Des Moines, Iowa (July 7,
1963) - Jules “Chub” Liebe drove his 1963 Ford to the biggest late model stock
victory in his career Sunday when he took the checkered flag for the 150-mile
victory at the Iowa International in Des Moines.
Liebe set a new record when he
gunned his high-powered, auto around the course in two hours, 30 minutes and 59
seconds, to break the old mark of two hours, 39 minutes and 49 seconds set by
Ramo Stott of Keokuk , Iowa in 1961.
“This is the biggest one ever,”
commented Liebe following the triumph. “There’s only one other IMCA race that's
any bigger and that's the 350 in Minneapolis
at the state fair.”
Liebe's first place netted him
$1,000 in prize money.
“I wasn't real confident going
into Sunday's race,” admitted the Oelwein driver. “Thursday things were real
tough at Topeka .
Racing conditions there were terrible and the car wasn't running too good.
Everything was tops Sunday and the most important thing – the car stayed
together. That was the difference.”
The 27-year old driver took the
lead on the 143rd lap and raced to the checkered flag. |
“We had a little trouble near
the finish,” says Liebe. “I had to make my third pit stop for two quarts of
oil. But everything turned out alright.”
“It was running faster Sunday
than it has been,” asserts Liebe. He was fifth in the time trials Sunday
morning.
Stott, driving a 1963 Plymouth , led until the
148th lap, when he lost a wheel and crashed into the wall. He was not injured.
He is the current point leader in IMCA competition. Ernie Derr, former IMCA
national champion, was unable to compete due to his costly accident Thursday at
Topeka .
Ralph Wilhelm, Milwaukee , Wis. ,
finished second in a 1962 Ford. Jerry Douglas, Wichita Falls , Tex.
was third in a ‘62 Pontiac .
Former Iowan Dwayne (Tiny) Lund 's 1963 Ford
developed trouble and was not entered in the 300-lap race. But the Harlan
native drove the 1963 Ford of Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids for the first 118 laps. Dake
finished eighth.
An estimated 14,200 persons
witnessed the race. The victory marked the first of the year for Liebe and his
red Ford.
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