Ray Fox, 98, one of NASCAR’s premier engine builders and mechanics in the 1950s and ’60s, died at Halifax Health Medical Center in Daytona Beach on Sunday afternoon with members of his family at his side. A family spokeswoman said Fox, who had battled COPD for years, was hospitalized a few days ago and succumbed to pneumonia. Two of Fox’ daughters, Gerri and Sandra, were at his side when he died. Fox, who moved to Daytona Beach in 1946 from New Hampshire, captured every major NASCAR Grand National Series (now Sprint Cup Series) race of his day. His driving roster reads like a Who’s Who in stock-car racing with NASCAR Hall of Famers Junior Johnson, David Pearson and Buck Baker taking his equipment to Victory Lane in showcase events. Fox is credited with 14 wins as a car owner, but his victory count was much higher in his many roles in sport. He stayed active in racing into his 80s as an engine inspector for NASCAR, then as president of the Living Legends of Auto Racing. He celebrated his 98th birthday at the Living Legends Museum in South Daytona on May 24. For the last two years, Fox has been nominated for the NASCAR Hall of Fame honors but came up short of votes on the final ballot. His grandson, Ray Fox III, remains in the sport as a Car Chief for Penske Racing. Fox most famously won the 1960 Daytona 500 with driver Junior Johnson wheeling the #27 Chevrolet.(Daytona Beach News Journal)(6-16-2014)
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