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The Ewing Brothers
By Bud De Boer
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| (L-R) Gary, Wayne, & Ken. |
Sportsman racing is and has been for many years the very backbone of the sport. You can refer to them as the “the little guys,” but in many cases are just as competitive as those who inhabit drag racing’s top echelons. Take Super Stock for instance. It’s home to three dedicated individuals from Maryland known as the Ewing Brothers, who make it tough on anyone they face in SS/JA competition. They’ve been at it as a team for nearly 40 years and have seen their fare share of quarter mile while racing at NHRA divisional and national events. Though they compete primarily on the east coast from Canada to Florida, the trio has also seen action more than once at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis. Like many successful things in life, they started small and grew from there
It began in 1958 when oldest brother Ken started racing his 57’ Chevy at Aquasco Speedway and when tracks like Capitol, 75/80, Cecil County, and York began opening in the early 60’s, there were more than enough drag strips in close proximity to satisfy his need for speed. However, it didn’t take long for second oldest brother Wayne to pick-up on Ken’s quarter-mile ventures and he too wanted in on some of the action. So he began tagging along with his older brother to see for himself what going door to door for 1320 feet was all about. He liked what he saw, got his drivers license, and soon began racing his dad’s go to work car, a 1952 Oldsmobile.
1964… Wayne purchased one of the hottest muscle cars of the day, a 1962 409. Chevy Impala. He did some street racing with it as well as made an occasional drag strip appearance, but after realizing the car’s competitive potential, converted it into a ¼-mile only vehicle. Known as “Mr. Intensified.” both he and Ken shared the driving chores.
1965… Enter third and youngest brother Gary, who at 14 also began to show interest in racing. Though not old enough to compete yet, he was allowed to make warm-up runs with the 62’ Impala. The next two years were a great learning experience for him as older brothers Ken and Wayne paid close attention his driving style, especially the prowess he showed on the starting line when the tree did its countdown to green. They liked what they saw and it wasn’t long before young Ewing was asked be the teams driver on a regular basis.
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| The Little Zipper lays down a 12.18, 111.11 pass during the early '70s at 75-80 Dragway. |
1968… In September that year, Ken ordered a 1969 Z28 Camaro from Anderson Chevrolet in Baltimore, MD and took delivery of it late December. It was driven on the street for about two weeks and then removed in order to modify it for competition. Its maiden voyage came in March 1969 at Capitol Raceway Park, where it was entered in F/Stock. Dubbed the “Little Zipper,” it’s been a mainstay for the Ewings ever since..
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| Selected in 1972 by Schmidt's Beer of Philadelphia as one of six cars to represent the brewery, the Ewings proudly display its new paint scheme and logos. |
1971... The Camaro was re-classified as a Super Stocker.
1972... Their car was selected by Schmidt’s Beer of Philadelphia as one of six on the east coast to be sponsored by the brewery. It was repainted using appropriate colors and logos as designated by Schmidt and when not racing, displayed at liquor stores and special events.
1973... With help from sponsors, the Ewing Brothers were able to upgrade their operation and in so doing, took home their largest seasonal winnings to date while competing at Cecil County Dragway.
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| No stranger to the SS/IA wars, Gary Ewing clicks off a strong 9.79-133.00 during 2003. |
1989... Won the Keystone Nationals at Maple Grove Park in Reading, PA.
1990’s... Were runner up twice at the Summernationals in Englishtown, NJ.
2003... Set a SS/IA national record at Motorsports Park in Montgomery, AL.
2005... Won Best Appearing Car at Englishtown, NJ.
2006... Won Best Appearing Car and set a national record for SS/JA at the same event in Orlando, FL, a first by any sportsman racer on the east coast. In addition, they set another national record for the same class that year while racing in Bradenton, FL.
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| Don't let the car's good looks fool you. It was No. 1 Super Stock qualifier at the 2008 NHRA Virginia Nationals with a -1.246 under its class index. |
These days, the brothers are still going strong in SS/JA with their 69’ Z28 Camaro. They keep a busy schedule, making the rounds of NHRA events as well as displaying the car in shows when time allows. Not only is their vehicle quick and fast on the track, but also gets a many a second look when standing still. Re-painted three years ago and outfitted it with a new interior. Every removable part that could be chromed has been. It’s a real showstopper to say the least!
The Ewing Brothers were inducted into the East Coast Drag Times Hall of Fame held in Henderson, NC, October 17-18-19, 2008.
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