Allison Stirs Memories at Saugus

Dan Press remembers well the excitement created by NASCAR great Bobby Allison’s 1985 visit to Saugus Speedway.

“It was a big thrill just to have him there,” said Press, Saugus’ 1982 Modified Division champion. “There was an atmosphere of excitement. The pits were overcrowded, people were everywhere. It just seemed to sparkle the whole thing up.”

It was, however, Press’ night to shine. He outraced Allison on the one-third-mile oval, taking the checkered flag in the Miller High Life 150 while Allison finished fourth. After the race, Press pressed Allison--off the track.

“I introduced myself and asked him for his autograph,” the Frazier Park resident said. “He said, ‘The way you’re running, I think I’ll come over and ask you for your autograph.’ ”

Press will not be signing autographs tonight. In fact, he won’t even be at the track because there is no Modified event scheduled. But Allison will be there--and probably with writer’s cramp.

Allison, who won his third Daytona 500 in February, will make his second appearance at Saugus, this time in the 40-lap Sportsman Division main event. And his appearance is certain to generate the excitement it did three years ago, according to Saugus director Lyn Pherigo.

“We want to fill up the place and I think we will,” said Pherigo, who estimates Saugus’ capacity at 6,000. “We want him here.”

Allison, 50, has won 84 NASCAR Winston Cup races and ranks third on the all-time win list behind Richard Petty and David Pearson. But he is 0-1 at Saugus.

Press, who took the lead for good on Lap 4 of the Miller High Life 150, cherishes the memory of that night.

“It was definitely the highlight of my career,” he said. “He did a great job that night. He didn’t get there until late afternoon and he didn’t have much time to prepare. But he qualified excellent and did well in the trophy dash.”

But in the main event, Allison finished behind Press, Jim Thirkettle of Sylmar and Ken Sapper of La Crescenta--all former Saugus champions.

Tonight, Allison will race against another track champion--and a likely autograph hound: Simi Valley’s Dave Phipps, defending Sportsman Division champion and current points leader.

“I’m absolutely tickled that someone of Bobby Allison’s stature would come to race with us,” Phipps said. “We’re not big time, but he wants to come anyway.

“If I could win against a national, big-time figure--whatever you call him--that would be great. But just to race against him makes me proud.”

Phipps, who drives a 1985 Buick Regal, won his second race of the season Saturday night. Allison will drive a Pontiac Firebird owned by Richard DeLong Jr. of Van Nuys.