Jerry Eckman misses the home he knew for almost three decades. To him, driving a Pro Stocker was the place he had lived since 1955. He’s still involved in the sport but a fine related to a controversial situation in the mid-1990s keeps him from returning to active competition.

Eckman is a crewmember on Kenny Koretsky’s Pro Stocker driven by Mike Thomas. The gig with Koretsky represents his first full-time racing gig since the infamous nitrous explosion at Columbus in 1994. The controversial incident took place in the pit area before Eckman had even turned a tire under power in competition.

Jerry Eckman misses the home he knew for almost three decades. To him, driving a Pro Stocker was the place he had lived since 1955. He’s still involved in the sport but a fine related to a controversial situation in the mid-1990s keeps him from returning to active competition.

Eckman is a crewmember on Kenny Koretsky’s Pro Stocker driven by Mike Thomas. The gig with Koretsky represents his first full-time racing gig since the infamous nitrous explosion at Columbus in 1994. The controversial incident took place in the pit area before Eckman had even turned a tire under power in competition.

Eckman actually came back and raced for three races in 1999 with former car owner Dave Beli and had reached an agreement with the NHRA to settle up the fine stemming from the accident. As luck would have it, Beli sold the car the following winter.

“I miss driving, there’s no doubt about it,” Eckman said. “It’s all I ever did since 1955. I’m still holding out that I will one day drive again.”

That incident, in which Eckman maintains his innocence, tarnished a reputation he’d worked hard to develop.

“It’s certainly a disappointment to have a black cloud hovering over what you poured your heart and soul into,” Eckman said. “It’s a terrible way to have to live the rest of your life.

“The day is coming when I will be able to clear my name from this mess.”