Bob Potter

Competitor
CLASS OF 2007

Norwich, CT native Bob Potter began racing at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl in the Bomber division, capturing his first feature win in 1963. It was the first of a record 30 different seasons he scored at win at the shoreline oval, including 17 straight seasons from 1978-1994.

Potter won his first Modified Championship at Waterford in 1976, a season in which he drove for (and won with) 4 different car owners, most notably to finish the season in Art Barry‘s #14 Capri-bodied modified. He also won titles in 1980 and 1983. As the SK Modified era took over the Connecticut short track’s in the mid-1980’s, Potter stayed at the top of his game. He won 3 more SK Modified titles at Waterford in 1986, 1987 and 1989. He won an incredible 94 races during his career at the Speedbowl.

Potter teamed up with car owner Jiggs Beetham in the late 1980’s to compete at Stafford Speedway where they won 24 races and 5 SK Modified Championships (1988, 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1995). Potter also scored 8 wins at Thompson Speedway during his career.

His last win came at Stafford in April of 1999 at the age of 57. After retirement, he spent many seasons at the pilot of the modified 2-seater fan experience at Stafford. Potter passed away on September 18, 2019.