| Ralph Earnhardt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Ralph Lee Earnhardt February 23, 1928 Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||
| Died | September 26, 1973 (aged 45) Kannapolis, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||
| Achievements | 1956 Sportsman Division Champion 1959 Limited Sportsman Champion 1960 Limited Sportsman Champion | ||||||
| Awards | National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame (1989) International Motorsports Hall of Fame (1997) Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) Oceanside Rotary Club of Daytona Beach Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame (2004) National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame (2007)[1] Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023) | ||||||
| NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
| 51 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 17th (1961) | ||||||
| First race | 1956 Buddy Shuman 250 (Hickory) | ||||||
| Last race | 1964 Race No. 29 (Concord) | ||||||
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Ralph Lee Earnhardt (February 23, 1928 – September 26, 1973) was an American stock car racer and patriarch of the Earnhardt racing family. He was the father of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, grandfather of Kerry Earnhardt, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and Dale Earnhardt Jr..
Earnhardt is considered one of NASCAR's all-time winningest drivers with over 350 NASCAR-sanctioned victories.[2] In addition to his driving accomplishments, he served as a mentor to other racers of his time. A skilled craftsman, he built cars and engines for his competitors and served as a teammate and mentor to future NASCAR Hall of Famer, Bobby Isaac.[3]