1978 – Eddy Records Initial ASA Win at Salem

 

Mike Eddy stands in victory lane awaiting an interview with ASA’s Garry Poindexter after winning the Midwest 300 at Salem.

Salem, Ind. (September 17, 1978) – Mike Eddy set fast time in Saturday’s qualifications and then led every competitive he drove Sunday in capturing the 100-lap qualifying race and the 100-lap championship finale for a clean sweep of the triple-100 format of the Midwest 300 for American Speed Association late models at Salem Super Speedway. Eddy collected $3,050 for his efforts.

Eddy, from Midland, Mich., edged Mark Martin by a second and a half in the finale with Bob Sensiba placing third, one second behind Martin. The feature win was the first for Eddy in ASA competition.

The two-day show was marred by a series of mishaps which saw five cars go completely outside of the steeply banked .54-mile track within a period of 24 hours.

The unprecedented display of vehicular acrobatics started during the practice session when Steve Agnew of Brownsburg got into the fourth turn steel guardrail and then sailed over the bank. Agnew’s car was airborne for 120 feet before nosing and cartwheeling outside the track. The car was totally destroyed, and Agnew was taken to an area hospital with a mild concussion.

Sunday’s first 100-lap qualifying race started with fireworks anew with an unbelievable series of crashes, all of which occurred within 25 feet of where Agnew met misfortune.

On lap 11, Walt Grady of Fairfield, Ohio, making his first start in a late model, slid into the fence while running eighth and did a series of violent flips outside the track. He was taken to a local hospital with a severe concussion.

Only five laps were completed after the restart for Grady’s misfortune when Larry Zent of Fort Wayne, running second in pursuit of leader Bob Sensiba, hit the fourth turn guardrail and also cart-wheeled out of the park, finally coming to rest some 200 feet from its departure. He was hospitalized overnight for a separated shoulder and fractured elbow.

With the race restarted following Zent’s crash, Sensiba and Martin locked up in a heated battle, with the 19-year-old Martin, the current ASA point leader, diving under Sensiba to claim the lead on lap 59.

While Martin was busy passing Sensiba, Paul Stuerenberg and Bill Bartholomew, both of Cincinnati, tangled high on the opposite end of the track. Both cars climbed the guardrail and then cleared the barrier in a shower of flames as Bartholomew’s fuel cell split after catching the guardrail. Emergency crews were quick on the scene and got the fire extinguished quickly. Both drivers walked away unhurt.

With the normally half-hour duration race once again restarted, nearly two and a half hours had passed and Martin established a commanding lead, with Sensiba working his way forward from the tail of the pack after having a tire changed during the previous red flag shutdown.

Sensiba charged to within two and a half seconds of Martin but ran out of time and had to settle for second. Third went to Harold Scott with Lonnie Breedlove fourth and Bob Coffey fifth. Don Gregory, who had been a factor in the event’s early stages, was force to retire with steering issues after 52 laps.

The comparatively quiet second 100-lapper was dominated by Eddy, who led the entire distance and finished a straightway ahead of Jerry Makara, Ed Cooper, Mickey Flora, ad Terry Shirley.

Mechanical retirements in the second race included Charlie Glotzbach, who lost his differential gears in his mount, Dave Roahrig, with a broken crankshaft, and Larry Schuler, who blew an engine. Schuler, however, was able to start in the finale after his crew replaced the powerplant in his racer in only 38 minutes.

Eddy started the third 100 on the outside of the front row and won the drag race with polesitter Mark Martin into the first turn to take the lead he would maintain throughout the contest. Despite leading all the way, Eddy was pressured throughout the event by Martin and Sensiba.

The trio weaved spectacularly through slower traffic as they battled for the top spot during the duration of the event, prompting eddy to later say, “I know it looked like I was driving crazy, but the car handled so great I could go anywhere on the track.”

Gregory placed fourth after an amazing drive from his 24th starting position, and L.J. Lines came from his 20th starting berth to claim fifth.


Results –

1. Mike Eddy, Midland, Mich.
2. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
3. Bob Sensiba, Middleville, Mich.
4. Don Gregory, Columbus, Ohio
5. L.J. Lines, Greensboro
6. Jerry Makara, Pinckney, Mich.
7. Terry Shirley, Seymour
8. Larry Gorman, Indianapolis
9. Roger Gillespie, Urbana, Ohio
10.Don Johnson, Hillard, Ohio
11.Wayne Howard, Fort Wayne
12.Dan Sprinkle, Indianapolis
13.Harry Brady, Louisville, Ky.
14.Gene Christie, Gaston
15.Luther Burton, Columbus
16.Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
17.Bobby Sands, Henryville
18.Billy Howell, Louisville, Ky.
19.Harold Scott, New Castle
20.Bob Coffey, Indianapolis
21.Lonnie Breedlove, Indianapolis
22.Mickey Flora, Anderson
23.James Phillips, Louisville, Ky.
24.Ed Cooper, Clark Lake, Mich.

1956 – Bryan Wins ‘250’ Race at Milwaukee

 

Jimmy Bryan is joined in victory lane by car owner Bob Wilke after the Phoenix, Ariz., driver won the 250-mile late model stock car race at the Milwaukee Mile.

Milwaukee, Wis. (September 16, 1956) – Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, Ariz., driving his 1956 Mercury at an average of 85.67 miles per hour over the one-mile paved oval at State Fair Park, Sunday won the 250-mile late model stock car race worth $3,931.

Bryan made only one pit stop during the race and finished in a time of 2 hours, 56 minutes, and 3 seconds. He took the checkered banner three miles ahead of second place Bob Christie of Grants Pass, Ore., also in a Mercury. Christie pocketed $2,709.

A total of 17,796 fans contributed to a total purse of $18,925.

Bryan took the lead at the start and led for all but 9 miles of the race. His one stop was for fuel and tires at the 122-mile point and Christie roared into the lead. Bryan took over the top spot again when Christie pitted at the 131 miles.

Two drivers who failed to finish the race provided Bryan with his closest competition. Sam Hanks of Palisades, Calif., was forced out after 208 miles by a broken connecting rod, and Troy Ruttman of Lynwood, Calif., blew a tire, smashed into the wall, and then skidded into the pit area with a broken axle.

Twenty-eight cars started and 18 finished. Local favorite Norm Nelson of Racine was forced out after 58 miles with trouble in the left front hub of his 1956 Mercury.


Results –

1. Jimmy Bryan, Phoenix
2. Bob Christie, Grants Pass, Ore.
3. Marshall Teague, Daytona Beach, Fla.
4. Johny Mantz, Long Beach, Calif.
5. Don Miller, Milwaukee
6. Chuck Weyant, Springfield, Ill.
7. Johnny Parsons, Van Nuys, Calif.
8. Jack Radtke, Libertyville, Ill.
9. Ray Sellers, Cambridge, Ohio
10.Fred Lorenzen, Elmhurst, Ill.

1968 – Bohlander Wins Speedbowl Title

 

Don Bohlander

Sterling, Ill. (September 15, 1968) – Don Bohlander, going into the 50-lap season championship third in points, not only won the feature but emerged the Sterling Speedbowl point champion.

Bohlander took the lead on the 33rd lap when early leader John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, and Bill McDonough of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, tangled while battling for the lead, eliminating each other.

Bohlander was pushed by Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for the last 17 laps but managed to hang on for the hard-fought victory. Verlin Eaker, also of Cedar Rapids, finished third with Lloyd Ewing of Peoria finishing fourth.

As a result of double points for the championship event, Bohlander was able to clinch the championship with a total of 1,212 points. Bill McDonough, the points leader entering the event, finished second with 1,136 points and finishing only one point behind, Ewing and Dake tied for third with 1,135 markers.

Connolly finished fifth with 1,085 points and Eaker sixth with 940 points.


Results –


Trophy dash – Darrell Dake
Heat #1 – Daehle Reitzel
Heat #2 – Bill Forbes
Heat #3 – Fred Strube
Heat #4 – Dick Nesteby
Consolation – Harold McCollum
Feature –
1. Don Bohlander
2. Darrell Dake
3. Verlin Eaker
4. Lloyd Ewing
5. Allen May
6. Dick Nesteby
7. Roger Dolan
8. Fred Strube
9. John Engelkens
10.Bob Specht

1973 – Dosher a Winner at Spencer

Thad Dosher

Spencer, Iowa (September 9, 1973) – Thad Dosher of Topeka, Kan., driving the Rickie-Hill Chevrolet, won the 30-lap feature for IMCA-sanctioned sprint cars at the Clay County Fairgrounds.

Starting on the pole position, Dosher took the lead at the drop of Larry Shipley’s green flag and drove to an easy victory, increasing his lead in the IMCA championship point standings.

Ray Lee Goodwin of Kansas City, driving the Woodke Chevrolet in place of Bob Geldner after his own brand new Swenson Chevrolet developed motor trouble, drove an excellent race to finish second.

Buzz Rose, Hank Albers and Bill Utz rounded out the top five.


Results -

Time trials - Ralph Blackett (24.11)
STP Dash - Sonny Smyser
Heat #1 - Jerry Richert
Heat #2 - Bill Utz
Heat #3 - Jerry Frantsen
Semi-main - Hank Albers
Feature -
1. Thad Dosher
2. Ray Lee Goodwin
3. Buzz Rose
4. Hank Albers
5. Bill Utz
6. Larry Kirkpatrick
7. Gene Gennetten
8. Jerry Richert
9. Bill Robison
10. Russ Brahmer

 

1975 – Dake, Beaver and Godwin Win in Knoxville Jamboree

 

Darrell Dake hoists his trophy after winning the curfew-shortened late model feature at the Knoxville Jamboree. Gail Miller holds the checkers. – Earl Schwartz Photo

Knoxville, Iowa (September 13, 1975) – Darrell Dake, Dan Beaver and Rod Godwin survived the late nights, pileups, and a slick track to win races at the Fall Jamboree stock car extravaganza at the Marion County Fairgrounds this past weekend.

With more than 250 cars in three divisions, it was a busy weekend. Time trials lasted until midnight Friday and heat races went until 3 am Saturday morning, causing consternation among Knoxville residents.

“The townspeople started complaining about the noise, so we had to quit,” said Ralph Capitani, director of the Knoxville track. “We had a deadline of midnight on Saturday.”

Jerry Campbell of Des Moines, who won the third heat in the sportsman division, said he heard the Veteran’s Hospital officials had sent someone to turn off the Fairgrounds’ power if the races ran any longer.

The late model feature, won by Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, was shortened from 50 laps to 22, and the sportsman feature, won by Dan Beaver of Tracy, was cut from 25 laps to 14.

“It was the largest field of race cars I’ve ever seen,” Campbell said. “I think that was the reason there were so many wrecks. The drivers were so tired and weren’t focused. It was a mess, for sure.”

Campbell said promoter Gail Miller, who leased the track for the event, said another Fall Jamboree would be held next year. It’ll be a four-night deal then,” Campbell said. “He just jammed too much into two nights.”

Miller said a purse of $18,500, with $2,000 going to Dake, and $1,000 to Beaver. It was not announced what the street stock winner, Godwin, of Redfield, took home.

Capitani said the crowd was around 3,500 on Friday night and the Saturday night gathering about 6,000.


Results –


Late Model - 

Heat #1 – Galen Schaefer, Topeka, Kan.
Heat #2 – John Connolly, Delhi
Heat #3 – Ron Prymek, Iowa City
Heat #4 – Joe Wallace, Payton, Colo.
Trophy dash – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Consolation – Don Styskal, Fremont, Neb.
Feature –
1. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Ed Sanger, Waterloo


Sportsman - 

Heat #1 – Mike Thraker, Muscatine
Heat #2 – Rex Carter, Des Moines
Heat #3 – Jerry Campbell, Des Moines
Heat #4 – Red Dralle, Evansdale
Trophy dash – Bill Ludington, Carlisle
Consolation #1 – Dave Trower, Jessup
Consolation #2 – Wayne Kirk, Omaha, Neb.
B-main – Ivan Long, Louisiana, Mo.
Feature –
1. Dan Beaver, Tracy
2. Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
3. Bill Ludington


Street Stock -

Heat #1 – Steve Shannon, Norwalk
Heat #2 – Rod Godwin, Redfield
Heat #3 – Greg Simonson, Des Moines
Heat #4 – Jay Scott, Dana
Trophy dash – Steve Shannon
B-main – Dennis Pittman, Jefferson
Feature –
1. Rod Godwin
2. Jay Scott
3. Steve Shannon

Dan Beaver won the sportsman feature at the Knoxville Jamboree at the Marion County Fairgrounds. – Earl Schwartz Photo

1953 – Katona Wins Dayton 500-Lapper

 

Dayton, Ohio (September 13, 1953) – Iggy Katona, the 37-year-old driver from Milan, Mich., guided his 1953 Hudson through 500 grueling laps at Dayton Speedway Sunday afternoon to win the MARC-sanctioned event for late model stock cars.

A crowd of more than 13,000, one of the largest in track history, saw Katona finish nearly four laps ahead of Jim Romine of Youngstown who was driving a 1952 Hudson.

Third place went to a 1953 Hudson driven by June Osborne of Winchester, Ky., while Lou Moore of Frewsburg, N.Y., finished fourth in a 1953 Ford.

Less than half of the 46 cars that started the four-hour, five minute marathon on the speedway’s half-mile, high-banked track were running at the finish.

John Marcum of Toledo, president of the Midwest Association Racing Club, said the order of the finish for the remaining cars could be determined after a tabulation of scoring sheets.

Katona took the lead on the 27th lap when race leader Bucky Sager off Toledo spun on the north turn. Sager had set a new track record in qualifying with a time of 24.59 seconds to earn the pole position.

J.H. Petty of Greensboro, N.C., briefly took the lead when Katona stopped for fuel and tires on lap 254. The stock Michigan driver took over the lead again on lap 300 when Petty went into the pits and led the rest of the way.

Lap prizes were awarded at the rate of $100 for the car in first place at the end of each 50 laps, giving Katona a $1,000 sweep in that department along with the $2,000 first prize from a total purse of $10,000.

It was Katona’s biggest win in 16 years of competition.


Results –

1. Iggy Katona, Milan, Mich.
2. Jim Romine, Youngstown
3. June Osborne, Winchester, Ky.
4. Lloyd Moore, Frewsburg, N.Y.
5. John McGinley, Chicora, Penn.
6. Julian Petty, Randleman, N.C.
7. Lee King, Kendallville, Ind.
8. Bucky Sager, Toledo
9. Earl Wilson, Detroit
10.Briar Johnson, Richmond, Ind.

1987 – Boggs Claims ‘World 100’

 

Randy Boggs waves to the fans after his stunning victory in the prestigious World 100 late model race at Eldora Speedway.

Rossburg, Ohio (September 12, 1987) – Randy Boggs survived the battle of attrition that was the 17th annual World 100, holding off a hard-charging John Mason to triumph in the late model stock car race that ended in the wee hours of Sunday morning.

Wrecks and mechanical failures sidelined 12 of the 24 starters before the 100-lap race on the half-mile was halfway over. At the end, only six cars were still running in the race, which didn’t begin until 2:56 a.m., because of numerous accidents in the seven preliminary races and a thunderstorm which shut everything down for over three hours.

Boggs triumphed by .05 seconds over Mason to earn the $20,000 first-place money.

For Boggs, of Hutchins, Ky., the victory ended a year of frustration over the events which sidelined him in the 1986 race.

Boggs was the fastest qualifier in ’86, recording a time of 16.683 seconds. “I lost oil pressure one lap into the feature – and I was out just like that,” Boggs recalled.

While his brother Jack had been a regular competitor in the World 100, this was only the second appearance for Randy.

“I really didn’t know if I had a chance to win this race,” he said. “I spent the early part of the race trying to find the right groove – the track was really fast.”

Boggs led laps 1 and 2 before yielding to Charlie Swartz for laps 3 to 15. Boggs was back in front for laps 15 to 68 before Billy Moyer Jr. got past him. Moyer’s car, however broke, and on lap 96, Boggs took charge to the checkered.

Mason, who set a new World 100 qualifying record with a lap of 16.114 seconds on Friday, settled for runner-up honors but he almost didn’t get to race.

On the first lap of the first heat, Mason was involved in a wreck on the front straightaway. His crew spent six hours getting the car back into good enough shape to compete.


Results –


1. Randy Boggs, Hitchins, Ky.
2. John Mason, Millersburg
3. Bobby Carnes, Cincinnati
4. Freddie Smith, Kings Mountain, N.C.
5. Russ Petro, Columbus, Ind.
6. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
7. Jack Boggs, Grayson, Ky.
8. Jeff Purvis, Clarksville, Tenn.
9. Gary Stuhler, Westminster, Md.
10.Tom Helfrich, Haubstadt, Ind.
11.Kevin Claycomb, Vincennes, Ind.
12.Jack Hewitt, Troy
13.Donnie Moran, Dresden
14.Rodney Franklin, Parkersburg, W.Va.
15.Dave Johnson, Imperial, Penn.
16.Kevin Gundaker, St. Charles, Mo.
17.Steve Francis, Ashland, Ky.
18.Charlie Swartz, Ashland, Ky.
19.John Gill, Bedford, Ind.
20.Eddie Carrier, Lebanon, Ky.

1970 - Al Unser Wins Rich Hoosier Hundred Race

 

Al Unser won the Hoosier Hundred at the one-mile Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 12, 1970) – Al Unser beat back an early challenge by A.J. Foyt Saturday and won the rich Hoosier Hundred auto race at a record speed of 94.944 miles per hour.

The young Albuquerque, N.M., driver became the first winner of the Indianapolis auto racing “triple crown” by adding the dirt track event to earlier victories in the Indianapolis 500 and the Indianapolis Raceway Park 150-miler.

It was Al’s seventh victory this season on the United States Auto Club championship circuit. He has an almost insurmountable lead in the USAC point standings.

Foyt, a six-time winner of the Hoosier Hundred, led the first 53 miles on the one-mile oval before Unser caught and passed him on the main straightaway.

Unser would never look back, finishing a half-mile ahead of runner-up Ralph Liguori.

Foyt finished third followed by Sam Sessions in fourth and Mike Mosley in fifth. Sessions, making his first start in the 18-year-old race, was given the rookie-of-the-year award afterwards.

Johnny Parsons Jr., whose father won the 1950 Indianapolis 500, was the fast qualifier in time trials, but his engine quit after only 22 miles.

Such names as Bobby Unser, Johnny Rutherford and Gary Bettenhausen were too slow in time trials to make the 18-car field.


Results –


1. Al Unser
2. Ralph Liguori
3. A.J. Foyt
4. Sam Sessions
5. Mike Mosley
6. Bruce Walkup
7. Greg Weld
8. Bentley Warren
9. Will Cagle
10.Jim McElreath
11.Mario Andretti
12.Jim Malloy

1971 – Hovinga, Woodard Win Boone Championships

 

Dennis Hovinga (left) and Glenn Woodard show off their trophies from a season of racing at Boone Speedway. Hovinga was the top driver in the late model division while Woodard dominated the sportsman class. – Jerry Dickinson Photo

Boone, Iowa (September 11, 1971) – The season point champions at Boone also picked up season championship trophies Saturday night.

Denny Hovinga, Laurens, kept the lead throughout the super late model championship contest, as did Glenn Woodard, Des Moines, in the sportsman class.

Gene Schattschneider, Algona, jumped into the lead at the start of the super late model event, but coasted to a stop before the first lap was complete when his steering wheel came loose, putting him out of the race. Hovinga inherited the lead on the restart and never relinquished it.

In the season championship for sportsman cars, Woodard had to slide through some trouble to take the win. Glenn’s brother, Leonard, also of Des Moines, finished second in the feature.

Midway through the race, Norm Carlson, Ames, went into the infield and as he came back out, his front end folded up. Woodard, who was closing in to lap Carlson, went into a slide to avoid Carlson and bumped into him. However, he came out of it unscathed, kept going, thus avoiding being sent to the rear of the pack on the restart.

Bud Peterson, Algona, who has not been a regular at Boone this year, passed Ray Busch, Ogden, on the last lap to win the A-main. The entire race was close between Busch, Peterson, Schattschneider, and Dwight Engleen, Ogden.

Peterson, Engleen, and Darwin Madden, Boone, were heat winners.

Del Stokke, Ames, started in the sixth row of the B-main, worked his way through traffic, and went to win over Chuck Cox, Boone, and Earl Tice, Ames.


Results –


Super Late Model –

Heat #1 – Bud Peterson, Algona
Heat #2 – Dwight Engleen, Ogden
Heat #3 – Darwin Madden, Boone
A-main – Bud Peterson
B-main – Del Stokke, Ames
Feature –
1. Denny Hovinga, Laurens
2. Darreld Bunkofske, Algona
3. Arlo Dorenbush, Boone
4. Dwight Engleen
5. John Carlson, Ankeny


Sportsman –

1. Glenn Woodard, Des Moines
2. Leonard, Des Moines
3. Doug White, Redfield
4. Jerry Brown, Slater
5. Allen Martin, Madrid

1960 – Folse Drives Best at Mid-America Fair

 

Pete Folse

Topeka, Kan. (September 11, 1960) – Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla., the 1959 dirt track champion of the International Motor Contest Association, came from behind Sunday afternoon to win the championship feature of the two-day big car racing meet at the Mid-America Fair before 11,000 race fans.

Folse, who won the feature event on Saturday, moved up from his fourth starting position to take the lead on lap 15 of the 25-lap main event from Buzz Barton of Gardena, Calif., and remained there until the checkered flag.

Chet Hamby, a Kansas City driver who specializes in midget driving, set a new 10-lap record for the Mid-America meet in winning the semi-final event.

His time was 4 minutes and 47 seconds, bettering the old standard of 4 minutes and 47.53 seconds.

Dale Redd of Wichita narrowly escaped injury when his car caught fire while competing in his heat race. He pulled into the pits quickly and the fire was extinguished by the safety crew.


Results –

Inaugural Dash – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
National Speedway Dash – Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
American Triumph Dash – Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
Sinclair Handicap – Pete Folse
Semi- Final – Chet Hamby, Kansas City
Championship Sweepstakes –
1. Pete Folse
2. Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
3. A.J. Shepherd
4. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
5. Bill Sullivan, Sacramento, Calif.
6. Bob Mathouser, Gardena, Calif.
7. Jerry Schumaker, Wichita
8. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.

1983 – Gurney First in Hoosier Hundred

 

Chuck Gurney put on a dominating performance in winning the 31st annual Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

By Robin Miller

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 10, 1983) – There have been three United States Auto Club dirt car races at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in the past 12 months.

But only one winner…

Chuck Gurney, a USAC regular in the 1970s who has become one of the country’s fastest commuters, flew in from California again and dusted off the competition to win the 31st annual Hoosier Hundred.

It was Gurney’s second straight victory in what used to be dirt racing’s showcase event. And, coupled with his triumph in May’s 60-lapper here, it gave the 32-year-old driver three wins in a row on the 1-mile slick, sandy surface.

His official winning margin over runner-up Sheldon Kinser was either 15 seconds or half a lap. Regardless of how it’s measured, the worst crowd in Hoosier Hundred history (estimated 7,000) witnessed an out-an-out rout.

Starting on the front row, Gurney gobbled up pole-sitter and fast qualifier Ken Schrader on lap 10 and was seen only periodically after that – when the yellow came out. But it didn’t matter how close everyone got bunched up on the restart, because when the flagman waved the green flag, Gurney waved goodbye.

“The car and I got along together real well,” understated the Pleasanton, Calif., native said. “It handles great, and the motor is strong.”

Some of Gurney’s competitors think is powerplant is either illegal or aided by nitrous oxide. “They screamed last May when we won but the tech officials found nothing,” said Gurney. And they’re going to tear it down right now and we knew that coming into the race. But I got news for ‘em. It’s legal.”

It would be nice to write about all of the great racing behind Gurney but that would be fiction. Kinser, who started sixth, kept busy holding off Larry Rice for second in the only close race for position.

Besides Gurney, the quickest driver out there may have been Kramer Williamson, who started 18th and finished fourth. Johhny Parsons Jr. also displayed some nifty passing on a one-groove track, starting 22nd and finishing fifth.

Schrader, who nearly broke Parson’s nine-year-old qualifying record, lost an engine on lap 33. Seve Chassey, who was comfortably in second place behind Gurney most of the day, pulled in on lap 70 when his motor failed.

Kevin Olson, the defending USAC midget champion, did a nice, tidy job in his dirt debut, with an eighth place finish.


Results –

1. Chuck Gurney
2. Sheldon Kinser
3. Larry Rice
4. Kramer Williamson
5. Johnny Parsons Jr.
6. Gary Gray
7. Joe Saldana
8. Kevin Olson
9. Mark Alderson
10.Billy Vukovich

1971 – Weedon Cops Tri-State

 

Promoter Homer Melton presents Ron Weedon his Tri-State Championship trophy. 

Davenport, Iowa (September 10, 1971) – Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley lapped the entire 24-car field to capture the 50-lap Tri-State Championship late model stock car race at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

The victory was worth $600 to Weedon.

The race was simply no contest for Weedon, as he took the lead from the onset and outran the stellar field on the quarter mile.

Weedon also turned in the fastest time in time trials, taking the pole with a time of 17.17 seconds.


Results –

Heat #1 – Wendell Essex, Davenport
Heat #2 – Jim Gerber, Davenport
Semi-main – Rich Miller, Davenport
Feature –
1. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
2. Bill Beckman, Lisbon
3. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
4. Terry Ryan, Davenport
5. John Connolly, Delhi
6. Darrel Dake, Cedar Rapids
7. Shorty Bennett, Rock Island
8. Del Williams Davenport
9. Joe Schaefer, Waterloo
10.Jerry Reinhart, Moline, Ill.

1978 – Engelhart wins Hoosier, Pancho takes title

 

Bill Engelhart celebrates after winning the Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. 

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 9, 1978) — Billy Engelhart won the battle, but Pancho Carter won the war.

Engelhart slipped past Rich Vogler with 10 laps remaining Saturday to capture the United States Auto Club's Hoosier Hundred dirt car race and a first-prize of $14,000.

But Carter, who finished a disappointing ninth, still clinched the USAC division championship when Gary Bettenhausen wound up third in the race. Had Bettenhausen won, he would have edged Carter by four points for the USAC title.

“I was really helpless to do much about it,” said Carter, who completed 99 of the 100 laps on the Indianapolis Fairgrounds’ one-mile dirt oval.

“I’m not sure why, but we just couldn’t get the chassis hooked up with the ground all day. We just ran good enough to get the championship.”

Carter became the first driver ever to win USAC national titles in three open-wheel divisions. He won the 1972 midget car crown, then took two sprint car titles (1974 and ’76).

Engelhart took the green flag in Saturday’s race from the outside of the third row. He moved into third place after one lap, trailing polesitter George Snider and Vogler, who charged from seventh to second.

Snider led the first 12 laps before losing it to Vogler. By the halfway point, Vogler held nearly a straightaway lead over Engelhart, but the 36-year-oId driver from Madison, Wis., steadily closed the gap and went in front on the 90th circuit.

At the checkered flag, Engelhart had about 10-car lead on Vogler.

“I really thought I could win if I was patient,” said Engelhart. “When I got up behind Rich I could see he wasn't handling very well, and I was confident then I was going to get him.”

Third place went to Bettenhausen, followed by Billy Vukovich, Junior Parkinson, Bubby Jones, Johnny Parsons, Larry Dickson and Carter. Carter's younger brother, Dana, finished 10th.


Results –

1. Bill Engelhart
2. Rich Vogler
3. Gary Bettenhausen
4. Billy Vukovich
5. Ralph Parkinson Jr.
6. Bubby Jones
7. Johnny Parsons
8. Larry Dickson
9. Duane Carter
10.Dana Carter

1986 – Stovall in First ARCA Win Since ’82

 

Scott Stovall won the ARCA-sanctioned Toledo 125 att Toledo Speedway. 

Toledo, Ohio (September 8, 1986) – Scott Stovall scored his first ARCA Permatex Series victory since his ARCA national championship season of 1982, taking the Toledo ARCA 125 Sunday at Toledo Speedway.

Bob Schact jumped in front of pole position qualifier Bob Keselowski, but the “Black Bandit” retook the lead on lap 3. Keselowski, while leading was eliminated in a lap 13 tangle with Bill Venturini, giving the top spot back to Schacht who took command until Stovall overtook him on lap 59.

Bobby Jacks tried to mount a late charge, but Stovall stayed out front to the finish with Jacks, ’85 ARCA rookie-of-the-year Dave Simko, three-time ARCA champion Bobby Dotter, and Grant Adcox rounding out the top five.

Stovall collected $3,400 in prize and contingency money.


Results –


1. Scott Stovall, Fort Wayne, Ind.
2. Bobby Jacks, Huber Heights
3. Dave Simko, Clarkston, Mich.
4. Bobby Dotter, Chicago
5. Grant Adcox, Chattanooga, Tenn.
6. Mark Gibson, Auburn, Ga.
7. Bob Brevak, Ashland, Wis.
8. Terry Pearson, Saybrook, Ill.
9. Don Marmor, Northlake, Ill.
10.Ed Hage, Ypsilanti, Mich.
11.Roger Blackstock, Sterling Heights, Mich.
12.Rick Jeffrey, Prospect, Ky.
13.Ronnie Allen, Lincoln Park, Mich.
14.Patty Simko, Pontiac, Mich.
15.John Buzihe, Schererville, Mich.

1979 – Davis Wins Clay County Fair 50-Lapper

 

Bill Davis

Spencer, Iowa (September 8, 1979) – Bill Davis of Des Moines started on the front row and went on to win the final late model stock car feature of the National Speedways Contest Association schedule, a 50-lapper at the Clay County Fair on Saturday.

Davis started on the front row, however, Randy Sterner of Blair, Neb., had the lead in the early going.

Sterner, however, would be involved in a skirmish with Mike Niffenegger of Kalona and Bill Martin of Council Bluffs, eliminating all three competitors.

Davis would take over the top spot and never relinquish it, winning by a quarter of a lap when the checkered flag came down.

Red Dralle of Evansdale finished second followed by Joe Merryfield of Des Moines.

Ken Walton of Viola, who had already clinched the NSCA title at the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia, chose not to compete.


Results –

Time Trials – Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
Heat #1 – Kenny Farrell, New Hampton
Heat #2 – Galen Keas, Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #3 – Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
Heat #4 – Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
B-Main – Kenny Farrell
Feature –
1. Bill Davis, Des Moines
2. Red Dralle, Evansdale
3. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
4. Ken Davidson, Indianola
5. Ron Rosenboom, Rock Rapids
6. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
7. Denny Sherrill, Sioux City
8. Terry Foote, Stanton
9. Keith Conroy, Jefferson
10.Kenny Farrell
11.Steve Kosiski, Omaha
12.Dennis Sharp, Omaha
13.Bill Wrich, Kennard, Neb.
14.Bill Kirk, Salix

1974 - Howerton Wins Thrilling Hoosier 100

 

Jackie Howerton is joined by his family after winning the 1974 Hoosier Hundred. Famed Indianapolis 500 announcer Sid Collins is ready to interview the winner. 

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 7, 1974) - Jackie Howerton, driving the George Bignotti prepared STP Oil Treatment Special, made his first “Hoosier Hundred’’ a good one by leading all the way and taking $11,540 of the $53,390 purse.

The 31-year-old Tulsa, Okla., native took the lead on the first lap and built up a 17-second lead by lap 43, that was wiped out by a yellow flag that should have never flown.

Al Unser and George Snider bumped wheels going into turn three and both kept going without any trouble, but the yellow allowed the field to bunch up on Howerton with Mario Andretti running second.

On the restart Howerton again built up a small lead over Andretti and Snider with Al Unser in fourth Howerton, who helped build the car he was driving, slowed somewhat, giving the 15,000 fans a close finish as Al Unser had gotten by Andretti and Snider and was challenging on the last lap.

Howerton never lost his cool and won the final United States Auto Club Dirt Track Championship event by a scant six tenths of a second over Unser.

Howerton and another rookie in the race, Sheldon Kinser, made up the front row of the 24-car field making some of the veterans look twice But Kinser’s debut was short-lived as he spun on lap one taking Jim McElreath and John Hubbard out with him.

The only other yellow during the event was created by Jan Opperman who lost a wheel going into turn one on lap 11.

A.J. Foyt, six-time winner of the “Hoosier Hundred,’’ blew his engine on his second lap of qualification treating quite a stir among the fans who came to see him race.

He sent his crew to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with a police escort where they picked up another engine and brought it back to the fairgrounds and installed it in less than an hour

His efforts were in vain, however, as ignition problems forced him out in lap nine of the 100-mile run over the one-mile dirt oval.

The only serious accident of the day came during qualifications when Ralph “The Racer” Liguori flipped the McGinty Conveyers-Offy end over end in the third turn. Once again Liguori walked away from a spectacular crash unharmed.


Results –

1. Jackie Howerton
2. Al Unser
3. Mario Andretti
4. Tom Bigelow
5. George Snider
6. Rollie Beale
7. Duane Carter Jr.
8. Arnie Knepper
9. Bruce Walkup
10.Bill Cassella
11.Joe Saldana
12.Ronnie Burke
13.Lee Osborne
14.Bill Puterbaugh
15.Mel Cornett
16.Bill Engelhart
17.Bill Vukovich
18.Johnny Parsons
19.Jan Opperman
20.A.J. Foyt
21.Jimmy Caruthers
22.John Hubbard
23.Sheldon Kinser
24.Jim McElreath

1973 - State Fair Feature Goes to Dominating Kosiski

 

Omaha's Bob Kosiski won the 25-lap IMCA stock car feature at the Nebraska State Fair. National Speedways' Woody Brinkman presents the checkers. - Beetle Bailey Photo

Lincoln, Neb. (September 7, 1973) - Friday's Nebraska modified stock-car program at the State Fair consisted of two races. One belonged to Bob Kosiski and the other to the rest of the state’s top drivers.

Kosiski was in a class by himself as he swept to his third victory in as many years in the 25-lap feature race which was sponsored by the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA).

The 38-year-old veteran Omaha driver admitted his experience on the half-mile fairgrounds track was probably the biggest reason for his win.

“Most of these drivers are used to driving on a third-mile track and had trouble adjusting to the larger track,” he said. “I've driven here for many years in both their Nebraska stock class and the IMCA stock car races.”

While the fairground track was treating Kosiski like an old friend it was creating havoc among other drivers.

It took four attempts to get the feature race underway as spin outs on the first lap halted the first three starts.

Kosiski started on the outside of row two behind Jerry Wancewicz and quickly moved to the front on each of the false starts.

“I moved to the outside each time and was able to pass the leaders easily,” Kosiski explained. “The track was holding much better on the outside and the other drivers kept going inside where it was really slick.”

When the race finally got underway on the fourth try, Wancewicz moved outside with Kosiski and was able to hold the lead for the first two laps.

Coming out of turn two on the third lap Kosiski pushed his blue-and-white 1972 Chevrolet Camaro into the lead and won the race going away.

“Maybe they'll name the trophy after me if I can keep on winning it,” Kosiski laughed as he collected his third trophy and the $400 winners’ purse.

Kosiski, the 1973 champion at Omaha's Sunset Speedway, revealed that he had plans to race Sunday in the IMCA late model stock car races which will be held at the fairgrounds track.

“I'll race in the Nebraska stocks at the fair Saturday and then join IMCA for Sunday's events, the 21-year racing veteran said. “All I have to do is put a windshield in my car to be eligible for those races.”

The IMCA late-model class stipulates that car must have a windshield and be no older than 1969 model. Kosiski’s 1972 car will fit both rules after the windshield is installed.

Ed Morris of Omaha finished second in Friday's feature with Joe Wade of Lincoln third and Terry Richards of David City fourth.

Friday's race finished just as a heavy thunder shower hit the fairgrounds oval turning it into a mud bath.

“Thank goodness we finish this thing before the rains came,” IMCA vice president Woody Brinkman said. “The way the drivers were spinning today, it could have taken forever to finish the feature.”


Results -


Heat #1 - Ed Morris, Omaha
Heat #2 - Jerry Wancewicz, Omaha
Heat #3 - Bob Hanson, Greenwood, Neb.
Heat #4 - Bob Kosiski, Omaha
Consolation - Marv Peelar, Brownsville, Neb.
Feature -
1. Bob Kosiski
2. Ed Morris
3. Joe Wade, Lincoln, Neb.
4. Terry Richards, Rising City, Neb.
5. Jerry Wancewicz
6. Tom Niemeyer, Creston, Iowa
7. Bud Burdick, Omaha
8. Keith Leithoff, Omaha
9. Lonnie Jensen, Lincoln
10.Jay Sterns, Lincoln

1968 – It’s Sutcliffe at Knoxville Finale

 

Dick Sutcliffe

Knoxville, Iowa (September 7, 1968) – Dick Sutcliffe of Kansas City won the accident-marred season championship feature at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

Four drivers were injured in the 20-lap super modified finale and taken to the hospital.

James Bond of Edwardsville, Kan., was the first victim when his car went into the fence midway through the first turn, rolled four times and caught fire. Bond was taken to the hospital where he was treated for minor cuts and bruises.

On lap 13, Norm Wadle of Lincoln, Neb., lost his rear axle on the backstretch. Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., ran over the axle, blew a tire, and spun out.

Lloyd Beckman of Lincoln, Neb., trying to avoid the Wadle/Saldana melee, ran into the fence and Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., also trying to avoid the scene, caught Beckman’s rear tire and flipped his sprinter.

Saldana, Beckman, and Blundy were all transported to the hospital where they were treated and released.


Results –


Trophy Dash – Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
Heat #1 – Bob Williams, Kansas City
Heat #2 – Earl Wagner, Pleasantville
Heat #3 – Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City
Feature –
1. Dick Sutcliffe
2. Bob Williams
3. Roger Rager, Lincoln, Neb.
4. Stacy Redmond, Mason City
5. Johnny Babb, Ottumwa

1975 – Morris Captures West Liberty Title Race

 

Mel Morris won the season championship feature for late models at West Liberty Raceway. He tied Darrell Dake for the late model point’s title.

West Liberty, Iowa (September 6, 1975) – Mel Morris of West Liberty and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids have been battling a better part of the season for the lead in the late model point standings, and when it came down to the wire Saturday night at the Muscatine county Fairgrounds’ half-mile, Morris took home the season championship feature event but had to settle for a tie with Dake in the point standings.

In a very smoothly run race, after two original restarts, Dake and Morris battled for first place in the 30-lap feature. Dake held the lead for the first five laps but couldn’t hold off the advances of Morris who then took over the challenge and went on to capture the checkers.

Jack Hall of Muscatine carried away the honors in both the feature event and the point standings for the sportsman division. Battling all the way to the end was Ken DeGood of Hills, who had been the point leader for much of the season. DeGood was the victim of mechanical issues on this night and had to settle for runner-up honors in both the feature and the points.

Late model preliminary heat wins went to Ed Mellecker of Iowa City, Morris, and Don Mayner of Winthrop. Th 10-lap semi-main went to Dave Dodder of Letts. Sportsman heat wins went to Hall and Harold O’Brien of Letts.


Results –

Late Model –

1. Mel Morris, West Liberty
2. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
3. Duane Steffe, East Moline, Ill.
4. John Connolly, Delhi
5. Ed Mellecker, Iowa City
6. Larry Rummelhart, Riverside

Sportsman –

1. Jack Hall, Muscatine
2. Ken DeGood, Hills
3. Tom Rock, Atalissa
4. Bill Douglass, West Liberty
5. Steve Becker, Atkins
6. Charlie Brockert, Muscatine

1971 – Sanger’s Visit to Tri-Oval Pays Off

 

Ed Sanger

Fountain City, Wis. (September 6, 1971) – Ed Sanger, one of biggest names in dirt track racing in the United States, visited Tri-Oval speedway on Monday and liked what he found.

Sanger, a veteran from Waterloo, Iowa, swept both late model features in the Labor day doubleheader, besting Dave Noble of Blooming Prairie in the matinee and topping Cecil Henderson during the nightcap. Some 2,000 plus fans attended both programs.

Sanger would start on the outside of the front row for the afternoon feature. He sprinted away from Dave Morgan of Rice Lake, Wis., at the start and held his Chevy in the fast groove for the next 25 laps, adverting trouble during two red flag incidents to claim victory.

The race was first stopped after only a couple of laps were in the books. Phil Prusak spun in the north turn and was tapped by John Foegen, who continued to finish third.

The second red flag fell with just three laps to go when Morgan spun coming out of the west turn. That gave Noble, who had just passed Foegen, his opportunity. He twice tried to dip down to the inside of Sanger, but the Iowan kept his foot on the throttle and beat Noble to the checkered flag.

Rich Olson of Rochester, Minn., and Noble were heat winners in the afternoon.

Sanger led all the way in a duplicate performance of his afternoon win, cruising to the checkered flag ahead of Cecil Henderson off Dakota, Minn., in the evening program.

The second place finish for Henderson wiped out some of the trouble he and his crew experienced during the afternoon. He had easily won the late model time trials, posting a 21.78 second clocking – the best of the season. But the car ran hot during the heat race and didn’t compete in the feature.

But though Henderson’s car was running smoothly at night, it was no match for Sanger and his 1971 Chevrolet.

The feature also featured a seven-car crash that was triggered when Dave Noble and Darrell Zweifel ran together while powering out of the east turn, with five cars piling up behind them as drivers fought to control their vehicles.

Jon Swanson of Rochester, Minn., and Henderson were heat winners for the evening program.

In street stock action, Tom Grant of Winona, Minn., won the afternoon feature while Yank Knudtson of Rochester, Minn., won the evening feature.

In hobby stock action Jim Schell of Lewiston, Minn., won the afternoon feature while Pat Durnen of Winona, Minn., won the nightcap.


Results –

Afternoon –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
2. Dave Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
3. John Foegen, Winona, Minn.
4. Jon Swanson, Rochester, Minn.
5. Leroy Scharkey, Rochester, Minn.
6. Rich Olson, Rochester, Minn.
7. Bob Jenkinson, Winona, Minn.
8. Al Mayner, Winthrop, Iowa


Evening –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Cecil Henderson, Dakota, Minn.
3. Leroy Scharkey
4. Rich Olson
5. John Foegen
6. Dick Sorenson, Rochester, Minn.
7. Wendell Kuehn, Rochester, Minn.
8. Chuck Brehm, Menomonie

1965 – Jarrett Takes Prize in Southern 500 Go

Southern 500 winner Ned Jarrett is joined by wife Martha, daughter Patricia, beauty queen Vicki Johnson and Johnny Reb.

Darlington, S.C. (September 6, 1965) – Ned Jarrett won the Southern 500 stock car race Monday after mechanical troubles sidelined the day’s two leaders, Darel Dieringer and Fred Lorenzen, with 41 laps to go.

Jarrett, the 32-year-old factory Ford driver from Camden, S.C., collected the $20,000 prize money in addition to the 63 laps he led in the race.

Buddy Baker, driving the 1965 Plymouth started in the race by his father, three-time winner Buck, finished second.

Dieringer finished third, although he drove from the 323rd lap on with no brakes. Roy Mayne, in a 1965 Chevrolet, was fourth and Buddy Arrington took fifth.

Jarrett, known as the gentleman of the stock car circuit, and one of the best short track drivers around, put his Ford in the lead for good on lap 326 over the 1.5-mile Darlington International Raceway and sailed home without any serious challenges.

Dieringer, whose day was surely the most frustrating of his 10-year career, led for 187 laps on the demanding high-banked oval and appeared to be safely home with his only victory of the year when his brakes failed on his aging 1964 Mercury.

Jarrett, one of the few drivers who enters every NASCAR late model event, was never out of the top-10 during the early stages of the race when the favorites dueled themselves out of action.

Near the end, it had boiled down to a duel between Dieringer and Lorenzen. The lead had changed hands 18 times and there had been eight leaders before two quick pit stops changed the fortunes of the top five.

Dieringer had made his last pit stop on lap 300, giving the lead to Lorenzen. But Lorenzen went in for tires and fuel, and Dieringer took over again. On lap 303, Dieringer’s right rear wheel caught on fire due to the faulty brakes and that sent him back to the pits. Lorenzen took over the lead but on the next lap, his engine blew.

That left Jarrett alone in front, although Dieringer made a battle of it for a while, driving without brakes. With 13 laps to go, however, Dieringer’s car came to a halt on the backstretch.


Results –

1. Ned Jarrett
2. Buddy Baker
3. Darel Dieringer
4. Roy Mayne
5. Buddy Arrington
6. H.B. Bailey
7. Gene Elliot
8. Frank Warren
9. J.T. Putney
10.Lionel Johnson
11.Fred Lorenzen
12.Jimmy Helms
13.Bob Derrington
14.Paul Lewis
15.Wayne Smith
16.E.J. Trivette
17.Bobby Johns
18.Don Hume
19.Dick Hutcherson
20.G.C. Spencer

1961 – Derr Pilots Pontiac to State Fair Triple

 

Ernie Derr is joined by IMCA’s Al Sweeney, Gene Van Winkle and Woody Brinkman after a dominating performance at Lincoln.

Lincoln, Neb. (September 6, 1961) – Ernie Derr, the defending International Motor Contest Association champion and current point leader, picked up all the marbles Wednesday afternoon in the late model stock car races at the Nebraska State Fair.

A crowd of 9,500, believed to be the biggest weekday throng in the history of State Fair auto racing here, saw the chunky Derr from Keokuk, Iowa, pilot his 1961 Pontiac to a three-victory slam.

He opened the program by breaking his own one-lap record in time trials. With the dirt track as hard as asphalt, Derr took one spin around the 5/8-mile oval in 34.25 seconds, a half second under his old mark.

He established records for two events covering 10 laps and 50 laps that will be hard to break.

In winning the first heat in a duel with his nearest challenger, Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Derr posted a 10-lap mark of 5 minutes and 58.8 seconds.

Dick Hutcherson, also of Keokuk, came closest to the new record in winning the second heat. But his time was a full 2 seconds off.

Derr led all the way to defend his feature race championship. He took the checkered flag more than a quarter of a mile ahead of runner-up Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan.

Derr’s time for 50 laps was 28 minutes and 56 seconds, also a new record for the event.

Funk, in a 1961 Ford, was second all the way. Stott battled it out with Hutcherson for third, finally moving ahead on lap 28 and holding his position to win show money by two car lengths.

Derr met his match in the 10-lap match race, a contest among the four fastest drivers. Light never showed between the cars as Derr gained the lead three times only to lose it again until he got the inside groove on the last turn and passed Funk and Hutcherson in the homestretch.

The spirited crowd had a big favorite – a Simca driven by Don Bowles of Kansas City. The little foreign job apparently had it under the hood but couldn’t hack it on the curves.

Bowles spun out while a contender in two races before taking the consolation win to qualify for the feature. The light, shorter wheel based Simca really scooted on the stretches but slipped badly on the rock-hard dirt curves.


Results –

1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
3. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
5. Bob Reynolds, Edmonds, Okla.
6. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
7. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
8. Jerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
9. Kenny Lee, Des Moines
10.Luther Poteet, Topeka, Kan.
11.Froggie Droz, Ottumwa, Iowa
12.Shorty Eberts, Avondale, Mo.

1954 – Grim Wins Feature on Slick State Fair Track

 

The “Hurryin’’ Hoosier” Bobby Grim captured the 30-lap IMCA big car finale at the Iowa State Fair. – Des Moines Register Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (September 6, 1954) – Finding the slick track to his liking, Bobby Grim breezed to an easy triumph in the closing 30-lap feature of the Iowa State Fair’s auto racing program before 8,500 fans here Monday night.

Bob Slater, currently the ranking #1 dirt track driver in the nation, finished third, nearly a lap behind the 29-year-old Indianapolis speedster, who clocked the 15 miles in 13 minutes and 27.32 seconds.

Grim, the quick qualifier in time trials, powered the famous “Black Deuce” into the lead on the opening turn, then drew away from the field of 16 starters, all of whom had troubles in the curves.

Slater, who won two previous features here, never was able to find a “satisfactory groove.” He vainly fought off the challenges of Jud Larson, a Kansas City newcomer who moved securely into second place on lap 8 and for a time appeared to be closing in on Grim.

Fourth place money went to Andy Anderson of Hastings, Neb., driving an Offenhauser formerly handled by Don Branson of Champaign, Ill. Branson, along with Jimmy Campbell of Batesville, Mo., (and a rival of Slater) were noticeably absent.

Herschel Wagner of Hickman Hills, Mo., driving Phil Mocca’s Offenhauser, burned out a rod on lap 17 after running in fourth at that point.

Larson, Slater, and young Bob Cleburg of Rio, Wis., driving in his first pro meet, were heat winners while Ken Rubright, the mechanic from Lyndon, Ill., won the match race and pursuit handicap race.

It wasn’t officially a sanctioned contest, but Harry White of Altoona, driving a 1903 Sears, nosed out a 1906 Brush, driven by John Ruyder of Corydon, in a 2-lap feature.


Results –


Cedar Rapids Dash – Jud Larson, Kansas City
Mason City Dash – Bob Slater, Redfield, Kan.
Fairfield Dash – Bob Cleburg, Rio, Wis.
Antique Race – Harry White, Altoona
Match Race – Ken Rubright, Lyndon, Ill.
Pursuit Handicap – Ken Rubright
Feature –
1. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
2. Jud Larson
3. Bob Slater
4. Andy Anderson, Hastings, Neb.
5. Bob Cleburg
6. Al Sherman, Van Nuys, Calif.
7. Charlie Lutkie, Wichita, Kan.
8. Curt Lehman, St. Louis
9. Walt McWhorter, Wichita, Kan.
10.Chuck Horn, Des Moines

1982 – Du Quoin Stock Car Win First for O’Brien

 

Rick O’Brien powered his Buick Regal to his first career USAC stock car victory at the Du Quoin State Fair. – Todd Healey Photo

Du Quoin, Ill. (September 5, 1982) – Rick O’Brien scored his first USAC stock car feature victory in the circuit’s 100-mile event Sunday afternoon at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds.

O’Brien took the lead on the 96th tour of the one-mile dirt oval by ducking underneath frontrunner Ramo Stott, who drifted too wide as the pair diced through a turn.

Driving a Buick Regal, O’Brien led the remaining distance to score the triumph. He averaged 82.305 miles per hour and took home $5,808 from a total purse of $33,000.

Stott hung on to take second and Joe Wallace finished third to give Regal pilots a clean sweep of the top three positions. USAC stock car point leader Dean Roper came in fourth driving a Grand Prix to boost his advantage over Bay Darnell to 170 markers in their battle for the season title.

Marv Smith, also driving a Buick Regal, rounded out the top-five finishers.

Arnell was the event’s fastest qualifier at 96.850 miles per hour and led the first 11 circuits starting from the pole position. Butch Garner ruled the next dozen revolutions before Roper too charge for six laps beginning on lap 24.

Stott moved in front on the 30th mile and with the exception of the 58th circuit, which was paced by Darnell, stayed in front until O’Brien garnered the upper hand.

Darnell was credited with a 14th-place finish after being sidelined with an oil leak after 72 miles.


Results –

1. Rick O’Brien
2. Ramo Stott
3. Joe Wallace
4. Dean Roper
5. Marv Smith
6. Tom Meinberg
7. Bob Brevak
8. Steve Drake
9. Gordon Blankenship
10.Terry Pearson
11.Jiggs Lindhorst
12.Tracy Read
13.Jeff Schwister
14.Bay Darnell
15.Herman Huffman
16.Larry Nau
17.Butch Garner
18.Len Baran
19.Dick Taylor
20.Cleve Smith
21.Ken Rowley

1971 - Linder's Victory Stalls Rear-Engine Bid

Jim Linder accepts his trophy after winning the Golden Gopher 200 for IMCA sprint cars at the Minnesota State Fair. 

St. Paul, Minn. (September 5, 1971) – The “revolution” to rear-engine race cars was put aside for another year when Jim Linder won Sunday’s Golden Gopher 200 in a conventional sprint car at the Minnesota State Fair.

In fact, the finish was a scene which would have been more likely at the Ohio State Fair, since Linder is from Fremont, Ohio, second place finisher Benny Rapp is from Toledo and fourth place Fred Linder – Jim’s brother – is also from Fremont. Those three drivers took home half of the $10,325 purse with $2,400 the winner’s share.

Third place belonged to Bill Madsen of Salt Lake City, Utah, while Norm Ellefson of Spokane, Wash., finished fifth. Dick Kelly of St. Paul, who took sixth, was the top home state finisher.

The crowd of 9,737 was pulling for Ellefson, who drives a sleek wedged-shaped racer built by Jim Tipke. With a 305-cubic inch Chevrolet engine mounted behind him, Ellefson had won last weekend’s sprint feature and looked like a bit of tomorrow racing from the pole position against Sunday’s sprinters.

Ellefson led early but spun out in some dropped oil in the north turn on lap 10. It cost him two laps to get restarted from the tail-end of the pack, but he still had some hopes to win until he got bumped from the rear and spun to a stop on lap 84, then had to replace his tires. He had expected to pit only to agree with the mandatory pit stop, although his fuel could have carried him the distance.

Ellefson, who drove the car to a 14th place finish a month ago on a Kent, Wash., road course against USAC and SCCA Formula 500 cars, worked his way though the field, passing everybody – including the leaders. But the best he could get to was fifth, drawing a big ovation from the crowd when he was announced because the scoreboard didn’t show him that high.

While Ellefson was running his own race, Jim Linder, Rapp and Casey Jones of South Bend, Ind., ran right together for the lead. Linder was leading but yielded that spot to take advantage of a caution light on Barry Kettering’s spinout to fake a pit stop on lap 75.

Pitting while the field was slowed under caution may have been ultimately decisive, because at lap 101, with Rapp and Jones running inches apart, Jones blew his engine going into the first turn. Rapp chose not to pit on the caution for clean-up but ran out of gas and had to coast into the pits on lap 110 as the field resumed its usual pace. The difference in time was about what Rapp lost.

Rapp disputed the finish, figuring he had won, and in what has become traditional at the fair, Fred Linder, Ellefson and several others also thought they belonged higher up in the standings.

The IMCA officials have a back-up crew that helps check off laps for each car, but the amount of grumbling at the end of each long-distance race usually duplicates the number of entries – except for the winner.


Results –

1. Jim Linder, Fremont, Ohio
2. Benny Rapp, Toledo, Ohio
3. Bill Madsen, Salt Lake City, Utah
4. Fred Liner, Fremont, Ohio
5. Norm Ellefson, Spokane, Wash.
6. Dick Kelly, St. Paul
7. Ron Larson, White Bear Lake, Minn.
8. Barry Kettering, Minneapolis
9. Lynn McIntosh, Thunder Bay, Ontario
10.Zeke Inglund, Columbia, Ohio
11.Bob Reznick, Crystal, Minn.
12.Bobby Leaver, Anderson, Ind.
13.Joe Demko, Minneapolis
14.Bobby Jones, South Bend, Ind.
15.Rob Belland, South St. Paul
16.Don Mack, East Grand Forks
17.Jerry Richert, Forest Lake
18.Pat Willis, Elk River
19.Dave Heskin, Crystal, Minn.
20.John Albrechtsen, Winnipeg, Manitoba

 

1966 – Puterbaugh, Black Deuce Score State Fair Victory

 

Bill Puterbaugh accepts his trophy after winning the 30-lap IMCA sprint car feature at the Nebraska State Fair. Car owner Hector Honore stands next to the Black Deuce. 

Lincoln, Neb. (September 5, 1966) – In poker you better play your cards right when deuces are wild. The same goes for sprint car racing.

The black deuce was wild for the second day in a row at the Nebraska State Fairgrounds’ track on Monday as drivers wound up three days of exciting racing activity.

What is the “Black Deuce”?

It’s black car #2 and its driven by Bill Puterbaugh of Roxana, Ill. Car and that driver racked up a victory in the 30-lap feature for the second straight day.

So, the logical question is, What happened the first day when the Hector Honore built car, which has won a staggering 431 feature events in 14 years of racing had to settle for third in the feature?

“It was the right front tire,” Puterbaugh explained. “It was too big and flat.”

“The tire would work like a rubber ball, and I couldn’t get traction. We put a narrow, ribbed tire on the front and that did it.”

If the “Black Deuce” was wild on Monday, then the red #25 was the joker.

The car driven by Grady Wade and owned by Chet Wilson, both of Wichita, Kan., proved to be the fastest starter and the slowest finisher of the three-day meet.

The car zoomed its way to the fastest qualifying time Saturday in a track record time of 25.61 seconds.

After that, everything went black (and not just the #2 black). The final piece of bad luck came Saturday when Wade was running second to Puterbaugh with only three laps to go and the rear axle snapped.

“This has just been a bad track for us,” Wade said as his car was being towed from the pit area. “We have a lot more breakdowns at this track than anywhere else.”

As evidence Wade pointed out that the pinion gears broke in Sunday afternoon’s races. They were fixed but it might have led to Monday’s big turn for the worse.

“I couldn’t keep up with him (Puterbaugh) anyway,” Wade added. But I did have a big lead over the third-place car.”

For the first five or so laps Wade was able to hold off Puterbaugh who kept trying to pass but couldn’t find an opening.

“I was having trouble passing him,” Puterbaugh explained. “But he slipped outside on the first turn and gave me my chance. I just ducked under him and kept going.”

For all practical purposes that was the race as Puterbaugh held a big lead over Wade for 27 laps, then Saturday feature winner Jerry Blundy and Jim Moughan the rest of the way.

Lincoln’s Lloyd Beckman again drove the #52, owned by Red and Irene Lempelius of Minneapolis, Minn. Beckman was third in the first heat and was runner-up in the STP dash but pulled off the track after only four laps in the feature.

“We changed gears and had the wrong tire on it,” Beckman explained. “I pulled out because I wasn’t going anywhere.”


Results –


Heat #1 – Rollie Beale, Toledo, Ohio
Heat #2 – Dale Reed, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 – Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City
STP dash – Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
Consolation – Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
Feature –
1. Bill Puterbaugh, Roxana, Ill
2. Jerry Blundy
3. Jim Moughan, Springfield, Ill.
4. Ralph Parkinson Sr., Houston, Tex.
5. Jay Woodside, Topeka, Kan.
6. Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
7. Rollie Beale
8. Roger Lane, Blue Springs, Mo.
9. Don Brown, San Fernando, Calif.
10.Dale Reed
11.Don Hewitt, Troy, Ohio
12.Grady Wade, Wichita, Kan.