Ozzy Osbourne\u2019s connection to motorsports created unique and memorable intersections between the roar of engines and the roar of crowds singing along to his songs, right from Birmingham\u2019s Villa Park to race weekends across the U.S. Remember back in 2017 when he and the nationally acclaimed sports talk radio and TV personality Jim Rome held the honorary positions for Sunday\u2019s O\u2019Reilly Auto Parts 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway?<\/p>\n
Ozzy, along with his son Jack, gave the command, \u201cDrivers To Your Cars,\u201d and rode in one of the official Chevy SS pace cars that led the field to the green flag for the start of the race. Not only that, he was a frequent visitor to the NASCAR races. Fans hearing his iconic songs as drivers took to the track or racers speaking of the energy Ozzy brought to events capture a side of the legend that was as vibrant as his stage presence. And now, as \u2018The Prince of Darkness\u2019 transcends from among us, grief looms heavy among his family and friends.<\/p>\n
On July 22, 2025, an era ended. He passed away at the age of 76 just weeks after his farewell show. Back in 2020, the gloomy lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath, often clad in black, revealed that he was suffering from Parkinson\u2019s disease. The diagnosis of this nervous system disorder that affects movement came after a fall in 2019. Owing to this, he had to cancel tour dates, but that didn\u2019t stop him from acknowledging the fact that he missed his fans and wanted to get back to performing.<\/p>\n
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Fast forward to 2025, and he performed his last-ever live performance in front of some 40,000 fans at Villa Park soccer stadium in their home city of Birmingham, central England. His farewell, marked by emotional ballads like \u2018Mama, I\u2019m Coming Home,\u2019 served as a powerful reminder of the man behind the myth. And for the fans who witnessed this spectacle of him singing from a black throne that rose up from under the stage, described it as \u201cnothing short of a blessing.\u201d But now they are in mourning, remembering the hard-rock royalty.<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cIt is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,\u201d a family statement from Birmingham, England, said.<\/p>\n Known as the godfather of heavy metal, Ozzy\u2019s energy and raw power of heavy metal music paralleled the thrill of motorsport. His song \u2018Crazy Train\u2019 became a staple walk-up song for many athletes, like Atlanta Braves legend Chipper Jones, who famously recounted the playful tension the song caused with opposing players during games.<\/p>\n Even figures like Kenny Wallace highlighted Ozzy\u2019s presence and enthusiasm for the sport, with stories from media days and race weekends underscoring his genuine passion. The fusion of Ozzy\u2019s heavy metal legacy and motorsports was symbolically celebrated in special moments, such as the tribute livery for Felix Rosenqvist\u2019s #60 Honda in the IndyCar race at Mid-Ohio, which paid homage to Osbourne\u2019s influence on and off the track.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t wait to represent Ozzy and Ozzy\u2019s Boneyard at Mid-Ohio. The livery is totally different than anything we have ever done before, and having Ozzy on the car literally, his face is on the car, will be pretty epic.\u201d Rosenqvist said, highlighting the significance of representing Ozzy in the racing community.<\/p>\n Now, as the saddening news hit, condolences poured in for him and his family.<\/p>\n Fan and community reaction<\/p>\n