Ard, Sam
Name/Title
Ard, SamEntry/Object ID
2025.1.17Description
Sam Ard was a dominant force in NASCAR’s early Xfinity Series era, capturing back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984 before an injury ended his driving career. Born on February 14, 1939, in Pamplico, South Carolina, Ard was a short-track legend who transitioned into national prominence with the formation of the NASCAR Busch Series (now Xfinity Series). After finishing runner-up in the inaugural 1982 season, he won 10 races in 1983 and 8 more in 1984, becoming one of only two drivers in series history to win 10 or more races in a single season. He also earned the Most Popular Driver award in both championship years and was later named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023. Despite his success, Ard’s career was tragically cut short by a crash at Rockingham in 1984 that left him with a serious head injury, forcing his retirement from driving. He later became a car owner, fielding entries for drivers like Jimmy Hensley and Jay Fogelman. In his later years, Ard battled Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and his family received support from the racing community, including a $100,000 donation from Kyle Busch in 2008. Ard passed away on April 2, 2017, at the age of 78. His legacy remains as a gritty, self-made racer who built and raced his own cars, embodying the spirit of grassroots NASCAR competition For more details, check out these sources: NASCAR Hall of Fame Nominee Bio – NASCAR.com Legacy.driverdb.comCollection
Simeone - PhotographCategory
Race Car Drivers