When most people hear the name Carl Weisinger, they think of a talented track operator and promoter, a longtime NHRA racer, and a multi-event winner in Super Stock. Others might picture him with his stunning red 1964 Plymouth Savoy. However, for Shelby Weisinger Wood, he’s simply known as “Grandpa.”
Most notably, Shelby’s grandfather was the previous owner and operator of Orlando Speed World. The facility, located in Bithlo, Florida, has hosted the World Street Nationals since 1993 and was founded by Carl Weisinger. The iconic race is now nationally recognized as “the event that started at all,” which triggered the creation of other outlaw drag races throughout Florida. This year marked the 31st anniversary and Shelby has attended every single one. However, this was the first year she attended the event without her beloved grandfather, who passed away unexpectedly last January at the age of 78.
One of the first people to reach out to Shelby after her grandfather’s passing was Ozzy Moya, the current owner of Orland Speed World. It was Moya who suggested that Shelby honor her grandfather at this year’s race.
“When Ozzy asked me if I would like to do something for my grandfather, I couldn’t think of a better way to give tribute to him than at the World Street Nationals,” Shelby says.
After delivering a beautiful eulogy, Shelby stood on the starting line with her grandmother, Diane, as her husband and her grandfather’s best friend made a tribute pass down the racetrack. In one lane was Carl’s Plymouth and in the other was his 2009 Dodge Challenger, the car that he had most recently raced in NHRA Super Stock until his sudden passing.
It is now Shelby who sits behind the wheel of the Challenger, and she intends to pick up right where her grandfather left off. Over the summer, she began testing the 3,000-pound Mopar, equipped with a 360-cubic-inch Jeff Taylor Performance Hemi. The 32-year-old plans to compete in Super Stock within the NHRA Division 2 series. The first race of the season is scheduled for February 21-22, 2025, at Orlando Speed World.
While the Weisinger family and the racing community are still grieving the loss of a great man with over 60 years dedicated to racing, Shelby often reminisces about the many fond memories of her grandfather to help her get by. One of Shelby’s fondest memories with him was their road trip to Moroso Motorsports Park in West Palm Beach, Florida. During the drive, they listened to the country song “Private Malone” by David Ball on repeat, singing the lyrics together the entire way. Although Shelby was just 10 years old, she knew the song by heart.
Years later, as a mother trying to soothe her restless baby, Shelby found herself singing that same song as a lullaby, which turned out to be the only way to settle him. Now, her sons, Waylon, 6, and Cash, 5, still ask their mother to sing that tune during their bedtime routine, which warms her heart and makes her think of her grandfather every time.
Shelby, a NICU nurse at Winnie Palmer Hospital in Orlando, was primarily raised by her grandparents and spent most of her childhood at the racetrack. She remembers her grandfather, affectionately known to many as “Big Carl,” being the kind of man who always danced to the beat of his own drum and had a straightforward personality. He had an infectious smile and great sense of humor but was never the type of person to tell you what you wanted to hear. He was as genuine as they come.
“Growing up, I had a rocky childhood, but my grandfather was there to pick up the slack,” she says. “He was just a straight cut kind of person, and you don’t get that a lot these days. Don’t get me wrong, he could be stubborn and ornery, but he always had a soft spot for me.”
Shelby now has a full-blown racing family of her own. When they’re not drag racing, they can be found rooting for her husband, Derrick, who races Thunder Stocks on dirt at Volusia Speedway. Motorsports surely runs through the blood of her family, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Shelby is proud to be the granddaughter of a pioneer for drag racing who has worn many hats over the years as event promoter, track announcer, Super Stock racer, and NHRA Hall of Fame inductee. However, Shelby confirmed Carl’s most cherished role was being a grandfather to Shelby and great-grandfather to Shelby’s children.
With the full support of her family, grandmother, Diane, and many friends, Shelby is determined to continue her accomplished grandfather’s legacy through their shared love of racing. Her grandfather’s red Plymouth rests quietly in the shop at Shelby’s home, located just outside Orlando Speed World, as she continues race his Dodge Challenger. While Shelby is certain her grandfather earned a winning time slip to the other side, she is confident that his spirit rides with her during each pass down the racetrack, and that’s exactly how she plans to continue his legacy.
This story was originally published on December 3, 2024. 
The post Passing the Torch: Shelby Weisinger Wood Continues Legacy of Late Grandfather, Racetrack Owner Carl Weisinger first appeared on Drag Illustrated.