Founded in 1967 as central New York’s premier engine, machine and speed shop, today’s Burkart Automotive represents two generations of family-owned and operated history. As the area’s racing and performance hotspot, Burkart Automotive helped mainstream drag racing by bringing such big names as Bruce Larson, Tommy Ivo, King and Marshall and an array of other kings of the quarter mile on site for appearances as they worked their way across the northeast racing circuit.

Racing and high performance is a staple of the Burkart family; Burkart Automotive is managed by Phil Burkart Jr., who has been involved with the store since his first steps and now takes part in every aspect of the operation.

Phil’s own racing career anchors his love of high performance and speed. Since his first drag race at Cicero, NY’s Esta Drag Strip at age 14, Phil has had a taste for racing, licensing for an IHRA Top Alcohol funny car in 1991, then moving to NHRA in a nitro funny car in 1998. Phil’s professional drag racing career includes driving for Rex Nix, Paul Gratton in the Nitro Fish funny car, Bill Blomgren, Paul Smith, culminating with three years behind the wheel of the Worsham Racing Checker Schucks Kragen funny car and a two-event job piloting the injured Castrol GTX funny car of none other than the King of the Drag Strip, John Force. Burkart currently drives Nick Bonafante’s US Male nostalgia funny car at match races across the northeast.

Burkart Automotive specializes in engine building and machine work, 4x4 and off road accessories, and speed and performance gear.