Tuesday, August 17, 2021

1961 – Nelson Forced Out; Eddie Sachs Winner


Eddie Sachs hoist his trophy after winning the 200-miler in Milwaukee. 



West Allis, Wis. (August 17, 1961) – An overheated engine took Norm Nelson out of the running after 90 laps as Eddie Sachs of Coopersburg, Penn., piloted a 1961 Ford to victory in the 200-mile late model stock car race Thursday at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Nelson was seeking his second straight victory at the Milwaukee Mile after copping Sunday’s 150-miler.

Norm’s winning purse Sunday had amounted to $2,746. His gross earnings for Thursday? $81. The Racine, Wis., driver was officially credited with 24th place in the 200-mile grind which found only 17 of the 41 starters still running at the end.

Earlier, Nelson had clocked 94.014 mile per hour on his qualifying lap to break the old mark of 93.701 miles per hour set by Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, last Sunday. However, White then grabbed the record right back when he qualified at 94.966 mile per hour performance of his own.

White and Paul Goldsmith joined Nelson in the “crying towel” ranks during the race proper. White was particularly unfortunate, leading the race after 193 miles before forced to make a pit stop for gasoline. His engine killed during the refueling and all efforts to get White back in the race failed. He was through for the day and credited with seventh-place. Goldsmith’s engine blew after 147 miles while he was running in fifth place.

A crowd of 15,245 watched Sachs average 87.581 miles per hour to beat out Dick Rathmann. Troy Ruttman was third, Elmer Musgrave fourth and Rodger Ward fifth.


Result
s –


1. Eddie Sachs
2. Dick Rathmann
3. Troy Ruttman
4. Elmer Musgrave
5. Rodger Ward
6. Gene Marmor
7. Don White
8. Dave Lundman
9. Jerry Richards
10. Herb Shannon
11. Bob Pronger
12. Ken Finley
13. Whitey Johnson
14. Rich Clement
15. Bruce Nystrom
16. Dave Whitcomb
17. Len Sutton
18. Rich Sutkus
19. Paul Goldsmith
20. Jim Locke
21. Gary Sheldon
22. Les Snow
23. Bob Schultz
24. Norm Nelson

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