Hank Parker,
Jr. watched Carl Edwards score the win at the Nashville
Superspeedway in a car he helped practice on Saturday.
Parker, a guy who has two Busch Series trophies of his
own, says helping Edwards get to victory lane is as close
as he wants to get again.
“I think I’ll probably never go back
to racing full-time,” he says.
On
top of enjoying time with his wife and kids Parker
explains, that he’s currently working on a hunting
show with his father and brother, Billy, who also tried
his shot at Busch Series racing for Rusty Wallace,
Inc. just a few years ago.
“I think it’s a combination of things.
It takes a lot to make it. I’m kind of old to
be starting over. I just couldn’t put it together,” the
32-year-old says.
“I’m really having a great time doing
this hunting show with my brother, my Dad. Now, I’m
just living my life. I think the last two years opened
my eyes being away from racing. Racing’s great
and a lot of fun and I love it. It will always be a
part of my life but there are other things to worry
about.”
Parker first entered the Busch Series scene in 1998.
He made the jump to full-time competition from a family-owned
entry and on to the No. 36 Cicci-Welliver machine he’s
most recognized for. He earned his first career win
in California in 2001. His second followed in 2002
at the now closed Pikes Peak racetrack in Colorado.
After his departure from full-time Busch Series
action in 2002 Parker hung around the Craftsman Truck
Series but wasn’t able to make anything stick.
Over the last few years, he’s spent more time
in the garage holding the mic as a race broadcaster
rather than holding the wheel as a driver. And to him,
that’s okay. In fact, after practicing the Edwards
machine again next weekend in Kentucky, Parker will
head to the booth and call the race.
Last season he called the action from pitroad as
Edwards stole the glory with a victory.
Parker has 137 career starts, 31-top 10 finishes,
11 top fives and two wins.
