Proving that it is never to late to live your authentic life, racing-legend Hurley Haywood has come out as gay at the age of 69. The announcement comes from the racer’s autobiography that describes the man’s life—from his upbringing to how he won the Rolex 24 at Daytona five times.

Haywood tells the story of how his interaction with a high school reporter who was bullied so bad that suicide crossed his mind that he knew he should come out.

“I said, ‘listen, it’s not what you are, it’s who you are,'” he told the teen. “That’s what people remember.”

After finding out that he saved the boy’s life he said: “And I thought, if my voice is strong enough to help one kid, it might help two kids, or five, or a 100.”

While his sexuality wasn’t exactly hidden within the racing community, he is glad the public now knows and he can live freely.

His book comes out this spring.