Marvin Ford congratulating winner at Fort Payne Motor Speedway
Marvin Ford, the longtime owner and promoter of Fort Payne (Ala.) Motor Speedway and founder of the United Championship Racing Alliance for Crate Late Models, died Saturday night at his Cedartown, Ga. home.
The death of Mr. Ford was reported by his son Craig Ford on Facebook and Steve Hixson, who assisted the Fort Payne track and the UCRA series with publicity.
Mr. Ford had bypass surgery many years ago and suffered a mild heart attack in 2016. He was at home after Fort Payne’s scheduled Saturday racing was rained out. He was found in distress and efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.
Mr. Ford’s racing connections included being a former flagger at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, Ga. before taking promotional roles. He operated Green Valley Speedway in Glencoe, Ala. from 1989-97 and later purchased the former Thunder Mountain Speedway in Fyffe, Ala. and renamed it Fort Payne Motor Speedway.
He was constantly trying to improve things weekly at the racetrack, and had grand ideas about making the experience at the racetrack better for fans and drivers.
Besides his son, Craig, among survivors are longtime partner Janis Ingram, who handles day-to-day operations of the racetrack. Arrangements are incomplete.