Overview
- Researchers at Boston University’s CTE Center diagnosed Lorenzen with Stage 3 chronic traumatic encephalopathy after analysis of brain tissue he donated in 2016.
- The Concussion & CTE Foundation and Lorenzen’s family publicly shared the finding on Oct. 20, 2026, making him the first known NASCAR driver with an official CTE diagnosis.
- Lorenzen’s children committed $1 million to the Concussion & CTE Foundation and launched the Fred Lorenzen Memorial HelpLine to connect current and former drivers and their families with care navigation.
- Experts say the diagnosis is an important research milestone but cannot show how common CTE is in motorsports because the disease can only be confirmed after death and more donated brains are needed.
- The family says it has discussed the initiative with NASCAR but that the organization has not announced a financial commitment, raising questions about the sport’s role in funding research and long-term care.