In this world of high dollar, dog-eat-dog world of nitro drag racing Terry Haddock provides hope to the little guys struggling to keep their bottom line afloat.

To those who have reached the pinnacle of success from the lowest of lows, he’s a reminder of where they came from.

He’s a John Force sitting in the pits of Gateway International Raceway in the mid-1970s after consuming his last bologna sandwich he found under the seat of the hauler. That’s the kind of racing budget he boasts.

Simply put, Haddock’s a refreshing throwback to the old days when drag racers did it for love.

Haddock has the same passion and this insatiable desire to be part of the game has him in an unfamiliar position this week – IHRA Funny Car point leader.
In this world of high dollar, dog-eat-dog world of nitro drag racing Terry Haddock provides hope to the little guys struggling to keep their bottom line afloat.

To those who have reached the pinnacle of success from the lowest of lows, he’s a reminder of where they came from.

He’s a John Force sitting in the pits of Gateway International Raceway in the mid-1970s after consuming his last bologna sandwich he found under the seat of the hauler. That’s the kind of racing budget he boasts.

Simply put, Haddock’s a refreshing throwback to the old days when drag racers did it for love.

Haddock has the same passion and this insatiable desire to be part of the game has him in an unfamiliar position this week – IHRA Funny Car point leader.

“I just love racing anywhere and our win last weekend is a testament to my team,” Haddock added. “I have guys who have been with me for years to pursue a dream to come out here and race. Now we are leading the points. I’ve never led the points in anything except maybe traffic tickets. This is really a neat deal and we appreciate the IHRA giving us a place to race.”

Haddock fees at home with the IHRA because he doesn’t have to look any further than the pit next to him to find other drivers like himself racing for the fun more than the business demands and monetary gain.

Haddock knows very well that money pays the bills, but he declines to complain, opting instead to accentuate the positives. The first positive begins with his supportive wife, who couldn’t be with her husband in Grand Bend, Canada, for his second career national event victory.

If she had been there, she would have witnessed a team that fought tooth and nail to the winner’s circle.

“They never get easier, at least for us,” Haddock said. “I’ve been driving a fuel Funny car for twelve years and I’ve put my heart and soul into it. We’ve eaten, slept and lived Funny car for all of those years. Is it going to get easier? No. They will probably be the same for each one because they are so tough to get. We work long hours and sleep about 15 guys to one hotel room, and we scramble to put fuel in the truck. It ain’t gonna get any easier and it’s still just as rewarding. Things have been so tight that my wife and little boy aren’t here. This is a family deal and I miss them.

“I am lucky to have a wife that believes in me and allows me to do this. Most normal people wouldn’t do this. I’m not kidding when I say we live paycheck to paycheck and hand to mouth, just trying to survive. We’re just fortunate the IHRA gives us a place to race and we spent many years over in the NHRA racing with no money and no one even knows you’re there. At least the IHRA treats us like people.”

Haddock didn’t have to look any further than the pits for an example. Both Haddock and final round foe Steve Macklyn had wounded their cars in the semi-finals – Macklyn to a greater degree.

There was a chance Macklyn might have missed the call for the final. Haddock was prepared to stall as long as he could but wasn’t put in the position.

Still, though racing a wounded opponent, Haddock never took anything for granted.

“You never underestimate anyone and you run your own race,” Haddock said. “There have been plenty of times we have been down to the last minute thrashing. We would have waited and we tried to wait.”

If he hadn’t have been too busy, Haddock and crew would have been over helping their opponent. As it turned out, he had enough problems of his own.

“It just shows the incredible teamwork out here,” Haddock said. “They were busy watching Macklyn but half the teams were over here helping me get my stuff back together. It’s just a great organization over here that we have that. On the other side, you wouldn’t have that.”