Minneapolis, MN (November 12, 1999)-Although his sponsorship program
was relatively short with the ParkerStores, Rick Eckert has continued to deliver the
goods, months after the USA Nationals at the Cedar Lake Speedway. He is featured on the
cover of the November-December 1999 issue of Dirt Late Model magazine in his ParkerStore
sponsored ride.
Eckert and team owner Raye Vest had agreed to a one-weekend sponsorship program with Parker. Jimmy Mars was unable to attend the USA Nationals due to prior commitments with the Nascar ReMax Series, and Parker was looking for a great candidate to fly the banners at the prestigious televised event. "Rick is probably one of the nicest drivers I've met in racing," said fellow competitor Jimmy Mars. "I have a lot of respect for him both on an off the track."
The three-day sponsorship almost had a storybook ending, as Rick was able to lead 80 of the 100 lap main event. He struggled for nearly 40 laps with backmarker traffic and was eventually spun out by a lap car that would not move over. Eckert had won his qualifying event the previous night and started on the front row for the feature. His car was very dominant until the unfortunate accident.
The ParkerStores were very proud to be associated with such a professional driver, team, family and owner. Although the relationship was brief, Parker race fans had the opportunity to see and meet a true champion of dirt late model racing.
We would also like to thank Tony Hammett for the excellent cover photography.
(John Strand-November 12, 1999)