Tuesday, August 31, 2021

1969 – Ellefson Wins Fair Race, Sets Record


Norm Ellefson and his chief mechanic are all smiles after winning the Golden 200 for IMCA sprint cars at the Minnesota State Fair. – Robert Paulson Photo




St. Paul, Minn. (August 31, 1969) – Norm Ellefson of Spokane, Wash., broke a world record in the Minnesota State Fair Golden 200 sprint car feature Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 14,872.

Ellefson’s time of 1 hour, 12 minutes and 26.98 seconds broke the previous mark of 1 hour, 13 minutes and 8 seconds set by Karl Busson of Toledo, Ohio, on the half-mile oval here in 1967.

It was Ellefson’s third feature win in four tries at this year’s Fair. Ellefson, driving a Chevy, went the 200-lap distance without any pit stops to overcome Ray Wright of Elkhart, Ind.

Russ Laursen of Cumberland, Wis., was third followed by Bob Kinser of Bloomington, Ind., and Jay Woodside of Kansas City.

Top qualifier Oscar Fay of Mishawaka, Ind., led for the first 10 laps before losing a wheel on the second turn. Darl Harrison of Tiffin, Ohio, and the current IMCA sprint car point’s leader, was sidelined early with engine trouble.

The victory was worth $2,000 to Ellefson, who posted the record time despite five caution flags.


Results –


1. Norm Ellefson, Spokane, Wash.
2. Ray Wright, Elkhart, Ind.
3. Russ Laursen, Cumberland, Wis.
4. Bob Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
5. Jay Woodside, Kansas City
6. Jim Eberstein, Vicksburg, Mich.
7. Fred Linder, Fremont, Ohio
8. Dean Mast, Dover, Ohio
9. Dick Gaines, Mitchell, Ind.
10.Ron Larson, White Bear Lake, Minn.

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