b'Q & A 5 Questions with Josh PeakeIHRA Division 2 & 9 Director You have been involved in drag racing yourthe addiction to traveling and fishing some FLW stuff whole life, how did you get your start with theand any other thing I could find. Fishing like that is hard International Hot Rod Association (HRA) andand is like having another job. I always compare fishing what led you to becoming a division director? to playing golf. Youll never be competitive at either one unless you spend a lot of time doing it. Unfortunately, I havent fished this year very much. Ive probably fished I started going to races that my Dad was working backless than 10 events all year. Years past I was fishing 2-3 during the mid-80s I guess. Back in those days IHRAtournaments a month. Its something that demands a lot had two races at Darlington and Bristol every year soof your time to be competitive, so I just decided to put it that gave me opportunities to go. Obviously having aon the back burner and enjoy time with thehuge love for the sport, I was dying to get involved. Thefamily instead.very first race I ever work and got a check was working the water box at a Super Chevy Show at Bristol. BackWhat are some of the rewards of being an in those days the IHRA office was at Bristol so a lot of the IHRA officials would work that event. I think I wasIHRA division director? What is the toughest probably around 14 years old at that time. part of your job?The road to me being the Division Director was funnyRewards for me are when you have a great event. I take because it was something that I had never reallyour events personal and really tend to beat myself up considered until it came up. At the time I was thewhen one doesnt so well. But having a good event and Division 2 and 9 Starter when Satch Gragg decided toseeing how these racers love what they do and the fact retire. I was really surprised when he told me that he wasthat I had a hand in making that happen is awesome. leaving and going to move to another area in racing. Not really thinking about it at the time he mentioned thatToughest part is being the bad guy. Its part of it but it he thought I should think about taking the position. Atdoesnt take long to realize who your real friends are in first, I was thinking no way I would want to do that. Afterthis industry. thinking about it for a couple of days I called Skooter and told him that I was interested in hearing more about it ifYour father Clyde Peake has been the Chief they thought I was a good fit. The rest is history, I guess. Starter for the IHRA for many years, what Away from the race track you are big intokind of influence did he have on you as you fishing and compete professionally, explaingrew up and got involved in racing?how you got started in competitive fishing?My Dad had all this influence in the world on me. He How many events do you get to each year?introduced me to something that was very special at some of the best times of IHRA history. I loved this Fishing has been one of my favorite things to do since Isport more than anything growing up and really wanted was a kid. Growing up fishing with Dad and friends wasnothing more than to be a part of it. During those days the best. My start in fishing competitively was just doingof the late 80s to late 90s, the IHRA was killer. To be a few local tournaments here and there. Then gettingable to wear the uniform and be a part of it was truly 28'