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Hall of Fame chief starter Doug Clark, whose 41-year flagging career included more than a dozen Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, died this morning. His son Justin Clark reported his passing at age 73 on Facebook, citing recent health issues.

A member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame and South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame, the Sioux Falls, S.D., native flagged not only at Knoxville but Huset's Speedway in Brandon, S.D., and many other tracks among 19 states. One of the most recognizable flaggers in dirt track racing retired following the 2019 season.

"Doug was a true legend and a beloved part of our racing family," Knoxville Raceway posted in a statement. "His passion, dedication, and presence at the track will be deeply missed."

Clark, who believed he may have been the first black flagger in racing, also had only one eye after a gardening accident as a preteen when a pitchfork broke and hit him in the eye.

"I just love racing and being a part of it. I promised mom and dad that I wouldn't drive a race car, so this is my way of being involved," Clark said in a story written by Rob Ristesund about his induction into the Sprint Car Hall of Fame. "I try to be as fair as possible and respect all of the drivers, regardless of who they are or what they said. It doesn't matter to me if they're running first or 21st."

Race was a potential issue early in his career, but eventually Clark was seen as an accomplished official.

"It's just something you deal with throughout your life," said Clark, whose son (pictured in background) replaced him in Knoxville's flagstand. "The first years at Knoxville were probably the worst with the racial slurs and stuff. But it got better, probably because they got to know me and saw how I handled the job."