Earle Canavan

{{short description|American racing driver (1937–2016)}} {{sources needed|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox NASCAR driver |name = Earle Canavan |image = |birth_date = {{birth date|1937|12|5}} |birth_place = Portadown, Northern Ireland |death_date = {{death date and age|2016|2|9|1937|12|5}} |Years_In_Cup = 13 |Total_Cup_Races = 68 |Best_Cup_Pos = 32nd (1975) |Cup_Wins = 0 |Cup_Top_Tens = 0 |Cup_Poles = 0 |First_Cup_Race = 1969 Talladega 500 (Talladega) |Last_Cup_Race = 1986 Goodwrench 500 (Rockingham) |First_Cup_Win = |Last_Cup_Win = |awards = |updated = July 29, 2010 |Total_ARCA_West_Races=4|Years_In_ARCA_West=4|Best_ARCA_West_Pos=N/A|First_ARCA_West_Race=1978 Arizona NAPA 250 (Phoenix)|Last_ARCA_West_Race=1983 Coors 200 (Caesars Palae)|ARCA_West_Wins=0|ARCA_West_Top_Tens=0|ARCA_West_Poles=0}} '''Earle Samuel Canavan''' (December 5, 1937 – February 9, 2016) was an American racing driver from Fort Johnson, New York.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dailygazette/obituary.aspx?n=samuel-canavan&pid=180844811|title=Earle Canavan – Obituary|work=legacy.com|accessdate=March 30, 2018}}</ref>

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.<ref>[http://racing-reference.info/driver/Earle_Canavan Earle Canavan], ''Racing Reference'', Retrieved 2010-07-29</ref>

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.<ref>[http://www.champcarstats.com/drivers/CanavanEarle.htm Earle Canavan], ''Champ Car Stats'', Retrieved 2010-07-29</ref>

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==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" ! colspan="68" | 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 ! {{Tooltip|NGNC|NASCAR Grand National classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! 1969 ! nowrap| 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 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL 26 | CLB | MAR | NWS | CLT | SVH | AUG | CAR | JFC | MGR | TWS ! NA ! 0 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1969/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1969 NASCAR Grand National Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 1971 ! rowspan=2| Canavan Racing ! rowspan=2| 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 | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAR DNQ | | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT 33 | DOV | CAR | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MGR 30 | RCH | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NWS 29 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TWS 34 | colspan=6| ! rowspan=2| 63rd ! rowspan=2| 213 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1971/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1971 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! Chevy | colspan=40| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MAR 29 | colspan=13| |}

====Winston Cup Series==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" |- !colspan=45| 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 ! {{Tooltip|NWCC|NASCAR Winston Cup classification}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! rowspan=3| 1972 ! rowspan=12 nowrap| Canavan Racing ! 41 ! rowspan=2| Plymouth | RSD | DAY | RCH | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ONT 42 | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | colspan=21| ! rowspan=3| 62nd ! rowspan=3| 755.5 ! rowspan=3| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1972/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1972 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=8| 01 | colspan=10| | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| TAL DNQ | CLT | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 35 | MCH | RSD | TWS | DAY | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TRN 32 | ATL | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 39 | NSV | DAR | RCH | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 15 | MAR | NWS | colspan=2| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TWS 42 |- ! Chevy | colspan=28| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT 31 | CAR | |- ! 1973 ! rowspan=3| Plymouth | RSD | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY DNQ | RCH | CAR | BRI | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| ATL 22 | NWS | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR 12 | MAR | TAL | NSV | CLT | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 34 | TWS | RSD | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH 12 | DAY | BRI | ATL | TAL | NSV | DAR | RCH | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 24 | NWS | MAR | CLT | CAR | colspan=3| ! 41st ! 1144.7 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1973/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! 1974 | RSD | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY DNQ | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | NSV | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV 16 | CLT | RSD | MCH | DAY | BRI | NSV | ATL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POC 14 | TAL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH 15 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 23 | RCH | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV 17 | NWS | MAR | CLT | CAR | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ONT 30 | ! 46th ! 34.92 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1974/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 1975 | RSD | DAY | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RCH 13 | colspan=3| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NWS 25 | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR 17 | MAR | colspan=22| ! rowspan=2| 32nd ! rowspan=2| 1062 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1975/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=6| Dodge | colspan=3| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR 31 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI 23 | ATL | colspan=3| | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TAL 17 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NSV 17 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 34 | CLT | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC 29 | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 32 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 35 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 25 | NWS | MAR | CLT | RCH | CAR | BRI | ATL | ONT | |- ! 1976 | RSD | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY DNQ | CAR | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RCH 18 | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRI 17 | ATL | NWS | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR 19 | MAR | TAL | NSV | DOV | CLT | RSD | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 34 | DAY | NSV | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC 36 | TAL | MCH | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 29 | RCH | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| DOV 24 | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | ! 43rd ! 610 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1976/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1976 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 1977 | RSD | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | NWS | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 36 | BRI | MAR | TAL | NSV | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 23 | CLT | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC 35 | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 36 | BRI | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| DAR 23 | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | colspan=2| ! rowspan=2| 57th ! rowspan=2| 301 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1977/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! 10 | colspan=29| | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | |- ! 1978 ! rowspan=2| 01 | RSD | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY DNQ | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| RCH 24 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR 24 | ATL | BRI | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| DAR 22 | NWS | MAR | TAL | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV 20 | CLT | NSV | RSD | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 33 | DAY | NSV | POC | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| TAL 31 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 32 | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 39 | RCH | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV 16 | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | ! 42nd ! 559 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1978/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1978 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! 1979 | RSD | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | NWS | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 35 | MAR | TAL | NSV | DOV | CLT | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TWS 18 | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC 27 | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 34 | BRI | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 39 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| RCH 22 | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 33 | MAR | CLT | NWS | CAR | ATL | ONT ! 41st ! 456 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1979/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 1982 ! rowspan=2| Canavan Racing ! rowspan=2| 13 ! Olds | DAY | RCH | BRI | ATL | CAR | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | NSV | DOV | CLT | POC | RSD | MCH | DAY | NSV | POC | TAL | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH 37 | BRI | colspan=10| ! rowspan=2| 102nd ! rowspan=2| - ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1982/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! Buick | colspan=21| | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR 39 | RCH | DOV | NWS | CLT | MAR | CAR | ATL | RSD | |- ! 1985 ! rowspan=2| Canavan Racing ! rowspan=2| 01 ! Olds | DAY | RCH | CAR | ATL | BRI | DAR | NWS | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | RSD | POC | MCH | DAY | POC | TAL | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV 36 | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | RSD | colspan=3| ! 91st ! 55 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1985/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |- ! 1986 ! Pontiac | DAY | RCH | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR 32 | ATL | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| BRI DNQ | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAR DNQ | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| NWS DNQ | MAR | TAL | DOV | CLT | RSD | POC | MCH | DAY | POC | TAL | GLN | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | MAR | NWS | CLT | CAR | ATL | RSD | colspan=2| ! 114th ! 67 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1986/W|title=Earle Canavan – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=March 29, 2018}}</ref> |}

=====Daytona 500===== {| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;" |- ! Year ! Team ! Manufacturer ! Start ! Finish |- | 1973 | rowspan=2| Canavan Racing | rowspan=2| Plymouth |align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ |- | 1974 |align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ |- | 1976 | Canavan Racing | Dodge |align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ |- | 1978 | Canavan Racing | Dodge |align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ |}

====Winston West Series==== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%" !colspan=36| 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 ! {{Tooltip|Pos.|Championship position}} ! Pts ! Ref |- ! 1976 ! rowspan=4 nowrap| Canavan Racing ! 01 ! rowspan=4| Dodge | RSD | RSD | EVG | WSP | USP | POR | SHA | SGS | EVG | YAK | POR | LAG | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | colspan=9| ! NA ! - ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1976/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1976 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |- ! 1977 ! 10 | RSD | LAG | ONT | SJS | MMR | ASP | RSD | SGS | YAK | EVG | WSP | USP | POR | AAS | CRS | ASP | SHA | POR | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | PHO | colspan=2| ! NA ! - ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1977/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1977 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |- ! rowspan=2| 1978 ! 01 | RSD | AAS | S99 | SHA | PET | MMR | RSD | IFS | YAK | WSP | LSP | EVG | POR | CRS | ASP | SON | SHA | CBS | YAK | OSS | style="background:#FFCFCF;"| ONT DNQ | ! rowspan=2| NA ! rowspan=2| 35 ! rowspan=2| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1978/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1978 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |- ! 07 | colspan=21| | style="background:#DFFFDF;"| PHO 16 |- ! 1979 ! ! 21 ! Dodge | RSD | MMR | RSD | EVG | YAK | POR | AAS | SHA | CRS | SON | EVG | SRP | POR | ASP | ONT | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| PHO 21 | colspan=6| ! NA ! 30 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1979/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1979 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |- ! 1982 ! rowspan="2" | Canavan Racing ! 13 ! Buick | MMR | S99 | AAS | RSD | POR | WSP | SHA | EVG | SON | CDR | RSD | RSD | style="background:#CFCFFF;"| PHO 25 | colspan=9| ! NA ! 26 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1982/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1982 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |- ! 1983 ! 59 ! Buick | S99 | SON | RSD | YAK | EVG | SHA | RSD | style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CPL 18 | RSD | PHO | colspan=12| ! NA ! 33 ! <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/canavea01/1983/P|title=Earle Canavan – 1983 NASCAR Winston West Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|accessdate=January 6, 2019}}</ref> |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Racing-Reference driver|Earle_Canavan}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canavan, Earle}} Category:1937 births Category:2016 deaths Category:NASCAR drivers Category:People from Montgomery County, New York Category:Racing drivers from New York (state) Category:Sportspeople from Portadown Category:Racing drivers from Northern Ireland Category:Southern 500 drivers

Earle Canavan

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