The Passing of Cotton Owens

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

It is with my deepest sadness to report that Everett "Cotton" Owens has passed away at the age of 88 the morning of June 7, in his home after his long fight with cancer.  Owens, who was selected as a member of the 2013 NASCAR Hall of Fame class, was in such poor health that he was incapable of attending the Hall of Fame selection ceremony last month and watched from his home in South Carolina with his family.

Cotton Owens was a driver and car owner in the NASCAR Modified Series and, what is now, the Sprint Cup Series.  While driving, he won more than one hundred races and as an owner, his drivers included:  Ralph Earnhardt, Fireball Roberts, Buck Baker, David Pearson, Mario Andretti, and Junior Johnson.  

Our most sincere condolences go out to Cotton Owens' family and friends.  A statement from the Owens family:  “The family would like to express gratitude for the thoughts and prayers of precious friends and fans.  While Cotton was a racing legend with an incredible racing "family," we mourn the irreplaceable great granddad, granddad, father, uncle, brother-in-law and friend we have all lost. The family respectfully requests privacy at this difficult time.”