Ralph Lee Earnhardt (February 23, 1928 – September 26, 1973) was an American stock car racer. He was the father of 7 time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt, grandfather of Kerry Earnhardt, Kelley Earnhardt Miller, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Taylor Earnhardt Putnam and great grandfather of Bobby Dale Earnhardt and Jeffrey Earnhardt. Earnhardt helped give Bobby Isaac his start in racing.