DARLAND GOES BACK IN BLACK; REJOINS PHILLIPS MOTORSPORTS FOR 2017 USAC SPRINT SEASON

The successful partnership between Dave Darland and Phillips Motorsports is reborn as the pair aim for the 2017 USAC AMSOIL National Sprint Car title.

Darland, the series’ winningest driver, and Phillips Motorsports put together a highly-successful three-year stretch between 2013 and 2015, scoring 17 USAC National Sprint Car victories, which is tied for the most wins during that particular three-year stretch.

In 2016, Darland piloted the Jeff Walker/Curb-Agajanian Racing car to two wins during the USAC National Sprint Car season at Indiana’s Lawrenceburg Speedway in April and at California’s Perris Auto Speedway in November for career series win number 59.

However, in 2017, Darland makes his triumphant return to the seat of Steve and Carla Phillips’ black No. 71p.  Together, the team won some of USAC’s most prestigious races including three consecutive triumphs at the Saturday night finale of “Sprint Car Smackdown” at Kokomo (Ind.) Speedway, the Budweiser “Oval Nationals” at Perris in 2013 and the “Tony Hulman Classic” at the Terre Haute (Ind.) Action Track in 2014.

Known as the “People’s Champ,” Darland is one of America’s most accomplished and popular racers.  The Lincoln, Indiana native is a four-time USAC National Champion (1997 Silver Crown, 1999 Sprint and 2001-02 Midget) and is just one of six drivers to win all three of those titles in a career.

Darland is the all-time leader in consecutive years with a USAC National victory, an active 24-year streak which dates back to his first career USAC Sprint victory at Terre Haute in 1993.

“We can't tell you how excited we are to be once again associated with everyone involved at Phillips Motorsports,” a statement from the Dave Darland Racing Facebook page said.  “Steve and Carla are such hard working, dedicated and wonderful friends and we can't wait to continue the success in the future as we had together back in 2013, 2014 and 2015.”