Convicted of Cheating in 1997, Eckman Seeks License Reinstatement …

The NHRA hasn’t raced at National Trail Raceway (Columbus, Ohio) since 2004, yet Pro Stock crewman Jerry Eckman goes to the famed facility in his mind every time he works the wrenches on Roger Brogdon’s entry.

Eckman was once an accomplished driver with five national event victories to his credit and qualified No. 1 more than a handful of times, but one incident in Columbus negated the aforementioned achievements.

Eckman was caught cheating in an incident that literally exploded in his face. A nitrous bottle mounted in the oil tank exploded during a routine warm-up prior to qualifying sending shrapnel throughout the pits at National Trail Raceway.

Eckman contends that he was guilty by association; an unwilling participant in a scheme that he alleges was concocted by his then team owner Bill Orndorff. For the veteran driver, he understands that he crossed the line when he remained in the car after he alleged Orndorff let him know that the car had been rigged with a device intended to deliver nitrous oxide to the engine.

The National Hot Rod Association leveled a penalty of unheard of proportions to Eckman and Orndorff, a two-year penalty and a $50,000 fine.

Eckman attempted a comeback with Dave Beli after serving the two-year suspension and paying $13,000 towards the fine. The NHRA accepted the money and established a schedule of $1000 monthly payments while enabling Eckman to compete. Eckman said Beli was assisting him in payment of the fine.

Beli later opted against returning to the sport. A financially challenged Eckman, who had used his life savings to pay the initial $13,000, had his suspension reinstated when he couldn’t make the payments on his fine.

"Bill sold the business, and my teammates and him went over to a new team with Dick Sherman," Eckman said in another article. "They never missed a step."

"Bill wasn't a driver, so it didn't affect him," Eckman said. "He could buy a ticket and go in the track. That team actually won two races that year.”

Eckman came clean in a 2007 interview with CompetitionPlus.com regarding his role in the incident and the article was republished last Sunday as part of the ENCORE SUNDAY series, where the magazine republishes popular past stories. The readership of CompetitionPlus.com, many of whom read the article for the first time, responded favorably towards Eckman.

The battle-wearied veteran said on Tuesday that his decision to talk on the record regarding his incident was the right thing to do.

“For ten years I didn’t say a thing and I felt it was best not to talk about the incident,” Eckman admitted. “The incident affected my whole life. I am trying my best to look ahead and working with great teams has enabled me to do that.

“I don’t regret telling my story. Someone had to fall on the sword for everyone.”

Eckman may never drive in competition again but regaining his NHRA competition license would be a major step in getting his life back and would become an asset by making his available as a test driver to the team.

“I really don’t think I would ever return to competition,” Eckman said of regaining his license. “You never know. I wouldn’t mind filling a role like Tommy Lee, who tests and drives in competition every once in a while.”

Having that once in a while opportunity would do wonders for Eckman.

“All I can do is tell my story, admit my guilt in an unfortunate situation and hope someone in a position of power at the NHRA recognizes that the punishment should fit the crime,” Eckman said. “I think I’ve more than paid for my crime.”

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