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 Success inherited in drag racing family
By Steve Kowalski - Livonia Observer

When you marry a drag racer, you know what you're getting into and what you're not getting into.

A lot of travel, but none of it, thankfully, at the drag strip. Watching is sometimes tough enough on a racer's
significant other.

Janet Holbrook, a wife and mother in the most famous drag racing family in Redford Township, knew what her future  husband liked before they even shared a conversation.

Janet and her friend, Virginia Haddix, were out driving one night in Ohio, where they lived, when they ran into Carl Holbrook and one of his best friends, Warren Miller.

Haddix, the driver of the girls' car, was bold enough to accept a challenge from Holbrook, the other driver.

"Believe it or not we were drag racing them,'' said Janet Holbrook, who was honest when asked who won. "The guys did.''

Ironically enough, Haddix also found her husband that night, marrying Miller.

No, she didn't become a famous drag racer.

Back when Janet and Carl Holbrook met, drag racing was only a hobby for Carl. It became a passion after he opened Holbrook Enterprises, Inc. in Livonia, a shop that specialized in rebuilding car engines.

Carl Holbrook was a 15-year veteran of the International Hot Rod Association, winning many races over that span.

The Holbrooks have three children, including son Chris, whose exploits on the IHRA have even surpassed his father's.

Chris Holbrook, 33, was the leading points getter on the IHRA circuit this year, winning five of 11 starts.
Holbrook races for the Stu Evans Racing Team, which bought Holbrook Enterprises Inc. three years ago.

His mother has an easier time today watching him race than she did years ago when Chris took over the bulk of the racing in the family.

"I didn't want my son to do this; he was young and it scared 'mom,' '' Janet Holbrook remembers. "But I don't worry so much now that he's older. We're very proud of him.''

Carl Holbrook is bed ridden, and on oxygen 24 hours a day because he lost both lungs. He catches most of his son's races on ESPN and gets a phone call, win or lose, from the course.

"I'm very proud,'' Carl Holbrook said. "He does a super job, did a super job this year. I taught him. He went
racing with me all the time. I brought him up slow to where he is now.''

Carl passed away early in the month of February, 2000.

Copyright 1998 Hometown Communications Network