Fresno Body Works North

Top 5 List of Greatest Automotive Racing Families

In the world of car racing, there are some families that have become legends, by winning races and making money over the years. We looked closely at all of the second, third and even fourth-generation racing families out there over the years, and only the most successful ones made our top 5 list.

Here at Fresno Body Works North, we love automotive racing and we often watch it here in Fresno, CA on the weekend—either on TV or in person. So, here is our Top 5 List of Automotive Racing Families:

1.) The Andretti Family

Mario Andretti – The only person to win the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula One World Championship. 'Nuff said!

Michael Andretti – 42 wins in his career, including the CART IndyCar World Series championship in 1991. Owns Andretti Autosport in the IndyCar Series.

Jeff Andretti – Named Indy 500 Rookie of the Year and CART Rookie of the Year in 1991.

John Andretti – Mario's nephew and still waiting for his first victory

2.) The Earnhardt Family

Dale Earnhardt – AKA “The Intimidator,” this legend of the track captured seven championships, which ties him with Richard Petty as the best ever. He took the Daytona 500 in 1998 and was a four-time IROC champion before dying in a fluke accident on the final turn of the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500.

Dale Earnhardt, Jr. – Dale Sr.’s son is undoubtedly one of NASCAR’s most well-liked drivers for the past decade. He dominated to win the Daytona 500 in 2004; has 19 Sprint Cup wins and 23 Nationwide Series wins, including two series championship titles in both '98 and '99.

Ralph Lee Earnhardt – Dale Sr.’s father, and Junior’s grandfather is well-known as the first car builder and driver to use tire stagger in his race setup, as well as winning the NASCAR Sportsman Championship in 1956.

Kerry Earnhardt – Dale Sr.’s eldest son, raced in NASCAR’s truck, Nationwide, and Sprint Cup series for several years.

Jeffrey Earnhardt – Kerry’s son and Dale Sr.’s grandson has reached in 10 NASCAR truck series and six races in the Nationwide Series.

3.) The Petty Family

Richard Petty – AKA “The King," he won the NASCAR championship seven times and won more than 200 career wins, which is all-time record got the most victories ever in NASCAR. Many car racing critics and historians said that he is the finest stock car ever.

Lee Petty – Richard’s dad, who won the first Daytona 500 in 1959 and was a three-time NASCAR champion.

Kyle Petty – Richard’s son who has not shared the on-track achievements of his father or grandfather, but has been very popular because of the Petty name and also because he’s known as one of the finest people in motorsports.

Adam Petty – Richard's great grandson, was tragically killed at age 19 when he flipped his vehicle while doing practice laps for a NASCAR Nationwide race. He was the first known fourth-generation driver in American motorsports.

4.) The Foyt Family

A.J. Foyt – Well-known as the undisputed “King of Indy” Foyt is a member of literally every motorsports hall of fame in existence. He won four Indy 500 races, a Daytona 500 win, big wins at the 24 Hours of Daytona, and another at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as being a two-time IROC champion and the all-time leader in USAC racing.

Larry Foyt – A.J.’s youngest son, who had several short stints in NASCAR and IndyCar. He is also the Team Director for A.J. Foyt Racing, one of the winningest in the country.

A.J. Foyt IV – A.J.’s grandson, was the youngest person ever to race the Indy 500 as a 19-year-old. This younger Foyt was active in both NASCAR’s Nationwide Series and the IndyCar series between for six years starting in 2009.

5.) The Force Family

John Force – He has captured the NHRA Funny Car championship 15 times as a driver and 17 times as an owner over roughly two decades. All of his three daughters have raced for his team at one point or another.

Ashley Force-Hood -- John's 29-year-old daughter who has a Funny Car victory to her credit, becoming the very first woman to win in that coveted class.

Brittany Force – Races Top Fuel and Top Alcohol dragsters.

Courtney Force – The youngest of Force's daughters, she is a full-time NHRA Funny Car driver with already a Wally to her credit.

Sources: Wikipedia, About.com and Sports Illustrated