Over the years, Eric Kenward has made a big name for himself in the world of small-tire drag racing. In 2009, he slashed records with his iconic Malibu Wheelie Wagon and won the ORSCA Modified Street Championship. He also captured the NMCA Edelbrock Xtreme Street championship title, won the coveted World Cup Finals: Import vs. Domestic in 2016, and carries a long list of race wins across the country on his resume.
Nowadays, Kenward is focused on shaping the future of drag racing. In April 2024, he launched the EKR Youth Program, a hands-on learning initiative designed to teach kids, aged 13 to 17, the fundamentals of race car metalwork and fabrication. Twice a month, Kenward’s shop in Vero Beach, Florida, becomes a classroom with currently 20 students enrolled and many more still on the waiting list.
The EKR Youth class covers everything from basic tool handling to advanced welding techniques. Students learn how to tear down race engines, explore braking systems, and understand the differences between slicks and drag radial tires. Alongside a team of dedicated volunteer mentors, Kenward guides students through hands-on mechanical training while also teaching core values like teamwork, responsibility, and discipline.
“It’s not just about building cars,” Kenward said. “They learn to respect the tools, clean up after themselves, and understand that what they build with their hands is something to be proud of.”
Kenward’s story began in Detroit, Michigan. His father and uncles all worked for the Big Three automakers, where they passed their passion for cars and racing onto Kenward at an early age. His love for cars only grew stronger as he reached high school, and from there, he quickly developed a love for G-body-style cars. After moving to Florida, a need for more reliable metal work and fabrication services inspired Kenward to teach himself welding, tube notching, and chassis fabrication. His self-taught experience eventually transformed his automotive shop into a high-performance racing and fabrication business that offers a variety of chassis, suspension, and drivetrain parts and components as well as customizable services. Over the years, Kenward’s success on the track earned him a strong reputation and led to partnerships with industry leaders like Mark Menscer, TRZ Motorsports, and AFCO.
After achieving everything that he wanted to in his racing career, Kenward now feels compelled to share his knowledge and live out a longtime dream of giving back to his community through the EKR Youth Program. The class is currently building a 1989 S10 race truck from the ground up with a goal to debut their build at races in the fall and put their hard work in the shop to the test on the racetrack. He’s already taken students to races in Orlando and Bradenton for the World Series of Pro Mod and the program’s impact is already showing as multiple students have expressed serious interest in pursuing motorsports as a career.
“I just want these kids to realize that if you like cars, engines, and racing, there’s plenty of jobs available in the motorsports industry,” Kenward said. “Taking the kids to the races shows them how important it is to be consistent with the job they’re assigned on the crew. So, it’s more than just race car fabrication, it’s really the whole race program we’re teaching them.”
Looking ahead, Kenward hopes to expand the program through partnerships with schools, local businesses, and even national organizations. The program is entirely free for students and the food, snacks, and drinks they receive every class are supported by local donations and Kenward’s business. He is grateful for the support from companies, such as TRZ Motorsports, Tin Soldier Racecars, and Moore Race Chassis, and fellow racers including former NFL superstar turned PDRA Pro Street racer Fletcher Cox, who sponsored a meal for the class last month.
Through all of this, Kenward’s goal is to inspire a new generation of fabricators, tuners, and even racers to carry the sport of drag racing forward. He is doing his part to keep the skilled trade industry alive by getting kids involved at an early age.
“As I’m getting older, I’m realizing that there’s less people that are doing what I’m doing, so we’re really trying to keep the kids engaged in motorsports and any kind of trade,” Kenward said.
As for his famous Malibu Wheelie Wagon, it is now part of the learning experience for his students at the shop. However, Kenward does have potential plans to bring it back out later this year. He expressed an interest in racing the turbocharged, 447-cubic-inch small-block Chevy at the World Cup as well as a possible run in the Limited Drag Radial class.
“I’ve pretty much done everything I wanted to do in racing, but I would like to have a 3-second pass in my wagon, so we’re leaning towards an LDR-style build,” Kenward said. “We’re just going to try to hit our own goal and whatever happens from there, happens from there.”
Kenward’s legacy is not only defined by his record setting passes and championship wins, but also by his commitment to share his knowledge with others and getting them excited about opportunities to build something from the ground up, compete, and succeed. By launching the EKR Youth Program, he’s focused on building a strong community, inspiring the next generation, and securing a bright future for the sport he loves. His personal motto, “God, family, and Chevrolet” isn’t just a catchphrase, but instead the foundation of his journey in motorsports and the driving force behind his mission to keep the sport alive for generations to come.
To learn more about the EKR Youth Program or to support their efforts, visit www.EKRacing.net or contact the shop directly.
This story was originally published on May 19, 2025. 
The post Building the Future: Eric Kenward Launches EKR Youth Program first appeared on Drag Illustrated.