Bonnie Patrick, more commonly known as Momma Patrick, passed away on November 27, 2024, following a brief illness. She was 78.
Those who knew her regarded her as the driving force behind her son Robert’s drag racing career. He won the IHRA Pro Stock championship in 2007.
“That’s the absolute truth,” Patrick said. “We bonded through our racing time. It was my mom, Dad, and my sister Emily, and we traveled the country racing IHRA and then NHRA.”
When Patrick returned to racing the IHRA in 2004, his father Eli stayed home for much of the racing tour with the grandchildren while Bonnie went on the road with her son until 2010.
“It wasn’t just me that she was passionate about in competition,” Patrick explained. “She was the same way with my sister in dancing and my daughter Presley in her pageants.”
“She instilled in us the passion of success. Mom lived through all of us. She did whatever it took to help us win. She was awesome to have on your side. She always came to win. I spent a lot of time with her, and I will cherish those memories.”
Patrick regrets that she didn’t get to go to the races with his youngest daughter, Bristol, as she develops her drag racing career as a Junior Dragster racer.
“I guarantee you; she will be with us… looking down and cheering her on,” Patrick said.
Bonnie is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Eli; their two children, Emily J. Patrick (Timmy) and Robert Patrick, Jr.; and her three granddaughters, Julia R. Patrick, Presley F. Patrick, and Bristol G. Patrick.
