Marvin Panch, winner of the 1961 Daytona 500, died Thursday. He was 89.
Panch won 17 Sprint Cup races during a 216-race career that spanned from 1951 to 1966. He won the Daytona 500 driving for Smokey Yunick in a 1960 Pontiac.
Eight of Panch's victories came while driving for the Wood Brothers, while his final victory was in the 1966 World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway while driving for Petty Enterprises. Panch was named among the 50 greatest drivers during NASCAR's 50th season in 1998.
"For more than 60 years, Marvin Panch was a familiar and friendly face around NASCAR and Daytona Beach," read a statement from NASCAR. "He was one of the true pioneers of the sport, winning races across several NASCAR divisions, including the 1961 Daytona 500. As one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers, he represented the sport with class both on and off the track. Marvin will be missed dearly, especially as we approach Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway, where he was a fixture."
Panch's family announced his death Thursday on the Facebook page it kept for him.
While retired from racing for nearly 50 years, Panch had settled in the Daytona Beach area in Florida. The track released a statement Thursday afternoon: "Marvin was a tremendous competitor in the sport with a memorable career. ... He had home in Daytona Beach and was a frequent visitor to Daytona International Speedway. We extend our sincere condolences to Marvin's family and friends. We will miss him dearly."