Larry Phillips passes

[Racewriter]

Short track legend Larry Phillips has lost his 4-year battle with cancer, as of this morning. He was 62. Some of his accomplishments:

5 NASCAR Winston Racing Series National titles
900 feature wins
3 NCRA Late Model championships
Feature wins with untold organizations, including ASA, ARTGO, NASCAR, NDRA, NCRA, MASCAR, USAC, WoO, IMCA, and God knows where else.

The "teacher" for Rusty Wallace, Ken Schrader, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, and countless others.

He will be missed.

[Ozarkian]

Interesting article on his life and career:

http://www.springfieldnews-leader.com/today/0922-Springfiel-184799.html

I grew up watching him race (and usually win) Friday nights on the old dirt track at the Ozark Fairgrounds in Springfield. To everyone in southwest Missouri in the '60s and '70s, he was the face of local motorsports.

And a lot of fun to watch. RIP.

[Railbird]

Hell of a driver, I was lucky enough to see him run a few times.