Login
Login

Jody Ridley

{{Short description|American racing driver (born 1942)}}

{{multiple issues|

{{BLP sources|date=December 2012}}

{{Primary sources|date=July 2020}}

}}

{{Infobox NASCAR driver

|name = Jody Ridley

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|5|19}}

|birth_place = Chatsworth, Georgia, United States

|achievements = 1991, 1992, 1993 Slim Jim All Pro Series Champion

1987, 1988, 1990 All Pro Super Series Champion
1985 Snowball Derby Winner
1993 Myrtle Beach 400 Winner

|awards = 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year
1991, 1992, 1993 Slim Jim All Pro Series Most Popular Driver
Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Inductee (2007)

|Total_Cup_Races = 140

|Years_In_Cup = 11

|Best_Cup_Pos = 5th (1981)

|First_Cup_Race = 1973 Dixie 500 (Atlanta)

|Last_Cup_Race = 1989 Daytona 500 (Daytona)

|First_Cup_Win = 1981 Mason-Dixon 500 (Dover)

|Last_Cup_Win =

|Cup_Wins = 1

|Cup_Top_Tens = 56

|Cup_Poles = 0

|Total_Busch_Races = 3

|Years_In_Busch = 2

|Best_Busch_Pos = 75th (1982)

|First_Busch_Race = 1982 Goody's 300 (Daytona)

|Last_Busch_Race = 1985 Winn-Dixie 300 (Charlotte)

|Busch_Wins = 0

|Busch_Top_Tens = 2

|Busch_Poles = 0

|updated = March 25, 2013

}}

Murphy Jody Ridley{{cite web|url=https://radaris.com/~Murphy-Ridley/1151611493 |title=Murphy J Ridley from Chatsworth, GA |publisher=Radaris.com |accessdate=12 June 2024}} (born May 19, 1942) is a former NASCAR driver. He won the 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award and one race at Dover International Speedway the next year, the only Cup victory for Donlavey Racing.

His career statistics include 140 career starts, one win, seven top fives, 56 top tens, and two top ten points finishes (fifth in 1981, and seventh in 1980).

He now resides in Chatsworth, Georgia. He was inducted in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.thunderroadusa.com/Inductees.html|title=Inductees|year=2008|publisher=Georgia Racing Hall of Fame|access-date=2008-07-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703221258/http://thunderroadusa.com/Inductees.html|archive-date=2008-07-03}}

Early life

Born in Chatsworth, Georgia, and raised in Dalton, Ridley was a fan of cars from a young age. In 1967, he purchased Joe Lee Johnson's 1963 Ford Mustang at the age of 25. At that time, he had only been racing and affiliated with NASCAR for a year, joining the professional leagues in 1966.{{Cite news |last=Krueger |first=John |last2=King |first2=J.D. |date=26 Jun 1967 |title=Ridley is Victorious in Perry 200 Race |language=en |pages=6 |work=The Macon Telegraph |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/846432522 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 Jun 2023}} 1967 would be the beginning of Ridley's career, participating in many NASCAR races throughout Georgia, such as in Lakewood, Trenton, and Byron.{{Cite news |last=Zier |first=Pat |date=28 Jun 1967 |title=Big Curtis Heads Field at Lakewood |language=en |pages=34 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/398508431 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 Jun 2023}}{{Cite news |last=Krueger |first=John |date=4 Jul 1967 |title=Johnson, Ridley to Duel in '200' |language=en |pages=18 |work=The Macon Telegraph |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/846409670 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 Jun 2023}}

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.)

==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=2| 1973

! Donlavey Racing

! 90

! Mercury

| RSD

| DAY

| RCH

| CAR

| BRI

| ATL

| NWS

| DAR

| MAR

| TAL

| NSV

| CLT

| DOV

| TWS

| RSD

| MCH

| DAY

| BRI

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| ATL
5

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
37

| NSV

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| NWS

| MAR

| CLT

| colspan=4|

! rowspan=2| 59th

! rowspan=2| -

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1973/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

Elliott Racing

! 09

! Ford

| colspan=27|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
31

| colspan=3|

1974

! rowspan=2| Donlavey Racing

! 90

! rowspan=2| Ford

| RSD

| DAY

| RCH

| CAR

| BRI

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
33

| DAR

| NWS

| MAR

| TAL

| NSV

| DOV

| CLT

| RSD

| MCH

| DAY

| BRI

| NSV

| ATL

| POC

| TAL

| MCH

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| NWS

| MAR

| CLT

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
30

| ONT

|

! 88th

! 3.17

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1974/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1974 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

rowspan=2| 1975

! 93

| RSD

| DAY

| RCH

| CAR

| BRI

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
29

| NWS

| DAR

| MAR

| TAL

| colspan=18|

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ATL
11

| ONT

|

! rowspan=2| NA

! rowspan=2| 0

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1975/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1975 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

Arrington Racing

! 6

! Dodge

| colspan=10|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NSV
27

| DOV

| CLT

| RSD

| MCH

| DAY

| NSV

| POC

| TAL

| MCH

| DAR

| DOV

| NWS

| MAR

| CLT

| RCH

| CAR

| BRI

| colspan=3|

1977

! Makar Enterprises

! 84

! Mercury

| RSD

| DAY

| RCH

| CAR

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ATL
14

| NWS

| DAR

| BRI

| MAR

| TAL

| NSV

| DOV

| CLT

| RSD

| MCH

| DAY

| NSV

| POC

| TAL

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| NWS

| CLT

| CAR

| ATL

| ONT

|

! 87th

! 121

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1977/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1977 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

1979

! rowspan=4| Donlavey Racing

! 77

! Mercury

| RSD

| DAY

| CAR

| RCH

| ATL

| NWS

| BRI

| DAR

| MAR

| TAL

| NSV

| DOV

| CLT

| TWS

| RSD

| MCH

| DAY

| NSV

| POC

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| TAL
5

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT
26

| NWS

| CAR

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL
10

| ONT

! 47th

! 374

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1979/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1979 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

rowspan=2| 1980

! rowspan=3| 90

! Ford

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RSD
16

|

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RCH
18

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
29

|

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRI
11

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAR
10

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NWS
7

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MAR
7

|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NSV
8

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DOV
6

|

| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| TWS
26

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RSD
11

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MCH
6

|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NSV
8

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POC
18

| colspan=3|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
30

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| RCH
5

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DOV
9

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NWS
9

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MAR
9

|

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| CAR
5

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL
6

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ONT
18

! rowspan=2| 7th

! rowspan=2| 3972

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1980/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1980 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

Mercury

|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
10

| colspan=2|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL
6

| colspan=4|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| TAL
10

| colspan=2|

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CLT
12

| colspan=3|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
7

| colspan=2|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
30

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH
18

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI
12

| colspan=5|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CLT
8

| colspan=3|

rowspan=2| 1981

! Ford

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RSD
7

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
7

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RCH
8

|

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL
6

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| BRI
6

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NWS
28

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAR
7

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MAR
6

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
31

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NSV
25

| style="background:#FFFFBF;"| DOV
1

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT
20

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| TWS
6

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RSD
7

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| MCH
4

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAY
38

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NSV
10

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POC
15

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| TAL
8

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH
12

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI
20

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR
12

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RCH
9

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DOV
11

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MAR
21

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NWS
7

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CLT
15

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CAR
10

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| ATL
5

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RSD
9

! rowspan=2| 5th

! rowspan=2| 4002

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1981/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1981 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

Miller Racing

! 79

! Olds

| colspan=3|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
17

| colspan=27|

1982

! Donlavey Racing

! 90

! Ford

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
9

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| RCH
13

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| BRI
20

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ATL
17

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
33

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
22

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| NWS
17

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MAR
12

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
38

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| NSV
13

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV
17

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CLT
6

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| POC
9

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RSD
7

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH
27

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAY
15

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NSV
8

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| POC
36

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TAL
14

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH
26

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| BRI
8

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
28

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| RCH
25

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV
25

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| NWS
9

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CLT
7

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MAR
7

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CAR
31

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
28

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| RSD
9

|

! 13th

! 3333

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1982/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1982 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

rowspan=2| 1983

! rowspan=3| Robert McEntyre Racing

! rowspan=3| 84

! Buick

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
10

| RCH

| CAR

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| ATL
17

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
27

| NWS

| MAR

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
32

| NSV

| DOV

| BRI

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| CLT
DNQ

| RSD

| POC

| MCH

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
8

| NSV

| POC

| colspan=13|

! rowspan=2| 32nd

! rowspan=2| 1050

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1983/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1983 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

rowspan=2| Chevy

| colspan=18|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
31

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH
15

| BRI

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
33

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| NWS

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| CLT
12

| CAR

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| ATL
10

| RSD

|

1984

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| DAY
10

| RCH

| CAR

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
27

| BRI

| NWS

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DAR
36

| MAR

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| TAL
16

| NSV

| DOV

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CLT
8

| RSD

| POC

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH
35

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAY
19

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| NSV
28

| POC

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
34

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| MCH
14

| BRI

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR
16

| RCH

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV
29

| MAR

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| CLT
7

| NWS

| CAR

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
32

| RSD

|

! 14th

! 1288

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1984/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1984 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

1985

! Helen Rae Motorsports

! 00

! Chevy

| style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DAY
DNQ

| RCH

| CAR

| ATL

| BRI

| DAR

| NWS

| MAR

| TAL

| DOV

| CLT

| RSD

| POC

| MCH

| DAY

| POC

| TAL

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| NWS

| CLT

| CAR

| ATL

| RSD

| colspan=3|

! NA

! -

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1985/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1985 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

rowspan=2| 1986

! rowspan=2| RahMoc Enterprises

! 57

! Ford

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAY
12

| RCH

| CAR

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| ATL
29

| colspan=27|

! rowspan=2| 33rd

! rowspan=2| 1213

! rowspan=2| {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1986/W|title=Jody Ridley – 1986 NASCAR Winston Cup Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

75

! Pontiac

| colspan=4|

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| BRI
23

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAR
20

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| NWS
15

| style="background:#FFDF9F;"| MAR
10

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| TAL
42

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| DOV
18

| style="background:#CFCFFF;"| CLT
21

| RSD

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| POC
11

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| MCH
34

| style="background:#DFFFDF;"| DAY
13

| POC

| TAL

| GLN

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| NWS

| CLT

| CAR

| ATL

| RSD

| colspan=2|

1989

! Melling Racing

! 9

! Ford

| DAY
RL†

| CAR

| ATL

| RCH

| DAR

| BRI

| NWS

| MAR

| TAL

| CLT

| DOV

| SON

| POC

| MCH

| DAY

| POC

| TAL

| GLN

| MCH

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| DOV

| MAR

| CLT

| NWS

| CAR

| PHO

| ATL

| colspan=2|

! NA

! NA

!

colspan=38|† – Relieved Bill Elliott during race

===Daytona 500===

class="wikitable" style="font-size: 90%;"
Year

! Team

! Manufacturer

! Start

! Finish

1980

| rowspan=3| Donlavey Racing

| Mercury

|align=center| 27

|align=center style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 10

1981

| rowspan=2| Ford

|align=center| 27

|align=center style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 7

1982

|align=center| 23

|align=center style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 9

1983

| rowspan=2| Robert McEntyre Racing

| Buick

|align=center| 18

|align=center style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 10

1984

| Chevrolet

|align=center| 33

|align=center style="background:#FFDF9F;"| 10

1985

| Helen Rae Motorsports

| Chevrolet

|align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ

1986

| RahMoc Enterprises

| Ford

|align=center| 33

|align=center style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 12

1989

| Melling Racing

| Ford

|align=center colspan=2 style="background:#FFFFFF;"| RL†

==Busch Series==

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:75%"

!colspan=42| NASCAR Busch 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

! {{Tooltip|NBSC|NASCAR Busch Series classification}}

! Pts

! Ref

1982

!

! 98

! Pontiac

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| DAY
2

| RCH

| BRI

| MAR

| style="background:#DFDFDF;"| DAR
2

| HCY

| SBO

| CRW

| RCH

| LGY

| DOV

| HCY

| CLT

| ASH

| HCY

| SBO

| CAR

| CRW

| SBO

| HCY

| LGY

| IRP

| BRI

| HCY

| RCH

| MAR

| CLT

| HCY

| MAR

! 75th

! 340

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1982/B|title=Jody Ridley – 1982 NASCAR Budweiser Late Model Sportsman Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

1985

! Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

! 8

! Pontiac

| DAY

| CAR

| HCY

| BRI

| MAR

| DAR

| SBO

| LGY

| DOV

| style="background:#EFCFFF;"| CLT
29

| SBO

| HCY

| ROU

| IRP

| SBO

| LGY

| HCY

| MLW

| BRI

| DAR

| RCH

| NWS

| ROU

| CLT

| HCY

| CAR

| MAR

| colspan=2|

! 86th

! 76

! {{cite web|url=http://www.racing-reference.info/drivdet/ridlejo01/1985/B|title=Jody Ridley – 1985 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series Results|work=Racing-Reference|access-date=January 30, 2017}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • {{Racing-Reference driver|Jody_Ridley}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20110717053552/http://www.thunderroadusa.com/Website_2007_Info/Inductee%20Info/Jody%20Ridley.pdf Biography at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame] (PDF)

{{S-start}}

{{s-ach|ach}}

{{Succession box

| before= Butch Lindley

| title= Snowball Derby Winner

| years= 1985

| after= Gary Balough

}}

{{s-ach|aw}}

{{Succession box

| before= Dale Earnhardt

| title= NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year

| years= 1980

| after= Ron Bouchard

}}

{{s-end}}

{{Dale Earnhardt, Inc.}}

{{RahMoc Enterprises}}

{{Donlavey Racing}}

{{NASCARROTY}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ridley, Jody}}

Category:Living people

Category:1942 births

Category:People from Chatsworth, Georgia

Category:Racing drivers from Georgia (U.S. state)

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:American Speed Association drivers

Category:Dale Earnhardt Inc. drivers