From STAFF REPORTS
DAWSONVILLE — Undilla’s Ken Ragan is going to have to wait at least another year for possible induction into the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame.
One of 15 drivers initially nominated for the honor, did not make this year's class of eight that was selected in June 13 balloting.
Ragan was a second-generation racer following in the footsteps of his father who was a pioneer competitor on Daytona Beach in the 1940s and 50s.
Ken Ragan raced high-speed go-carts in the late 70s, winning the World Karting Association Championship in 1978. He and his brother Marvin purchased a sportsman racer from Bobby Allison in 1981 and began racing it locally the following weekend.
Ragan began competing on the ARCA circuit one year later, making his first start at Talladega Superspeedway. He holds the distinction of having won the final race held at Middle Georgia Speedway in Byron. He also won several short track events around the nation.
Ragan made 50 Sprint Cup series starts in his career, with his best finish coming at Talladega in 1984 when he placed 11th.
Ragan established Legends Cars of Georgia at Atlanta Motor Speedway in 1997 and would go on to manage 600 Racing’s Legends Car program in Charlotte.
Ken’s son, David, now competes on the Sprint Cup series for Roush/Fenway Racing.
The 2009 inductees are Bob Burcham of Rossville, Luther Carter of Acworth, Tommie Irvin of Baldwin, Ronnie Sanders of Fayetteville, Leon Sells of Villa Rica, Buck Simmons of Baldwin, Herb “Tootle” Estes of Knoxville, Tenn., and Katron Sosebee of Lilburn.
