Over the years, the countless Super Stock and Stock drivers who have earned class eliminator wins at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals could count on receiving two things for their efforts; an NHRA Wally trophy and a friendly smile when greeted by photographer Eric Brooks in the top-end winner’s circle at O’Reilly Raceway Park. Each class winner at the 2009 U.S. Nationals will still receive a Wally, but sadly, Brooks isn’t there to greet them as he passed away on June 18 at the age of 66 after a battle with cancer.

Brooks, who began his career at Suffolk Raceway in Virginia in the early 1960s, assumed his familiar top-end post in 1969 at the urging of late National DRAGSTER photo editor Leslie Lovett.  From 1969 through 2008, he never missed a race.

Each year at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, there are more than 100 class winners crowned in Super Stock and Stock (as well as Comp and Modified throughout the 1960s and 1970s). Throughout the weekend Class champions often filter into the winner’s circle at their leisure making for some long days yet Brooks rarely missed a photo. Two weeks after the event, Brooks’ photos were featured prominently in the National DRAGSTER sportsman results, which feature each class champion proudly posed next to his or her race car.

This year, longtime National DRAGSTER photographer and longtime Division 3 lens man Richard Brady stepped in as the official top end cameraman and like Brooks before him, Brady has spent the better part of two days snapping photos of each happy class winner.

While Brooks may be gone, he has not been forgotten as his familiar spot at the top end has been marked by a plaque t that pays tribute to his many years of service to NHRA, O’Reilly Raceway Park, and the many U.S. Nationals class champions who annually looked forward to spending time with him in the winner’s circle.