1962 - Iowa Driver Sets Pace in Missouri Fair Race

Receiving his trophy for his triumph in the afternoon late model stock car program is Ernie Derr, the defending IMCA stock car champion. Joining Derr in victory lane is W.W. Chism, the grandstand announcer, Haskell Holman, state auditor, and Al Sweeney, National Speedways promoter. 

Sedalia, Mo. (August 19, 1962) - Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa, a three-time International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) champion, added to his 1962 point standing on Sunday as he won the Missouri State Fair feature race for late model stock cars. Derr won the 50-lap race on the half-mile track in 25 minutes and 19.18 seconds to establish a new track record.

Derr is the defending champion of the late model stock car drivers and at the present time, is the leading point holder towards the ’62 title.

Derr also set the track time for the half-mile for late model stock cars, circling the oval in 27.71 seconds. He finished runner-up to Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, in the 10-lap match race, and placed third in a qualifying heat race.

A former IMCA titleholder in 1956 and 1957, Johnny Beauchamp of Harlan, Iowa, who took off for the southern states and raced for five years in the NASCAR organization, has returned to the IMCA circuit.

Beauchamp had trouble getting the feel of his 1962 Chevrolet on the Missouri dirt but did finish fifth in the feature and fourth in the semi-feature.


Results -


Heat #1 - Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
Heat #2 - Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
Heat #3 - Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
Match Race - Ramo Stott
Semi-Feature - Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Feature -
1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Ramo Stott
4. Darrell Dake
5. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan, Iowa
6. Eldon Sheffler, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Bob Reynolds, Edmonds, Okla.
8. Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.