1978 – Crawford nabs Shrine Race at Independence

Independence, Iowa (August 31, 1978) – Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa, rode a first-lap maneuver to a 50-lap late model victory in the first annual Mini-Pix Shrine special at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds on Thursday night.

Crawford started on the second row but roared past front row starters Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, and Glen Martin of Independence, Iowa, to take the lead. He would hold the top spot for all 50 laps, picking up a very popular victory in front of the hometown fans.

“I figured the best time to pass would be early,” said the Independence farmer. “I knew the track would get dry-slick at the end and the tires I had would work better early on.”

Obviously, making money wasn’t Crawford’s only concern. He earned a total of $1,250 in feature winnings. But he donated the $250 he earned in lap money back to the Shriner’s hospital fund, which the beneficiary of the evening’s races.

Crawford also returned the winner’s trophy which will be put in display at the children’s hospital in Minneapolis.

Crawford’s pre-race analysis proved correct. In fact, it almost cost him the race.

Crawford’s car went too high on lap 33, and Glen Martin tried to get underneath Crawford but was blocked out by a slower car.

Hansen, who earned the pole position by winning the first heat, finished second to Crawford, passing Martin on lap 48. Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, also got around Martin on the last lap to place third.

Thursday’s late model turnout was one of the most impressive fields in the state this season. Waterloo, Iowa’s Ed Sanger failed to place in the top-five in his heat and didn’t qualify for the feature.

Results –

First heat – Curt Hansen, Dike, Iowa

Second heat – Glen Martin, Independence, Iowa

Third heat – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo, Iowa

Fourth heat – Gary Crawford, Independence, Iowa

Consolation – John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa

Feature –

1.    Gary Crawford

2.    Curt Hansen

3.    Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls, Iowa

4.    Glen Martin

5.    Joe Merryfield, Des Moines

6.    Joe Schaefer, Waterloo, Iowa

7.    Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.

8.    Dick Schiltz, Waterloo, Iowa

9.    Carl Severson, Dubuque, Iowa

10. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo, Iowa

1972 - Zwanziger holds off West to win Osky main event

Bill Zwanziger

Oskaloosa, Iowa (August 30, 1972) - Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo conquered the big Southern Iowa Speedway half-mile oval last night at the super stock races. Zwanziger led the full 25 laps to capture the feature race (his first) after starting on the front row pole position by virtue of his first heat victory.

Bill picked up $540 for his night’s efforts. Chasing the Waterloo, Iowa, veteran for the first spot was Pokey West of West Chester breathing down Zwanziger’s tail with a group of four hard charging drivers close behind. The close competition was some of the best Oskaloosa fans have seen this season.

At the 10-lap mark it was Zwanziger, West, Ron Hemsted, Bob Hilmer, Ed Sanger and Ron Perdock. By lap 15, only Perdock had moved up one place. As the 20-lap go-round came up, Perdock had moved into third.

The confusing action came as the pack was coming through turn four to take the white flag. Zwanziger and West came through all right, but the next four cars did some spinning and mixing up. Sanger passed three cars and took over third place followed by Ron Hemsted of Lone Tree, Bob Hilmer of Dysart and Dan Dickey of Packwood. Ron Perdock spun into the infield and came back on the track, but had lost seven places.

Ron Perdock led all the way to win the semi-main event. Perdock had a good lead until a red flag restart on the eighth lap brought the pack up on Ron’s bumper. Tagging Perdock at the finish was Red Dralle of Waterloo followed by Bob Bonser of Liscomb, Bill Rice of Des Moines, Stan Stover of Reinbeck and Ken Boyse of Kalona.

Ed Sanger was the only car on the track to take the checkered flag for Australian pursuit after all other cars had been eliminated. The last to be eliminated was Perdock who held the lead when he spun out coming out of the fourth turn on the very last lap. Don Hoffman and Ron Hemsted were third and fourth.

Zwanziger ran away with the first heat win ahead of Pokey West and Ron Hemsted passed John Babb of Ottumwa on the last lap to win the second heat. Babb had led all until that last one-fourth lap. Bob Hilmer managed to hold off a hard charging Ed Sanger to cop the third heat.

Eldon Newberry and Jim Brown started the sportsman race side by side and stayed that way until Brown took the lead on the back-stretch of the first lap. Brown of Martinsburg held on to lead the whole way to take his fourth sportsman victory of this season.

Newberry of North English finished runner-up to Brown while last week’s winner Paul Lanphier of Oskaloosa picked up third place. In the three car battle for fourth, Bill Metcalf of Selma edged out fellow townsman Don Berige. Skip Gray of Ottumwa finished sixth.

 

Results –

First Heat

1.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo

2. Pokey West, West Chester

3. Chris Maurer, Colfax

4. Roger Dolan, Lisbon

Second Heat:

1 Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree

2. John Babb, Ottumwa

3 Dan Dickey, Packwood

4. Tim McDonough, Cedar Rapids

Third Heat:

1 Bob Hilmer, Dysart

2. Ed Sanger, Waterloo

3. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines

4. Don Hoffman, Des Moines

Australian Pursuit:

1. Ed Sanger

2. Ron Perdock

3. Don Hoffman

4. Ron Hemsted

Semi-Main:

1 Ron Perdock, Washington

2. Red Dralle, Waterloo

3. Bob Bonser, Liscomb

4. Bill Rice, Des Moines

5. Stan Stover, Reinbeck

6. Ken Boyse, Kalona

7. John Meyer, Brooklyn

8. Gary Crawford, Independence

9. Gary Thomas, Washington

10. Howard Smith, Des Moines.

Feature:

1. Bill Zwanziger

2. Pokey West

3. Ed Sanger

4. Ron Hemsted

5. Bob Hilmer

6. Dan Dickey

7. Johnny Babb

8. Chris Maurer

9. Roger Dolan

10. Ron Perdock

1976 – Mack Wins at Minnesota State Fair

Don Mack

St. Paul, Minn. (August 29, 2016) – Don Mack, known as the “Flying Dirt Farmer” from East Grand Forks. Minn., picked up his biggest racing paycheck of his 17 years in competition as he won the 200-lap Minnesota State Fair sprint car championship feature race on Sunday afternoon. He collected $4,500 for his win which was witnessed by 6,256 race fans.

Mack emerged victorious although Casey Jones of South Bend, Ind., and Marvin Carman of Union City, Mich., dominated the 100-mile event at the half-mile speedway.

It was not until after the race had finished and the lap charts double-checked that Mack was finally declared the winner. Mack piloted a car owned by Doug Howells of Hunter, N.D.

Jones appeared headed for the victory until he was forced to make a second fuel stop on lap 189. Darl Harrison of Tiffin, Ohio, took runner-up honors, 25 seconds behind Mack.

Mack, who made a pit stop midway thru the race, said he was sure he won the race when he was interviewed by the public-address announcer before the order of finish was determined.

Jones, who started in the second row, led for the first two laps before yielding to Bobby Baker of Salt Lake City, who led until lap 23. Marvin Carman would take over until his first pit stop on lap 127. He would blow his engine five laps later.

Jones would inherit the top spot on lap 128 and lead until his pit stop on lap 188. Mack would take over from there.

It was Mack’s first win at the historic oval since he had won two super-modified races there years ago.

Ron Larson of White Bear Lake, Minn., won the 20-lap consolation with Bill Dollansky of Elk River, Minn., finishing second.

Feature results –

1.     Don Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn.

2.     Darl Harrison, Tiffin, Ohio

3.     Galen Short, West Unity, Colo.

4.     Harold McGilton, Fremont, Ohio

5.     Casey Jones, South Bend, Ind.

6.     Steve Chassey, Indianapolis

7.     Mike Schiesel, Oak Creek, Wis.

8.     Fran Wewers, Milwaukee

9.     Bill Dollansky, Elk River, Minn.

10.    Lynn McIntosh, Thunder Bay, Ont.

Today in Racing History

 

 

August 28, 1993

 

 

 

1978 – White wins Du Quoin in confused finale

Don White at the Springfield Mile - Todd Healey Photo

Du Quoin, Ill. (August 26, 1978) – When Don White stormed into the lead on lap 47 of the 100-mile United States Auto Club late model stock car race Saturday afternoon at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds, he felt confident.

“I knew it was over after I took the lead,” White said.

The Keokuk, Iowa, native went on to win the $22,538 event and the top prize of $2,815 – but not without controversy.

Bay Darnell, who finished second, had passed White on the final circuit of the 100-lap event to become the apparent winner.

However, USAC official Billy Saxon ruled that Darnell overtook White while the yellow flag was still out, which is illegal. The yellow flag was signaled on the 97th lap when Gary Bowsher lost control of his car and bumped the rail on the curve near the front straightaway.

White was declared the official winner of the race, much to the chagrin of Darnell, who angrily talked to Saxon and other USAC officials later in an effort to get the decision reversed.

Darnell even considered lodging a protest but decided against it. He contended that he passed White on a green flag, which is legal.

“I wasn’t angry about much,” Darnell said shortly after the race. “I won the race, that’s all.”

The real winner, White, was a bit more cheerful as he agreed with USAC’s decision.

But he said he couldn’t blame Darnell for his bitterness.

“He wouldn’t be much of a racer, if he didn’t feel that way,” White said.

White said the problem could have been adverted if another driver, Rich Sundling, who was not in the running for first place, had not cut between the leader White and the pace car. Sundling inadvertently drove in between White and the pace car, which White said almost cost him at a race last weekend in Springfield, Ill. White claims he lost that race because Sundling hit him from behind.

“They shouldn’t have yellow flags in the last 10 laps of the race unless something really serious happens,” explained White.

White, driving a Dodge Aspen, was 19th in the USAC point standings but added 250 with Saturday’s win.

“I’m not interested in points,” he said, “I have all the points I need.”

But White was interested in winning.

“That’s what I came for,” said White, who also won the USAC event at Du Quoin in 1968.

Terry Ryan of Davenport, Iowa, who placed third on Saturday, gained 180 points and now has 1,550. A.J. Foyt is the current leader with 1,615. Foyt did not race at Du Quoin.

Paul Feldner, the defending Du Quoin winner and 1977 USAC national champion was a spectator at the race because of a dispute with car owner Gary Wulke. The argument started two weeks ago prior to the Milwaukee race over a new engine. Feldner stated he was finished for the remainder of the season and was contemplating retirement.

Results –

1.   Don White

2.   Bay Darnell

3.   Terry Ryan

4.   Tom Bigelow

5.   Sal Tovella

6.   Ken Simpson

7.   Ken Rowley

8.   Joe Ruttman

9.   Gordon Blankenship

10.  Larry Nau

11.  Gary Bowsher

12.   Bob Brevak

13.   Billy Venturini

14.  Tom Meinberg

15.  Rich Sundling

16.  Dale Koehler

17.  Danny Frye Jr.

18.  Terry Pearson

19.  Jack Meinberg

20.  Rick O’Brien

21.  Ramo Stott

22.  Randy Ogden

23.  Dave Decker

24.  Jim Hurlbert

25.  Steve Drake

26. Tom Helfrich

27.  Francis Kelly

28.  C.C. Corbin

1973 - Harrison gets sweet revenge at Sedalia

Sedalia, Mo. (August 25, 1973) – Gerry Harrison of Topeka, Kan., got sweet revenge and $350 for his win Saturday night in the IMCA new model stock car race at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

The new models moved from the mile to the half-mile for the evening program, running three 10-lap heats and the 25-lap feature.

Harrison brought his 1972 Chevrolet home a half-lap ahead of Mike Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, the winner of the 101-mile Missouri International in the afternoon.

Harrison led all the way for the win, a repeat of his 1972 finish in the same race. He and Derr, along with IMCA point leader Gordy Blankenship of Keokuk, Iowa, qualified for the 25-lapper through the 10-lap consolation. Derr won that event with Harrison second and Blankenship third.

Heat winners were Ray Blohm of Arlington, Tex., Shorty Acker of Windsor, Mo., and Mike Wallis of Gardner, Kan.

Results –

1.    Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.

2.    Mike Derr, Keokuk, Iowa

3.    A.C Saint, Tulsa, Okla.

4.    Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa

5.    Steve Lutkie, Wichita, Kan.

6.    Gordy Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa

7.    Larry Lynch, Dallas, Tex.

8.    Jim Hagar, Liberty, Mo.

9.    Gary Brooks, Grand Prairie, Tex.

10.  Mike Wallis, Gardner, Kan.

1975 - Dralle Wins Tunis Championship Main

Waterloo, Iowa (August 24, 1975) – Red Dralle of Evansdale, Iowa, came on with a heavy foot Sunday night to win the 50-lap late model season championship feature.

Dralle started dead last in the 15-car field but finished first in a race that saw the favorite, point leader D. Arthur Nesteby of Waterloo, Iowa, make an early exit on lap 8.

Nesteby, who won three 25-lap features and the mid-season championship at Tunis this season, came into the third turn with his gas pedal sticking to the floor and he couldn’t make the turn.

He went off the banking, overturned once, and came to a stop on his side. Nesteby was not injured, but his car suffered significant damage to the front end.

Bob Hilmer of Dysart, Iowa, would take the lead when the feature’s green flag waved and led most of the way until gears went out of his quick-change and he was forced out after 27 circuits.

Dralle, who had steadily worked his way through the field, took over the top spot on lap 28 and led the rest of the way. Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, made several challenges to Dralle but couldn’t overtake the redheaded speedster.

Karl Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, another favorite who was second in points to Nesteby, finished a strong third.

Tunis promoter Claus Stricker pushed the 50-lap feature up on the program when ominous dark clouds started moving early in the program.

The high winds and rain washed out the 15-lap consolation.

Results –

1.    Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa

2.    Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls, Iowa

3.    Karl Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa

4.    Darrell Sells, Waverly, Iowa

5.    Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center, Iowa

6.    Willy Klingfus, Waterloo, Iowa

7.    Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo, Iowa

8.    Jim Buhlman, Waterloo, Iowa

9.    Keith Pittman, Waterloo, Iowa

10.  Greg Kastli, Waterloo, Iowa

1953 - Sweikert claims AAA victory at All-Iowa Fair

Bob Swiekert

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (August 23, 1953) - Eastern Iowa fans will get a chance to see big time Triple A racing in 1954, but it won't be under the direction of race promoter Sam Nunis.

That was the announcement by All-Iowa fair officials Monday as the aftermath of a rhubarb Sunday afternoon that marred, an otherwise outstanding speed program that wound up the four racing events at the record-breaking 1953 fair.

Minutes after Bob Sweikert rolled to victory in the 25-lap feature event, Nunis instructed race announcer Chris Economaki to the fans that, because of poor support, Triple A would not be returning to Cedar Rapids in 1954.

Nunis complained that 6,500 fans were not enough to support Sunday's field, which included 14 Indianapolis 500 drivers and a record-breaking 16 Offenhausers among 21 cars, which timed.

Fair officials, AAA officials and the drivers themselves disgruntled with the PA announcement, gave quick assurances to the crowd that Nunis was speaking only for himself and not for the Association, the number one racing group in the nation.

Such outstanding drivers as Johnny Parsons, Duane Carter and Tommy Hinnershitz – three of the top stars - gave assurances to fair officials that they were ready to return in ‘54, with or without a promoter.

“We don't want to give the fans the wrong impression about AAA,” one driver explained.

Fair officials later pointed out the 6,500 fans in attendance were only 1,500 below the average of 8,000 which Nunis-promoted shows had been drawing, and his races have been previously been staged in many larger towns, including Detroit.

One official pointed out that Nunis had received his guarantee of $5,500 which was what, his “own contract called for”. A report on Nunis' conduct has been forwarded to Triple A offices in Washington, D.C.

Otherwise, Sunday's program was outstanding, despite a poor track that was built up under Nunis' direction. In the time trials, seven cars timed well under 25 seconds and eight more were in the 25-second bracket.

Even in the final 25-lap event, with the track slowing noticeably under the effects of the week's hottest afternoon sun, Sweikert averaged 27.4 seconds a lap.

Sweikert, an up-and-coming young star, from Los Angeles, started outside in the front row, but fell off the pace in the early laps. He had to pass Jerry Hoyt a third of the way along for the victory. Jimmy Bryan, moving up fast, wound up in third place.

The top race of the day was a three-car dash, with a special $150 purse going to veteran Duane Carter in a photo finish with Fats O'Conner.

The field narrowly escaped an accident in the third heat when Don Freeland spun his Offy out on the second lap. After one lap under the caution flag, the race continued and wound up with Johnny Thomson in front in the creditable time of 3 minutes and 33 seconds.

 

Tommy Hinnershitz, one of the all-time veterans of dirt track racing and now in the process of winning his fourth straight AAA dirt track crown, had a rough day. Starting eighth in the feature, he and one other driver, signaled for a restart in the windup, but the signal was ignored.

Hinnershitz was dead last going into the backstretch and more trouble forced him out a lap later.

 

Jimmy Daywalt, another young "500" star, had his troubles with his Agajanian #98 in which Troy Ruttman was seriously injured at the Downs' track a year ago. He failed to place in his heat race, and then lost out to veteran Duane Carter in the consolation.

As a result, he didn't qualify for the feature.

 

Results –

 

1. Bob Sweikert, Los Angeles, Calif.

2. Jimmy Bryan, Phoenix, Ariz.

3. Jerry Hoyt, Indianapolis, Ind.

4. Duane Carter, Indianapolis, Ind.

5. Larry Crockett, Columbus, Ind.

6. Johnnie Parsons, Van Nuys, Calif.

7. Bob Scott, Gardenia, Calif.

8. Ed Elisian, Los Angeles, Calif.

9. Johnny Thomson, Springfield, Mass.

10. Tommy Hinnershitz, Reading, Penn.

 


 

1963 – Blundy Slick at Iowa State Fair; Jud Returns

Jerry Blundy accepts the trophy from Iowa State Fair secretary Kenneth Fulk as Gene Van Winkle (far left) and Woody Brinkman (near left) look on.

Des Moines, Iowa (August 22, 1963) – The second session of big car racing at the Iowa State Fair was still on a slick track – dry in comparison to the first Sunday’s wet conditions – but drivers got down to serious business and Jerry Blundy emerged as best for the day.

The Galesburg, Ill., ace won the 25-lap feature on Thursday afternoon, after having set fast time during qualifying. He also finished second in a heat race and fourth in the trophy dash.

Blundy led the entire race; however, he was closely chased by Buzz Barton. Barton was able to close the gap on two spin outs, which brought out the yellow flag. But Blundy’s Chevrolet-powered creation was running hot and he maintained the lead for the $700 first prize.

IMCA’s championship contenders did little to better their cause. Gordon Woolley, from Waco, Tex., cracked into the wall during time trials and wrecked his Weinberger Chevrolet. It was available for the feature but the smashup apparently caused it to lose some of its pep and he retired during the late stages of the race.

Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla., the current point leader, finished ninth and offered little enthusiasm for a better position.

Jud Larson, a former Indy 500 chauffer, stepped back into IMCA on a comeback journey following a heart condition and performed admirably in Speedy Helm’s Chevy. He won his heat and finished sixth in the feature.

Results –

1.    Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.

2.    Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.

3.    Jim McCune, Toledo, Ohio

4.    Sonny Helms, Carlisle, Iowa

5.    Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan.

6.    Jud Larson, Kansas City

7.    Don Brown, San Fernando, Calif.

8.    Harry Ross, Campbell, Calif.

9.    Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.

10.   Curly Boyd, Indianapolis

11.   Duane Stoneking, Oquawka, Ill.

12.   Jim Moughan, Springfield, Ill.