Martha Earnhardt, Matriarch Of Racing Family, Dies At 91

KANNAPOLIS, N.C. — Martha Earnhardt, the matriarch of one of NASCARโ€™s best-known families, has died. She was 91.

Grandchildren Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller said in a statement that she died Saturday night.

Martha Earnhardt was married to Ralph Earnhardt from 1947 until the NASCAR driverโ€™s death.

Her son, the late Dale Earnhardt Sr., was a seven-time NASCAR champion and father of of Dale Jr. and Kelley.

Martha and Ralph Earnhardt raised five children โ€” daughters Kaye and Cathy and the three sons โ€” in a modest home with an auto shop in the back at the corner of V-8 and Sedan Avenue in Kannapolisโ€™ โ€œCar Hillโ€ community.

Danny died two weeks ago at age 66.