Ard was the runner-up in 1982 of NASCAR's Late Model Sportsman Series (which eventually became the NASCAR Xfinity Series), and followed up his run with back-to-back championships in 1983 and 1984. He won a total of 22 races and 24 pole positions in the series during his career in this division, and set a record for the most wins in a single season in Late Model Sportsman Series competition with 10 race victories. Ard retired after being seriously injured in a crash at the North Carolina Speedway on October 20, 1984.

He made his first and only Winston Cup Series start on September 23, 1984 at Martinsville. He started 27th in the 31 car field, but lasted just one lap before a steering failure ended his day.

After retiring as a driver, Ard became an owner, fielding cars for Jimmy Hensley, Ed Berrier, and Jay Fogelman, among others.

Ard is currently battling Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. His family often receives donations and aid from the racing community to help him. In 2006, drivers Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. led a charge to donate a substantial amount of funds for the care of Ard and his family. After tying Ard's Nationwide Series single-season victory record in 2008, Kyle Busch announced that he would give $100,000 to aid Ard's family with his care and mounting medical expenses in his honor.

() (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

¹ Ard's team was a post-entry for the race and thus did not receive points.

Source: Sam Ard Family, SamArd.com

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