Ray's family was in the marine business in Texas, and he still owns one of the largest boat rental facilities in the country. His first foray into racing was at a driver's school in Denver in 1991. He will drive in the IRL race at Sparta, Ky., this week. Racing was something I dreamed about all my life, but I just didn't have the opportunity for a long time. Some of us have the natural ability to play basketball or football.
Some people are mathematically inclined.
Some guys sit down at a piano with no formal training, and in a few weeks it's like they've played for years. With race cars, for me, that's what it was. I've worked hard, but it was something that came very natural. Cincinnatian Don Louden , son of Tri-State Dragway owner Bob Louden , stands 10th in the IHRA Stock Eliminator drag standings. Tom Groeschen covers auto racing for The Enquirer.