Losing a close one is never easy, especially when they have been so close to you that they are practically family. Dale Earnhardt Jr and the NASCAR community lost a legend yesterday and although it was not due to a gnarly accident, the pain of the loss is ever so felt. Yesterday, Walter Ballard’s passing impacted many NASCAR fans who went from having a normal day to mourning.

Former NASCAR star, and hard-working team owner, Walter Ballard is a name synonymous with the early days of stock car racing. Ballard, originally from Foley, Alabama, may have started his racing journey a little later than some, but he left an unforgettable mark. Known for his fearless style and rugged grit, Ballard’s career kicked off in earnest with his first big race at Darlington’s 1966 Rebel 400.

Although Ballard has left for heaven, there hasn’t been an official statement as to how he passed away. Everything known so far is from Dale Earnhardt Jr. sharing a post about the legend on X and fans following. Although Ballard is not a familiar name to many modern NASCAR fans, his impact on the sport can never be overseen. On the day of his passing, many fans came together to share kind words about the late driver, as his illustrious career has inspired many future generations.

Over nine years, Ballard’s career saw him compete in 176 races, notching 34 top-10 finishes and 4 top-5s. His best season came in 1972, where he finished sixth overall and had a close call at Daytona—where his car went airborne over Buddy Baker’s on the front stretch wall. It was classic Ballard: fearless, resilient, and back on his feet after an intense race day. But he wasn’t just about the thrill of competition. In 1979, he launched an auto repair business with his sons, building it into a staple of the Charlotte community before retiring in 2005.

After his wife, Katy, passed in 2019, Ballard leaned on the family, including his three sons, Daniel, Stoney, and Clint. For Dale Earnhardt Jr. and countless NASCAR fans, Ballard’s passing marks the end of an era—a time when racing was raw, unfiltered, and driven by pure love for the sport—and here is what they had to say about his passing.

Fans share a tribute for Walter Ballard on the day of his passing

One fan’s comment: “Nobody said anything so I will. The man who owned this car passed away yesterday, Walter Ballard. Rip Mr. Ballard” captured the mood of fans feeling compelled to honor his legacy. Although it’s been years since Ballard retired from NASCAR, it was a rallying call to remember the quiet strength and presence Ballard brought to the sport.

Another fan’s heartfelt message, “Walter Ballard has passed away. Thoughts and prayers to the Ballard family,” resonated with many, showing the community’s compassion and support for Ballard’s loved ones in this time of loss.

In a nostalgic comment, a fan reminisced, “First Rookie of the Year under the Winston banner,” highlighting Ballard’s place in NASCAR history. This first Winston Rookie of the Year accolade marked the start of the sport’s legendary Winston era, a reminder of Ballard’s foundational role during an era that shaped NASCAR as we know it.

Fans with family ties to NASCAR’s “independents”—the self-reliant, hard-working racers from stock car racing’s early days—expressed a deeper sense of loss. One comment read, “Sad indeed. My family was part of those great days of the independents. We worked with David Sisco. Another unsung hero of NASCAR’s history gone. #RIPWalter.” As the years go by, the world will lose some legends, but although they are gone, they will not be forgotten.

One particularly moving memory recalled a 1975 moment at Talladega: “I watched an injured Walter Ballard limp over to help Terry Link out of his smoldering Pontiac… along with two spectators that came out of the grandstand.” This memory brought fans back to a time when courage defined racing, reminding everyone of Ballard’s bravery, not only as a racer but as a person willing to help others at any cost.

With that said, did you know about Walter Ballard’s legacy or passing? Feel free to drop regards for the late legend in the comments section below.