Ragan revitalizes Atlanta Motor Speedway Legends program

Perry resident Ken Ragan was named Director of the Atlanta Motor Speedway Legends of Georgia program this summer. Ragan created the program in 1997, and left in 2001 to help his son David Ragan’s racing career.

“Atlanta has always been my home track,” said Ragan. “The track was built in 1959, and I remember coming up here one day with my dad to watch the track being built. He said, ‘You know, one day we’re going to race out here.’ Well, my dad never got to, but my son and I did. So it’s very special to our family.”

Ragan, a Unadilla native, began his professional racing career in 1983. From 1983 to 1990 he competed in 50 NASCAR Cup Series races. He also made five starts in what is now called the NASCAR Xfinity Series. When Ragan’s career ended, he wanted to introduce the sport to his son.

“They had a legends racing program in Charlotte,” said Ragan. “I talked to Ed Clark and Humpy Wheeler, who are friends of mine, about bringing a program to Atlanta. So after discussion, and getting finances together, we started it up in 1997.”

Ragan said, after getting the program started, he put his son through it.

“David was 11 years old when I put him through the program,” said Ragan. “He had a real talent. In four years he progressed through the ranks, and I took him to Charlotte in 2002, where he began his professional career.”

Ragan said the program is not just for those starting out in racing; it’s also for those who just want to have some fun, and it’s a dealership in itself.

“We sell both new and old model racing cars,” said Ragan. “We occasionally have driving schools that teach maintenance on the cars, how to drive, etc. We are dedicated to offering quality experiences and facilities for aspiring drivers, and this new program is yet another tool for drivers who want to have fun while honing skills they can use at higher levels of competition.”

Before Ragan came back to Atlanta, he helped his son manage a car dealership.

“David was driving for Ford and was presented an opportunity to buy a Ford dealership,” said Ragan. “It was a great experience for him, but early this year David signed a deal with Toyota. He asked if I wanted to continue with it, but I honestly didn’t want to carry that weight on my shoulders. My brother had just passed, and my nephew, who helped with the business, wanted to go back to Charlotte. We ended up selling it.”

After selling the dealership, Ragan had other plans that didn’t involve anything to do with racing.

“Ed (Clark) came to my brother’s funeral, and afterwards asked what I was going to do,” said Ragan. “I told him I thought about purchasing some cows and putting them on a pasture land down at my mother’s place. Clark began talking to me about how the Legends program had fallen off and asked if I was interested in coming back up there. Well, a package was put together, and here I am now.”

The first race was held in August for the Legends program, and Ragan sold nine cars in one month. He said they plan to offer classes during the winter and start back up again in the summer. To learn more about the program go online to www.legendsofga.com.

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