Stanley Smith (September 29, 1949 - December 9, 2020) was a NASCAR driver from Chelsea, Alabama. He competed in 28 Cup Series and 4 Busch Series events. Smith drove the #49 Ameritron Chevy for his family-owned team from 1991-1992 and then is when most of his starts came. He struggled mightily only earning a Cup career best 21st at Talladega in 1991. He was able to top that in a Busch Series event in 1992, when he finished 19th at Talladega. A Winston Cup event in 1993 at Talladega would be his final start in NASCAR.
Smith, who wore a permanent eye patch, had been in his share of accidents. He was caught in a seven-car wreck early in the DieHard 500 at Talladega, Alabama, on July 25, 1993 and his skull was cracked from ear to ear. Doctors had to block a major artery to keep him alive during the operation. He wore the patch for the rest of his life because his left eye wouldn't move anymore. His peripheral vision was limited, but with special mirrors he was still able to drive. He was rumored for a truck ride that never materialized.
Death[]
Smith passed away at his home on December 9, 2020. His cause of death was interstitial pneumonia, a respiratory disease. He had been suffering from the disease since September.