Doug Kirk just can’t forget the moment. He and his dad, Carl, had just boarded a plane for Charlotte, NC, the closest airport to Rockingham Dragway.

The elder Kirk, a former member of Gil Kirk’s Rod Shop team, told his son, “I guess we’ll find out this weekend if we need to invest any more money in this Pro Stock thing.”

Doug Kirk was on his way to the “Rock” to drive for Roy Hill, who was unable to drive for the remainder of the 1987 season for personal reasons. When he looked for a replacement, he chose a driver with only one race under his belt.

Not only did Doug Kirk qualify Hill’s Penny Family Thunderbird at the U.S. Open Nationals, but he also drove his way into the final round and stopped the seemingly unbeatable Rickie Smith.

Doug Kirk just can’t forget the moment. He and his dad, Carl, had just boarded a plane for Charlotte, NC, the closest airport to Rockingham Dragway.

The elder Kirk, a former member of Gil Kirk’s Rod Shop team, told his son, “I guess we’ll find out this weekend if we need to invest any more money in this Pro Stock thing.”

Doug Kirk was on his way to the “Rock” to drive for Roy Hill, who was unable to drive for the remainder of the 1987 season for personal reasons. When he looked for a replacement, he chose a driver with only one race under his belt.

Not only did Doug Kirk qualify Hill’s Penny Family Thunderbird at the U.S. Open Nationals, but he also drove his way into the final round and stopped the seemingly unbeatable Rickie Smith.

“That weekend made my career,” said Kirk. “Before that, our goal was just to qualify. Obviously, our goals got greater from that point.”

Proving the Cinderella weekend was no glass slipper affair, he returned three weeks later and along with Hill stopped Smith in the final round of the IHRA Fall Nationals at Bristol, Tenn.

Carl had his answer. He provided Doug with a championship-capable ride and it yielded dividends.

Doug Kirk returned in 1990 and finished second before winning the championship in 1991. He added a second championship in 1993. All total Doug, since that first full season racing with Carl, has finished in the top ten an impressive seven times (1991 – 2nd), (1992 – 2nd), (1993 – 1st), (1994 – 4th), (1995 – 2nd), (1996 – 8th),  (2002 – 10th) and (2003 – 5th). 

Doug has enjoyed an incredible career of 28 final rounds with a 15 – 13 final round record.

“I have absolutely loved running in this class,” Kirk said. “It’s the best way to run Pro Stock. Big inch, horsepower, and quick elapsed times – there’s nothing like it.”