Allen Caton always wanted to get into politics.

Caton has done that—and much more.

The life-long Chilton County resident got his start in public service when he was elected to the Jemison City Council at 28 years old in the early 1980s. After that, Caton has made two runs for the state House of Representatives, has served on the state executive board for the Republican Party for the past six years, was appointed to the Chilton County Commission in 2006 and elected to the commission in 2008.

“I’ve always loved politics,” Caton said. “I honestly enjoy serving the people.”

In addition to his commission responsibilities, Caton owns or operates several businesses: Caton Acoustical and Drywall, Caton Properties Management Company, Advanced Mechanical Contractors, Bar-D, and Caton Motorsports.

The last item in that list is the one that may be Caton’s passion. Caton got involved in racing when an employee asked him to sponsor a car in the ‘80s.

Then, Caton said he “made the mistake of getting in it and racing one time.”

That was in 1993, but a wreck in 1995 made Caton realize his family needed him to not race. Now, the driving is left up to Caton’s son, Justin. “If he can go to Cup,” Caton said about NASCAR’s top series, “I’ll follow him all the way.”