by Ken Weingartner, Harness Racing Communications

Ken Weingartner

Freehold, NJ — A year ago, someone suggested to Doug McNair that he might be able to reach 1,000 career wins as a harness racing driver before the end of 2010, which would make him the first driver in history to accomplish the feat prior to turning 21. McNair’s reaction? He laughed.

Entering Wednesday, McNair needed six wins to arrive at the milestone. As he discussed approaching the record for youngest driver to reach that mark, held for the moment by Matt Kakaley, he could not help but laugh again.

USTA/Ed Keys photo

Doug McNair is on the verge of becoming the youngest driver to record 1,000 career wins.

“It’s a great feeling to be chasing after something like that,” said McNair, who will turn 21 on December 29. “I figured I’d need to win more than 500 races this year, and that would be tough to do. Last night, I won my 500th. It’s exciting. I’m excited to go to the track every day, that’s for sure.”

McNair, the son of trainer Gregg McNair, won 110 races his first year as a driver, in 2008, and added 384 in 2009. This season, he ranks No. 9 in North America — and No. 2 in Canada behind fellow youngster Scott Zeron — for victories.

No one has won more races in a calendar year prior to the age of 21 and only two, Zeron this season and Jordan Stratton in 2008, have won more than 500 in a campaign prior to turning 22.

McNair is the leading driver at Western Fair Raceway in London, Ontario, and was the top driver at Woodstock and Grand River. He ranks No. 26 in North America in purses, with $4.55 million in earnings. He won the $525,120 Confederation Cup final with Aracache Hanover and also captured the $200,000 Windy City Pace with the 3-year-old colt.

“Everything has just worked out great,” McNair said. “It’s been kind of like a dream. It’s been a great year.”

McNair began thinking he could reach 1,000 career wins about midway through this year.

Maywood Park photo

Doug McNair enjoyed victory in the $200,000 Windy City Pace with Aracache Hanover (#1).

“I thought I might have a shot at it,” he said. “About three months ago, I told my dad that I wanted to get 500 wins this year and he told me I should aim a little bit lower. He said he didn’t think I would get to 500. I was determined from that point. I’ve been thinking about him saying that ever since.”

Was it his father’s true feeling, or did he say it to inspire McNair?

“He’s pretty crafty,” McNair said. “He might have done it to motivate me.

“He’s taught me everything, really,” McNair added about his father. “He’s taught me patience and attitude. There’s no pressure (being his son). He’s a great guy to learn from.”

Western Fair sponsored a Facebook contest in which fans selected the day and race in which McNair will reach win No. 1,000. The day and race should meet soon, but McNair is in no hurry.

“It’s a lot of fun having people watching and cheering for you,” McNair said. “The support of the fans is great. It makes it exciting. There’s no pressure. It’s fun chasing it. Once you get it, you’ve got nothing to chase after.”

Nothing until he gets near 2,000.