Lakewood Winner

Irvin's trophy from his 1955 victory at Lakewood Speedway remains in a place of honor at Irvin's store. Photo by Brandon Reed

Irvin raced around the local area in the early fifties and in 1955 probably won the biggest race of his life at Lakewood Speedway in Atlanta, the granddaddy of them all.

“There must have been sixty or so cars there that day,” Tommie told us.  “Lucky for me most of them had only driven on the smaller tracks whereas I had been to Lakewood a few times.  I just remember my car was running perfect, and I could pass on the inside or the outside.  Anybody could have driven that car.

“There was a wreck on the back stretch and I came in the pits late in the race.  Chester Barron owned the car and started complaining I was going to blow the engine if I didn’t slow down, he told me sternly.  I told him I wanted to lap the field.  It was something I had never done, and just once in my life I wanted to say I did it.  He said ‘Well, if you don’t slow down you sure a hell will get your wish.’

“I got my wish,” laughed Irvin.  “Like I said, the car was sweet that day.”