Ralph and Dale
Sam Ard Bio
Sam Ard is a former NASCAR race car driver and was the champion of NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman Series (the series that would eventually become the Nationwide Series) in 1983 and 1984, was runner-up in 1982, and won a total of 22 races and 24 pole positions in the series during his career. 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 Bristol. He started 27th in the 31-car field, but lasted just one lap before a steering failure took place.
After retiring as a driver, Ard became an owner, fielding cars for Jimmy Hensley and Jay Fogelman, among others.
He is currently battling Alzheimer's Disease. Sprint Cup driver Kyle Busch donated his race winnings of $100,000 in Nov. 2008 to aid Sam's family with his care and mounting medical expenses.
