Kevin Ray

Kevin Ray
Born (1977-12-11) December 11, 1977
Eastaboga, Alabama, United States
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish 89th – 1995
First race 1995 Kroger 200 (IRP)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0

Kevin Ray (born December 11, 1977 in Eastaboga, Alabama) is an American stock car racing driver. Son of Johnny Ray, he is a former competitor in the NASCAR Busch Series and ARCA Racing Series, and currently serves as director of business operations for Turner Scott Motorsports.

Early career

Ray began his racing career in midget cars at age 7,[1] scoring his first win at age 11.[2] Mentored by Donnie Allison,[2] he entered competition in the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde Supercar Series in 1994 at the age of 16, making his debut at Atlanta International Raceway, finishing 38th. He went on to run 20 races in the series between 1994 and 2004, posting a best finish of fourth at Talladega Superspeedway in 1995.[3]

In 1995, Ray made his debut in NASCAR competition, competing in the Busch Series - now the Nationwide Series - at Indianapolis Raceway Park in a car owned by his father, starting 35th and finishing 21st in what would prove to be his only race in the series.[4] He attempted four additional races in the series between 1995 and 2003, driving for his family team and for Sadler Brothers Racing, but failed to qualify for any of them.[5]

Cup attempt

In 2004, Ray signed with Donlavey Racing to drive the team's No. 90 Ford in the Nextel Cup Series for six races, sponsored by Boudreaux's Butt Paste.[6] Attempting his first race at Dover International Speedway,[7] the team failed to pass inspection;[8] the team stepped back to ARCA, racing at Pocono Raceway in Ray's final start in the series, before the deal fell apart.[9] Ray's No. 90 Ford was named the fifth scariest NASCAR paint scheme of all time by ESPN The Magazine in 2008.[10]

Personal life and post-career

Ray is a graduate of Walter Wellborn High School.[11] He is now retired from racing competition but remains active in the sport, serving as team manager for Red Horse Racing from 2007 to 2013.[12]

In January 2014, Ray moved to Turner Scott Motorsports, becoming the team's director of business operations.[13]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(Key) (Bold - Pole position awarded by time.)

Nextel Cup Series

Busch Series

References

  1. ↑ McCollister, Tom. (February 12, 1995) "Rays hope teen Kevin's debut will be better than his father's". Atlanta: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, page C5.
  2. 1 2 Schmitz, Brian. (February 11, 1995) "Kevin Ray Is Following His Father's Career Track". Orlando, FL: Orlando Sentinel. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  3. ↑ Kevin Ray - ARCA Racing Series Results. Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  4. ↑ Kevin Ray - NASCAR Nationwide Series Results. Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  5. ↑ Kevin Ray - NASCAR Busch Series / Nationwide Series DNQs. Racing-Reference. USA Today Sports Media Group. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  6. ↑ Jenkins, Chris. (May 26, 2004) "Edgy sponsor name OK'd by NASCAR". USA Today. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  7. ↑ Strickland, Bran. (June 4, 2004) "Eastaboga's Ray to make Cup debut". Talladega, AL: The Daily Home. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  8. ↑ Strickland, Bran. (June 5, 2004) "Ray's debut postponed". Talladega, AL: The Daily Home. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  9. ↑ "Where is the #90 car?" in #90 Team News and Links Page. Jayski's NASCAR Silly Season Site. ESPN. June 12, 2004. Accessed 2013-02-26. Archived from the original.
  10. ↑ McGee, Ryan. (November 1, 2008) "Halloween got you spooked? Get a load of these monsters". ESPN The Magazine. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  11. ↑ Adamson, Scott. (October 16, 1999) "Kevin Ray Earns His Spot in Racing". Talladega, AL: The Daily Home. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  12. ↑ Strickland, Bran and Joe Medley. (October 31, 2009). "NASCAR notebook". Anniston, AL: The Anniston Star. Accessed 2013-02-26.
  13. ↑ Spencer, Lee (January 15, 2014). "Kevin Ray to run business ops at Turner Scott Motorsports". Fox Sports. Retrieved 2014-01-16.

External links

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