1955 – Big Car Races Draw 5,200 to Fairgrounds

A young Bobby Grim is joined by a lean Hector Honore at Belleville. They haven't won an IMCA championship yet, but they're on their way. - Bob Lawrence Collection

Belleville, Kan. (June 1, 1955) - Bobby Grim led a field of 14 cars from start to finish as he captured the National Speedways, Inc., 20-lap big car feature race at the North Central Kansas Free Fair track before 5,200 race fans.

Grim roared I had in the first turn and was never headed although he was forced to fight off numerous challenging bids by defending IMCA national champion Bob Slater.

Slater, who notched victories in his heat race and in the trophy dash, finished without brakes when his car glanced off the fence. He finished a car length behind Grim in the feature.

Charlie Lutkie of Wichita, Kansas, upset Grim in the second heat race when he outran the Indianapolis pilot for a five-lap win.

Lutkie also snared a victory in the Australian Pursuit race. He resisted efforts of Gordon Schuck and Jerry Schumaker in a dual that brought the crowd to its feet.

Jud Larson of Austin, Texas, had the fastest qualifying time of the day for the half-mile track with a time of 23.18 seconds.


Results –


Heat #1 - Bob Slater, Kansas City, Mo. 

Heat #2 - Charlie Lutkie, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 - Herschel Wagner, Hickman Mills, Mo.
Trophy Dash - Bob Slater
Australian Pursuit - Charlie Lutkie
Feature -
1. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
2. Bob Slater
3. Jud Larson, Austin, Tex.
4. Herschel Wagner
5. Eddie Loetscher, St. Louis, Mo.
6. Jerry Schumaker, Wichita, Kan.
7. Lee Drollinger, Urbana, Ill.
8. Charlie Lutkie
9. Dick Coleman, North Platte, Neb.
10. Gordon Schuck, Edgar, Neb.