Editor's note: Ralph's daughter, June, has 8 scrapbooks full of this great look back at her father's involvement in the early days NASCAR.  Here's a "sneak preview" of some of that material.  This section will be an ongoing project, so be sure to check back for future additions.

Ralph accomplishments include being the VA NASCAR Sportsman Champion in the 1960's. One of the high points of his career in the early 60's was driving the Z-1 racer that was owned by Joe & Jesse Alcoke of New Bern, NC.

Ralph Earnhardt (Dale's father) was the original driver of the Z-1 car.  When he left to build his own car, the Alcoke brothers, along with Charles Laughinhouse, towed the car to the "Peanut City Speedway" in Suffolk, VA one Friday night.  

Ralph didn't have a ride and they didn't have a driver.  He drove it, won the race and they offered him the permanent job.  He looked down at his daughter and said "What do you think, June?"  She looked up and saw the name Ralph over the door and told him she thought it was meant to be.  They actually let him tow the car back to South Norfolk (now Chesapeake) so Ralph, who was 6'2", could take the seat out and weld it further back because Ralph Earnhardt was a shorter man. 

Lucky for us, Ralph's wife, Georgia "Tony" Rose, kept a record of that era in a collection of scrapbooks. Ralph's daughter, June, has been diligently looking after these scrapbooks and has generously offered to share them here in TVR.

What follows is an excellent look back into the early days of stock car racing.