David Ragan’s Darlington Paint Scheme To Honor Father Ken Ragan/ No. 55 Aaron’s Dream Machine Bristol Preview

By:
On:
In: NASCAR Cup Series News

David Ragan’s Aaron’s Dream Machine will carry a familiar paint scheme when it races in the 66th Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sept. 6.

The No. 55 Michael Waltrip Racing Toyota will sport a paint scheme similar to cars driven by David’s father Ken Ragan when he drove in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.

“My Dad and guys like my Dad put a lot of heart and soul in this sport back in the 1970s and 80s and this is my way of honoring the guys that built what all of us enjoy today,” said Ragan. “I want to thank Aaron’s for allowing us to recognize my Dad and all the racers from that era at Darlington this year.”

Ken Ragan, 64, raced in 50 Sprint Cup races from 1983-90 driving mostly for his brother Marvin. His career included five starts at Darlington Raceway. His son’s car will carry the red and white paint scheme similar to the scheme Ken drove in 1987.

“I was too young to really ever remember watching Dad race on the track,” said 29-year-old David. “But he’s been a big part of my career and I know he has a lot of friends in the garage who will remember seeing him in this car.”

A few years ago, David built a replica race car and presented it to Ken as a present. That car is on display in 2015 at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame in Dawsonville, Ga. 

The Ragans, along with the show car David presented to Ken, will visit the Aaron’s store, 111 Pamplico Hwy, in Florence at 4 p.m. on Saturday Sept. 5 then join in the Southern 500 parade in Darlington that night.

NBC will televise this year’s Southern 500 as it marks a return to the traditional Labor Day Weekend. Festivities will celebrate Darlington’s role in the history and growth of NASCAR.

This week the Aaron’s Dream Machine takes on the high banks of Bristol Motor Speedway. 

“This is a fun time of the year,” said Ragan. “We go to Bristol, Darlington and Richmond. All three have played huge roles in NASCAR history and we put on good shows at each track. Saturday night’s Bristol race is one of the highlights of the year. As the Chase gets closer the competition is getting more and more fierce and I expect a heck of a race at Bristol.”

MWR PR

Speedway Digest Staff
Follow Me
Latest posts by Speedway Digest Staff (see all)
Post Views: 104