Sam Ard
Encyclopedia
Sam Ard is a former NASCAR
driver.
Ard was the runner-up in 1982 of NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman Series (which eventually became the NASCAR Nationwide Series), and followed up his run with back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984. He won a total of 22 races and 24 pole positions in the series during his career in this division, and set a record for the most wins in a single season in Late Model Sportsman Series competition with 10 race victories. Ard retired after being seriously injured in a crash at the North Carolina Speedway
on October 20, 1984.
He made his first and only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on September 23, 1984 at Martinsville. He started 27th in the 31-car field, but lasted just one lap before a steering failure ended his day.
After retiring as a driver, Ard became an owner, fielding cars for Jimmy Hensley
, Ed Berrier
, and Jay Fogelman, among others.
Ard is currently battling Alzheimer's Disease
and Parkinson's Disease
. His family often receives donations and aid from the racing community to help him. In 2006, Sprint Cup Series drivers Kevin Harvick
and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
led a charge to donate a substantial amount of funds for the care of Ard and his family. After tying Ard's Nationwide Series single-season victory record in 2010, Kyle Busch
announced that he would give $100,000 to aid Ard's family with his care and mounting medical expenses in his honor.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver.
Ard was the runner-up in 1982 of NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman Series (which eventually became the NASCAR Nationwide Series), and followed up his run with back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984. He won a total of 22 races and 24 pole positions in the series during his career in this division, and set a record for the most wins in a single season in Late Model Sportsman Series competition with 10 race victories. Ard retired after being seriously injured in a crash at the North Carolina Speedway
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
on October 20, 1984.
He made his first and only NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start on September 23, 1984 at Martinsville. He started 27th in the 31-car field, but lasted just one lap before a steering failure ended his day.
After retiring as a driver, Ard became an owner, fielding cars for Jimmy Hensley
Jimmy Hensley
Jimmy Hensley is a former NASCAR driver. With a career spanning 27 seasons in all three of NASCAR's elite divisions, Hensley may be best remembered for his Rookie of the Year award won in 1992, his 15th season in the series, and for his nine career Busch Series wins. He spent most of his career...
, Ed Berrier
Ed Berrier
Ed Berrier is a second-generation NASCAR driver. His father Max Berrier competed in seven Grand National races over four years, and won 125 feature races as a modified driver...
, and Jay Fogelman, among others.
Ard is currently battling Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
and Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
. His family often receives donations and aid from the racing community to help him. In 2006, Sprint Cup Series drivers Kevin Harvick
Kevin Harvick
Kevin Michael Harvick is an American stock car auto racing race car driver and car owner currently competing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing, driving the No. 29 Budweiser/Jimmy John's/Rheem/Okuma/Realtree Outdoors/Bad Boy Buggies Chevrolet Impala...
and Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
Dale Earnhardt, Jr.
* NOTE: References to "Earnhardt", "he", and "him" refer to the subject of this article, unless otherwise specified. References to his father will include "Sr."...
led a charge to donate a substantial amount of funds for the care of Ard and his family. After tying Ard's Nationwide Series single-season victory record in 2010, Kyle Busch
Kyle Busch
Kyle Thomas Busch, is an American NASCAR driver and team owner. He currently drives the No. 18 Mars/Interstate Batteries Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs Racing in the Sprint Cup Series, the No. 18 Z-Line Designs/NOS Energy Drink Toyota Camry for Joe Gibbs in the Nationwide Series, and the No...
announced that he would give $100,000 to aid Ard's family with his care and mounting medical expenses in his honor.
External links
- Career statistics at racing-reference.info
- NASCAR Budweiser/Busch Late Model Sportsman Series Win List at The Crittenden Automotive Library
- http://www.samard.com/html/bio.html