MIDDLETOWN, Ohio—To understand racing, is to understand the people that sit in the seats—to understand their love of the sport and loyalty to their favorite driver.

  • 73-year-old has attended every race at Kentucky Speedway, except two
  • Spending race weekends with his mother is his favorite memory
  • Track officials surprised him at his home for being a longtime season ticket holder

For 73-year-old Ron Hunter, of Middletown, Ohio, his love for racing started more than sixty years ago.

“My dad won a drawing and I won a go-kart,” said Ron Hunter, Kentucky Speedway season ticket holder. “So, I got into racing a little bit around the street.”

Hunter has spent twenty years attending races at Kentucky Speedway. He's only missed two events—truck races— in that two-decade span.

But his favorite memory? Getting to spend race weekends with his mother Pearl.

“My mom passed away in 2015, she was 94,” said Hunter. “For her 90th birthday, I took her for the ride-along down there and, I've never seen a smile so big in my life.”

Pearl was an avid Jeff Gordon fan. Ron’s allegiance was to Dale Earnhardt.

And we know how that rivalry played out.

“That was, we had our conversations at the race track,” said Hunter. “And before, I didn't have microphones back when we had the headphones only. I wish I'd had the microphones where we could have talked a little more. I was screamed at a few times when Dale would try to rough Jeff up.”

Hunter’s wife Shirley goes to a lot of races. But Hunter always tries to expose NASCAR to people who've never been.

“This was on his bucket list. He's Dr. Guru, he's my dentist,” said Hunter. 

Kids and grandkids, neighbors, and even people he's met at businesses around Middletown, have all gone on trips with Hunter to Kentucky Speedway.

Track officials recently surprised Hunter at his home for being a 20-year season ticket holder.

“I have a little special gift for you,” said Tim Bray, Kentucky Speedway. “Being such a longtime Kentucky Speedway season ticket holder. And it's a Legacy Club Box and I brought balloons for you, we've got cookies...”

While Hunter makes the best of his yearly summer trips to Kentucky Speedway, his mom is always in the back of his mind.

“She, she was a great lady. And I miss not being able to take her more. But she's watching from heaven,” said Hunter.