Final Thoughts
Unadilla, Georgia's David Ragan saw a breakthrough year in 2011, but his plans for 2012 are still in question. Photo by Rhonda McCole
2011 was a year of ups and downs for racing. Among the ups was the aforementioned season for drivers Bubba Pollard and Chase Elliott. Not to be overlooked was the breakthrough year seen by Unadilla, Georgia’s David Ragan. Ragan just missed in winning the season opening Daytona 500, only to come back and score the victory five months later at Daytona in the Firecracker 400.
Unfortunately, Ragan finds himself on the outside looking in now. Sponsor UPS moved on and two strong possible rides with Penske Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports did not pan out, leaving Ragan looking for a ride early on in 2012.
Among the other downs included the tragic death of Indy 500 champion Dan Wheldon in a crash at Las Vegas. It was a loss by the motorsports community that struck deep, and one that will not be forgotten.
The Georgia racing community saw several losses in 2011 as well, with the loss of young driver Beau Slocumb, along with Georgia Racing Hall of Fame member Jimmy Summerour, Gary Brantley, Garland Glaze, Red Langford, John Henry Maddox, Geneva Milam, Betty Mosteller, David Pritchett, Shorty Tanner and Hubert Platt.
But on the horizon comes news that could help Georgia’s racing scene. The announcement of the return of the All American 400 at Nashville’s famed Fairgrounds Speedway could help rejuvenate asphalt racing in portions of the Deep South, which has seen its share of problems in the last few years.
It was also a great year for the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville, Georgia. Working under its own auspices for the first full year, the 2011 Hall of Fame induction ceremony was a sell out as fans and friends came out to honor the newest inductees. With plans already underway for more improvements and growth, 2012 will be a big year for the Hall of Fame.
Add to that the young drivers that are competing out of the Peach State, including Bubba Pollard, Max Gresham, T.J. Reaid, Chase Elliott and Spencer Davis, and 2012 has all the promise of one of the strongest years in Georgia’s racing history.
Brandon Reed is the editor and publisher for Georgia Racing History.com.
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