Unity, Maine – Twin 59-lap main events for Maine’s Fastest Late Model class, offering $1500 to the winner, highlight Sunday’s Big John Phippen Memorial race at Unity Raceway, presented by Clark’s Car Crushing.
Phippen, of Town Hill, and was a champion at Unity Raceway, Speedway 95 (Hermon) and Wiscasset Raceway during his long and storied stock car racing career. He passed away two years ago, minutes after climbing from his racecar at Speedway 95 in Hermon.
Defending Phippen Memorial Race champion Dylan Turner of Freedom will attempt to defend that victory against the toughest field assembled yet this season at the storied Waldo County oval.
Turner won’t be the only young racer with a chance to claim victory at the Phippen Memorial. Josh St. Clair of Liberty, a multi-time winner at Unity and 2011 champion of the annual Long John 150 at Unity, will make his second visit of the year to Maine’s Toughest Racing Oval in an attempt to honor one of his grandfather’s close friend’s memory.
St. Clair’s grandfather, Dave “Boss Hogg” St. Clair, is a multi-time champion of Unity’s old Pro Stock class and one of the most popular drivers in the track’s 60-plus year history. Though recently retired from the cockpit, St. Clair has two cars entered in the event, with grandson Ryan St. Clair joining Josh in the event.
Reigning track champion Jeff Burgess of Fairfield should be a contender for the checkered flag, along with the driver currently tied with him for the 2012 championship point lead, Brian Whitney of Burnham. Whitney is especially successful in extra-distance events at the Route 139 oval track.
Highlighting the entry list for the event is Johnny Clark of Farmingdale, the six-time Pro All Stars Series Super Late Model champion, and winner of the richest-ever race at Unity several years ago. Clark will drive a car owned by Albion’s Dean Fuller, a multi-time Pro Stock champion at Unity Raceway himself.
Ending a long hiatus from the cockpit and entering the event is John Clark III, Johnny’s father, who last raced in 1994. He’ll wheel the # 21 Late Model normally driven by Ben Clark (no relation), and owned by Ben’s father, John Clark.
Double points are on the line in all racing divisions on Sunday afternoon. Post time is 1:00 p.m.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m., with 20-lap Late Model heat races, qualifying six cars for Sunday’s main event. A full card featuring all weekly racing divisions, including the season debut for the popular Teen Thunder class, will be presented by Benton Fun Park.
Adult grandstand admission for Saturday’s program is just $10, Sunday’s admission is $15 for adults. For more information visit unityraceway.info, johnnyclarkmotorsports.com, or call (207) 453-2021.