Special Memories

Ed McLawhorn Jr. · 11-20-2016, 05:45 PM

A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of carrying my dad back down the track again after 10yrs on the sideline. He stopped driving due to back issues and several surgeries. You see, my dad is 83yrs old, blind in one eye and was clinically diagnosed with alzheimer's early this summer. We knew something was going on when he had trouble remembering some day to day activities. After hearing the not so good news, he stated he wanted to go down the track again. He started drag racing in 1964 with a H/S 56 chevy jr stocker and ran SS with a 283 for many years. I was traveling with him to the local track in1964 and up and down eastern seaboard for over 25yrs. When NHRA allowed ported heads in SS, he did not have the finances to upgrade so he removed the 283 and placed it on an engine stand. He ran Super Street for a while and local brackets to feed his racing disease. He was never completely filled, but it was better than staying home.
A couple years ago, I took the same 283 off the stand and upgraded with a used set of heads to run some combo' and divisional races. The car is the same chevy2 wagon and short block he ran in the 70's and early 80's. I don't know who was crying more when I cranked it, me or him. It was worth every dollar I spent to see his expression. At the moment I thought that was the greatest drag racing moment between us until recently.
Back to a couple weeks ago.....As we all know, life has a way of sending us over bumps and changing focus and priorities. I put a swing bar so he could access passenger side. We made 2-passes. One pass was a slow "warm up" pass just as we did years ago at our local track. The second pass was a full pass and even though timers were at the 1/8 mile, I carried the old wagon well into the 1/4 mark. We both cried again and I now know this is the greatest drag racing moment between us. Being a class racer from 1964 - present, he asked me how much did his 225 lbs slow us down. I know where I got my passion from for sure! My son now has the passion and hopefully I can continue to make drag racing memories like my dad did for me.

Ed McLawhorn Jr.
SS - 2266

HR9121 · 11-20-2016, 06:10 PM

Great story Ed, sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis but I bet he will remember these moments for a very long time. See y'all next year!

thomas sheehan · 11-20-2016, 06:11 PM

Great story Ed.... I believe you posted this picture once before. Is this the car you are talking about?

Mickey Whaley · 11-20-2016, 06:39 PM

Keep taking him down that track when you can he was a good competitor when we raced and a very nice man.

Keith 944 · 11-20-2016, 08:00 PM

great story, enjoy every moment you can. life is way to short

Ed McLawhorn Jr. · 11-20-2016, 09:10 PM

Thanks Mickey. I appreciate the kind words. And yes, he wants to go again.

Tom, that actually is dad's younger brother's car and is currently driven by my cousin. He has owned the 55 since 1969 and dad actually ran it a year as a jr. stocker too.

I have attached pic of wagon around 79 ish. It has been painted again to black and silver.

Doyle Evans · 11-20-2016, 10:00 PM

Please tell Ed I'm thinking about him and sending prayers.....as a young boy watching your dad, Garley Daniels, Bobby Warren, Bud Rowe........well......enough said......

Hang in there,

Doyle

Ed Carpenter · 11-20-2016, 10:10 PM

Great stuff. Always enjoy our conversations. Talk to you soon my friend.

Pistol Pete · 11-21-2016, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hr9121

great story ed, sorry to hear of your dad's diagnosis but i bet he will remember these moments for a very long time. See y'all next year!

x2....

Ed McLawhorn Jr. · 04-03-2018, 10:59 PM

It's with a sadden heart I have to report I lost my dad this afternoon to alzheimer's. He will always be my hero and a great teacher of life. I have a lifetime of memories of not only drag racing but of life in general. He instilled in me the "never give up" philosophy and he maintained it until his last breath. He will be missed dearly. Love you Dad.

Ed McLawhorn Jr.

11-20-2016, 05:45 PM	#1
Ed McLawhorn Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 306 Likes: 3 Liked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Special Memories A couple weeks ago, I had the honor and privilege of carrying my dad back down the track again after 10yrs on the sideline. He stopped driving due to back issues and several surgeries. You see, my dad is 83yrs old, blind in one eye and was clinically diagnosed with alzheimer's early this summer. We knew something was going on when he had trouble remembering some day to day activities. After hearing the not so good news, he stated he wanted to go down the track again. He started drag racing in 1964 with a H/S 56 chevy jr stocker and ran SS with a 283 for many years. I was traveling with him to the local track in1964 and up and down eastern seaboard for over 25yrs. When NHRA allowed ported heads in SS, he did not have the finances to upgrade so he removed the 283 and placed it on an engine stand. He ran Super Street for a while and local brackets to feed his racing disease. He was never completely filled, but it was better than staying home. A couple years ago, I took the same 283 off the stand and upgraded with a used set of heads to run some combo' and divisional races. The car is the same chevy2 wagon and short block he ran in the 70's and early 80's. I don't know who was crying more when I cranked it, me or him. It was worth every dollar I spent to see his expression. At the moment I thought that was the greatest drag racing moment between us until recently. Back to a couple weeks ago.....As we all know, life has a way of sending us over bumps and changing focus and priorities. I put a swing bar so he could access passenger side. We made 2-passes. One pass was a slow "warm up" pass just as we did years ago at our local track. The second pass was a full pass and even though timers were at the 1/8 mile, I carried the old wagon well into the 1/4 mark. We both cried again and I now know this is the greatest drag racing moment between us. Being a class racer from 1964 - present, he asked me how much did his 225 lbs slow us down. I know where I got my passion from for sure! My son now has the passion and hopefully I can continue to make drag racing memories like my dad did for me. Ed McLawhorn Jr. SS - 2266

11-20-2016, 06:10 PM	#2
HR9121 Live Reporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New Bern, NC Posts: 3,467 Likes: 146 Liked 3,363 Times in 731 Posts	Re: Special Memories Great story Ed, sorry to hear of your Dad's diagnosis but I bet he will remember these moments for a very long time. See y'all next year! __________________ James Williamson W200 J/SA. SS/JA

11-20-2016, 06:11 PM	#3
thomas sheehan Photographer Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 1,717 Likes: 24 Liked 75 Times in 29 Posts	Re: Special Memories Great story Ed.... I believe you posted this picture once before. Is this the car you are talking about? __________________ Tom Sheehan SS GT/NA 1046

11-20-2016, 06:39 PM	#4
Mickey Whaley VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,220 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Special Memories Keep taking him down that track when you can he was a good competitor when we raced and a very nice man.

11-20-2016, 08:00 PM	#5
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,192 Likes: 1,159 Liked 1,873 Times in 576 Posts	Re: Special Memories great story, enjoy every moment you can. life is way to short __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2-1/2 X somebody Still many X nobody

11-20-2016, 09:10 PM	#6
Ed McLawhorn Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 306 Likes: 3 Liked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Special Memories Thanks Mickey. I appreciate the kind words. And yes, he wants to go again. Tom, that actually is dad's younger brother's car and is currently driven by my cousin. He has owned the 55 since 1969 and dad actually ran it a year as a jr. stocker too. I have attached pic of wagon around 79 ish. It has been painted again to black and silver. Attached Thumbnails

11-20-2016, 10:00 PM	#7
Doyle Evans Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 141 Likes: 0 Liked 16 Times in 6 Posts	Re: Special Memories Please tell Ed I'm thinking about him and sending prayers.....as a young boy watching your dad, Garley Daniels, Bobby Warren, Bud Rowe........well......enough said...... Hang in there, Doyle

11-20-2016, 10:10 PM	#8
Ed Carpenter Live Reporter Join Date: May 2006 Location: Dripping Springs, Tx Posts: 2,709 Likes: 186 Liked 520 Times in 132 Posts	Re: Special Memories Great stuff. Always enjoy our conversations. Talk to you soon my friend. __________________ Ed Carpenter 2005 Chevy Cobalt A/SM Race Engine Development

04-03-2018, 10:59 PM	#10
Ed McLawhorn Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 306 Likes: 3 Liked 19 Times in 17 Posts	Re: Special Memories It's with a sadden heart I have to report I lost my dad this afternoon to alzheimer's. He will always be my hero and a great teacher of life. I have a lifetime of memories of not only drag racing but of life in general. He instilled in me the "never give up" philosophy and he maintained it until his last breath. He will be missed dearly. Love you Dad. Ed McLawhorn Jr.