WHEATLAND, Mo.—There are plenty of races remaining and more checkered flags to chase. But the type of honor Terry Phillips received this week tends to turn even steely-souled veterans a bit reflective.

So it was with Phillips on Tuesday after he was named part of the 2016 induction class for the Springfield (Missouri) Area Sports Hall of Fame.

"I guess when you get a little older you need to look back at what you've done and appreciate it," the 30-year dirt-track racing veteran from Springfield said. "You tend to always be looking to the next weekend and the next race and that's all you think about.

"Moments like this make you stop and think about what you've done and what my father's done and the ones before me accomplished. It's pretty humbling."

Phillips, who turns 50 next month, will officially enter the Hall of Fame in ceremonies Sept. 20 at the University Plaza Convention Center. Tickets will go on sale later this summer at springfieldmosportshof.com.

Other members of the induction class are baseball player Mark Bailey, basketball player Virgle Fredrick, football coach Bob Price and boxer Jon Pinney.

Phillips' father, racing legend Larry Phillips, went into the Springfield Sports Hall of Fame in 1996. Other racers in the Hall include Lester Friebe and the Roper Family (Dean, Tony and Dale).

Terry Phillips said the opportunity to represent the racing community in a club with only 117 other members, most of whom made their marks mainstream sports, is significant.

"There's not a lot of racing people in things like this," Phillips said. "It's good to be recognized and represent racing fans and racing people.

"Racing's a big deal around here and a lot of people don't know it. We work hard and work a lot of hours. It's a tough deal and it's good to be recognized."

Phillips has 22 career USMTS victories. He is a three-time Lucas Oil MLRA Series champ and all-time MLRA leader with 109 feature wins. He has six MARS Dirt-Car championships and 87 career wins in that series—more than double anyone else.

Phillips' wife, Lisa, and Carol Kuntz, wife of the late founder of Andy's Frozen Custard, John Kuntz, attended the Hall of Fame announcement. Andy's Frozen Custard and Don Babb of Bolivar are Phillips' major racing sponsors.

"I have to thank my wife and my family to supporting me in a sport where I stay gone a lot," Phillips said. "Thanks to Carol and (her son) Andy Kuntz for their support, along with Don Babb. It we didn't have them, we'd be in trouble.

"My dad told me one time that if you won three races, you could pretty well pay for your race car. You can't do that these days."

Phillips also thanked his father, who died in 2004, for "teaching me everything I know."

Lucas Oil Speedway is located at Highways 83 and 54 in Wheatland, Missouri. A campground with shower and bathroom facilities is also available. With it's entrance located just outside the pit gate this sprawling scenic camping facility will continue to enhance the racing experience at the Diamond of Dirt Tracks.

Click www.LucasOilSpeedway.com for more information and detailed directions to the speedway or call the Track Hotline at (417) 282-5984.

In addition, fans can get social with Lucas Oil Speedway by following @LucasSpeedway on Twitter, clicking "Like" at www.facebook.com/LucasOilSpeedway and on www.youtube.com/LucasOilSpeedway.