Kenneth "Ken" L. Spikes
Born(1935-02-02)February 2, 1935
Cordele, Georgia, United States
DiedNovember 19, 2009(2009-11-19) (aged 74)
Albany, Georgia, United States
NASCAR Cup Series career
16 races run over 3 years
Best finish40th – 1964
First race1964 Atlanta 500 (Atlanta)
Last race1970 Talladega 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0

Kenneth "Ken" L. Spikes (born February 2, 1935, in Cordele, Georgia - died November 16, 2009, in Albany, Georgia) was a driver for the NASCAR Grand National Series who drove from 1964 to 1970. Before he was in NASCAR, Spikes served in the United States Air Force.[1] During his spare time, Spikes would devote his time to operating a company specializing in heavy equipment.[1]

Career

Spikes officially drove in 1755 laps of professional stock car racing action; which is the equivalent of 2,695.3 miles (4,337.7 km).[2] The primary manufacturers for this driver were Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Dodge.[3][4] While he enjoyed an average start of 31st place; racing skills developed on the track allowed him to improve on his unimpressive starts with an average finish of 26th place.[2][4] Spikes would earn a grand total of $8,235 from his entire NASCAR driving career ($62,055.35 when adjusted for inflation).[2][4] He would fail to qualify for one race only: the 1967 National 500 set in prestigious Charlotte Motor Speedway (Concord, North Carolina).[5]

After retiring from racing, he devoted his life to religion and became a minister. As a faithful church-goer at the Listonia Christian Mission, Spikes knew that he would be attracted to the ministry and became Reverend Ken Spikes.[1] He died at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia; leaving behind his wife Miriam (née Dean) along with four daughters, six grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.[1]

Titles, honours and awards

Shorthand titles

  • February 2, 1935 – [Exact date unknown]: Mr. Kenneth Spikes
  • [Exact date unknown] – November 16, 2009: Reverend Kenneth Spikes

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Ken Spikes' death at Jayski.com. Archived.
  2. 1 2 3 Ken Spikes career statistics at Racing Reference
  3. ↑ Ken Spikes career information at Ultimate Racing History
  4. 1 2 3 Ken Spikes complete information at Fantasy Racing Cheat Sheet
  5. ↑ Ken Spike's only DNQ at Racing Reference
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