Charlie Padgett

Charlie Padgett came from a racing family. One of five racing brothers, Padgett, of Jasper, Ga. , started his career at a track in Dalton , Ga. , and ran at practically every track in North Georgia at the time.

He was the Southern Racing Enterprises Modified Champion in 1956, racing at Canton , Dallas , the Peach Bowl, Banks County Speedway, Gainesville Speedway, and Toccoa Speedway.

Padgett raced quite a bit at the Peach Bowl, but really came into his own at the legendary Athens Speedway in Athens , Ga. , where he won the July 4 Mid-Season Championship event in 1964 and 1966, and the Labor Day Championship event in 1964 and 1965. He also competed at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock , Ga.

Padgett retired from racing in 1980, and opened the Airport Speedway go cart track in Jasper in 1981. He and his wife operated the track for the next 20 years.

Charlie Padgett leads Charlie Burkhalter at Athens Speedway 1962.

Burkhalter moves down under Padgett to take the lead.

Freddie at Athens Speedway reunion 2011.