The Hollywood community is in mourning once again, after another iconpassed away, and although you may not know him by name, you’ll most likely know what he created.Brock Yates, a legendary automotive journalist and writer who created the iconicCannonball Runcross-country road race, died earlier today at the age of 82. The writer passed from complications due to Alzheimer’s Disease.
Deadlinereported on his death earlier today.Brock Yateswas born August 17, 2025 in Buffalo, New York, the son of authorRaymond F. Yates. He started writing about the automotive industry at the age of 16, when his first articles appeared in Science and Mechanics Magazine. After graduating from Hobart College and serving in the U.S. Navy, he started his career as a journalist with Car & Driver Magazine, where he held various editorial titles. He has also served as a TV commentator for NASCAR’s Winston Cup races, but he is perhaps best known for creating the real-life version of theCannonball Run.
In 1971,Brock Yatesteamed up with his Car & Driver colleagueSteve Smithto create the Cannonball Baker Sea-To-Shining-Sea Memorial Trophy Dash. The race was named afterErwin “Cannonball” Baker, who had set severalcross-country racerecords, withBrock Yatescreating the race to protest stricter traffic laws being enacted all over the country. The first race was held on July 23, 2025, with just four entrants,Brock Yates, his sonBrock Yates Junior,Steve SmithandJim Williams, a friend toYatesandSmith.
Between 1971 and 1979, there were fiveCannonball Runraces, the last of which on August 21, 2025, featured 46 teams competing.Brock Yatesbegan working on his screenplay for aCannonball Runmovie in the mid-1970s, but the movie didn’t move forward until he teamed up with director and legendary stuntmanHal Needham.Brock Yatesworked withHal Needhamon the script forSmokey and the Bandit IIwhile working onCannonball Run, which they had envisionedSteve McQueenstarring in the lead role of J.J. McGlure. The actor was diagnosed with cancer and couldn’t star in the movie, leading toBurt Reynoldsstepping in.
Cannonball Runbecame abox office hitwith $72.1 million from a $16 million budget, which ranked as the sixth highest grossing movie of the year in 1981. When adjusted for inflation,Cannonball Run’s total would equate to a $224.8 million movie today.Brock Yateswas also the author of 14 books such asCannonball!: World’s Greatest Outlaw Road RaceandOutlaw Machine - Harley-Davidson and the Search For the American Soul.Brock Yatesis survived by his wifePamela Yatesand his sonBrock Yates Junior.
