1970 - Hutch Grabs State Fair 250

Ron Hutcherson won the 250-lap IMCA stock car feature at the Iowa State Fair. Joining Hutcherson is his father, Leon, Larry Shipley making the trophy presentation, and Woody Brinkman holding the checkered flag. - Clare Schreiber Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (August 30, 1970) – Ron Hutcherson of Keokuk, the fourth fastest qualifier in his 1970 Torino, turned on the speed Sunday night to capture the 250-lap feature for IMCA new model stock cars at the Iowa State Fair.

Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids finished second in his 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner and Mel Morris of West Liberty rammed home his 1969 Charger into third place.

Lefty Robinson of Des Moines wheeled his ’69 Camaro to a fourth-place finish and Sandy Sandstrom of Kansas City rounded out the top five.

Gordy Blankenship of Keokuk drove his 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner to fast time, touring the half-mile dirt oval in 27.87 seconds to squeeze past Dean Montgomery of Milan, Ill., who was clocked at 27.91 seconds.

Ernie Derr of Keokuk, who had won four straight IMCA features at the Fairgrounds – the 1969 and ’70 Iowa 300 races and two 200-lap State Fair races – had axle problems on Sunday and was forced to pit on lap 207. His son Mike had pulled into the pits 10 laps earlier so Ernie took over Mike’s 1969 Dodge Charger, but it wouldn’t work either, suffering from transmission problems.

Results –


1. Ron Hutcherson, Keokuk
2. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids
3. Mel Morris, West Liberty
4. Lefty Robinson, Des Moines
5. Sandy Sandstrom, Kansas City
6. Leon Bowman, Wichita
7. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
8. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
9. Butch Hall, Russell, Minn.
10.Tom Beck, Waterloo
11.Mike Derr, Keokuk
12.Ralph Bowlen, Marshall, Mo.
13.Bill Stark, Des Moines
14.Chuck Janey, Cedar Rapids
15.Jerre Wichman, Kansas City