1987 – Johnsons 1-2 in IMCA Late Model Tilt at 34

Jay Johnson won the IMCA Late Model Summer Series season opener at 34 Raceway in Burlington. Joining him in victory lane is promoter Larry Kemp and IMCA’s Kathy Root. – Jerry Mackey Photo

West Burlington, Iowa (April 11, 1987) – Jay Johnson slipped past his father, Johnny Johnson, with three laps remaining Saturday night to win the first race of the IMCA Late Model Summer Series at 34 Raceway Park.

Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, led the 35-lap event until he was forced out with a broke pin in the right rear ball-joint with only five laps to go. Aikey assumed the lead at the start and built a comfortable advantage until a lap 27 caution bunched the field once more.

Three laps later, Aikey was forced out and Johnny Johnson took the top spot. However, Jay Johnson dropped to the inside groove and raced side-by-side with his father before taking command with three circuits left.

Johnny Johnson held on to finish second, Greg Hunter of Independence, Iowa, was third. Steve Watts of Jimtown, Iowa, was fourth and Mitch Fretheim of Decorah, Iowa, rounded out the top five.

The event was the first IMCA-sanctioned late model event since Ferris Collier of Lampe, Mo., was crowned the 1976 driving champion in that division.

In the sportsman division, Jim Hollenbeck of Burlington, Iowa, posted the win with Lonnie Bailey of Quincy, Ill., Hank DeLonjay of Quincy, Terry Schlipman of Mendon, Ill., and Jack Evan of Keokuk, Iowa, rounding out the top five.

Dave Warth of Danville, Iowa, captured the pro stock feature race with Jim Mueller of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, Rod Smith of Monmouth, Ill., Tom Darbyshire of Mount Union, Iowa, and Bob Jennings of Mount Pleasant, Iowa, rounding out the top five.

Johnny Johnson set fast time in qualifying, touring the 3/8-mile dirt oval in 17.83 seconds. Heat races were won by Jay Johnson and Steve Watts while Jim Burbridge of Delhi, Iowa, won the “B” feature.


Results –


1. Jay Johnson, Wapello, Iowa
2. Johnny Johnson, Wapello, Iowa
3. Greg Hunter, Independence, Iowa
4. Steve Watts, Jimtown, Iowa
5. Mitch Fretheim, Decorah, Iowa
6. Kevin Cale, Donnellson, Iowa
7. Gary Henderson, Independence, Iowa
8. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, Iowa
9. Danny Breuer, Wapello, Iowa
10.Dave Goble, Burlington, Iowa
11.Jim Burbridge, Delhi, Iowa
12.Dave Getchell, Sperry, Iowa
13.Daryl Hemm, Eldon, Iowa
14.Bill Breuer, Wapello, Iowa
15.Curt Daughters, Fort Madison, Iowa
16.John Vantiger, Mount Union, Iowa
17.Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls, Iowa
18.Bruce Hanford, Davenport, Iowa
19.Dennis Schwanke, Sumner, Iowa
20.Mark Howell, Muscatine, Iowa
21.Ted Pallister, Wapello, Iowa