1973 – Stover wins Fairgrounds' Title Race

Stan Stover

Des Moines, Iowa (September 29, 1973) - Stan Stover of Reinbeck won his second late model stock car season championship race and Larry Embrey of Grimes captured his first sportsman season title Saturday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Stover, who also won the title in 1971, started on the outside of the first row, took the lead on the second lap and was never threatened by the 22-car field in the 35-lap event before a crowd of 4,395.

It started to rain shortly after the feature began and Stover, who drove a 1969 Chevelle, said, "It made it a little tough, but I was working too hard to worry about it. They could have shortened the race a little though."

Randy Sterner of Blair, Neb., placed second in the late model feature and Bill McDonough of Cedar Rapids clinched the season point crown by finishing third.

Embrey, who drove a 1965 Chevelle, said he had "no confidence whatsoever" despite leading the field of 24 the entire way because it was "the first season championship I've finished in the six years I've raced here."

The victory gave Embrey the season point title. Billy Geil and Marvin Korns, both of Des Moines, placed second and third, respectively. Ron Van Roekel of Otley, driving a 1958 Ford snared the sportsman semi-main with Bill Carter of Des Moines taking second and Fred Knapp of Des Moines, who was second in point standings before Friday, taking third. Knapp failed to finish the feature due to fan belt problems.

The late model semi-main was won by McDonough. Lefty Robinson of Des Moines claimed second and George Barton of Ankeny was third.


Results –


Sportsman -

1. Larry Embrey, Grimes
2. Billy Geil, Des Moines
3. Marvin Korns, Des Moines
4. Ken Gerhart, Des Moines
5. Cliff Van Zandt, Des Moines
6. Virgil Webb, Des Moines
7. Jerry Campbell, Des Moines
8. Jim Welshon, Indianola
9. Dave Kepley, Ames
10.Gordon Head, Des Moines
11.Shorty Selsor, Des Moines
12.Art Moose, Indianola
13.Ken Paulding, Des Moines
14.Mike Pinckney, Des Moines
15.Bill Davis, Des Moines



Late Model -

1. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
2. Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
3. Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids
4. George Barton, Ankeny
5. Cal Swanson, Reinbeck
6. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
7. Bob Hilmer, Dysart
8. Larry Wasserfort, Waterloo
9. Ken Davidson, Des Moines
10.Bill Rice, Des Moines
11.Bill Ludington, Carlisle
12.Bugs Vincent, Nevada
13.Bob Bonzer, Liscomb
14.Bob Burrell, Des Moines
15.Dick Oldham, Des Moines