ESPN.com, citing a Virginia funeral home, reported that Pond died Wednesday. No cause of death was given.
MORE: Notable sports deaths of 2016
Pond competed in stock car racing’s top series from 1969 to 1989. He joined the circuit full time in 1973. In 234 career starts, Pond had one win (Talladega, 1978), 39 top fives and 88 top 10s.
He finished in the top 10 in the points standings twice: in 1976 (fifth) and 1978 (seventh).
The bulk of his driving success came in his native Virginia, where, according to NASCAR, he was a five-time late model champion.
The NASCAR community expressed its sorrow over Pond’s death:
