1965 – Larson Drives to First Place

Jud Larson

 

Kansas City, Mo. (July 23, 1965) – Jud Larson, a former Kansas Citian now living in Indianapolis, Indiana, took the lead on the third lap and won going away in the 30-lap feature of the United States Auto Club sprint car races last night at Lakeside Stadium in Kansas City.

Larson moved in front after Greg Weld of Kansas City and Johnny Rutherford of Fort Worth, Texas, locked wheels and both spun out. Carl Williams of Kansas City made an early challenge, but Larson refused to give up the lead spot.

A. J. Foyt of Houston, Texas, and Mario Andretti of Nazareth, Pennsylvania, did not appear for the races.

A crowd of about 7,500 saw 17 cars compete for purse of $6,350 and in the process rewrite the record list.

Weld, the point leader in USAC competition, set a lap record of 22.88 seconds in time trials and a heat race record of 3 minutes and 5 seconds in the first heat. He bettered times of 23.44 by Don Branson in 1963 and 3 minutes and 8 seconds by Jim Hurtubise the same year.

Larson eclipsed another Don Branson mark with his feature time of 12 minutes and 40 seconds. The old standard was 12 minutes and 49 seconds. Johnny White's semi-main mark of 4 minutes and 11 seconds in 1963 fell to Ronnie Duman of Dearborn, Michigan, who timed in at 4 minutes and 4 seconds.

Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City’s super modified race champion, got a chance to drive because of the shortage of drivers. Goodwin placed second in his heat race after leading for four laps. He finished a very creditable ninth in the feature.

Results –

First Heat: Greg Weld

Second Heat: Johnny Rutherford

Third Heat: Jerry Daniels

Semi-Main: Ronnie Duman

Feature:

1. Jud Larson
2. Jerry Daniels
3. Carl Williams
4. Roger McCluskey
5. Don Branson
6. Bobby Unser
7. Red Riegel
8. Ronnie Duman
9. Ray Lee Goodwin
10. Bobby Black