1966 – Houston Breaks Iggy’s Way; Michigan Ace Takes 200

Houston, Tex. (March 27, 1966) – Iggy Katona has been around stock car racing long enough to know you have to take advantage of any and every break.

And that’s exactly what the Willis, Mich., racing veteran did Sunday afternoon at Meyer Speedway. As a result, he won the 5th annual Houston 200.

Katona’s “break” came on lap 144 of the 100-mile race when a wreck took out the front-running Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa. That was all Katona needed as he poked his 1965 Plymouth hemi out in front of the pack and went untouched to an easy victory.

Derr had led most of the way in his #1 car, 1966 Dodge, with Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, Iowa, right behind in a ’65 Plymouth.

Derr went for a pit stop on lap 35 and Stott briefly took the lead. But Stott had to come in on lap 138 for gas and a right front tire sending Derr in front while Stott was in the pits for two laps.

The two quickly lined up behind each other again, running one-two when the afternoon’s most serious accident took place.

Tom King got his 1964 Studebaker sideways on the south bank when Derr was trying to get around. Derr hit King’s car and Stott slammed into the back of Derr’s Dodge.

When the smoke and dust cleared, both King and Derr were eliminated for the afternoon. Despite some hasty repairs by Stott’s crew, his car was so badly damaged he brought his car back in the pit area on lap 162 and was finished as well.

But Katona had his Plymouth at the right place and the right time. He jumped into the lead and was never pushed, covering the 100 miles in 1 hour, 26 minutes and 38 seconds.

Charlie Glotzbach, driving a 1964 Ford, finished second and Bobby Watson in another ’64 Ford took third. Twenty-five stock cars started the feature but only 10 cars were on the speedway when the checkers waved.

Results –

1. Iggy Katona, Willis, Mich.
2. Charlie Glotzbach, Deshler, Ohio
3. Bobby Watson, Louisville, Ky.
4. Paul Wensink, Deshler, Ohio
5. Walter Ballard, Houston, Tex.
6. Keith Ploughe, Indianapolis
7. Jim Scott, Jamestown, N.Y.
8. Shad Wheeler, Frederstown, Ohio
9. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
10. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa