The Villages - March 2022 - 13

Dale Earnhardt senior. " I loved racing, "
she said, " still do. " Vickie now serves as
Carl's " pit crew. "
" If you look at the difference in the
cars, " she said, pointing to photos of the
previous models, " the roll bar sits right
at the neck. So, the driver's whole head
was exposed. "
Carl shakes his head in agreement.
" Honestly, when we raced these cars, we
had a couple of people die on the track
or be seriously injured, " he said. Drivers
in those days risked their lives for the
sign carved with the header: Eckert &
Eckert Racing.
" I got into racing legends cars, and
then
into what's called
a
Thunder
Roadster, " he said. Proud of her husband's
achievements, Vickie says Carl won
several championships throughout his
racing career. Around 2010, he joined
the National Auto Sports Association
(NASA), earned his competition license
and began racing on road courses within
the Southeast, with Vickie by his side -
perhaps his biggest fan.
Post-retirement in 2008, Carl and Vickie
lived in Atlanta for a time before moving
to The Villages. Carl sold his four race cars
due to lack of space, and left racing in his
rear view - or so he thought.
But when COVID-19 hit, everything
sheer pleasure of racing, receiving mere
trinkets for their winnings - a cap or a
plaque, for example.
" It was just exhibition racing, " Carl
said. " You were racing for the fun of it -
no money. "
In 1987, Carl came across a sprint
car his dad had built and sold decades
prior, in the early 60s. The two joined
forces to restore the car, a perfect project
for the father-and-son race enthusiasts.
Soon they were full speed ahead - taking
on other restorations, and racing and
showing their cars.
" (My dad) was quite the racer, " Carl
said. " That was from New England -
won three championships in the 70s up
there, so these were vintage cars. " Carl
shows off the old photos he's affixed to a
memory board, glossy beneath a wooden
changed. With little to do but dream
about the thrill of his racing days, Carl
revisited the sport.
" When I was thinking about getting
back into it, I was looking at several different
types of cars, but I called the guy that
had upgraded my last Thunder Roadster, "
Carl said. " He happened to know about a
car that had been wrecked. "
the
Carl bought the car as is and replaced
chassis
and working
parts.
He
bought all new safety gear and hauling
equipment - even a truck and trailer.
" Carl has a tremendous passion for
racing, and he's an excellent driver, "
Vickie said. " So, you know, it's just a lot of
fun to go with him. "
Standing
beside
their
gleaming
GT Roadster that bears Carl's original
number 24, Carl and Vickie relish the
sport that has always quickened their
pulses - and quickens it still.
MAGAZINE
13
The Villages - March 2022

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