With less than a month remaining in 2009, the drivers' title at Western Fair Raceway is between a two-time champion and a youngster just starting his career
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Nineteen-year-old Doug McNair is enjoying his first full year in his chosen profession as a harness driver and currently sits first on the Western Fair drivers' standings, 14 wins ahead of Brad Forward. Statistics aren't kept on such things, but if McNair maintains that position he could easily become the first driver to ever be his track's leading driver in his first year of competition.
"That kid is only half my age, but yes I'm well aware of what Doug is doing," Forward said when Western Fair took their summer hiatus in June and he was still atop the leader board.
"Since he started, I've said all along he's got what it takes. I wish he wasn't creeping up on me so fast," said Forward who represented Canada at the World Driving Championships earlier this year and won the Western Fair Drivers' title in 2006 and last season. Forward does have the edge over his young rival in money won at the London, Ontario oval though with $1.3 million compared to McNair's $1.1 million.
McNair said at the midway point season that his goal for this year was to win 300 races which he has already surpassed with 346 wins so far to go along with more than $3 million in total purses. He became the youngest driver to surpass $1 million in earnings and he could also reach another milestone, the youngest driver to get to 1,000 wins, if he keeps up his current pace.
That record was set in late June of this year by the top young pilot Matt Kakaley who won his 1,000th career victory three months after turning 21. Walter Case was the first driver to reach 1,000 wins before his 22nd birthday, accomplishing the feat in 1982. Jordan Stratton became the second but Kakaley was younger than both.
McNair, the son of noted trainer Gregg McNair, turns 20 later this month. With 456 lifetime wins as of December 3rd, that gives him 15 months to earn another 544 to establish a new record and at the pace he's going now, that’s certainly obtainable.
Both Forward and McNair can add to their totals considerably this weekend at Western Fair. McNair is listed on a total of 15 horses over the course of Friday and Saturday's cards while Forward will find himself behind 19 starters over the weekend.
Friday and Saturday's cards at Western Fair feature 12 races each with a 7:05 p.m. post time. Programs and live videos are always available at www.westernfair.com.