A loud ovation isn’t usually given to a third-place finisher in the Strictly Street division at Speedway 95.

But there was one last Sunday.

That’s because the third-place finisher was 70-year-old Clarence Suydam of Milbridge.

“That’s my first [top-three finish] in six years,” said Suydam.

“It’s really nice to get applause, especially since you don’t know half of the people,” said Suydam.

Track announcer George Thomas said the outpouring of support was “amazing.

“It was like he won the PASS [Pro All Stars Series] race,” chuckled Thomas, who considers Suydam a fan favorite.

“He’s a nice, clean driver who does the most with what he has. He never pushes and shoves. He always tries his hardest. He does just about everything by himself. He’s personable and he isn’t out there to prove himself. He’s out there to have fun,” said Thomas.

His age and the fact he hasn’t had a lot of success because he runs what Suydam terms a “low-budget” operation also endear him to the crowd.

Suydam will race four more times at Hermon’s Speedway 95. Then he will sell his Camaro and devote next summer to touring North America in his new camper with his wife Gladys (Pinkham).

“I love racing. But it’s time to get out. You can only do it for so many years,” said Suydam.

Suydam’s racing career spans 54 years. The native of Easton, Pa., the hometown of former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, began racing motorcycles and eventually moved into stock cars in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

He retired after 30 years as a foundry worker at Ingersoll-Rand, which manufactures pumps and compressors, and moved to Milbridge 20 years ago.

“I love the country up here,” said Suydam, who resumed his racing career at Speedway 95 and has been a regular in the Strictly Street class.

He has finished as high as fifth in the points and is currently sitting in sixth place.

“I’ve been running good for an old guy,” said Suydam.

He has made a lot of friends during his career and he said his highlights include any top three finishes he had.

But there was another that will always stand out.

“Gladys and I got married at Speedway 95 four years ago, right before a race,” said Suydam, the father of four and grandfather of four.

“The wedding was at five and racing started at six. He got out of his suit and put on his racing suit. It was a pretty good wedding,” said Gladys.

He gave his wife a scare Sunday when he was receiving his trophy for his third-place finish.

“An ambulance came out with its red lights flashing. I thought he had a heart spell or something,” joked Gladys.

Gladys Pinkham said her husband was going to retire two years ago after wrecking his car at the end of the season.

“Soon afterward, I lost my only child, Larry, in a car accident. So Clarence began building another race car to occupy my mind,” said Gladys.

Clarence said it will be hard to step out of a race car for the final time but “my wife and I are going to enjoy our camper and see parts of the world we haven’t seen yet.”

Wiscasset, Spud still for sale

Wiscasset Raceway and Caribou’s Spud Speedway are still up for sale.

“I’ve got some meetings [with potential buyers or lessees] coming up,” said Spud Speedway owner Ralph Nason. “There’s one individual who has expressed an interest as well as a family.”

The price tag for Spud Speedway is in the $150,000 range.

There was no racing there this summer and Nason said the “place is really prime” for a racing revival.

“It’s a fun track to race at,” said Nason.

Sandra St. Clair, who owns and runs Wiscasset Raceway with husband Dave, said “we’ve had a few inquiries but nobody has passed the cash yet.”

The asking price for Wiscasset Raceway is $1.3 million.

Larry Mahoney’s Motorsports Column is published each Friday. He can be reached at 990-8231 or at lmahoney@bangordailynews.net