'I just kept on racing': WI racing legend Jerry Eckhardt in his 61st season on the track
SLINGER, Wis. (CBS 58) -- He's known as the 'World's Oldest Teenager,' he's been a fixture on Wisconsin racetracks for more than six decades, and at 83-years-old, he still gets revved-up on race day.
"Can't believe I've been at it this long." said Jerry Eckhardt from his home and workshop in Johnson Creek. I don't have any interest in ballgames or golfing or anything else. So, I just kept on racing."
83-year-old Eckhardt is a living legend on racetracks around Wisconsin. He started at the Columbus 151 Speedway 61-years ago, when he was 23-years-old.
"Myself and a friend, one Sunday afternoon," he said. "Cut up his wife's street car and made a racecar out of it. A '56 Mercury."
He never stopped. Columbus, the Jefferson Speedway, Slinger Speedway. Columbus, Jefferson, Slinger. Jefferson. Slinger. Week after week in his cars he calls the 'Orange Blossom Special' number-61. Racing the 61. Fixing the 61. Racing. Fixing. Racing. Fixing. For 61 seasons.
"I'm not one for paint and polish. I just fix it." Eckhardt said. "Probably takes me longer than if I just threw a new panel on it."
"People throw things away that Jerry says, well there's nothing wrong with that, I'm gonna use that." said his wife and frequent crew member, Kathy Eckhardt.
Jerry and Kathy live in Johnson Creek where he also runs his auto repair and 24-hour towing business.
His garage is full...of stuff.
"I always think well I can't throw that away," said Eckhardt "I might repurpose that for something."
And he does.
Like his infamous hauler he uses to take his cars from one race to the next.
It's part Chevrolet.
"Back in the 80s I had a guy and his wife, instead of driving to the track, they wants to ride with me." he said.
Part Ford.
"I put a Ford Freda I-beam in the frame and set that cab on behind the main cab." explained Eckhardt.
All Eckhardt.
"Right now, there's no room for anybody to ride in it because I got too much stuff in it." Eckhardt said.
On the track, on race day, Jerry's not racing the clock. He's not racing Father Time. No other metaphors. He's just racing.
"I haven't decided yet when I'm going to quit." he said. "I think I can do it a few years."
"His biggest goal is to be the oldest in Wisconsin still racing." said Kathy. "He'll continue to do it as long as he's competitive and I think he is."
"It's just what I do and what I am." said Eckhardt, when asked about his longevity. "I don't think it's anything special. It's not to me. But it is to other people, I guess."