Life in the Fast Lane
It’s tough when our heroes suddenly become mortal. For 40 years, Reginald Fountain II was the face of the company he founded, Fountain Powerboats. Always clad in black clothes adorned with the company logo and until recently his perfectly combed, jet-black hair, Reggie won races and relentlessly promoted his product, building a following that was reserved for guys like A.J. Foyt, Carroll Shelby and Richard Petty.
He’s had to pull back the throttles a little, having undergone two knee replacement surgeries, two spinal surgeries and a procedure to re-route his insides. As he steps out of his black Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, he says, “I’ve had that sumbitch up to 202 mph.”
Those who’ve known him for decades see an aging version of Reggie. His black hair is now grey. He moves like a guy who’s spent 40 years chasing speed records on the most challenging racetrack. The bravado and promotion has been replaced by a reflective humility and gratitude for what he’s achieved and those who helped him succeed.
Still, when he draws close, the familiar fire in his
