By alley - Apr 21, 2016, 1:11 PM ET

IHRA: Thursday Throwback - Ronnie “The King” Davis

They call automobile racing "the cruel sport" for a reason, and on April 9 at Rockingham Dragway, the drag racing community was reminded why. Five-time IHRA champ Ronnie "The King" Davis succumbed to injuries that occurred when his 1963 Corvette made a 90-degree right turn into the path of racer Mark Malcuit's car.

The Corvette hit the wall, but cleared it, and parts struck longtime drag racing writer and photographer Ian Tocher. Both men were from the same part of Georgia, and were good friends. Tocher suffered serious injuries but is recovering.

Early in his career, Davis had a lot of success at the old Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway, where he earned his nickname by dominating a competition called "King of the Hill," a nickname he wore proudly. Davis won his IHRA championships 1990, 1991, 1997, 2000 and 2002. He continued to race with a variety of sanctioning bodies in mostly eighth-mile competition.

From an interview Davis did with

Dragstory.com

last year: "I heard about the Top Sportsman class that the IHRA was racing, and some friends told me It would be something I'd really like," Davis said. "I decided to build a '90 Beretta for the class, which we finished in September of 1989. A week later we went to test at Atlanta Speed Shop Dragway. After just two runs the car was race ready, so we loaded up and went to Warner Robins Dragway for a Dixie Pro Stock race the same day.

"On one of my first passes I ran 4.999 with the 565-cubic-inch motor with one four barrel and nitrous. It was the first time I'd run the car, and I won the event. During the race I took out Gene Fulton and beat Blake Wiggins in the final. The next weekend I went to the last IHRA race of 1989 at Bristol to get my feet wet in Top Sportsman racing and prepare for my run at the 1990 championship. During that race I finished runner-up to Ron Miller."

From that point on, said the interview, Davis was in love with Top Sportsman. He won IHRA world championship titles in 1990, 1991 and 1997, and division titles in 2000 and 2002.

RIP, King.

Finally, this from God Speed Ministry: In order to help cover medical costs for Davis and "Bridge the Gap" while Tocher is sidelined for recovery, God Speed Ministry has opened donation accounts for each gentleman. One hundred percent of donations to those accounts will go directly to their needs.

Donation links are also available at www.godspeedministry.com. God Speed Ministry takes no fees and one hundred percent of donations to the Bridge the Gap Fund go directly to the individuals in need. So far the racing community has helped several individuals through God Speed Ministry's Bridge the Gap Fund with donations upwards of $50,000 distributed in the last several years. All donations are also tax deductible and donors will receive a tax statement at the end of the year. Prognosis for Tocher is very promising and has already been deemed miracle status.