NASCAR Hall of Famer and World War II veteran Bud Moore has died at the age of 92.
NASCAR announced his death Tuesday but did not give any details. Moore lived in Spartanburg.
Moore, a veteran of World War II, was awarded five Purple Hearts and two Bronze Stars.
He joined the military in 1943 as a machine gunner. He was assigned to the 90th Infantry Division, which landed on Utah Beach in France on D-Day. His unit was attached to General George W. Patton's "Third Army," which pushed to liberate Europe.
Moore won the NASCAR title in 1957 as crew chief for Buck Baker and car owner titles in 1962 and 1963 with Joe Weatherly.
Dale Earnhardt raced for him early on, as did Ricky Rudd and Morgan Shepherd.
He was known as an innovator for racing safety. Moore developed a device, the jockey strap, that went under the seat and helped keep the seat belts in place He was one of the first to install a window net on the driver’s side door. Moore also helped develop the safety check valve in the fuel tank.
"Bud left an indelible mark on NASCAR. We are humbled that he considers his crowning achievement as his induction in the second class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, one out of our first 10 inductees," said Winston Kelley, the Hall's executive director.
“Many choose the word ‘hero’ when describing athletes who accomplish otherworldly sporting feats. Oftentimes, it’s an exaggeration. But when detailing the life of the great Bud Moore, it’s a description that fits perfectly,” NASCAR Chairman Brian France said in a statement.
Moore is survived by sons Darryl, Brent and Greg and their families; six grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers; and a sister. He was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Betty Clark Moore, three other brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday at Floyd’s Greenlawn Chapel, 2075 E. Main St. in Spartanburg.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church North Spartanburg, 8740 Asheville Highway, by The Rev. James L. Oliver, Mr. Winston Kelley, and Mr. Mike Helton. Entombment, with military rites, will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Complex, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Victory Junction Gang Camp, 4500 Adam’s Way, Randleman, N.C., 27317; Wounded Warrior Project, 4899 Belfort Road, Suite 300, Jacksonville, Fla.; or Hearing Charities of America, Hearing Aid Project, 1912 E. Meyer Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. 64132.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.