1963 – White Wins Winchester IMCA Go

Michigan's Johnny White led start to finish at Winchester.

 

 

Winchester, Ind. (June 23, 1963) – Johnny White proved he is “King of the High Banks” in IMCA as he took his third straight feature win on Sunday afternoon on the famous high-banked half-mile Winchester Speedway.

White, starting on the outside of the front row alongside Red Amick, shot his Weinberger Homes Chevrolet ahead of Amick’s Fetter Aluminum Chevy in the first turn and was never headed.

Running smoothly the entire 30 laps, White took over 30 seconds off Bob King’s record set exactly one year ago. White’s time was 9 minutes and 17 seconds - a new IMCA record but it did not erase the 30-lap record held by USAC star Roger McCluskey of 9 minutes and 14 seconds.

Amick was able to keep his sights on White as he finished second in his second outing since coming out of a two-year retirement. Coming up from his sixth starting position was Norman Brown as Gordon Woolley came from eighth to finish fourth. Jim McCune rounded out the top five finishers.

Amick topped the 30-car field in qualifications with an 18.06 second lap. White spun on his first qualifying lap but came back with an 18.07 clocking on the second lap as 14 cars topped the 18-second bracket.

Bob Coulter was the busiest driver during qualifying as he first took the Altfater Offy only to blow a rod through the side, then the Altfater Chevy lost oil pressure for him and he ended up in Speedy Helm’s Chevy to make the show.

A crowd of over 4,500 saw a good safe show as the yellow flags weren’t needed as the only spins were both by White, in warmups and qualifying.

Results –

Heat #1 – Red Amick

Heat #2 – Johnny White

Heat #3 – Al Smith

Trophy Dash – Johnny White

Semi-Main – Don Friend

Feature –

1.    Johnny White

2.    Red Amick

3.    Norman Brown

4.   Gordon Woolley

5.    Jim McCune

6.   Bob Coulter

7.    Tom McClellan

8.    Vern Schmidt

9.    Ed Molketin

10. Don Brown

11. Tex Shackelford

12. Dick Atkins

13. Bud Randall

14. Don Friend

15. Nolan Johncock

1968 – Ole Brua Wins Late Model Main at Des Moines

Des Moines, Iowa (June 22, 1968) – Ole Brua of Albert Lea, Minn., won the 25-lap late model stock car feature at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

Carl Vander Wal of Ames grabbed his third consecutive sportsman win before 4,473 race fans, the largest crowd of the season.

Brua, who started in the second row with a 1968 Ford Fairlane, took the lead on the very first lap and dashed away from the rest of the field. Darrel Dake of Cedar Rapids took second, Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville claimed third and Tom Hughes, Monticello, grabbed the fourth spot.

By the time Dake had taken the second spot 10 laps in, Brua had a quarter-lap lead and he maintained that margin to the end.

In the sportsman main event, Vander Wal started 12th in the 13-car field and powered his 1956 Chevrolet to an easy victory. Roger McWilliams of Des Moines finished second.

Lee Pinckney of Des Moines was involved in a spectacular crash in the sportsman first heat. His 1957 Chevrolet rolled six times, and then smashed into a concrete wall. Pinckney walked away unhurt.

Lem Blankenship of Keokuk, Iowa, hit a loose wheel sending his car into the backstretch wall. He too, was unhurt.

 

Results –

 

Sportsman Feature:

1.     Carl Vander Wal, Ames

2.    Roger McWilliams, Des Moines

3.    Don Hoffman, Des Moines

4.    Fred Knapp, Des Moines

5.    Chuck Berg, Des Moines

Late Model Feature:

1.      Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.

2.    Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids

3.    Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville

4.    Tom Hughes, Monticello

5.    Roger Dolan, Lisbon

6.    Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.

7.    Fred Horn, Marion

8.    John Connolly, Delhi

9.    Matt Moro, Des Moines

10.  Roland Wilson, Bedford

1992 - Miller Motors Just in Time

Oregon, Wis. (June 21, 1992) - Butch Miller borrowed a driving suit from one driver, and a helmet from another, but the racing style was all his own.

The Lawton, Mich., native roared back from a big deficit to defeat Robbie Reiser and win the Capital 100 super late-model stock-car race at the half-mile Madison International Speedway Sunday.

Reiser had overtaken Steve Carlson on lap 5 and charged to a huge lead - a half-lap by the midway point - but Miller passed Reiser coming out of turn four on lap 98 to gain the victory before, an estimated crowd of 4,200.

“I knew Butch was going to come sooner or later,” said Allenton’s Reiser. “The fast guys come through.”

And there was no doubt who the fast drivers were. Only five drivers finished on the lead lap as Reiser and Miller overwhelmed the field.

Reiser started from the fourth spot and Miller moved up the field from 10th. Taking over second place on lap 52, Miller began to slowly chip away at Reiser’s advantage.

“I didn’t think he’d keep streaking away like he was doing, but he sure did,” said Miller, a National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Busch Grand National driver.

Miller actually passed Reiser on lap 97, but the only yellow flag of the race flew, and the standings reverted to the last completed lap, 96, which put Reiser back in front for the restart. Miller figured it would be difficult to pass Reiser again.

“I didn't think I’d be able to get it,” Miller said. “His car was fast on top and my car was fast on the bottom of the track. He did his very best to protect the bottom of the track.”

But Miller squeezed through on the inside and shut the door on Reiser.

“He’s a tough customer,” Reiser said. “Today, we were just trying to cool the tires, stay out of trouble and drive smooth laps. Butch was just a little faster.”

Joe Shear of Clinton finished a distant third, Conrad Morgan of Dousman claimed fourth and Steve Holzhausen of Bangor netted fifth.

“I was surprised he came back,” said Shear of Miller. “I knew Butch was running good, but not that good.”

Miller raced in the Carolina Pride-Budweiser 250 Busch Grand National race in Myrtle Beach, S.C., Saturday and finished a disappointing 16th. His helmet and driving suit were shipped with his other car, forcing Miller to use Jeff Neal's suit and Tony Strupp’s helmet.

There was no problem, however, regarding the car.

“The car was really good, I might have been a little too cautious at the beginning. This is a really good car.”

Not everyone enjoyed success. Driving in the car of Sun Prairie’s Scott Ollerman, Edgerton native Rich Bickle Jr. bowed out with ignition trouble on lap 50. And American Speed Association point’s leader Scott Hansen, of Green Bay, could not race because he crashed during the Berlin 200 in Grand Rapids, Mich., Saturday, sustaining a broken leg and ribs.

Results –

 

1. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.

2. Robbie Reiser, Allenton

3. Joe Shear, Clinton

4. Conrad Morgan, Dousman

5, Steve Holzhausen, Bangor

6. Bryan Refiner, Wisconsin Rapids

7. Tony Strupp, West Bend

8. Al Schill Sr., Franklin

9. Cliff Leach, Beloit

10. Andy Wendt, Watertown

11. John Olson, Stoughton

12. Todd Krope, Watertown

13. Vince Miller, Walworth

14. Matt Kenseth, Cambridge

15. Don Trapp, Albany

16. Doug Herbst, Wausau

17. Al Schill Jr., Franklin

18. Rick Bickle Jr., Concord, N.C.

19. Steve Carlson, West Salem

20. Don Leach, Janesville

21. Jeff Neal, Lake Villa, III.

22. Bob Weiss, Montello

23. Cub Rezin, Tomah

24. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.

1969 - Tattersall in Controversial Knoxville Win

Bob Tattersall poses with his trophy given to him after the USAC midget program at Knoxville. Mel Kenyon was awarded the trophy as the winner but a check by officials revealed that former Davenport ace had passed on a yellow flag, placing him third behind Tattersall and Merle Bettenhausen. 

Knoxville, Iowa (June 19, 1969) – USAC midget point leader Mel Kenyon of Lebanon, Ind., drove his Offy midget to victory Thursday night at the Marion County Fairgrounds, only to learn later he had to surrender the winner’s share of the purse and trophy to Bob Tattersall of Streator, Ill.

While Kenyon accepted the winner’s trophy, handshakes and the like, a protest was being filed by Merle Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, Ill. Bettenhausen claimed that, while running second behind Tattersall, they noticed the stalled car of Chuck Arnold near the infield of turn two.

Bettenhausen claimed this created an automatic slowdown and that is just what he did. He said he slowed down and went high coming out of the turn and this said Bettenhausen, is when Kenyon passed him.

The incident happened on the lap 31 of the 40-lap feature event and it was determined that the caution flag was displayed after the drivers had passed the flagman.

Kenyon said he didn’t see any flag and didn’t see Arnold’s stalled ride near the rim of the infield. He said he was too busy watching Bettenhausen’s car being passed.

After almost an hour of deliberation, USAC officials declared Tattersall the winner and Kenyon was dropped to third. Kenyon eventually caught Tattersall on lap 35 but he was running third at the time of Arnold’s spinout.

Merle Bettenhausen was second and Bob Wente of St. Louis, Mo., was fourth. Tom Bigelow of Whitewater, Wis., rounded out the top five.


Results –


1. Bob Tattersall
2. Merle Bettenhausen
3. Mel Kenyon
4. Bob Wente
5. Tom Bigelow
6. Robert Greentree
7. Willard Yates
8. Bill Puterbaugh
9. Les Scott
10. Dave Strickland
11. Joe Demko
12. Bill Engelhart

1978 - Carson Wins Cedar Rapids Sprints

Shane Carson is joined by car owner Bob Trostle after his 20-lap sprint car win at Hawkeye Downs. - Dave Hill Photo

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 18, 1978) – Shane Carson of Oklahoma City, Okla., driving the Bob Trostle Chevy, almost made a clean sweep of all events he entered at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on Sunday evening.

 
Carson set fast time of 22.05 seconds, won the second heat and the 20-lap feature event.

 
He had to eat dirt, however, from Sonny Smyser’s spinning wheels in the fast car dash, and for the first 14 laps of the feature event before he succeeded in getting past Smyser and his Springer-Chevy. Smyser, from Lancaster, Mo., would settle for second behind Carson.

 
A fierce battle took place for the entire 20 laps for third-place money as a blanket could have covered Randy Smith of Norwalk, Iowa, Jerry Blundy of Dahinda, Ill., and Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo. 

Leavitt would just barely nip Smith by the length of a tire at the checkers.

 

Results –


Fast dash – Sonny Smyser, Lancaster, Mo.
Heat #1 – Sonny Smyser
Heat #2 – Shane Carson, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Heat #3 – Randy Smith, Norwalk
B-main – John McCoy, Knoxville
Feature –
1. Shane Carson
2. Sonny Smyser
3. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
4. Randy Smith
5. Jerry Blundy, Dahinda, Ill.
6. Mike Brooks, Knoxville
7. Bill Robinson, Topeka, Kan.
8. Bobby Marshall, Dallas, Tex.
9. Junior Gutknecht, Pleasantville
10. Stacy Redmond, Mason City

1978 - Hansen Triumphs in Coca-Cola Special

Curt Hansen was the winner of the Coca-Cola Special at Tunis Speedway. The Dike driver has amassed winnings of $15,000 thus far this season. He's joined in victory lane by flagman Cy Bohr and the Coke Girls - Brenda Belitz, Cindy Bohr, Patsy Palmer, and Cathy Messer. - Earl Schwartz Photo

Waterloo, Iowa (June 15, 1978) – Curt Hansen, the defending late model champion at Tunis Speedway, led from start to finish in the second annual Coca-Cola Special on Thursday night.

Hansen earned the pole position for the 40-lap late model main event by winning the first heat under the program’s open competition format. He breezed to victory in that 10-lap race after starting on the outside front row.

The Dike driver quickly served notice in the feature too. He pulled away from the rest of the field and gained a comfortable margin between himself and his opposition.

Hansen, who drives an Ed Sanger built Camaro, earned $1,000 in prize money including the $750 first place money, $200 for leading all 40 laps and an additional $50 for winning the first heat. It was his first victory of the season at the 3/8-mile dirt oval.

Gary Crawford of Independence worked his way up second place in the feature after starting fifth while Waterloo veteran Bill Zwanziger won a dog fight for third.

Des Moines pilot Bill Rice was fourth and Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo rounded out the top five finishers.

Leon Plank of Eau Claire, Wis., and Bob Hilmer of Dysart also won heat races while Joe Merryfield of Des Moines took the consolation.

Gene Ehlers of Independence wrestled the lead from Larry Schmidt of New Hampton on the very last lap to win the 25-lap sportsman main.


Results –

Heat #1 – Curt Hansen, Dike
Heat #2 – Leon Plank, Eau Claire, Wis.
Heat #3 – Bob Hilmer, Dysart
Consolation – Joe Merryfield
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen
2. Gary Crawford, Independence
3. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
4. Bill Rice, Des Moines
5. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
6. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
7. Leon Plank
8. Joe Merryfield
9. Red Dralle, Evansdale
10. Bob Hilmer

1976 - Whitcomb Claims I-70 USAC Victory

Odessa, Mo. (June 13, 1976) – Dave Whitcomb of Valparaiso, Ind., drove a strong, steady race and piloted his 1975 Camaro to victory lane in I-70 Speedway’s “Show Me 150”, a United States Auto Club sanctioned stock car race on Sunday afternoon.

The 44-year-old USAC veteran and father of four took over the lead on lap 61 from four-time USAC champion Butch Hartman of South Zanesville, Ohio.

Hartman would spin on lap 74 and crash into the wall on the backstretch. His car would burst into flames, but he was not hurt. The car, however, was too badly damaged to continue.

Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., the I-70 Speedway 1975 late model stock car champion, put on a strong performance early on in the race but became a victim to the extreme heat and turned over the wheel to his Camaro to Jerry Sifford, who finished fourth.

Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, the 1975 USAC national stock car champion, finished second in the race followed by Terry Ryan of Davenport, Iowa. Harold Fair of Lavonia, Mich., rounded out the top five.

The accident involving Hartman brought out the yellow flag for laps 74 to 84 and was the only time the yellow was displayed for the race.

The trophy dash was won by Stott and the semi-feature went to Harold Fair. Butch Hartman set fast time during qualifying, touring the half-mile in 19.36 seconds.

Results –

1.    Dave Whitcomb, Valparaiso, Ind.

2.    Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa

3.    Terry Ryan, Davenport, Iowa

4.    Larry Phillips/Jerry Sifford, Springfield, Mo.

5.    Harold Fair, Lavonia, Mich.

6.    Dean Roper, Springfield, Mo.

7.    Ken Rowley, Normal, Ill.

8.    Kenny Simpson, Bedford, Ind.

9.    Bob Dotter, Chicago

10.  Sal Tovella, Addison, Ill.

1979 - Schultz, Izzo Set Marks in Waukegan 'Shootout'

Carl Schultz scored his first late victory by winning the Stock Car Challenge Shootout at Waukegan Speedway. Track promoter Gordon Sill (left), trophy girl Kathi Isom, and starter Gordy Sill join the winner. - Mike Napierala Photo

Waukegan, Ill. (June 12, 1979) – Carl Schultz of Pewaukee, Wis., led from start to finish in the 50-lap Midwest Late Model Stock Car Challenge Shootout at Waukegan Speedway on Tuesday night.

Schultz appeared to adjust himself to the track rather quickly as he took the fourth heat race before moving on to the feature. Schultz set a 10-lap record of 2 minutes and 50 seconds, eclipsing the previous record mark of 2 minutes and 53 seconds set on June 24, 1978.

The “King of Clay” Tony Izzo also shattered a record by taking fast time with a 16.12 second lap. His mark was more than a second quicker than the previous mark of 17.14 seconds set by Jim Cossman of Waukegan, on September 24, 1966.

Izo attempted to overtake Schultz in the latter stages of the main event. However, the Wisconsinite rose to the occasion and held off the crafty veteran to take the win.

Heat winner Mike Melius came in third, with LeRoy Schneiderman fourth, John Provenzano fifth and trophy dash winner Bill Strom sixth.

Lloyd Griffith won the semi-feature over Melius, Mark Warner and Dennis Erb.


Results –

1. Carl Schultz, Pewaukee, Wis.
2. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
3. Mike Melius, Random Lake, Wis.
4. LeRoy Schneiderman, Woodstock
5. John Provenzano, Glen Ellyn
6. Bill Strom, West Allis, Wis.
7. Art “Fireball” Fehrman, Berwyn
8. Dick Potts, Morocco, Ind.
9. Jack Aschenbrenner, Hales Corner, Wis.
10. Lloyd Griffith, Chicago

1990 – Senneker wins Raider 300 at Salem

Bob Senneker became the first repeat winner on the ASA circuit for 1990 after winning the Raider 300 ar Salem Speedway. Joining him ate third-place Johnny Benson Jr. and runner-up Harold Fair. - Don Thies Photo

Salem Ind. (June 10, 1990) – Bob Senneker extended his all-time career record to 62 American Speed Association wins by capturing the ASA Challenge Series “Raider 300” at a record 87.468 miles per hour on Sunday at Salem Speedway.

Senneker won his second consecutive race to push his points lead to 67 points over race runner-up Harold Fair.

The 17-year ASA veteran snapped the previous ASA record ‘300’ record at Salem by more than 3 minutes, covering the 162 miles in 1 hour, 51 minutes and 7 seconds and edging Fair by three seconds.
Senneker led the first 97 laps and the last 43 laps for his fourth career ASA win on the famed high-banked paved oval to collect $7,715 in prize money from the $74,220 purse.

After pitting early and turning the lead over to Mike Eddy of Midland, Mich., Senneker spent much of the race tracking down teammate Johnny Benson Jr. who led for 123 laps.

Fair’s second straight runner-up finish kept him in the 1990 championship picture. Johnny Benson took over third in points and passed Rich Bickle Jr. of Edgerton, Wis., in the chase for top rookie honors.
Senneker had plenty of challenges early on and was chased by Eddy, Fair, Bickle and Canada’s Junior Hanley.

On lap 135, Bickle, sixth, and Ted Musgrave of Grand Marsh, Wis., eight, were gathered in a four-car crash touched off by Wayne Edwards’ spin on the backstretch. Bickle lost 67 laps while waiting for repairs.

Tracy Leslie of Mount Clemens, Mich., the 1988 ARCA national champion, made his ASA debut but dropped out after only 62 circuits due to handling problems.

Buckeye 300 winner Gary St. Amant of Columbus, Ohio, finished 14th, trailing by 25 laps. Senneker became the first repeat winner of 1990, ending a string of four different winners.

Results –

1. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
2. Harold Fair, Detroit, Mich.
3. Johnny Benson Jr., Grand Rapids, Mich.
4. Junior Hanley, Campbellsville, Ontario
5. Scott Hansen, Green Bay, Wis.
6. Mike Eddy, Midland, Mich.
7. John Wilson, Springfield, Ohio
8. Tom Jones, Northbrook, Ill.
9. Dave Jackson, Loveland, Ohio
10. Dennis Vogel, Manitowoc, Wis.
11. John Olson, Stoughton, Wis
12. Kent Stauffer, Elyria, Ohio
13. Tim Kezman, Franklin, Wis.
14. Gary St. Amant, Columbus, Ohio
15. Glenn Allen, Cincinnati, Ohio
16. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire, Wis.
17. Bruce Hidenrite, Owensboro, Ky.
18. Wayne Edwards, Fairdale, Ky.
19. Al Groog, Bluffton
20. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
21. Scot Walters, Louisville, Ky.
22. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh, Wis.
23. Bruce Vanderlaan, Grand Rapids, Mich.
24. Jay Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
25. Jeff Neal, Grayslake, Ill.
26. Dean South, Dayton, Ohio
27. Tracy Leslie, Mt. Clemens, Mich.
28. Tim Steele, Marne, Mich.
29. Butch Lanum, Woodburn
30. Bob Sensiba, Massillon, Ohio

1976 - Sanger Tops Pepsi-Mountain Dew Special at Osky

Ed Sanger talk things over with flagman Engel DeKock prior to the start of the Pepsi-Mountain Dew Special at Oskaloosa. Sanger would win the 50-lap feature and the $1,000 winner's share. - Earl Schwartz Photo

Oskaloosa, Iowa (June 9, 1976) – Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, collected the $1,000 first-place money in the late model super stock second annual Pepsi-Mountain Dew Special at the Mahaska County Fairgrounds on Wednesday night.

Sanger started on the front row alongside Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa. Hansen took the initial lead and led the first two laps before Sanger made his move. Sanger would spend the next 48 circuits fighting off multiple challenges by Hansen before taking the checkered flag.

The win at Oskaloosa would mark Sanger’s sixth win in the last eight days of racing. The win streak started a week ago on the very same track.

Hansen would settle for runner-up honors while Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill., moved his way through the field to take third. Breathing down Steffe’s neck most of the way was Joe Merryfield of Des Moines until lap 44, when “Injun Joe” was forced to pit with a left front smoking wheel. Bill Beckman of Lisbon, Iowa, would finish fourth followed by Darrel Dake of Cedar Rapids.

Hansen set the fastest time of the 39 entries, with a 24.06 second mark on the big half-mile. He would also capture the trophy dash.

Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo captured the first heat, Jerry Wancewicz of Omaha, Neb., making his first-ever appearance at the speedway, captured the second heat and consolation event. Glen Martin of Independence scored the win in the third heat and Dick Schiltz of Waterloo earned the victory in the fourth heat.


Results –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
4. Bill Beckman, Lisbon
5. Darrel Dake, Cedar Rapids
6. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
7. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
8. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
9. Bob Helm, Andalusia, Ill.
10. Dan Dickey, Packwood

1969- Bill Moyer Bags First Win at Des Moines

After two years, Bill Moyer of Des Moines won a feature at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. Co-promoters Homer Melton (left) and Johnny Beauchamp (right) congratulate Moyer. - Beetle Bailey Photo 

Des Moines, Iowa (June 7, 1969) – It took Bill Moyer two years to win his first feature at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, but he finally did it Saturday night.

Moyer, who owns and operates a used car lot, piloted his 1968 Corvette through the pack from the inside of the fifth row to win.

Moyer moved into second place with 10 laps to go and it took him another five circuits to overtake race-long leader Bob Hilmer of Dysart, Iowa, in his 1965 Chevelle.

On lap 20, Moyer proved to be too much and powered past Hilmer for the lead. He would lead the final laps unchallenged to post the first win of his career.

Hilmer finished second while George Barton of Des Moines took third in his 1967 Chevelle. Stan Stover of Reinbeck, Iowa, finished fourth in his 1965 Chevelle and Darrel Dake took fifth in his 1968 Ford Fairlane.

Moyer also scored the win in the trophy dash while Barton and John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, were heat winners. Darrel Dake won the 15-lap consolation.

Results –

1.    Bill Moyer

2.    Bob Hilmer, Dysart, Iowa

3.    George Barton, Des Moines

4.    Stan Stover, Reinbeck, Iowa

5.    Darrel Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

6.    Mike Keen, Marshalltown, Iowa

7.    Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa

8.    Lem Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa

9.    Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa

10.  Chuck Berg, Des Moines

1979 – Eaker Tops Stellar ‘Miller 100’ field

Race sponsor Keith Fleck is surrounded by plenty of late model talent after the annual Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Drivers, with Fleck, from left to right, are Jim Burbridge (semi-feature winner), Curt Hansen (fast timer), Verlin Eaker (winner of the Miller 100), and Ed Sanger (trophy dash winner). - Earl Schwartz Photo

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 5, 1979) – Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa, took the lead away from Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa, on the 45th lap Tuesday night and won the $10,750 Miller 100 late model stock car classic at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

 
It marked the second straight 100-lap win at Hawkeye Downs for Eaker, who won the rich Yankee Dirt Track Classic last September.

 
Eaker started in the third row of the feature and chased Niffenegger much of the early going.

Niffenegger shot out from his outside front row starting slot and led the first 41 circuits on the half-mile oval before Eaker got past him. However, Niffenegger recaptured the lead from Eaker on the next lap but could hold it for only three more laps before Eaker got around him for good.

While Eaker worked his way past the front traffic, Leon Plank of Mondovi, Wis., fell into third place behind Niffenegger, but he eventually fell off the pace.

 
The main event was relatively caution-free. The yellow did wave early when Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo, Iowa, hit the wall between turns three and four. It also flew on lap 91 when Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, spun in turn one.

 
However, Sanger’s spin did cause some controversy that resulted in two drivers being paid third-place money. After Sanger’s spin, he restarted in third position, when the green flew again, and he finished there with Don Hoffman of Des Moines and Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, behind.

 
After some discussion on Sanger’s placement on the restart, it was decided that both Sanger and Hoffman would receive third-place money.

 
Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, set fast time of the 61 late models taking the green flag for the clock with a 24 second flat time. Hansen, set fast time in his brand-new Oldsmobile Cutlass while timing his Camaro in 24.44 seconds. He opted to start the feature with his Cutlass but was unable to maintain the quick pace of the field and wound up thirteenth.

 
Sanger won the trophy dash, heat wins went to Denny Miller of Cedar Rapids, Ron Pallister of Wapello, Ron Boyse of Kalona, Joe Merryfield of Des Moines and Ken Walton of Viola. Jim Burbridge of Delhi won the consolation.

 
For his win in the feature, Eaker pocketed $1,800 plus lap money.



Results –



1. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona, Iowa
3. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
4. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
5. Tom Hearst, Wilton, Iowa
6. Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.
7. Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
8. Steve Keppler, Marion, Iowa
9. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo, Iowa
10. Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
11. Gary Crawford, Independence, Iowa
12. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
13. Curt Hansen, Dike, Iowa
14. Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa
15. Bill Rice, Des Moines
16. Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
17. Clayton Petersen Jr., Grand Island, Neb.
18. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
19. Dick Schlitz, Waterloo, Iowa
20. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo, Iowa
21. Larry Wasserfort, Waterloo, Iowa
22. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
23. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls, Iowa
24. Tim McDonough, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
25. Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
26. Ron Boyse, Kalona, Iowa
27. Johnny Johnson, Wapello, Iowa

1967 – IMCA Hawkeye Futurity Honors to Moughan

As car owner Hector Honore looks on, Jim Moughan of Springfield, Ill., accepts the trophy from Kenneth Fulk for winning the Hawkeye Futurity. - Beetle Bailey Photo

 

 

Des Moines, Iowa (June 4, 1967) – Jim Moughan of Springfield, Ill., handled the Hector Honore “Black Deuce” perfectly on a hard-slick track to win the 30-lap 14th annual Hawkeye Futurity at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Sunday afternoon.

After two restarts of the feature race, Moughan took the lead in turn one and never let up to make it one of the greatest comebacks in recent International Motor Contests Association history.

The Honore Chevy was very nearly scratched for the day when a wheel popped off the car during time trials. Honore and his crew put the rig back together in time for the Illinois charger to win the consolation race. With second fastest time recorded moments before the tire went haywire, Moughan was sitting pretty for the feature.

He was never in any serous trouble, although Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., the 1966 Hawkeye Futurity champion, kept it close for the 15-mile race.

It just seemed to be Honore’s day as earlier he was honored by National Speedways, Inc., and president Al Sweeney for his years of successful racing with IMCA. The “Black Deuce” has owned most all IMCA’s speed records in the sprint car division.

Following Moughan and Blundy to the finish were Ray Lee Goodwin of Kansas City, Mo., Tom Corbin of Carrollton, Mo., and Lee Kunzman of Guttenberg, Iowa. Fast qualifier Tom Custer of Rock Island, Ill., pulled to the pit area with engine failure on lap 19.

Results –

Fast qualifier – Tom Custer, Rock Island, Ill.

First heat – Jerry Richert, Forest Lake, Minn.

Second heat – Jay Woodside, Kansas City

Third heat – Don Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn.

STP Dash – Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.

Feature –

1.     Jim Moughan, Springfield, Ill.

2.     Jerry Blundy

3.     Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City

4.     Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.

5.     Lee Kunzman, Guttenberg, Iowa

6.     Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Ill.

7.     Grady Wade, Wichita, Kan.

8.     Jay Woodside

9.     Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.

10.  Darl Harrison, Tiffin, Ohio