From "Walker, Texas Ranger" To Norris, Stock Car Driver

When the checkered flag drops, count on this father and son to be a winning combination.

Chuck Norris, internationally acclaimed actor and martial arts legend, introduced his son, Eric, to auto racing over fifteen years ago, and they have been racing together ever since. Most recently, the duo has teamed up to compete in the popular NASCAR Winston West Series. Chuck is co-owner of the race team and Eric, a rookie in the series and currently 14th overall, will be behind the wheel.

The elder Norris, also a National Powerboat Champion, understands the need for speed and knows racing talent when he sees it. "If Eric wasn't such a good racer I would be nervous, but he is a very intelligent driver. Early on in his racing career, I saw that he had tremendous talent. Although, I was surprised when I learned that he wanted to drive professionally. I couldn't discourage him from racing, because I knew he had too much talent. Considering Eric is racing on a very tight budget, he is doing very well."

In auto racing, staying competitive requires both a talented driver and good equipment, which, of course, requires money. When is comes to getting corporate sponsors to fund his racing, Eric has found that having a parent in the public eye is more of a hindrance than a help. "Because of my father's success in the entertainment business, people think we have an unlimited budget, "Eric said. "But, that is not true. We are working very hard to get more sponsors and have tried to keep our equipment equivalent with other race teams. I don't know if they think my dad is sponsoring the whole thing, but he's not."

Off the track, father and son also team up on the television drama, "Walker, Texas Ranger". Chuck is the Executive Producer and star of the hit series while Eric functions as the Stunt Coordinator and Director of Action Sequences.

Footage from the NASCAR Winston West Series will be used for a special two hour "Walker, Texas Ranger" episode that will air the second week of January. Chuck shared his secrets on the making of the episode," I told Eric, you either race way in front of the pack or in the back. Either way it will look like you are leading in the race," he jested. "We have to go back to the track the second week of November to shoot close-ups of me in the race car so it looks like I am driving the car."

Although his work on the television show consumes most of his time, Eric's passion is to be behind the wheel. He would like to race full-time with NASCAR's big guns, "My ultimate goal in racing is to join NASCAR's superstars on the Winston Cup Series circuit. For now, I am taking it day by day. I'd like to run in the NASCAR Winston West Series another year and then move up to the NASCAR Busch Grand National Series before I take aim at the Winston Cup Series."

And how does dad feel about his son's goals? "I'd rather see him race cars then perform stunts, it's safer," said Chuck. "When Eric gets the right car and the right crew, he is going to be a great, top flight driver. When people hear the last name 'Norris', they will think of Eric. It will be Eric's time."