Ralph Earnhardt

Though never a champion in NASCAR's Cup Series division, Ralph Earnhardt was a driver of extraordinary talent. An acknowledged master of North Carolina short tracks, Earnhardt raced sparingly in NASCAR's elite division during his 23-year career. He won NASCAR's Sportsman Division championship in 1956 and in 1961 posted seven top-10 finishes in eight starts in the NASCAR Cup Series division -- good for 17th in the point standings.

He died suddenly on Sept. 26, 1973, while working on a racecar in his shop.

In 1989, Earnhardt was inducted into the National Motorsports Press Association's Hall of Fame at Darlington Raceway. He was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Ala., in 1997.