As a teenager living in Kernersville, NC, I could never really figure it out. That is, why I was attracted to drag racing. I was always intrigued to see Ronnie Sox in his red, white, and blue signature cars. Whether I was attending an event at Farmington Dragway or Rockingham Dragway, there was always something that set Sox and Martin apart from the rest. To this day I don't understand what it was. The part that I do know is when the subject of drag racing occurs, his name is always mentioned. Many of us still have images carved into our memories. I only wish I could see that Duster traveling down the dragway one more time. My best regards and sincere condolences to your family.

Not a year goes by without thought's of Ronnie and The Boss.Mr.4-Speed.Ronnie Sox was Pro-Stock!!! I'm sure Greg Anderson,Jason Line,Mike Edward's,Professor,and even Grumpy would ditto this!

Hi Diane,im so sorry to hear about Ronnie's passing,he is missed,i remember when i was a kid growing up watching him race i would get so excited knowing he was racing,he was my icon,watching him go down the track was the high lite,i hope you and the kids are doing ok,i know its hard,keeping you in my prayers and thoughts,may God bless and keep you!

I think it was 1970 that Ronnie and Buddy let their race car be used for a show at a Special Olympics Meet at the Elon College football practice field and one of the S&M staff let my brother and me (we were 13 & 17) push the beautiful Cuda off the trailer, then gave us Official photos! Your wonderful race car team and Family influence made lasting impressions on many young kids in those days. It taught me that if you work at something you can be the best like the Sox & Martin (and Jake King) TEAM!. Thank you Diane for all you've done over the years to continue Ronnie's legacy.

I was Ronnies mail carrier for a very long time and watched him gain fame when I was a young person. He was always a gentleman to me and he always had an interest in my son by giving him matchbox models of his racecars. It was something special to him. He also made my son his first set of golfclubs at age 5,,,he used them to play at Shamrock Golf Club in the Parent Child tournament. He will be missed on the track, the golf course and in life.

Ronnie Sox was my idol as a teenager. I have fond memories of going to the Atco Dragway with my Chevy fiend and watching him do battle with his arch enemy, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins and his 1970 Camaro.

It was because of Ronnie's influence that I bought a 1971 340 'Cuda as my first performance car. I am still a MOPAR guy and drive a 2009 Challenger SRT 8 (Hemi-powered, of course).

-Tom Langston

He was my hero when I was growning up in a small town in Virginia called Colonial Beach which I would ride my bicycle 5 miles and sneek in and watch him match race. Man he was good. Then in '05, me and a buddy got matched up with him on a local Richmond, VA. golf course. Needless to say. He Kicked our buts! Rest in peace. He's still my drag racing and golin' hero! Thanks for the memorys!

My hero's are all leaving us now. So Sad. I grew up in Hudson, NC and we were lucky enough to have a 1/4 mile drag strip. Several times during the year in the 60's, the Sullivan family would bring in Match racers. Dyno Don, Bill Grumpy Jenkins, Shirl Greer, Dockey Triplet, Ronnie Sox's. It cost about $5 to get in and thousands would come in for a Sunday afternoon of racing. I remember Don setting a track record in his white 409 of 118mph. The track was on the side of a mountain and I can still hear the echo's cascading through the valley from those lazy summer days. Jenkins is probably the only one left now. They were the icons back then and it was such a privilege to see these guys apply their craft.

Diane-
AS I had said in the email earlier, it was my very great pleasure to have met you at Carlisle on Friday, 4/29/11. The work you are doing in carrying on Ronnie's legacy is truly a wonderful thing. You are a very classy, considerate, warm and caring, lovely person, and it was an honor to have met you. I was never able to meet Ronnie in person, but I followed his career so very closely. Both my brother and I never missed a chance to see him when he was in our local area. We even patterned our '70 'Cuda racecar after his!! At any rate, we hope to see you at the Manassas event in August, and wish you the best in your efforts!

Dear Marrisa,

What a wonderful way to start my day receiving this beautiful note from you. It was very thoughtful of you to send me such an inspiring and caring email. It touched my heart deeper than you could ever know along with bringing tears of joy to my eyes. Thank you for taking the time to check out the website. Your Mommy and Daddy certainly have raised a very sweet, and thoughtful young lady. It is an honor for me to be a part of the Martin Family. Thank you for this wonderful gift!!!! Hopefully, this year I will have some time to get down to Pinehurst to see you. With much love, Diane

Dear Mrs. Diane,
Hi Mrs. Diane, this is Marissa Martin. I know I have known you and Mr. Ronnie (yes, he is still increadibly close to my heart, and I pray for you everyday!) for quite some time, but I finally decided to look at your website, and I must say, it is increadable. Mr. Ronnie would have loved it, almost as much as he still loves you! I hope you and Pheobe are doing well, and I want you to know how much I love you. When I grow up, I want to be as entusiastic, and as strong as you are! I hope to see you soon!
Sincerely,
Marissa Martin

I grew up in Burlington, NC and would see Ronnie race at the ole Fairchild airport on weekends in the late 50's early 60's. When I attended Blessed Sacrament School we would go to Sox Sinclair on Church street after school to see his cars. The 1962 409 Chevys stand out as the cars that really gat me interested in drag racing. Ronnie taught myself and anyone else who wanted to learn how to 'power-shift' a 4-speed without lifting the gas. He told me before we started that I would probably break a transmission or engine before I got it right. I did both!
Ronnie was the very best true 4-speed drag racer I ever saw. Didn't like it when Ford came out with 'The Boss' cars. We ALL knew who the real BOSS was. And it wasen't a Ford.

This is a Great Site and for such a great cause. Seeing all these pictures brings back many happy memories of watching the Sox & Martin Team Racing. Thank you Diane for your work and to the others who put this site together.

Diane.. you are amazing, I did not know your husband, but I know by the way everyone has reached out that he was amazing just like you! many blessings and love your way.. keep up the good fight!

love jackie coen

we met you in bowling that the hot rod reunion and it was very nice to meet and talk to you continued success with the foundation. god bless devin and sandra greenwald

From the Hub: Charger Garage

Great charity and I was privileged to donate.
Like many other fans I have closely followed the Sox & Martain team since the 60's.
The prize offered for the donation (Cuda)is extremely generous.
Thanks to everyone involved.
Gary Bissonnette

Dear Mrs Sox: Just a note to say congrats to a wonderful website in tribute to a great man! I work for Crown Ford in Fayetteville, NC, formerly Patrick Ford & Purvis Bros Ford, i met Ronnie & Buddy at on of Mr Purvis car shows held at the dealership, very pleasent to talk to & could tell he enjoyed talking to his fans! I'm now Asst Parts Mgr at Crown Ford in Fayetteville, and Buddy & Chris are customers of mine & we talk racing now & then & Mr Buddy smiles when he reflects on his & Ronnies racing legacy! I know they led a great life! Take care & GOD Bless.....Thank You! Gary Padgett!

Thank you Diane for this great web tribute to Ronnie's legacy and for supporting the fight against cancer. Your're truly a saint.

You’ll always be the love of my life
You’ll always be the one that I want
You’ll always be the love of my life, the love of my life
You’ll always be the one that I want, driving me crazy

As always Honey, but especially today you are weighing heavily on my mind.

Great site, to a great man who was fighting for a great cause.