Following a rather long and frustrating evening of
preliminary events, which found everything and anything happening on the track
including the official flagman quitting during the middle of the program, Weld
outran pole sitter Buddy Cochran from his outside front row starting position
to grab the initial command of the 30-lap event on the half-mile black dirt
oval.
Weld was just starting to pull away from the field when a
spectacular four-car accident forced the race to be red flagged on the third
lap. Earl Wagner of Pleasantville, Iowa flipped for the second time in three
days when he went over the top of Darrell Dockery, who also flipped his mount
after making contact with a spinning Ray Lee Goodwin. Bill Utz was also
involved in the melee and had his car burst into flames when its safety bladder
burst. There were no injuries; however, all four cars were eliminated from
competition.
On the restart, 24-year-old Arizona sensation, Billy Shuman got past a
sleeping Weld going down the backstretch to take the lead. Weld later commented
that he had lost his rhythm and concentration during the red flag stop.
However, two laps later, Weld regained his composure and got
back the top spot for good as he shot by Shuman coming off the fourth turn. “I
figured I better get going,” Weld said. “We didn’t come all the way out here to
finish second.”
From that point Weld, who became the only three-time winner
of the national crown, having won in 1964 and ’65, proceeded to open up over a
full straightaway lead over the rest of the field.
With Weld solidly in front, the crowd’s attention turned to
the battle being waged between Shuman and Lonnie Jensen for the runner-up
honors. The pair hooked up in a tremendous duel exchanging the position on
several occasions before Shuman took command for good on the 23rd go round.
Finishing fourth was Eddie Leavitt, who charged all the way
from his 17th starting position while former national champion Jay Woodside
nailed down the fifth spot. Fast timer Buddy Cochran broke a sway bar and had
to settle for a sixth place finish. Rounding out the top 10 were David James,
Ted Wise, Bob Williams and Rick Ferkel.
Weld pocketed a check for nearly $4,000 out of a record
purse of $22,000 for his efforts. In addition to winning the feature, Weld also
won a semi-main and two heat races during the three days of competition.
Roger Larson of Solomon ,
Kan. , won the 20-lap B main as he
outlasted Thad Dosher, Gene Genetten, Bob Moore and Dean Shirley. It seems the
only person who was happy over the outcome of the 15-lap consolation event was
winner Steve Ungar of Belpre ,
Ohio , as the race was marred by
several accidents including a wild flip by Ralph Parkinson Sr. Saturday’s
10-lap heat races were won by Shuman, Weld, Woodside, and Bob Moore.
Results –
- Kenny
Weld
- Billy
Shuman
- Lonnie
Jensen
- Eddie
Leavitt
- Jay
Woodside
- Buddy
Cochran
- David
James
- Ted
Wise
- Bob
Williams
- Rick
Ferkel
- Jerry
McClung
- Bob
Kinser
- Lloyd
Beckman
- Bill
Thrasher
- Dennis
Olsen
- Jerry
Miller
- Roger
Rager
- Ray
Lee Goodwin
- Darrell
Dockery
- Bill
Utz
- Earl
Wagner
- Dick Gaines
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