Earle Samuel Canavan (December 5, 1937 – February 9, 2016) was an American racing driver from

Fort Johnson Fort Polk, formerly Fort Johnson, is a United States Army installation located in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, about 10 miles (15 km) east of Leesville, Louisiana, Leesville and 30 miles (50 km) north of DeRid ...

, New York. Canavan immigrated to the United States from Northern Ireland in 1951. Always interested in racing and speed, he admired Malcolm Campbell and his land speed record car, "The Bluebird". Canavan built his first gas hot rod during high school. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army, serving his time at Fort Dix, New Jersey. After service and upon completing his gas rodder, Earle headed to California to compete in NHRA and IHRA events. As his interest in drag racing increased, he built the only Lincoln-powered AA/Fuel dragster, "The President Lincoln" and competed in National events and exhibitions. Preparing for entering oval track racing, Canavan became an independent competitor on the SCCA and FIA circuit with an American Motors Javelin. Canavan participated in

NASCAR The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in ...

Winston Cup The NASCAR Cup Series is the top racing series of the NASCAR, National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR), the most prestigious stock car racing series in the United States. The series began in 1949 as the Strictly Stock Division, ...

part-time from 1969 to 1986. His best points result came in 1975 when he drove in 12 of the 30 races and finished 32nd in points. Canavan was an owner-driver, fielding his own car. He also attempted to qualify for the

Indianapolis 500 The Indianapolis 500, formally known as the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, and commonly shortened to Indy 500, is an annual automobile race held at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana, United States, an enclave suburb of Indian ...

in 1979 but failed to make the race. He filed another entry for the race in 1981 but it was declined due to his lack of experience in open-wheel cars.Earle Canavan
''Champ Car Stats'', Retrieved 2010-07-29 After his on track career, Canavan enjoyed building hot rods. He also manufactured aftermarket auto parts. working with his own new designs and special compounds. Canavan was married to Elizabeth (Betty), since 1965. They had three daughters: Tracy Wager, Heather Gilbert and April Simmons.

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

( key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. ''Italics'' – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Grand National Series

Winston Cup Series

=Daytona 500

Winston West Series

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Canavan, Earle 1937 births 2016 deaths NASCAR drivers People from Montgomery County, New York Racing drivers from New York (state) Sportspeople from Portadown Racing drivers from Northern Ireland