Joie Ray (Joseph Reynolds Ray, Jr.) is one of the nation’s pioneer open wheel and Stock car race drivers. His racing career spanned 17 seasons (1947-1963) as a Sprint, Midget, and Stock car driver. Ray was the first African American AAA license holder and ran in the Central States Racing Association (CRSA), The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), United States Auto Club (USAC) and the Midwest Dirt Track Racing Association. After learning of a Sprint car for sale for $450, Ray placed a dollar bet on the number 450 and won $500. He used his prize money to buy his first race car in 1946, the #7 Joe’s Special (shown here).