UN ITY — Jeff Burgess already won the Late Model points championship at Unity Raceway this season.

Now, the East Madison driver hopes to make history at the track.

Burgess will try to win a record fourth Long John when the green flag drops at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“I’d like to stand alone,” said Burgess, who is tied with track owner Ralph Nason and Dresden native Scott Chubbuck with three Long John victories. “I want to break it. I’m going to race it like I sold the car because I have all winter to fix it.”

The 111-lap race, which will pay $1,500 to the winner, will feature an intriguing field.

Waterville native and former NASCAR Nationwide Series driver Pete Silva, 63, plans to compete Sunday.

Silva competed in 64 Nationwide races from 1982-1995. Twice he finished seventh in points, in 1982 and 1983, and ended his career with 12 top-five finishes.

Silva had more than $50,000 in career earnings while racing in the Nationwide series.

“It’s been overwhelming,” said Silva, who raced at Unity in the 1970s with Maine icons Stan Meserve and Nason. “We’re looking forward to it. I guess I’m a blast from the past.”

Added George Fernald Jr., who runs Unity Raceway: “We are looking forward to having him back. It’s a great field.”

Silva, who resides in Dade City, Fla., said he blew a motor Thursday but still plans to make it to Unity for the race.

Fernald said about 30 cars will try to qualify for the race. Nason will also enter a car in the race, which Carl McAlpine will drive. McAlpine, of Burnham, finished third in the Wildcat division at Unity this season.

Former Pro Stock champion Dean Fuller of Albion is also in the field. Fuller is one of the most successful drivers in Unity history, winning multiple Pro Stock championships.

Burgess and David Folsom I of Skowhegan, who finished second to Burgess in the Late Model points standings, headline the list of Unity regulars.

“Folsom and Burgess are the local favorites,” Fernald said. “They’ve had great years and are just good drivers.”

Burgess edged Folsom by 15 points in the Late Model standings.

Drivers practiced Friday in advance of the qualifying heats today.

Burgess, however, decided not to take his car out Friday.

“It’s going to be 20 degrees warmer (today) so it didn’t make any sense to go out,” he said. “There’s no use getting the car set up when the weather will change the next day. I’ve raced this 10, 15 times. I’ll be ready.”

Bill Stewart — 621-5640

bstewart@centralmainetoday.com

 

Copy the Story Link