car slipped sideways, then became airborne while upside down at Daytona International Speedway.

At the steering wheel was Cale Yarborough, who had just clocked a lap of 200.503 mph to become the first NASCAR driver to top 200 at the famed track.

Timers said Yarborough was going to be even quicker on his second lap in qualifying for the Daytona 500, probably in the 203 mph range.

However, the spectacular flip between turns three and four spoiled his run at the pole, which went to Ricky Rudd at 198.864 mph.

“I knew I was in trouble when it got real quiet in the car,” said a downcast Yarborough, unhurt although the car skidded several hundred feet on its roof and slammed back onto the track hard on its wheels.

Cale managed a chuckle and told crew chief/engine builder Waddell Wilson, “You didn’t put controls in the car so I could fly it.”

Wilson and team owner Harry Ranier considered repairing the slightly bent-up car so they and Yarborough could keep the pole position. However, the trio eventually decided to turn to a backup vehicle.

This one proved as potent as the first.

Yarborough, known for courage and tenacity, characteristically fought off the fright of his “flight” and drove the second-choice car to victory in the 500. He pulled an aerodynamic slingshot pass of Buddy Baker on the last lap to win.

The deep, memorable drama in Cale’s automobile cockpit was viewed live by a CBS television audience as Yarborough carried the first in-car camera.

“I’m on Cloud Nine again!” declared a joyous Yarborough.

And not in a plane.