Tuesday, October 6, 2020

1974 - Martin tops Cornhusker – Hawkeye

Bill Martin



Omaha, Neb. (October 6, 1974) – Bill Martin of Council Bluffs roared into the lead with 66 laps remaining and ran away with Cornhusker – Hawkeye Challenge 100-lap late model stock car race before 2,050 fans at Sunset Speedway on Sunday night.

“After three years, it’s about time we beat those Eastern Iowa drivers,” Martin remarked from victory lane.

Denny Hovinga of Laurens, Iowa, led the first 28 laps before he tangled with Martin in the north turn. Hovinga spun and killed his engine, having to restart at the rear of the field.

When the race resumed, Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, took the lead until his engine quit on lap 34. Martin assumed the lead after that and increased his margin the rest of the way over runner-up Jerry Wancewicz of Omaha.

Martin’s total earnings mounted to $1,590.

“The track was in such bad shape from the recent rains, I was afraid we were going to break something, but the car worked really good tonight. What a way to end the season!” Martin commented.

Consolations fell to Kent Tucker of Aurora; Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa; and Ron Tilley of Council Bluffs.

Heat victories were shared by Verlin Eaker; Denny Hovinga; Jerry Wancewicz; George Barton of Ankeny; Curt Hanson of Dike, Iowa; and Martin.

Results –

1. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs, Iowa
2. Jerry Wancewicz, Omaha
3. Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
4. Randy Sterner, Blair
5. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
6. Kent Tucker, Aurora
7. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Curt Hansen, Dike, Iowa
9. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
10.Stan Stover, Reinbeck, Iowa

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