From the Bolivar Herald-Free Press:
Driver Larry Phillips dominated racing like no other area athlete
The first time I saw Larry Phillips race was more than 35 years ago. I never saw him start a race that I did not think he could win - never.
By By:Dave Strader
Sep 24, 2004
In the hey day of racing at the Bolivar Speedway - when bets were made amongst the good ole boys - it was against the rules to bet on Phillips, because it was a given that if he finished, he'd win.
Many say that he was the best ever, and I won't argue with that. His accomplishments include about 2,000 victories, five NASCAR Winston Racing Series titles and his inclusion in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Larry, as is the case with many racers, always had an interest in flying. (It's the speed.) When the new Bolivar airport opened, he moved his plane here and became friends with the folks who hung around the airport. That's when he and I became friends. He eventually bought some land from the city and, along with Stan Shobe (his racing crew chief), started Mid West Aero.
Phillips lived in Bolivar for a time, but his medical condition, along with his wife Judy's recuperation from a motorcycle accident, necessitated their move back to their Springfield home.
He flew his airplane just like he raced the car, and anyone who saw his little yellow Glassaire cross the sky knows what I mean. After he had to give up flying for health reasons, he got into motorcycles and soon he owned five - the most famous of the lot was a Harley given to him by Ken Schrader and Rusty Wallace.
Every bike he owned was modified to make it faster. Larry mentored and raced with many of today's top NASCAR stars including Mark Martin, Wallace, Jamie McMurray and Schrader. When you answered the phone at the race shop, there was a good chance it would be one of those high profile racers checking on Larry or seeking advice.
Larry passed away Tuesday morning at the age of 62 after a four-year battle with cancer. This afternoon (Friday), legions of fans, family and friends will celebrate his life at the memorial service in Springfield.
After the funeral, Larry's son Terry will head to Lebanon, strap himself in the famous No. 75 and try to put the finishing touches on another championship season. Terry holds the points lead in the Mid America Racing Series going into this weekend's twinbill at the Lebanon I-44 Speedway.
Terry told me Wednesday to be sure and be there because, "I might even try a little harder than usual."
My money will be on Phillips - nothin' new here!
Rest in peace "Champ."
Sports editor's note: The first time I saw Larry Phillips race was at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Springfield in the 1960s. After the race show, a powder puff race was held. The driver of Phillips' red, '62 Chevy, No. 75, was the star of the powder puff show.
The alleged wife of a pit crew member drove off the end of the track, drove back on, hit the gas, hit the brakes, almost hit other competitors and just made racing hectic for the other powder puff drivers. "She" also made it fun for the spectators.
When "she" got out of Phillips' car after the race, "she" had a cigarette in her mouth - not very lady-like in the '60s. "She" took off a long brown wig and was - you guessed it - Larry Phillips.
Hopefully, I've been reasonably neutral in my writing as I've reported on hundreds of Phillips' wins over the years. The truth is now out, though. I've been a huge closet Larry Phillips fan all these years.