The Chatsworth, Georgia driver picked up around 500 short track victories in his career. Ridley moved up to what is now NASCAR’s Nextel Cup series for veteran car owner Junie Donlavey in the early 80s, giving Donlavey what would be both men’s only victory in the top division with a win at Dover, Delaware in 1981. Ridley would later return to short tracks, becoming the dominating force in NASCAR’s All-Pro short track division, scoring seven championships on the circuit. Now retired, Ridley continues to live in Chatsworth.