Fast Daddy: Bob Potter Has Special Ride Along With Daughter At Stafford Speedway

Bob Potter with his daughter Ginny for a two-seat Modified ride at Stafford Speedway (Photo: Shawn Courchesne/RaceDayCT)

STAFFORD – Since she was born, Ginny Potter has watched her father going fast on the racetrack from behind a fence. 

Friday she got to experience the speed that has been such a driving force in her dad’s life, and she got to do it literally up close and personal. 

Since the start of the 2012 racing season, legendary Modified racer Bob Potter has been the driver behind the wheel of a specially manufactured two-seat Modified racecar, built specifically to give fans rides on the track during events at Stafford Motor Speedway. 

During that span Bob Potter – a member of the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame – has given hundreds of fans the adrenalized experience of a racecar traveling at speed around the half-mile Stafford Speedway oval. 

Friday Bob Potter found a familiar face in the passenger seat next to him in the two-seater Modified, part of a late Father’s Day present. 

Ginny Potter had originally planned to do her ride along with her dad on June 13, Father’s Day weekend. But when the June 13 event got rained out, her surprise gift had to be postponed. 

The surprise remained intact until Friday when Bob Potter drove back into the pits after giving a fan a ride and saw his daughter waiting in a firesuit at the car’s parking spot. 

Ginny Potter leaned in the car, smiled at her dad and said: “Are you ready for me?” 

Bob Potter’s smile beamed through the mask on his helmet. 

“I was really surprised,” Bob Potter said. “That was just a huge surprise. At first I was thinking, I hope everything goes well. I would never want to put my daughter in harm’s way. But I don’t put anybody in harm’s way. I drive it hard and I scare the heck out of people. I go as hard as I can go.” 

Bob Potter, who retired from racing full-time after the 1999 season, was a 2007 inductee into the New England Auto Racer’s Hall of Fame. 

His achievements behind the wheel between Stafford Speedway and the Waterford Speedbowl are unparalleled.

The 72-year old Potter won five SK Modified division championships at Stafford and ranks fourth all-time on the track’s SK Modified division win list with 24 career victories. His last win at the track came in 1999. He won championships in the division in 1988, ’91, ’92, ’94 and ’95.

At Waterford Bob Potter won six track titles, three in the Modified division (1976, ’80 and ’83) and three in the SK Modified division (1986, ’87 and ’89). His 93 career victories rank him third all-time at Waterford. 

Friday at Stafford he got to give his daughter four laps around the track, reaching speeds of over 100 mph.

“I never thought in a million years something like this would happen, but I’m so glad I did get to take her out,” Bob Potter said. “My two daughters came to every race I ever ran. They were always there for me and that made me feel good. I was always either racing, or working on my racecar or working my job so I never saw the kids unless I saw them at the racetrack. I think part of the reason I was as successful as I was because they were always there with me and it’s a great feeling to have your kids with you there all the time. They’re my heart.” 

Ginny Potter called the ride “A dream come true.” 

“It went by quick, way too quick,” Ginny Potter said. “Watching him just wheel it out there, and that power, it’s amazing. If anybody has a chance to do it they should. It was the coolest thing in the world to do this. He’s always been my hero. He’s always been the best in my eyes. Today just proves to me that he does it so effortlessly. He’s just a pro at what he does and what he did. I’m happy that he can do this for other people on Friday nights.”


Do you enjoy what you’re reading and seeing here at RaceDayCT? Would you like to see continued coverage of New England short track racing? Your support can help ensure that professional coverage of short track racing can continue at RaceDayCT, and you can get some great rewards for that support. Patreon allows readers to make small monthly contributions to RaceDayCT that support the ongoing coverage of short track racing. Your pledge comes with exclusive tiered reward programs for offering that support. For just a $5 a month pledge fans can have access to the weekly Unmuffled podcast. For more information click the link here.


Leave a Reply

Copyright 2018 E-Media Sports

Website Designed by Thirty Marketing