From Bryan Gapinski
Madison, Wis., March 1—Paul Clark, the 1982 Badger Midget Series Driver Champion died Friday Feb. 18 in Madison at the age of 58-years old. Clark spent the last twenty-two years in constant care for injuries suffered in a 1988 USAC National Midget Race.
After racing go-karts and motorcycles, Clark turned his attention to midgets in 1975, finishing sixth in Badger his first full season of racing. Clark began his “march” towards the Badger title in 1979 finishing fifth in points, the next year improving to third, and in 1981 was runner-up to Dan Fredenberg.
Clark’s 1982 Championship season saw the series run twenty-five events at six tracks including four pavement events. Clark driving the Pete Lahm owned Edmunds-Volkswagen No. 91, with sponsorship from Fitchburg Plumbing scored three feature victories, and a pair of runner-up finishes. Clark won at Wilmot Speedway (Aug. 13), Angell Park (Aug. 22), and Hales Corners (Aug. 27). Clark also scored seven fast times, and nine heat race victories. It was a tough season for Badger, which saw 43 flips and four drivers seriously injured during the season.
Clark ran a partial Badger schedule over the next five seasons, scoring numerous midget feature victories with WOOM, and MARA. Clark scored Badger feature victories at seven different tracks during his career.
Clark and Lahm, had a USAC Championship Dirt Car “Silver Crown” built by Edmunds Autoresearch for the 1985 season. Clark ran in fifteen USAC Silver Crown events over three-seasons, with his best finish fifth at DuQuoin in 1986.Clark’s race cars always looked impressive, painted jet black with the familiar No. 91.
Clark after owning several service stations in the Madison area, Clark opened Capitol Tire & Service. At the time of his injury the facility was Madison’s largest retail tire and service store, and continues to operate at the original location on Madison’s West Side.
With three-laps remaining in the USAC National Midget feature at Impact Speedway (Oregon, Wis.) on April 24, 1988, Clark running fifth made contact with another car and hit a rut. Clark’s car then flipped several times before hitting the Turn 4 wall, with extreme force. Clark was airlifted to University Hospital in Madison, with massive head injuries.
Clark remained in a coma for three months, before waking up. After an additional three months in the hospital he was released. Clark lived in Iowa at a care facility before moving back to Madison. There is no funeral/memorial service planned. Clark is survived by his sister Joan Master (Madison) and two nephews. A memorial fund will be announced at a later date.