A TRULY CLASSIC MATCH RACE

Among the hundreds of interesting stories relived at the 9th annual Old Racers Reunion held this DSC_0337weekend in Montgomery AL, was the history of Speedy Ball and "Big Iron" Aubrey Padgett.

Seventy Four year old Speedy Ball, which is the only name we know him by, began racing in 1958 and has raced every year since. He currently drives a SBC powered Ford Probe that he has painted like the Motorcraft Cars that Bob Glidden drove. Ball estimates this is only his sixth race car he has ever owned.

Among the hundreds of interesting stories relived at the 9th annual Old Racers Reunion held this DSC_0337weekend in Montgomery AL, was the history of Speedy Ball and "Big Iron" Aubrey Padgett.

Seventy Four year old Speedy Ball, which is the only name we know him by, began racing in 1958 and has raced every year since. He currently drives a SBC powered Ford Probe that he has painted like the Motorcraft Cars that Bob Glidden drove. Ball estimates this is only his sixth race car he has ever owned.

Aubrey, who is also seventy four started in 1959 and currently races the third configuration of his famous "Big Iron" race cars. Aubrey admitted he had to slow down some years to raise a family but was never far away from the sport.

As a special treat, a match race was scheduled between the two and conducted the old fashion way. A flag man was used to start the pair and another person stood at the finish line to serve as the winning lane and signal.

The first round was held Saturday and Speedy Ball won by a car length. Round two was held Sunday afternoon and this time it was all Aubrey as Speedy suffered some valvetrain damage and trailed by a couple car lengths at the finish line.

Round three was canceled due to Speedy's engine damage.

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