The world may never know how many races Larry Phillips won. Some estimate the number approached 2,000. But regardless of just how many times the Missouri driver visited victory lane, it is without question he is one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Phillips was a demon both on dirt and asphalt. Among his many championships are five NASCAR Weekly Series titles. He also earned 13 track championships.
Beginning his career racing on dirt, Phillips later made the switch to asphalt and kept right on winning.
Phillips won 23 of 27 NASCAR-sanctioned races he entered in 1989 and won 38 times in 40 starts in 1992.
Phillips died of cancer at age 62 in 2004.
Featured here (clockwise from top left): Larry Phillips (left) and Dick Trickle in 1972; On track in 1989; In victory lane at Winchester (Ind.) Speedway after a 1976 ASA score; Showing off his hardware in 1978; At the track in 1978; The 1991 NASCAR Weekly Series champion, his second title; At the track in 1995; In the garage in 1976. — NSSN Archives