Earle Canavan

Earle Samuel Canavan (December 5, 1937 – February 9, 2016) was an American racing driver from Fort Johnson, 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 the NASCAR Winston Cup Series 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.

Canavan also attempted to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 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.

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) in 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 NASCAR Grand National Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 Pts Ref 1969 Canavan Racing 31 AMC MGR MGY RSD DAY DAY DAY CAR AUG BRI ATL CLB HCY GPS RCH NWS MAR AWS DAR BLV LGY CLT MGR SMR MCH KPT GPS NCF DAY DOV TPN TRN BLV BRI NSV SMR ATL MCH SBO BGS AWS DAR HCY RCH TAL26 CLB MAR NWS CLT SVH AUG CAR JFC MGR TWS NA 0 1971 Canavan Racing 01 Plymouth RSD DAY DAY DAY ONT RCH CAR HCY BRI ATL CLB GPS SMR NWS MAR DAR SBO TAL ASH KPT CLT DOV MCH RSD HOU GPS DAY BRI AST ISP TRN NSV ATL BGS ONA MCH TAL CLB HCY DARDNQ CLT33 DOV CAR MGR30 RCH NWS29 TWS34 63rd 213 Chevy MAR29

Winston Cup Series NASCAR Winston Cup Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Pts Ref 1972 Canavan Racing 41 Plymouth RSD DAY RCH ONT42 CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR 62nd 755.5 01 TALDNQ CLT DOV35 MCH RSD TWS DAY BRI TRN32 ATL TAL MCH39 NSV DAR RCH DOV15 MAR NWS TWS42 Chevy CLT31 CAR 1973 Plymouth RSD DAYDNQ RCH CAR BRI ATL22 NWS DAR12 MAR TAL NSV CLT DOV34 TWS RSD MCH12 DAY BRI ATL TAL NSV DAR RCH DOV24 NWS MAR CLT CAR 41st 1144.7 1974 RSD DAYDNQ RCH CAR BRI ATL DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV16 CLT RSD MCH DAY BRI NSV ATL POC14 TAL MCH15 DAR23 RCH DOV17 NWS MAR CLT CAR ONT30 46th 34.92 1975 RSD DAY RCH13 NWS25 DAR17 MAR 32nd 1062 Dodge CAR31 BRI23 ATL TAL17 NSV17 DOV34 CLT RSD MCH DAY NSV POC29 TAL MCH32 DAR35 DOV25 NWS MAR CLT RCH CAR BRI ATL ONT 1976 RSD DAYDNQ CAR RCH18 BRI17 ATL NWS DAR19 MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT RSD MCH34 DAY NSV POC36 TAL MCH BRI DAR29 RCH DOV24 MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL ONTDNQ 43rd 610 1977 RSD DAY RCH CAR ATL NWS DAR36 BRI MAR TAL NSV DOV23 CLT RSD MCH DAY NSV POC35 TAL MCH36 BRI DAR23 RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL 57th 301 10 ONTDNQ 1978 01 RSD DAYDNQ RCH24 CAR24 ATL BRI DAR22 NWS MAR TAL DOV20 CLT NSV RSD MCH33 DAY NSV POC TAL31 MCH32 BRI DAR39 RCH DOV16 MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL ONTDNQ 42nd 559 1979 RSD DAY CAR RCH ATL NWS BRI DAR35 MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT TWS18 RSD MCH DAY NSV POC27 TAL MCH34 BRI DAR39 RCH22 DOV33 MAR CLT NWS CAR ATL ONT 41st 456 1982 Canavan Racing 13 Olds DAY RCH BRI ATL CAR DAR NWS MAR TAL NSV DOV CLT POC RSD MCH DAY NSV POC TAL MCH37 BRI 102nd - Buick DAR39 RCH DOV NWS CLT MAR CAR ATL RSD 1985 Canavan Racing 01 Olds DAY RCH CAR ATL BRI DAR NWS MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV36 MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 91st 55 1986 Pontiac DAY RCH CAR32 ATL BRIDNQ DARDNQ NWSDNQ MAR TAL DOV CLT RSD POC MCH DAY POC TAL GLN MCH BRI DAR RCH DOV MAR NWS CLT CAR ATL RSD 114th 67

Daytona 500 Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish 1973 Canavan Racing Plymouth DNQ 1974 DNQ 1976 Canavan Racing Dodge DNQ 1978 Canavan Racing Dodge DNQ

Winston West Series NASCAR Winston West Series results Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Pts Ref 1976 Canavan Racing 01 Dodge RSD RSD EVG WSP USP POR SHA SGS EVG YAK POR LAG ONTDNQ NA - 1977 10 RSD LAG ONT SJS MMR ASP RSD SGS YAK EVG WSP USP POR AAS CRS ASP SHA POR ONTDNQ PHO NA - 1978 01 RSD AAS S99 SHA PET MMR RSD IFS YAK WSP LSP EVG POR CRS ASP SON SHA CBS YAK OSS ONTDNQ NA 35 07 PHO16 1979 21 Dodge RSD MMR RSD EVG YAK POR AAS SHA CRS SON EVG SRP POR ASP ONT PHO21 NA 30 1982 Canavan Racing 13 Buick MMR S99 AAS RSD POR WSP SHA EVG SON CDR RSD RSD PHO25 NA 26 1983 59 Buick S99 SON RSD YAK EVG SHA RSD CPL18 RSD PHO NA 33