TRIBUTE

1962 – 2024

By Nate Van Wagnen

Coyle started drag racing at Kentucky Dragway in Clay City , but he also raced extensively at London Dragway , where he still holds the track record . A retired Production Engineer Specialist at Toyota Motor Manufacturing in Georgetown , Coyle developed a strong reputation as a tuner and driver in the Pro Modified ranks , with a specialty in mechanical fuel injection .

With more than 40 years in the sport , Coyle tuned for numerous drivers in different Pro Modified classes and series , including NHRA Pro Mod , ADRL Pro Extreme , PDRA Pro Extreme and Pro Boost , and Piedmont Dragway ’ s Big Dog Shootout series . Many Pro Mod fans know Coyle from the days of Pro Extreme , when he tuned Terry Leggett to numerous wins and eighth-mile passes in the low 3.50s and even high 3.40s .

One of Coyle ’ s most recent accomplishments was working with Jamie Chappell to help him find the winner ’ s circle in the Big Dog series . Driving his Coyle-tuned , supercharged “ War Eagle ” ’ 63 Corvette , Chappell won the $ 20,000-to-win Big Dog Shootout Allstars event last fall .

“ He was more than a tuner to us . He was a true friend ,” Chappell wrote in a Facebook post . “ We have never met anyone like Terry ; so down to earth , so nice to everybody , and so smart . Terry was instrumental for us becoming friends with Justin Carmack and Robbie Matthews . When Chuck Ford called me that Sunday and told me to call Terry Coyle , I thought , ‘ He won ’ t have time

Coyle watches as Chappell launches his “ War Eagle ” ’ 63 Corvette .

Jamie Chappell and his Terry Coyle-led team celebrate their $ 20,000 Big Dog Allstars win .

Terry Leggett ( left ) and Coyle pose for a “ Look Who ’ s Reading ” photo .

for me or take my call ,’ but right the opposite , we met a true friend .”

Justin Carmack , founder of Carmack Engineering , counted Coyle as a longtime mentor and friend . They worked together on several teams , including Chappell ’ s .

“ Well , buddy , none of us was ready for you to leave ,” Carmack said in a Facebook post . “ However

, sometimes that ’ s not our decision . I ’ ll be forever grateful for the Terry Coyle School of Mechanical Fuel Injection you have taught me over the years . I ’ ll do my best to hold the fort down and keep pushing to get our new products to life , buddy .”

Coyle earned the respect of his fellow tuners and drivers , especially those younger than him , as he was known for sharing his knowledge and expertise with others .

“ Terry Coyle was a great man ,” shared Stevie “ Fast ” Jackson . “ He was a hardworking and tenacious racer and he knew how to use actual tools on a race car and not just a USB cord . I enjoyed our time racing together and he was a loyal friend and member of KTR [ Killin Time Racing ]. Every time Terry would smoke the tires , ‘ Back up Terry ’ would echo through the headsets , and to this day in the shop , it remains a phrase that reminds us all of him . Keep the hammer down , Terry Coyle .”

Beyond his tuning capabilities , Coyle was also a skilled driver in an Outlaw Dragster and a series of Pro Mod cars . He won multiple track championships at London Dragway , where he also lowered the track record countless times . He clearly made an impact at London Dragway and the other local tracks he frequented , like Kentucky Dragway and Edgewater Sports Park , as those tracks all shared tributes to him in the days following his passing .

“ Terry was one of the greats ,” said London Dragway ’ s tribute . “ Not only a great race car driver , but a great friend to us here at London Dragway . He called weekly just to check in on Craig [ Boone , track owner ], just to talk as a friend would do . Terry Coyle drove the Chevelle owned by Jonathan Garrett and was currently our track record holder at 3.753 . This is a devastating loss to whole the racing community and he will be forever missed here at London Dragway .” DI

Terry Leggett ’ s Coyle-tuned Pro Extreme Mustang .

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GREG BURROW , TARA BOWKER , IAN TOCHER , AND FRIENDS OF TERRY COYLE