b'Multi-Time Champion EckertContinues to Excel at High Leveland started racing on and off. Eckert is in the midst of another Thats pretty much it. points battle at Lancaster this season. Dale Eckert works at a higher level atHe is giving it his all to try to get back most through the week. He races He uses the same car in both Boxto the IHRA Summit World Finals. He at a higher level than most during and No Box competition. He swapsexplained how he thrives when many the weekends. the box out between rounds, but hasother drivers crumble underfound the most success in No the pressure.The 48-year-old from South Wales,Box races. N.Y., is a tower climber where he fixesI do my best work at the end of the antennas and does maintenance onI like the bottom up for sure. Iveseason, climbing that ladder when towers. Recently, he was 150 feet inhad my best luck with bottom up,the pressure is on, he said. I enjoy the air on a crane for the NFLs Buffalohe said. Putting the box in the carthe pressure and its what I strive Bills, putting an antenna on a is something cool, the way you canfor. When you get the pressure, you light pole. bump down and bump up. Ive startedget the adrenaline. When you get the enjoying that too. adrenaline, you say to yourself,Thats only one part of Eckerts Its time to go. Then, you get thehigh life.What he really enjoys is being a partjob done.of the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, the One of the most successful weeklylargest and most prestigious nationalEckert is all about getting the job racers in the International Hot Rodchampionship in bracket racing.done, whether its occupation or at Association (IHRA), Eckert has aHe is particularly fond of the IHRAthe track. He considers himself lucky combined 14 track championships atSummit World Finals, held annually atthat hes never gotten into bees while Lancasters New York InternationalMemphis International Raceway. working high in the air. However, Raceway Park and at Empire Dragway. he was once attacked by a falcon. I love the Summit SuperSeries, heAfter being in such an environment Its easy to say when Eckert shows upsaid. I qualified for Memphis threethroughout the week, one might think with his 1969 Camaro with a 355-cubictimes and its always exciting. Itshe would take up a slower hobby, but inch Chevy motor, the competitionalways exciting being in the chase,nothing offers the thrill, the reward knows he is the driver to beat. Eckerttrying to get to Memphis. I have noand camraderie of drag racing.explained that its the same car whichwords for that race. There are a lot hes raced since high school. of cars and its super cool, how theyI like being in the winners circle, he treat you so nice down there. Its asaid. I also like my friends and how My dad gave me $300 as agreat facility and a great event. my family comes out with me. My two graduation present towards my firstIve met guys from Alaska there sons and my wife Rachael, they come drag car, Eckert said. I got the 69and I think there was a guy from out and support me as well as my Camaro which was a field car. I took itAustralia there. buddy, Fast Eddie, whove we raced home, just started working on it. Withwith years together. Its something my job, I would put some money in itthats so much fun on a Friday and Saturday.10'