Dave Palone gets career win 18,000 at the Meadows
July 12, 2017,by Evan Pattak, for The Meadows
Washington, PA— Dave Palone, already harness racing’s all-time “winningest” driver,continues to go where no reinsman has gone before, as he collected careervictory 18,000 Wednesday (July 12) at The Meadows. The landmark win came with Outburst inthe 11th race.
Chris Gooden photo
Dave Palone and friends gather in the winner’s circle to celebrate win number 18,000 Wednesday at The Meadows.
“It’s prettygratifying,” said Palone, who boasts more than $135 million in career purses.“I’m starting to reflect on all the years, all the hard work and all the thingsthat had to go right. I’ve been very lucky — pretty much injury free althoughI’ve had some serious accidents. But I was able to bounce back and have all thegreat opportunities I’ve had.”
The milestoneshave come at a rapid pace for Palone, who in 2010 was inducted into the HarnessRacing Hall of Fame. Among the recent highlights:
- July 5, 2012 — Palone notches career win 15,181 to pass the late Herve Filion as North America’s all-time leading driver.
- Sept. 24, 2013 — Palone scores career victory 16,000 at The Meadows, his home track throughout his career.
- Nov. 14, 2014 — The Waynesburg, PA native secures career win 16,754 to supplant Germany’s Heinz Wewering as the “winningest” driver in the world — and accepts videotaped congratulations from the gracious Wewering.
- May 13, 2015 — Career win 17,000 comes at The Meadows.
A competitivenature always has been a dominant theme of Palone’s career; these days, heacknowledges that he’s mellowed ever so slightly.
“I can’t sayI’m as intense as I was in my 30s. I’m a little more laid back now, enjoyingthings like golfing and the kids. But when I put my helmet on for the first,I’m ready to go and as intense as ever.”
At 55, hecontinues to maintain a full driving schedule, although he’s dialed back hisworkload a bit. United States Trotting Association records indicate that Palonehad 2,827 drives in 2008, a career high. His 2016 total was 2,036, and he’s onpace for about that this year. He’s carving out a little more time for golf andfamily activities, including supporting his wife Bethann and daughters at theirbarrel racing competitions.
“You would loveto have the pick of the litter and the cream of the crop every day,” he said.“I’ve been giving myself breaks now and then when it doesn’t look like theopportunities (for wins) present themselves. I’ll take half a day or a golf dayor do something with the kids. For the most part, it’s been 35 years of nose tothe grindstone and showing up every day and getting it done.”
He doesn’tanticipate doing anything differently in the immediate future.
I don’t reallyhave any plans except to show up and race every day,” he said. “I just hope tostay healthy and able to compete at the top level and win races. I’m stillhaving fun with it. It’s like any other sport: when you fail to produce, you’llknow when it’s time to go.”