This week, we take a look at one of Georgia's racing pioneers over at Georgia Racing History.com .

Earlier this week, NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart was in the state, turning test laps at an area short track. That put me in mind of another talented driver who saw much success piloting the number 14 car, Georgia Racing Hall of Famer Fonty Flock.

Fonty was an early fan favorite, a hard charging driver, a winner and a true character. You can read more about him over at Georgia Racing History.com .

In other news, we're just a little over two weeks away from Georgia Racing Hall of Fame night at Gresham Motorsports Park.

So far, all eight of our inductees from the 2009 class have said they will try to be there. We will be honoring those inductees in a special ceremony on the front stretch, where they will be introduced to the crowd, presented with certificates and given a moment to speak. We're hoping to see this become an annual event at the speedway.

Also hoping to be on hand is 1960 NASCAR Cup champ Rex White, Bud Lundsford, Charlie Mincey, Marvin Mills, Charlie Bagwell, Gene Felton and more members of our Hall of Fame family! We will also be having vintage race cars on hand, and they'll get to take some pace laps on the track. The speedway will also be hosting a 50-50 fundraiser for the HOF.

We want very much for all Hall of Fame members, or family of members of the Hall of Fame to be in attendance with us for this special event. If you are a Hall of Fame member or a family member, please contact me at raceinfoga@gmail.com for more information. Also, if you have a vintage racer that you'd be interested in displaying, please send me an email at raceinfoga@gmail.com for more info.

Again, the event will be held May 15 at Gresham Motorsports Park. For more information on attending the event (if you're not a Hall of Fame member), go to Gresham Motorsports Park.com or call 706-367-9461.

The folks over at GARHOFA have a big event coming up in June, as they're getting ready for the Cherokee County Speedways reunion on June 5.

The reunion will be for Dixie Speedway and the historical race tracks of Cherokee County, Georgia, including Canton International Speedway, Canton Speedway (Hickory Flat), and Cherokee Motor Speedway (Sutallee). The event will run from 11am to 4pm at Family Tradition Restaurant, located at 7830 Hickory Flat Hwy, Woodstock, GA 30188 ( that's just about two and a half miles south of where Canton Speedway was located). For more information, go to http://www.garhofa.org/ .

Happy Birthday wishes go out this week on May 2 to Ken Butler and on May 6 to Tammy Jo Kirk.

Thanks everybody, and have a great weekend!

Brandon Reed
Georgia Racing History.com