Leon “Slick” Sells

Leon "Slick" Sells

Lawrenceville, Georgia native Leon Sells began his stock car racing career around 1953 at the old Canton Speedway at Hickory Flat, filling in for Curley Allison, who had failed to show up for the race.  That’s where the racing bug bit Sells, and it never let go.  Sells raced and won at Lakewood Speedway, the Peach Bowl, West Atlanta, Senoia, Dixie Speedway, Rome Speedway, Toccoa, Jefco and Middle Georgia, among others.

“Slick” had a scary moment at Rome Speedway in 1974 when the foot feed hung on the car, and he hit the wall at well over 100 mph.  Sells spent nine weeks in the hospital, and was out of work and racing for 16 months.

Sells feels his greatest accomplishment in racing came after the wreck, when he returned to Rome in 1976 and won his first race back after the accident.

He said his second greatest thrill was winning several races at Lakewood Speedway, a track he had dreamed of winning on since he was a boy.

Sells hung up his helmet in 1988 at Dixie Speedway.

Leon Sells celebrates a victory. Photos courtesy Leon Sells

"Slick" in late model action.

Sells ready for another race.