1988 – Carlson Overall Winner in Dells’ ARTGO

 

Steve Carlson used a pair of second place finishes to claim the overall title in the ARTGO Challenge Series Twin-76’s at Dells Motor Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (July 2, 1988) – Rookie Steve Carlson claimed the overall victory in Saturday night’s ARTGO Challenge Series Escape to Wisconsin Twin-76’s late model event at Dells Motor Speedway. He scored two runner-up finishes, finishing second to Dick Trickle in the first 76-lap feature, and following the victorious Steve Holzhausen in the second 76-lapper.

Trickle took the lead from Carlson on the 36th lap and then held on to take the win in the first feature. But Trickle lost a lap in the nightcap due to a flat tire.

The second feature saw Steve Holzhausen score his second ARTGO win of the season as he moved into the lead on the 29th circuit, then pulled away to a comfortable win.

Holzhausen recovered from an unscheduled pit stop in the first race to finish sixth. Fast qualifier Butch Miller had the wrong combination for the main events and finished fifth in both races.

Tom Carlson took the lead in the first feature and looked to be headed for his first ARTGO win as his brother and Trickle fought side-by-side for second. Then, on the 31st lap, Carlson suddenly slowed with a broken rocker arm.

When the dust cleared, it was Steve Carlson out front, Trickle in second, and Tom Carlson limping to the pits.

Trickle would take the top spot five laps later and chalk up his second ARTGO triumph of the season. Steve Carlson was second, in front of Jim Weber, Doug Herbst, and Miller.

Ed Holmes grabbed the lead at the start of he second feature. He held on to the top spot until lap 6 when Scott Hansen pulled in front. Holzhausen would grab the top spot on lap 29 and was never challenged thereafter.

Weber, who had pitted for a new coil wire earlier, charged back through the field to finish third behind Holzhausen and Carlson, and second overall. Tom Carlson and Miller rounded out the top-five.


Results –


Overall Finish –

1. Steve Carlson, La Crosse
2. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
3. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor
4. Butch Miller, Coopersville, Mich.
5. Rick Wateski, La Crosse

Feature #1 –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
2. Steve Carlson
3. Jim Weber
4. Doug Herbst, Wausau
5. Butch Miller
6. Steve Holzhausen
7. Kevin Cywinski, Wausau
8. Pete Moore, McFarland
9. Terry Baldry, Omro
10.Rick Wateski

Feature #2 –

1. Steve Holzhausen
2. Steve Carlson
3. Jim Weber
4. Tom Carlson, La Crosse
5. Butch Miller
6. Rick Wateski
7. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh
8. Scott Hansen, Green Bay
9. Terry Baldry
10.Rich Lofy, Madison

1989 – Steve Kosiski Takes All-Star Tour Win

 

Steve Kosiski 

Jefferson, S.D. (July 1, 1989) – Steve Kosiski overtook his brother Joe for the lead on lap 36 and held on to win Saturday’s NASCAR Busch All-Star Tour 50-lap feature before a capacity crowd at Park Jefferson International Speedway.

The Omaha, Neb., veteran captured his third Busch Tour win of the season and earned him $3,000.

The Kosiski’s and Oxford, Iowa’s Steve Boley staged a furious battle for the top spot in the early going.

Boley sped to the lead and waged a tight battle for the top spot with Davenport’s Rollie Frink for the first 16 laps around the beautiful 4/9-mile dirt oval. The Kosiski’s, who started alongside each other in the third row, moved their way through the field and mounted a challenge that saw them and Boley get together in turn four.

As the crowd came to its feet, Joe Kosiski came out of the scuffle with the advantage as Boley and Steve Kosiski fought for second. Steve began to pull away from Boley and chased down Joe on lap 30. The fierce sibling rivalry continued for the next six laps as the two former tour champions swapped the lead several times and raced side-by-side, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

Steve finally overhauled Joe on lap 36 and stayed in front the rest of the way. Joe settled for runner-up honors and was followed by Frink, Boley, and Johnny Saathoff of Beatrice, Neb.

Joe Kosiski was fast timer with a qualifying run of 16.60 seconds. Boley won the “Race of Champions” while Craig Jacobs and Boley won 20-qualifying features.


Results –

1. Steve Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
3. Rollie Frink, Davenport, Iowa
4. Steve Boley, Oxford, Iowa
5. Johnny Saathoff, Beatrice, Neb.
6. Steve Fraise, Montrose, Iowa
7. Tom Guithues, Lilly Lake, Ill.
8. Ted Beaman, Council Bluffs, Iowa
9. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
10.Terry Huizel, Freeport, Ill.
11.Bob McCoy, Dakota City, Neb.
12.Mike Benson, Wakefield, Neb.
13.Joe Sterk, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
14.Jack Golder, Hooper, Neb.
15.Denny Sherill, Hartford

1979 – Vogler Wins Dayton USAC Sprint Main

 

Rich Vogler, #55, leads the field during the 30-lap USAC sprint car feature at the Dayton Speedway. Vogler won the race, the next to last USAC race ever held at the track. - Skip Peterson Photo

Dayton, Ohio (July 1, 1979) – Rich Vogler led early and late en route to winning Sunday afternoon’s United States Auto Club (USAC) sprint car feature at Dayton Speedway.

It was the first sprint car feature victory of the year for Vogler, who was the club’s 1978 midget driving title winner.

Vogler grabbed the lead at the outset of the race but was supplanted in the top spot by Tom Bigelow on the fourth go-round. Bigelow, the winner of the division’s 40-lap main on this half-mile paved oval last May 28, then led for 28 circuits before Vogler took over again.

This time Vogler didn’t relinquish the top spot, and he went on to take the checkered flag in front of Jeff Bloom, Greg Leffler, Pancho Carter, Sheldon Kinser and Gary Bettenhausen.

Steve Chassey was unbeatable in the early stages of the show, setting fast time with a 16.06 second time trial lap and then capturing the first heat. Carter, his younger brother, Dana Carter, and Chuck Gurney won the other heats, and Bubby Jones took the semi-feature.

Although Jones won the semi-feature, he finished last in the 20-car field in the main event and saw his point lead shaved to eight markers over runner-up Pancho Carter. Bigelow, who ranks third on the point list, is only an additional 11 points behind Carter, after coming in eighth in Sunday’s headliner.


Results –

1. Rich Vogler
2. Jeff Bloom
3. Greg Leffler
4. Pancho Carter
5. Sheldon Kinser
6. Gary Bettenhausen
7. Larry Rice
8. Tom Bigelow
9. Mack McClellan
10.Chuck Gurney
11.Dana Carter
12.Jerry Weeks
13.Bud Wilmot
14.Malcolm Lovelace
15.Lennie Waldo
16.Marvin Carman
17.Mark Alderson
18.Steve Chassey
19.Billy Cassella
20.Bubby Jones

1951 – Derr Takes 125-Miler at Des Moines

 

Ernie Derr of Fort Madison won the 125-mile IMCA-sanctioned stock car race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds before 16,000 fans. – Ken Scarpino Photo

By Brad Wilson

Des Moines, Iowa (July 1, 1951) – Taking the lead with 25 laps to go, Ernie Derr, the 29-year-old parts manager from Keokuk, Iowa, grabbed the 125-mile International Motor Contest Association stock car contest at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Sunday before 16,000 spectators.

The dapper Derr, who commutes between his home in Fort Madison and his work in Keokuk, was clocked in 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 58.11 seconds, driving a 1950 Mercury he has owned for only 6 months.

The World War II veteran who finished third in the July 4 race here a year ago, beat Don White by a full lap and in addition to the $500 for the win, hauled down another $50 in lap money.

White, the Keokuk army corporal who drove a 1949 Ford on a weekend pass from Camp McCoy, Wis., won the 100-mile feature here last July.

Chris Skadal, who has been a consistent winner this summer at area tracks such as Kessell Speedway, finished third, three laps behind the winner.

Skadal, driving a 1950 Oldsmobile owned by professional driver Frank Luptow, lost too much time in the pits on a tire change and was never able to get back into contention.

The Des Moines pilot turned in the fastest time during qualifying with a time of 32.28 seconds.

Derr, who acquired the racing bug only two years ago at a race in Davenport, didn’t make a stop along the way, taking the lead from “Wild” Bill Harrison of Topeka, Kan., a recent winner at Mason City, on the 207th lap.

Earlier, Harrison pushed his 1950 Plymouth into the lead when Skadal, the fan favorite, was forced to pit for a tire change and gasoline after leading by nearly a full lap.

Skadal earned $150 in lap money in addition to the $300 for his third-place finish, making him one of the big cash winners of the National Speedways-promoted event. The top 14 positions in the race paid money.


Results –

1. Ernie Derr, Fort Madison
2. Don White, Keokuk
3. Chris Skadal, Des Moines
4. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
5. Rodney Carter, Emporia, Kan.
6. Bob McKim, Abilene, Kan.
7. Bill Runnells, Kirksville, Mo.
8. Harold Hobbs, Grinnell
9. Jim Wegschneider, St. Joseph, Mo.
10.Don Smith, Topeka, Kan.
11.Lefty Robinson, Des Moines
12.Dean Farmer, Des Moines
13.Duane Knapp, Rockwell City
14.Tilman Huset, Brandon, S.D.
15.Cleo Burmeister, Anita

1983 – 9,378 Watch J.J. Smith Win at WIR

 

J.J. Smith won the late model feature at Wisconsin International Raceway before a record crowd. - Keith Vercauteren Collection 

By Gary Vercauteren

Kaukauna, Wis. (June 30, 1983) – Appleton’s J.J. Smith wheeled his 1983 Thunderbird to a 10-car-length win in the 20-lap late model feature Thursday before a record crowd of 9,378 on “Shopko Night” at Wisconsin International Raceway.

It was the largest crowd in Fox River Racing Club’s 33-year history. The previous record was 7,814 set at “Shopko Night” in 1981.

Smith, who won his first feature here two years ago, got a break early in the race on the third lap when several front runners tangled coming out of the second turn, allowing Smith to move into second place.

Dave Valentyne came off the front row to lead the first six laps of the main event on the paved half-mile oval. Smith dipped under Valentyne on the backstretch, then pulled to a big lead.

Terry Baldry, the fastest qualifier and defending track champion, moved inside of Valentyne for second position but was unable to catch the speedy Smith. Following Smith and Baldry to the finish line were Gene Coleman, Valentyne, and Bob Iverson.

Jeff Herrman, racing in the sportsman class for the third time at WIR, won the 20-lap feature on the quarter mile.

The 24-year-old driver won by less than a car length over Dennis Utke, followed by Randy Boegh, Bryce Spoehr, and Steve Geise.


Results –


Late Model –

1. J.J. Smith, Appleton
2. Terry Baldry, Omro
3. Gene Coleman, Menominee, Mich.
4. Dave Valentyne, Kimberly
5. Bob Iverson, Hyde, Mich.
6. Steve Arndt, Janesville


Sportsman –

1. Jeff Herrman, Branch
2. Dennis Utke, Kimberly
3. Randy Boegh, Appleton
4. Bryce Spoehr, Black Creek
5. Steve Geise, Appleton
6. Jim Duchow, Kaukauna

1979 - Dawley Cops Knoxville Mid-Season

Darryl Dawley

 

By Ken Sargeant

Knoxville, Iowa (June 30, 1979) – Darryl Dawley ended a four-year drought at Knoxville Raceway by winning the mid-season championship Saturday night.

Dawley started in the second row and chased polesitter John Stevenson for the first eight laps before Stevenson dropped out with a broken ring gear and pinion. Dawley inherited the lead but had it for only one lap before a yellow flew for a Bobby Brutto spinout in turn four.

On the restart, Dawley rebuild his lead over Tim Green and led the rest of the way, holding off a late charge by Green on the final two circuits. Fast timer, Roger Larson, was third followed by Gary Scott and Randy Smith in the top-five.

Heat races went to Mark Shaffer, Steve Hainline, Eddie Leavitt, Ralph Blackett, and Gary Scott. Blackett’s win was the only thing keeping Dawley from a clean sweep as he ran second to in the heat race after leading the 5-lap trophy dash green to checkered. Larson’s quick time during time trials was 20.630 seconds.

The 12-lap B-main went to Brutto with a late pass of Terry Taggart.

In addition to watching 41 sprint cars compete, the large crowd on hand also got to see many former drivers who were on hand for “Old Timers” night and the induction of the first 18 members of the Hall of Fame.

Those drivers inducted represented 158 feature victories at Knoxville and included Greg and Ken Weld, Kenny Crook, Dean Sylvester, Danny Richardson, Bud McCune, Gordon Woolley, Earl Wagner, Ken Gritz, Dick Sutcliffe, and Thad Dosher. Alson inducted were mechanics, Taylor “Pappy” Weld, Bob Trostle, Fred Kain, Wayne House, John Leverenz, and former promoter Marion Robinson.


Results –


Time trials – Roger Larson, Madison, S.D.
Trophy dash – Darryl Dawley, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Heat #1 – Mark Shaffer, Newton
Heat #2 – Steve Hainline, Bonaparte
Heat #3 – Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
Heat #4 – Ralph Blackett, Des Moines
Heat #5 – Gary Scott, Holts Summit, Mo.
B-main – Bobby Brutto, San Jose, Calif.
Feature –
1. Darryl Dawley
2. Tim Green, Des Moines
3. Roger Larson
4. Gary Scott
5. Randy Smith, Norwalk
6. Eddie Leavitt
7. Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.
8. Mackie Heimbaugh, Des Moines
9. Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
10.Johnny Anderson, Sacramento, Calif.

1970 – Dake Drives Off with Top Prize

 

Darrell Dake 

Davenport, Iowa (June 30, 1970) – Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, one of the top drivers in the state, showed a crowd of 2,000 why he’s among the point leaders Tuesday night at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds with an easy victory in the late model feature.

Taking home the first-place money of $500, Dake had things pretty much his own way in the 30-lap feature on the half-mile oval, finishing with a substantial margin over Stan Stover of Reinbeck.

Both Dake and Stover are among the leading drivers at the Des Moines and Waterloo tracks where they normally participate and the pair made it strictly a two-man affair for the majority of Tuesday’s feature race.

Following across the finish line were Bob Helm of Rochester, Skip Kennedy of Dubuque, and Bill McDonough of Cedar Rapids.

Dake, who was fourth fastest in time trials, and then later captured a heat race, moved into first on the third lap after Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley and Stover had jockeyed for the lead on the first couple of laps.

Midway through the race, Dake, driving a 1969 Ford Torino, and Stover slowly began pulling away from the rest of the field with Stover encountering problems trying to gain on Dake with slower cars impeding his progress.

The real battle developed for third place with no less than five cars vying for that position. Finally, Helm and Kennedy, with Helm prevailing in the end by a couple of car lengths.

Despite having just 23 cars on hand, the time trials started late and, of course, the program itself was tardy getting started.

Davenport’s Ernie Speth had the fastest time in qualifying with a time of 28.53 seconds. In addition to Dake winning a heat, Helm and Weedon were also heat winners. Kennedy took the 10-lap semi-main, although he had to battle with Stover the entire race.


Results –


Time trials – Ernie Speth, Davenport
Heat #1- Bob Helm, Rochester
Heat #2 – Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
Heat #3 – Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
Semi-main – Skip Kennedy, Dubuque
Feature –
1. Darrell Dake
2. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
3. Bob Helm
4. Skip Kennedy
5. Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids
6. Al Terrell, Peoria, Ill.
7. Ron Weedon
8. Bud Darting, Wilton Junction
9. Terry Ryan, Davenport
10.John Engelken, Morrison, Ill.