Local racer hits the pavement at Plymouth Speedway after life-changing injury

PLYMOUTH, Ind. -- Fans packed the stands at Plymouth Motor Speedway Saturday night to watch a lineup featuring NASCAR champion and South Bend native Ryan Newman racing against his daughter, Brooklyn Newman, along with several nationally known drivers.

Race organizer Irish Saunders said the event brought talent from across the country.

"They're from all over the country here tonight, driving the midgets tonight, and it's going to be a really, really good show." Saunders said.

For Saunders, racing has been a lifelong passion.

"I've known Ryan since he was a kid, racing quarter midgets at New Carlisle," he said.

Still, the driver he was most excited to watch wasn't one of the sport's biggest names — it was his son.

Eric Saunders made his asphalt racing debut Saturday in the All Star Midget Series, more than 15 years after a motocross accident left him paralyzed.

"My son, Eric, who was paralyzed in the fall of 2010 racing motocross for Tony Stewart, is now racing for Tracy Trotter and Calico Coatings, along with Tony Stewart and Ryan Preece," Irish Saunders said. "He's racing with hand controls tonight, first time ever on pavement, first time ever in a midget. So I'm pretty excited to see him."

From the outside, Eric Saunders' No. 11 car looks like any other race car. Inside, however, the controls have been modified so he can drive entirely by hand.

"There's basically a cable that goes to the throttle where the linkage is, and it pulls on it," Eric Saunders said. "Then the brake is just like a motorcycle hand control that goes into the master cylinder."

The custom setup allowed him to continue pursuing the sport he loves.

"I always say it's like a drug," he said. "It's hard to stop doing something that you love and have passion for. I've just loved racing all my life."

Although Saunders has experience racing on dirt tracks, Saturday marked his first race on asphalt — a longtime personal goal.

"It's kind of a crazy deal," he said. "Everybody's worried. They're like, 'Oh, I can't believe you're doing this.'"

Despite competing alongside some of racing's biggest names, Saunders said he was eager for the challenge.

"I am absolutely very nervous. I'm not going to lie," he said. "But once I get out there, I think all the nerves will go away."

Organizers said they hope Saturday's event is just the beginning of a busy season at Plymouth Motor Speedway. They are also looking ahead to another major event featuring NASCAR champion Tony Stewart on Aug. 6.