Thursday, September 3, 2020

1973 – Utz’s Dominance Broken by Dosher’s Triumph


Thad Dosher



Lincoln, Neb. (September 3, 1973) - Defending champion Thad Dosher broke up Bill Utz’s dominance Monday in the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) races at the Nebraska State Fair.

Dosher took the lead on the 17th lap and went on to win the 30-lap feature race with Utz, who won the features on Saturday and Sunday, finishing fifth.

“This was a great emotional win for me,” Dosher said. “I hadn't won a point race since July when I took one in Wichita, Kan.”

Dosher is the leading driver in the IMCA point standings, while Utz has advanced from 19th to third in the past few weeks.

Going into Monday's races Dosher unofficially had 1,920 points with second place Gene Gennetten next with 1,785 and Utz third with 1,735. After Monday's races Dosher unofficially had 2,090, Genetten 1,925, and Utz 1,800.

Genetten won a heat race and was second to Dosher in the feature Monday, while Utz was second in the third heat besides his fifth place showing in the feature.

The rain on Sunday night and early Monday morning didn't affect the track like most drivers anticipated according to Dosher.

“The track was a lot drier than we thought it would be,” Topeka, Kan., resident remarked. “So, we changed gears after I won the second heat to a higher ratio.”

Putting a new master cylinder on the brakes was also credited by Dosher for helping him win.

“After I took the lead in the feature I just wanted to hold my position and not take any unnecessary chances.”


Results –


First Heat: Gene Gennetten, Gladstone, Mo.
Second Heat: Thad Dosher, Topeka, Kan.
Third Heat: Earl Wagner, Pleasantville, Iowa
Trophy Dash: Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City, Mo.
Consolation: Ray Lee Goodwin
Feature:
1. Thad Dosher
2. Gene Gennetten
3. Earl Wagner
4. Ralph Blackett, Des Moines, Iowa
5. Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo.
6. Bill Robinson, Topeka, Kan.
7. Ray Lee Goodwin
8. Ken McCarty, Kansas City, Mo.
9. Don Droud, Lincoln, Neb.
10.Gary Scott, Holts Summit, Mo.

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