NASCAR is tough on the body and the mind. Drivers generally tend to retire once they feel the rigors of the sport are too much for their tolerance. And that threshold normally arrives as drivers age past a certain number. That, however, is the rule, and there are always exceptions to the rule.
Charles Farmer, lovingly known as Red Farmer, is the exception to that rule. The 90-year-old continues to race despite being a nonagenarian – a record that no one else has even come close to breaking.
A member of the famous Alabama Gang, Red Farmer has seen his friends either die or retire from racing. While that surely isn’t something he takes comfort in, it just goes to show how astonishing his longevity in NASCAR is.
A Hall of Famer and an inductee of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers list, Farmer began racing sometime around the 1940s – even before the foundation of the Cup Series. He also holds the record for the longest holder of the NASCAR license. Farmer got his first license in 1953, and 2022 was the 70th consecutive year he held it.
The legend also has the (erstwhile) Modified Division title (won in 1956), and three (consecutively won) Late Model Sportsman Division crowns (won between 1969 and 1971). Being a unique case, it is difficult to tell accurately how many races he has won in his decorated career, but NASCAR pegs it in somewhere around 700.
The Farmer family continues to be a part of NASCAR. Last year, Red competed in the short tracks in Alabama against his grandsons, while his wife sold merchandise and his daughter prepared food for the crew.
An unbelievable career; records are meant to be broken, but this one looks the most unlikely to be broken.
NASCAR fans show support for Red Farmer
The 90-year-old is currently in the hospital battling double pneumonia. But he is a fighter and hopefully, he will be looking forward to his 75th year of racing at Talladega’s short tracks.
This is the second time in 2022 that Farmer has been hospitalized due to double pneumonia. He underwent treatment for a few days in April also, but he recovered and was able to race as well. Fans showed their support for the legend and hope he can make a comeback to good health once again –
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All of NASCAR hopes Big Red can come back stronger and race in Talladega for many more years!
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