Born: January 17, 1948
Hometown: Jackson, MS
Year Induction: 2010
Six-time U.S. Karting National Champion (’65-’78)
World Karting Champion LeMans, France (’78)
WKA Karting National Point Champion, Road Racing Series (’08)
NASCAR (1980-1998)
Developed & serves as board member of trackside ministry Motor Racing Outreach with Rev. Max Helton
Board of directors Concord (NC) First Assembly of God
Board of directors One in Heart Foundation
Lake, the son of former Jackson, MS mayor Leland L. Speed (’45-’49), began his kart racing career in junior high school. Older brother Joe had to drive him to competitive races before Lake got his drivers’ license.
Against his father’s wishes, he developed an internationally successful karting parts business in Jackson.
After winning the World Karting Championship in 1978, Speed left the sport on top and drifted toward NASCAR on the advice of fellow Mississippian William Jeanes, the former editor-in-chief of Car and Driver magazine. Speed crashed his car in his first NASCAR test drive.
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