Fans of former Winston Cup Series driver Cale Yarborough are sending prayers as it has emerged the NASCAR legend has fallen ill and is 'not doing well'.
John Dodson, VP of business alliances and NASCAR at Universal Technical Institute, took to Twitter to confirm that Yarborough, 84, was sick and share warm wishes for Cale and his family.
He wrote: 'The toughest race car driver I ever worked for is not doing well. Please keep Cale Yarborough in your prayers.
'The Yarbrough [sic] family has asked for no phone calls or visits for now. Praying for Cale and the family.'
Little has been reported on the details of Yarborough's condition.
Cale Yarborough at the 1978 Pocono 500 / NASCAR Winston Cup Series Coca-Cola 500 at Pocono Raceway
Cale Yarborough, pictured here in 1977, won both events at Martinsville Speedway for the 1977 season, driving for the Junior Johnson team
John Dodson took to Twitter yesterday to confirm that Yarborough, 84, was 'not doing well'
Fans used the social media platform to share their memories of the historic NASCAR driver and his triumphs over the years.
How Cale Yarborough is a NASCAR legend
NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough is regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the sport's history, winning record titles in his career spanning 1957 to 1988.
He became the second driver in NASCAR history to win three consecutive titles in the NASCAR Cup Series, winning in 1976, '77 and '78.
Through his career, Yarborough won a total of 83 Cup Series races - tying him sixth on the all-time wins list.
He won the prestigious Daytona 500 four times, in 1968, '77, '83 and '84.
Finally, in 2012, Yarborough was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in recognition of his achievements and contributions to the sport.
<!- - ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/news/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 - ->AdvertisementUser Trey Ryan wrote: 'With Cale in all of our thoughts here’s a good reminder than no one has led more laps in the Modern Era than Cale Yarborough, and likely nobody ever will.
'Cale led 27,243 of his 102,924 laps in the Modern Era, an incredible 26.5%.'
A keen 'NASCAR weekend warrior' account, @wrangler3chevy, wrote: 'Cale Yarborough one of the best wheelman ever...
'Thoughts and prayers go out to The Yarborough family as Cale is very ill.'
NASCAR enthusiast @smylemedia wrote on Twitter: 'Heard this morning that Cale Yarborough is ill.
'Prayers for one of the toughest racers to ever grip a steering wheel.
'Hang in [there] buddy!'
Fans on Reddit shared a post, reportedly from Cale's daughter, now unavailable, saying that Yarborough was sick.
The post appeared to say that he 'appreciates all of your support' and asked people to refrain from visits and phone calls.
User HenryJBemis wrote a tribute: 'Sorry to hear that. One of the absolute legends of this sport and one of those few people who are on a NASCAR Mount Rushmore to me.
'Drove and was among the very best at the most dangerous and tough time of the sport. Seeing your heroes get old and have health issues like this sucks.
'Definitely praying for Cale and his family right now. They don’t make them like that anymore and when they’re gone our world is a worse place.'
NASCAR driver Cale Yarborough sits in his race car prior to the start of the 1986 Pepsi Firecracker 400 stock car race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida
Fans shared tributes on Twitter for Yarborough, reported to be in ill health
Users wrote tributes on socials for the driver who won three consecutive Cup Series titles
Reddit users shared their support for Cale Yarborough in response to initial reports he was ill
Yarborough was born on 27 March 1939 in Timmonsville, South Carolina.
He played semi-professional football, a halfback in high-school, and was eventually offered a tryout with the Washington Redskins.
Yarborough began driving stock cars in the early 1960s and won four NASCAR races in 1968, propelling him towards major titles through the 1970s.
He married Betty Jo Thigpen in 1961, with whom he has three daughters - Julie, Kelley and B.J.
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