Ronnie Davis, a reigning drag racing champion, died Sunday from injuries sustained in a fiery crash the day before at Rockingham Dragway in North Carolina. A photographer was injured by flying debris.
The 66-year-old driver was racing in a qualifying event for the PDRA Spring Nationals when the crash occurred,
The Associated Press reported. After a qualifying run in 4.130 seconds at 178.19 miles per hour, Davis’ 1963 Corvette turned left in front rival Mark Malcuit's car, shot across the track, cleared the right-side guardwall, and then barrel-rolled in flames.
The five-time IHRA season champion was taken to Moore County Regional Hospital in Pinehurst and later to UNC Medical Center in Chapel Hill.
Davis, owner of Davis Golf Carts in Suwanee, Georgia was the PDRA Champion in the Top Sportsman class,
Drag Illustrated reported.
He earned his nickname, “Ronnie the King,” early in his career at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway, where he dominated a competition called “King of the Hill.”
Ian Tocher, a photographer and journalist, was injured when debris from the crash struck him, said Drag Illustrated.
The site posted updates about the journalist to it’s Facebook page.
In a 2011 Drag Illustrated article about Davis, Tocher wrote that the racer “gets the point.”
“I think one of my attributes is that I just never, ever give up,” the article quoted Davis. “I’ve taught my children that same attitude; that no matter what happens you can never quit. If you get knocked down in life you get up and it’s the people who keep getting up that win in the end. That’s my philosophy in life and kind of my philosophy in everything I do, from my business to my racing to my personal life.”
Twitter users shared condolences.
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