| Born | February 23, 1928 | ||||||
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| Hometown | Kannapolis, North Carolina | ||||||
| Died | September 26, 1973 (aged 45) | ||||||
| Cause of death | Heart attack | ||||||
| Awards | 1956 NASCAR Sportsman champion
1989 inductee in the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame 1997 International Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee 1998 Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers 2004 inductee in the Oceanside Rotary Club of Daytona Beach Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame 2007 inductee in the National Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame [1] |
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| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series statistics | |||||||
| 51 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| Best cup position | 17th - 1961 (Grand National) | ||||||
| First race | 1956 Buddy Shuman 250 (Hickory) | ||||||
| Last race | 1964 unnamed race (Concord) | ||||||
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Ralph Lee Earnhardt (February 23, 1928—September 26, 1973) was a NASCAR racing legend. He was the father of Dale Earnhardt, the grandfather of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and Kerry Earnhardt, and great grandfather of Jeffrey Earnhardt.
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Ralph was born in Kannapolis, North Carolina to Effie Mae Barber and John Henderson Earnhardt.[2] He spent many years working in a cotton mill in North Carolina. One of the only ways out of this poor living was racing. Ralph started his racing career on dirt tracks where he was famous for keeping his car in top condition throughout each race. Ralph died of a heart attack in the garage working on his car. Shortly after Dale Earnhardt, Sr. found him lying on the garage floor.
In 1956, he won the NASCAR Sportsman Championship. He had a second place finish in his first Grand National (now Sprint Cup) race in 1956. In 1961, Ralph had his highest finish by finishing 17th in the Grand National point standings.
Ralph Earnhardt was the first car builder/driver to understand and use tire stagger. [3]
Ralph Earnhardt died at the age of 45 on September 26, 1973 from a heart attack in his garage and was found by his son Dale. [4]
In the film 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story, Ralph Earnhardt was portrayed by J. K. Simmons.
   | Biography at the Daytona Beach Stockcar Hall of Fame - Stock Car Racing Hall of Fame |
| | Biography - Ralph Earnhardt - International Motorsports Hall of Fame Member |
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