Racer of the Month

Our featured Racer of the Month is Clayton Clark from Bowling Green, Ky. Much like our previous two, at age 27 he is also a second generation racer. Clark grew up at the racetracks helping his parents Norman and Kay Clark race during the 70's and 80's.

At age 16, Clayton took over driving duties in one of the families twin '27 Roadsters powered by 377 smallblock Chevys. Clark says, "I feel very lucky that my parents gave me the opportunity to start out in a quality car. " It was in those '27 Roadsters that Clayton got his first taste of success. At age 18, he won his first Teen-Tuck race in Bowling Green and followed with other notable wins in Atlanta at the Division 2 Super Pro Race of Champions, Bradenton, Fl. at the Pepsi 5-Day Challenge and a second win at Tenn-Tuak.

Clark teamed with friend and racer Derriak Borders in '95 to build a Spitzer Dragster. Their plans to compete in Super Comp at NHRA and IHRA national events were halted on June 3, 1995 when misfortune struck and the two were rearended in a highway accident. Clark suffered a spinal cord injury which sidelined him for a year and a half. It took ten months of inpatient and out patient therapy before Clark could return home to Bowling Green in '96. Clayton syas, "It was a hard time to get through, but the support of my family and friends helped my recovery."

Though Clark was partially paralized, he decided to return to racing when he bought a '64 Chevy II powered by a 468. His return came in the spring of '97 running mostly local races in the Bowling Green and Nashville area. He says he didn't feel like his return was complete until he scored back to back winner and runner-up finishes at Music City Raceway's Southern Survival Series. Clark says, "It was a big relief and joy to get that first win again."

clayton plans to travel to more big money races in the '99 season. he'll be doing so in an oldsmobile Calais powered by a complete drivetrain out of one of the '27 roadsters. Clark said, "I wanted to go with a lighter, more dependable combination this season with hopes of more consistancy and less maintinence."

In conclusion, Clayton asked if he could leave us with these comments. "I would like to thank my family, friends, and all the racers. A lot of poeple lent their help and support during my accident and return to racing. I owe a lot of people gratitude and can only begin to explain how much it means to be on the recieving end of their kindness. Thank you all."

Sincerely,

Clayton Clark

Click on the photo to view it at full size