Sonny ates passed away this morning in phoenix a great driver and good friend! Rip the king of the hills!

Very Sad news. I will miss Sonny's smile.

One hell of a race driver an a super nice guy

Rest in peace , always enjoyed talking to him at the harf meetings
DICK & JAN

Rest in peace Sonny, spent many a Sunday afternoon being entertained by your skills.
David.

R I P Sonny

https://www.indianaopenwheel.com/showthread.php?t=27477

God speed, old, old friend, you will live on, in memory of better times. Bob

My favorite memories of Sonny Ates mostly involve having the privilege of watching him wheel the Iddings 93 around the high banks. Gee, has it really been 40-some years ago ?!
RIP

RIP Sonny Ates. You were a class act. Racing has a giant Loss.

Lynn

Sonny Ates was kind and pleasant to visit with at the track. He was always respectful and available for an interview when my wife was writing for NSSN and there were few women reporters yet. He was truly a "Southern Gentleman" and I'll never forget those times at Dayton and Winchester when the big question was whether or not he would break the World Record for a half mile. For you younger guys, he did break it many times in the Iddings 93.
RIP old friend and thanks for the great memories.

Vern Plotts