Legendary NASCAR Team Owner Larry McClure Passes Away
In a heart-wrenching turn of events, the NASCAR community mourns the loss of a true racing icon. Larry McClure, the three-time Daytona 500-winning team owner, breathed his last on Wednesday morning at Johnston Memorial Hospital in Abingdon, Virginia. McClure, a pivotal figure in the NASCAR Cup Series, co-owned Morgan-McClure Motorsports alongside Tim Morgan and Jerry McClure from 1983 to 2012.
McClure’s legacy is etched in the annals of NASCAR history, with Morgan-McClure Motorsports clinching victory in 14 races and securing 13 poles out of the 703 NASCAR Cup Series races they competed in. The team’s crowning achievements were their three historic Daytona 500 wins. The first triumph came in 1991 with Ernie Irvan behind the wheel, followed by back-to-back victories in 1994 and 1995 with Sterling Marlin driving the #4 machine. Further glory awaited the team at Daytona with wins in the Pepsi 400 in 1992 and 1996.
Throughout its illustrious tenure, Morgan-McClure Motorsports boasted a roster of esteemed drivers including Mark Martin, Bobby Hamilton, and Ward Burton. Their final victory came in 1998 at Martinsville Speedway with Hamilton at the helm. Despite attempts to continue racing into the 2010s, the team ultimately ceased operations in 2012, marking the end of an era in NASCAR.
Beyond the racetrack, Larry McClure was a prominent businessman in Southwest Virginia, owning multiple dealerships in the region. His influence extended beyond the sport as he was the uncle of the late Xfinity Series driver Eric McClure, who tragically passed away in 2021.
In a touching tribute to his former team owner, NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin paid homage to Larry McClure on social media. Marlin, who clinched consecutive Daytona 500 victories with Morgan-McClure Motorsports in the 1990s, reminisced about McClure’s unwavering belief in him and the success they shared on the track. The heartfelt post underscored Marlin’s deep respect and admiration for the legendary figure, encapsulating the profound impact Larry McClure had on those around him.
As the NASCAR Cup Series gears up for its next showdown at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, Georgia, the racing community stands united in honoring the remarkable legacy of Larry McClure. His indelible mark on the sport will forever be cherished, serving as a beacon of inspiration for generations of NASCAR enthusiasts.
