NASCAR legend Fred Lorenzen first driver diagnosed with CTE

NBC12 reported that Fred Lorenzen, a renowned NASCAR driver, was officially diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) after his death in 2024 at age 89. The Concussion and CTE Foundation announced Lorenzen had stage 3 CTE and had lived with dementia for 20 years prior to his passing.

According to NBC12, Lorenzen’s brain was studied at Boston University following his death, confirming the diagnosis. Lorenzen had pledged in 2016 to donate his brain for research, a commitment also made by Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Lorenzen’s family has contributed about $1 million to the Concussion and CTE Foundation to support further research and established the Fred Lorenzen Memorial Helpline to assist drivers and families with care navigation and support.

NBC12 also reported that Lorenzen’s family reached out to NASCAR to collaborate on CTE research, but NASCAR declined to participate. Lorenzen’s family expressed hope that their efforts will help other drivers and families affected by the disease.