“Absolute disgrace Bill Rexford isn’t included on here” – NASCAR Twitter reacts as Sam Ard is inducted into the 75 Greatest Drivers list 

Sam Ard won the Busch Series Most Popular driver award in 1983 and 1984.

“Absolute disgrace Bill Rexford isn’t included on here” – NASCAR Twitter reacts as Sam Ard is inducted into the 75 Greatest Drivers list 

Sam Ard. Image via Fox Sports.

During NASCAR’s 50th anniversary in 1998, they revealed a list of 50 Greatest Drivers. To mark their 75th-anniversary celebration, NASCAR decided to add 25 names to the “Greatest Drivers” list. The latest addition is Sam Ard, who had massive success in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. If not for Ard’s accident in 1984, he would have collected more wins in the series. 

However, the Xfinity legend earned a spot among NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers. In the 1970s, Ard won plenty of Late Model races. It was organized several times a week, but unfortunately, they did not document the records. Later on, NASCAR shaped the Late Models, and it was held once a weekend. In 1982 it became a well-established touring series, and Sam Ard had a blast. He kept winning the races. There was no stopping him. 

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Sam Ard ran 92 races over three years in the Xfinity Series. In a short period, he won 22 races and 24 pole positions. The North Carolina native also had 79 top-ten finishes. In 1982, Ard was behind the iconic Late Model and Xfinity driver Jack Ingram. But he won the series championship in 1983 and 1984 while driving for Thomas Brothers Racing in the No.00 Oldsmobiles. 

Related: “The whiniest driver ever in NASCAR,” Fans react as Kyle Busch is named to the list of 75 greatest drivers ever

Here is how the fans reacted to Sam Ard’s induction

Sam Ard. Image via Racing One.
Sam Ard. Image via Racing One.

In late 1984, Ard sustained head injuries at an Xfinity race in North Carolina. That was the last time the world witnessed the legend race. He was 45 years old and had more to offer. Though he retired, he earned a name for himself.  Ard became a car owner after his retirement and fielded cars from 1987 to 1992 for five years. He won twice with his former rival Jimmy Hensley and once with “The Mayor” Jeff Burton. 

The NASCAR fans have reacted as Sam Ard was named to the 75 Greatest Drivers list. “I think this was the one that die-hard NASCAR fans really wanted to make sure got his recognition. Well done,” “FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THE BUILDER OF THE XFINITY SERIES,” “Announce Cindric or we riot,” “Oh thank God, I thought he was gonna get snubbed,” and “Well deserved! Now put this man in the HOF” were some of the reactions. Take a look at more below. 

Sam Ard is considered a legend in the Xfinity Series for the right reasons. Out of his 92 career starts, he led 59 races. His notable wins were at NASCAR Cup Series Venues. Ard had five wins in Martinsville Speedway, two in North Wilkesboro, and the Richmond Raceway. Ard was the Busch Series champion in 1983 and 1984. He died from Parkinson’s in 2017 at the age of 78. 

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