We at InsideDirtRacing.com recognize the contributions made to the sport of dirt racing by those who race in the support classes each week at our local tracks. Their work, dedication and sacrifice are just as great as those who compete in the Late Model divisions. As a result, we hope to shine a spotlight on one of those unsung heroes each week of this season by having them answer eight questions as well as provide other information.
This week’s driver is Derik Duggan
Derik Duggan
Derik Duggan has been one of the more successful racers in the east Tennessee area for a number of years. The 41 year old resident of Lenoir City races at a number of tracks in the region but has been at the new I-40 Raceway several times this season.
He primarily races to help his son now, but his own competitive fire still burns.
“Right now we’re running Mini Stocks,” Duggan said. “I ran Late Models for years until Atomic shut down. Me and my father-in-law were into it, but it got so expensive we quit. We were out of it for about seven years, but my boy started wanting to run a little so I built him one. I’m in the Mini Stock trying to dial it in before I put him in them.”
1. How long have you been in racing?
“I started when I was 16, so it’s been 25 years. I started out in the Mini Stock class at Atomic mostly, but I ran my very first race at Wartburg because my dad ran Late Models up there. It took me four years to get my first win. But since I got that one, I’ve had about 140.”
2. Why the Mini Stock class?
“It’s a very competitive class. It’s fairly low budget. The poor boy can get in there and still be competitive.”
3. The best thing about being a race car driver is____.
“It’s just fun. It’s a good sport. It’s better for kids to get out here and race than to be out on drugs.”
4. Your best moment in racing came when ____.
“It was 2003 and Atomic had got rained out. We had two cars, a limited and a super, and we went to Baxter(TN). They were having a 50-lap, $5,000-to-win face that night. We went down there and set on the pole and won the race after taking the car back to the shop and working on it for an hour or so. That was my first Super Late Model win.”
5. My biggest dream in racing would be _____.
“I’m about too old to be dreaming. I’m just having fun right now. If you’d have asked me that 20 years ago, I might have said the Busch or ARCA series.”
6. What other racer do you admire?
“I’ve admired Ronnie Johnson a long time. He’s a very good sportsman. I grew up watching him race with my dad.”
7. What’s your favorite thing to do away from the track?
“Just work around the house and playing with the kids.”
8. If I wasn’t racing I would be ____.
“Working at my job at TVA.”
