Twelve of harness racing’s leading drivers, representing some of the best in the Standardbred sport today, will compete Sunday when Bangor Raceway hosts the 13th North American Driving Championship at Bass Park.

Like the driving community at Bangor this season, Sunday’s roster of drivers is a mixture of Canadian and American driving talent – all friends, all competitors.

This is the third year the Bob and Jean Ferland promotion has been showcased in Bangor.

“They had a great time here last summer,” said Bob Ferland. “They had a lot of fun, driving and visiting with old friends. Everyone I asked said they looked forward to returning here to the raceway on Sunday.”

Billy O’Donnell, who missed last year’s race because of a previous commitment, returns to Bangor this year for the competition.

In 1984, O’Donnell, a Spring Hill, Nova Scotia native, became harness racing’s first driver to claim more than $10 million in purse earnings in one year. Last year’s NADC winner, Ronnie Waples, will not defend his title this year because of a scheduling conflict.

A year ago, Waples drove Nighttime French to a seasonal mark of 2:02.1 in his finals win. The 4-year-old mare by The Denman, a Canadian sire, is owned by Ronald M. Bell of Woodstock, New Brunswick, and is trained by Deane Mills, also a Woodstock native.

Waples, of course, is Canadian. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, and is based at The Meadowlands. Waples is a member of Canada’s Hall of Fame and the U.S. Living Hall of Fame in Goshen, N.Y.

Gary Mosher, the first winner of the NADC series at Bangor, will compete Sunday. Mosher, now racing regularly on the Maine circuit, hopes to become the first two-time winner of the championship.

When the Fernalds’ call went out last month for drivers to enter the Sunday racing series, schedules across the country were rearranged to make room for the Bangor competition. For some drivers, it is a return to the place where it all began for them. Bangor has always served as a training track for some of the biggest names in harness racing today.

Bangor Raceway is where many learned their craft. For two of Sunday’s top-notch drivers, Greg Bowden and Bob Sumner, it’s a return to their hometown.

Leading Sunday’s roster of competitors, along with Billy O’Donnell, are: Mark Beckwith, Bowden, Leigh Fitch, Ruel Goodblood Jr., Gary Hall, alternate Marvin Maker, Mosher, Billy Parker Jr., Dave Pinkney, Donny Richards, Sumner and Teddy Wing.

The scoring formula for Sunday’s 13th NADC calls for drivers to compete in two preliminary races. Scores will be awarded to each driver based on the best finish in the two preliminary drives.

The eight drivers with the most points at the end of the two preliminary drives will be chosen by a random drawing for positions in the final dash. In case of a tie, it’s a flip of the coin. The final is a winner-take-all race to the finish line.

Drivers will be in the new paddock area beside the grandstand at 12:45 p.m. to talk with racing fans and sign autographs. Bangor Historic Track management will give each racing fan a free NADC souvenir program and scorecard.

Nine races are programmed for Friday night’s card and eight dashes for Saturday. Post time both days is 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s NADC card heads to post at 1:30.

PACING BITS – The third leg of thoroughbred’s triple crown, The Belmont Stakes, will be simulcast Saturday afternoon at all of Maine’s six off-track wagering facilities. Silver Charm, who won both the Kentucky Derby and The Preakness this year, is the odd-on favorite to make it three in a row. If Silver Charm is successful, it will be the first triple crown winner since Affirmed captured the prestigious title in 1978. Post time at Belmont Park is 12:30 p.m. The Belmont Stakes is scheduled in late afternoon.