Martha Earnhardt, the matriarch of the Earnhardt family, died on Dec. 25 at the age of 91, according to two of the Earnhardt grandchildren.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller issued a joint statement via Twitter announcing their grandmother’s death.


“We find solace in knowing she is at peace in eternal glory and in joyous reunion with her husband, Ralph, and sons, Dale, Randy and Danny,” the tweet stated.

“Please keep our family in your thoughts and prayers,” Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Dale Earnhardt Jr. wrote. “Thank you so much for loving our Mamaw as if she were your own.”

Martha “Mamaw” Earnhardt was the mother of Dale Sr., Randy, Danny, Kaye, and Kathy. She was married to stock car racer, Ralph Earnhardt, until his death in 1973.

Martha lived in Kannapolis, North Carolina, and remained active in the community, speaking to children about the importance of reading. She was named the grand marshal of the Kannapolis Christmas Parade in 2017.

The Earnhardt name is most known for Dale Sr. and Dale Jr.’s NASCAR racing success, but Martha was not a stranger to the track. She raced in women’s races before the main events that featured her husband.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.