DARYL BUSSE, 67, DIES

Longtime fan favorite Daryl Busse, 67, for many years a leading driver-trainer both nationally and in Illinois, died on Thursday, Oct. 8, following a lengthy illness.

Busse, a native of Wisconsin who had been residing in Kirkland, IL, entered the sport by working for his father, Don, and the pair are the only father and son to have won North American dash titles as drivers. Daryl captured the award in 1975 while his father led the country in victories in 1963.

Daryl, who captured driving titles at both Sportsman’s Park and Maywood Park, ended a 40-year driving career in 2005.  At the time he hung up his colors Busse had won 5,651 races and drove the winners of $30,331,095 which ranked him 39^th all-time in career victories and 63^rd in terms of purses won at that time.

Inducted into the Illinois Harness Hall of Fame in 1981, Daryl is best remembered for driving such standouts as Eddy Oakley, BB Bueno and Lady Kingston. Busse also captured back to back Langley Memorials in 1978-79 with the Robert Yohn trainees Prairie Walnut and Prairie Badger.