Carl Kirk sat in the shade, outside of the direct sunlight encompassing National Trail Raceway. The former Rod Shop Dodge team member sat with his former teammate Eddie Eckard taking in the action. Both are well past their drag racing years, Kirk, 70, Eckard, 80, but on last Friday, at the ADRL Ohio Drags, they shared hot dogs, soft drinks and a few memories.

Those memories nearly flowed freely as they recollected moments while racing at the NHRA Springnationals and other events.

“Those were the good old days,” said Kirk, who raced a B/Altered and A/Gas Mopar back in those days. “We raced until about 1972 when we realized that we had to raise families.”

Carl Kirk sat in the shade, outside of the direct sunlight encompassing National Trail Raceway. The former Rod Shop Dodge team member sat with his former teammate Eddie Eckard taking in the action. Both are well past their drag racing years, Kirk, 70, Eckard, 80, but on last Friday, at the ADRL Ohio Drags, they shared hot dogs, soft drinks and a few memories.

Those memories nearly flowed freely as they recollected moments while racing at the NHRA Springnationals and other events.

“Those were the good old days,” said Kirk, who raced a B/Altered and A/Gas Mopar back in those days. “We raced until about 1972 when we realized that we had to raise families.”

Both the elder Kirk and Eckard have children who race in competition. Eckard’s children have raced for years in the NHRA’s Super Gas divisions. For Kirk, he’s having the time of his life watching his son, Doug Kirk, a former multi-time IHRA Pro Stock world champion and past Extreme Pro Stock champion, compete last weekend at the famed facility he once claimed as his stomping grounds. Soon he’ll be checking out his 16-year old grandson Justin Kirk, who is scheduled to begin licensing procedures later this year for Pro Stock competition.

Doug pointed out that he essentially spent the majority of his youth at National Trail.

“You’re born and bred into it,” Doug said. “There are so many memories for me because I spent so many years here. I watched him race for so many years and knew that was what I wanted to do when I grew up. It was neat to grow up in a drag racing family like that.”

“He was just your typical kid,” said the proud father. “I watched him come out and was proud of what he did.”

Now the torch is starting to pass to Justin and for Doug, he understands the pride his dad had in watching him race and win for the last twenty-five years.

“I watch my son and it’s a lot like my dad used to do with me,” Doug added. “The evolution of this racing keeps getting better and better and he’s already beyond me because he’s in charge of the racing computer and that stuff.  I can’t do it and I can tell you my dad can’t do it.”

Regardless if his offspring are better suited for the current technology, the memories of yesterday is what has made Kirk’s time in racing complete.

“Those were some of the best memories I had in drag racing,” Kirk said. “Today’s racing is just all work and no fun. I have fun watching my son and now my grandson.”

Doug quipped, “My mom always accused my dad of living his life through me because back when he raced he couldn’t afford it. It’s all worked out for the best.”

 

Advertisement