| rdfs:comment | - Harold Kite (November 22, 1921 - October 17, 1965) was a NASCAR driver from East Point, GA. In his brief Sprint Cup Series career, Kite competed in nine events to earn one win and two top-ten finishes. Kite tacked on two more starts a few years later, making his return during the 1955 season. Yet again, though, Kite struggled through the inconsistency that had plagued his career thus far. Piston issues very early in the LeHi race left him 25th, and various woes kept him to 43rd place in the Darlington Southern 500.
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| abstract | - Harold Kite (November 22, 1921 - October 17, 1965) was a NASCAR driver from East Point, GA. In his brief Sprint Cup Series career, Kite competed in nine events to earn one win and two top-ten finishes. Kite's debut came in 1950, and what a debut it was! Starting 3rd on the presitigious Daytona, Kite quickly found his way to the lead. From there, he was untouchable, leading 38 of the 48 laps and holding off Red Byron by fifty-three seconds for the victory. After the glow of that victory, Kite struggled to find success, though. He recorded two midpack finishes to close out the year: a 38th in the inaugural event at Darlington and a 12th place in a small field at North Wilkesboro. Kite's next two races would take place during the 1951 season, when he finished a career-high 25th in points. That was largely due to the strength Kite showed in his return to Darlington's Southern 500. Starting 38th in the history-breaking eighty-two car field, Kite completed most of the laps and kept in shouting distance of the leaders to finish 6th. Unfortunately, Kite still couldn't keep early-season momentum on his side, finishing his other start that year with a last (29th) place showing. Kite tacked on two more starts a few years later, making his return during the 1955 season. Yet again, though, Kite struggled through the inconsistency that had plagued his career thus far. Piston issues very early in the LeHi race left him 25th, and various woes kept him to 43rd place in the Darlington Southern 500. Kite made a new approach during his solo 1956 appearance, making his first start at the tiny Shelby track. But even the small field of seventeen could not be conquered for Kite, who fell a number of laps down and finished a mediocre 11th. Kite waited until 1965 to return to the sport, competing for the first time at the speedy Charlotte. It would be a tragic return for the driver. Just one lap in, Kite crashed out of the race to finish 42nd. Unfortunately, not only did Kite lose the race but his life that day. Kite was forty-three.
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