Harness racing’s
most decorated driver to be honored on Friday, June 30
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ (June 22, 2017) – The Meadowlands
Racetrack will honor Hall of Famer John Campbell and celebrate his five-decade
career with a series of events and tributes on Friday, June 30, the final night
of his driving career.
The 62-year-old is harness racing’s most decorated and
accomplished driver with career earnings just under $300 million. He has won a
record six Hambletonians, seven Meadowlands Paces, and 48 Breeders Crowns. He
was elected to the Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 1990 at age 35, the youngest
person ever to receive that honor.
The celebration of Campbell’s five decades in the sport will
include a video tribute played throughout the evening and a series of
interviews with some of Campbell’s closest friends and competitors over the
years that will be in attendance. There will also be an autograph signing with
Campbell from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., a commemorative poster giveaway (while
supplies last), and a series of contest giveaways featuring signed Campbell
memorabilia. A special Campbell retirement cake will also be on display and
fans in attendance can enjoy a piece of the cake beginning at 8:00 p.m. in the
clubhouse lobby.
“John Campbell is truly the Michael Jordan, Babe Ruth, and
Wayne Gretzky of harness racing all wrapped up into one,” said Meadowlands
GM/COO Jason Settlemoir. “Nobody has revolutionized our sport or more
importantly, been a better ambassador and promoter of our industry. We hope the
night can be a fitting celebration of a true giant in our sport.”
Upon Campbell’s official retirement from driving, he will
compete in a pair of exhibition races, one at the Harness Racing Hall of Fame
in Goshen, NY on July 2 and the other at Clinton Raceway in Ontario on July 30
where Campbell got his start as a driver.
While Campbell will no longer compete on the track, he will
still be involved with the sport. Beginning July 1, he will take over as
president and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Hambletonian Society, a
not-for-profit organization which supports and encourages the breeding of
Standardbred horses by sponsoring and administering stakes and other special
events in harness racing.
Fans are encouraged to RSVP to the event on the official
Meadowlands Facebook
page. Live racing begins at 7:15 p.m.
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