Hometown Hall of Fame honor gives Phillips cause to reflect

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Lyndal Scranton (Lscranton755@gmail.com)  

Wheatland, Missouri (May 11, 2016) - There are plenty of races remaining and more checkered flags to chase. But the type of honor Terry Phillips received this week tends to turn even steely-souled veterans a bit reflective.

So it was with Phillips on Tuesday after he was named part of the 2016 induction class for the Springfield (Missouri) Area Sports Hall of Fame.

"I guess when you get a little older you need to look back at what you've done and appreciate it," the 30-year dirt-track racing veteran from Springfield said. "You tend to always be looking to the next weekend and the next race and that's all you think about.

"Moments like this make you stop and think about what you've done and what my father's done and the ones before me accomplished. It's pretty humbling."

Phillips, who turns 50 next month, will officially enter the Hall of Fame in ceremonies Sept. 20 at the University Plaza Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale later this summer at springfieldmosportshof.com.

Other members of the induction class are baseball player Mark Bailey, basketball player Virgle Fredrick, football coach Bob Price and boxer Jon Pinney.

Phillips' father, racing legend Larry Phillips, went into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Other racers in the Hall include Lester Friebe and the Roper Family (Dean, Tony and Dale).

Terry Phillips said the opportunity to represent the racing community in a club with only 117 other members, most of whom made their marks mainstream sports, is significant.

"There's not a lot of racing people in things like this," Phillips said. "It's good to be recognized and represent racing fans and racing people.

"Racing's a big deal around here and a lot of people don't know it. We work hard and work a lot of hours. It's a tough deal and it's good to be recognized."

Phillips is a three-time Lucas Oil MLRA Series champ and all-time MLRA leader with 109 feature wins. He has six MARS Dirt-Car championships and 87 career wins in that series - more than double anyone else.

Phillips' wife, Lisa, and Carol Kuntz, wife of the late founder of Andy's Frozen Custard, John Kuntz, attended the Hall of Fame announcement. Andy's Frozen Custard and Don Babb of Bolivar are Phillips' major racing sponsors.

"I have to thank my wife and my family to supporting me in a sport where I stay gone a lot," Phillips said. "Thanks to Carol and (her son) Andy Kuntz for their support, along with Don Babb. It we didn't have them, we'd be in trouble.

"My dad told me one time that if you won three races, you could pretty well pay for your race car. You can't do that these days."

Phillips also thanked his father, who died in 2004, for "teaching me everything I know."

Shortly after the luncheon announcing the new Hall of Famers, the time for reflection on past accomplishments was done. Phillips was back at his race shop, preparing for a big MLRA weekend with races Friday at the Dubuque (Iowa) Fairgrounds and Saturday at Deer Creek in Spring Valley, Minn. Both features will pay $5,000 to win.

Still in search of his first Late Model victory of 2016, Phillips said he's boosted by a strong third-place run in his Black Diamond chassis last Friday at Davenport, Iowa.

"I've never run Dubuque before, but I've heard it's a real good track," Phillips said. "Deer Creek, I've raced there a bunch in my Modified, but never in the Late Model. So I might have a little advantage over these guys. We'll see. It's a cool track."

Phillips said it's important to build positive momentum with the 24th annual Lucas Oil Show-Me 100 Presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com at Lucas Oil Speedway just two weeks away. Phillips admits he often struggles at Lucas Oil Speedway, but is hopeful of finding the right combination this year.

"That race is huge for us around here," Phillips said of the Show-Me 100. "It might even be on TV and in the papers. It's a huge deal. People come from all over the country to watch that race. It's good for our area. Hopefully, we'll run good."

Show-Me 100 reminder: There also are a select number of three-day passes remaining for the Show-Me 100 - which for the first time this year has full Lucas Oil Late Model Series features each of the three nights.

Those passes are $95 and include reserved seats along the front straightaway. Call Anna Harnden at (417) 282-5984 for more information.

On tap this Saturday: The Budweiser Weekly Championship Series resumes on Saturday with a program presented by Nichols Media Inc. (NMI) and Sport Boats USA. Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds will be featured, running a $750-to-win, 25-lap feature.

Also on the program will be Carson's Corner NAPA Auto Street Stocks, the Ozark Golf Cars USRA B-Mods and the ALPS Food Stores ULMA Late Models.

Gates open at 5 p.m. with hot laps at 7 and racing at 7:30.

For complete event information, archived stories, ticket info and schedule information for the season, visit lucasoilspeedway.com

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks. 

Click www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984.  

In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.  

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CONTACT:

Dan Robinson

Lucas Oil Speedway General Manager

Lucas Oil MLRA Series Director

Office: (417) 282-5984 

Dan@lucasoil.com    

The Budweiser Weekly Series resumes with Round 4 on Saturday with NMI Media Night at the Races Presented by Sport Boats USA

About Lucas Oil Speedway 

Lucas Oil Speedway is considered by fans, drivers and industry insiders to be one of the top five Race Tracks in the Nation. Located in Wheatland, Missouri, approximately an hour from Springfield, Missouri and just a quick hour and a half from the Kansas City Metro Area, dubbed the "Diamond of Dirt Tracks" Lucas Oil Speedway certainly lives up to the title.

Twenty-One VIP Luxury Suites, HD Jumbo-Tron Screen, Stadium Style Musco Sports Lighting, a Bose Sound System, Go-Kart Slick Track, The Diamond Bar, Track Treasures Gift Shop, the best track food in the country and paved pits are a few of the spectacular amenities setting the Diamond of Dirt apart. 2016 marks the 6th season for the Liquid Quarter Mile Drag Racing Lake, Lake Lucas. Two Nationally televised Drag Boat Races featuring the Lucas Oil Drag Boat Racing Series will be held in 2016.

Lucas Oil Speedway hosts some of the largest and most popular events in the Midwest! National and regional touring series appear frequently for Special Events on the Diamond of Dirt Tracks. The Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series, POWRi Midget National Series, Lucas Oil Pro-Pulling League, United States Modified Touring Series, ASCS Sprint Cars and the Lucas Oil MLRA.  

In addition to the incredible Special Events, the Lucas Oil Speedway Budweiser Weekly Racing Series features, the ALPS Food Store ULMA Late Models, Pitts Homes USRA Modifieds, Carson's Corner NAPA Street Stocks and the USRA B-Mods, racing weekly.