Thursday, June 8, 2023

1978 - Hansen Triumphs at Olmstead Invitational


Curt Hansen led all 40-laps to win the MSI-promoted late model invitational at the Olmsted County Fair. – Missy Hinrichs Photo



Rochester, Minn. (June 8, 1978) – Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, took home $1,000 for winning the 40-lap feature at the Olmsted County Fairgrounds Thursday night, the first MSI Promotions late model invitational of the season.

Starting from inside of the second row, Hansen grabbed the lead at the drop of the green flag and never looked back, winning by a comfortable margin at the checkered.

Punky Manor of Altoona, Wis., finished runner-up followed by Eugene Kruger of Austin, Leon Plank of Mondovi, and Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa.

Rich Olson and Leroy Scharkey were left waiting at the gate when they slid into each other at the start of the race, both falling to the wayside.

Other competitors that experienced issues were Wendell Kuehn, who dropped a driveshaft, and Jack Harder, who lost three laps when he spun off the track and couldn’t get restarted.


Results –


1. Curt Hansen, Dike, Iowa
2. Punky Manor, Altoona, Wis.
3. Eugene Kruger, Austin, Minn.
4. Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.
5. Red Steffen, Eau Claire, Wis.
6. Bill Rice, Des Moines
7. Stan Stover, Waterloo, Iowa
8. Dick Sorenson, Rochester, Minn.

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