Dean Malone

National Dirt Late Model Hall of Famer Larry Moore, the first three-time winner of the World 100 amid a legendary racing career, died early Thursday at a nursing facility in his native Dayton, Ohio, after an extended illness. The 81-year-old's passing was announced by the Hall of Fame, calling him “one of the greatest drivers to ever sit behind the wheel.”

A standard-bearer of drivers ushering in the era of modern Dirt Late Model racing, Moore was among the sport’s winningest racers in the 1970s and ‘80s, capturing Eldora Speedway’s prized World 100 in 1979, ’81 and ’85. Overall he made 12 starts in the prestigious event in Rossburg, Ohio, finishing on the podium in half of them.

He was also a 15-time starter of the Dirt Track World Championship, winning the Carl Short-promoted event in 1987 at Pennsboro (W.Va.) Speedway.

The 1980 champion on the National Dirt Racing Association stands as the second winningest NDRA driver with 18 victories.

Moore continued to competed successfully into the 1990s, winning a series-high seven events on the Short Track Auto Racing Stars circuit while finishing third in points in 1992. He captured STARS championships in 1985-86 and was the third winningest all-time driver on the circuit with 34 victories.

He was a 10-time winner in the early years of Florida Speedweeks, including six victories at the famed Volusia County Speedway, the last of those in 1987.