All-Iowa
Fair secretary Andy Hanson presents the Cornbelt trophy to Bob Burdick after he
won the 200-lap feature at Hawkeye Downs. In the middle is promoter Frank
Winkley. – Les Burianek Photo
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (May 20, 1956) – Bob Burdick, driving the last 20 laps with a bent wheel, captured the Corn Belt trophy and cash at Hawkeye Downs in the season’s first 200-lap late model stock car test.
A crowd estimated at 9,500 saw Burdick take the lead on the 130th lap, when Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids was forced into the pits, then rolled his Chevrolet to the final 70 laps to victory.
Dake, who led the from the 61st to the 130th lap, was one of the hard luck drivers in Sunday’s field. He rallied late and drew within 50 yards of Burdick in the closing laps, only to have his car forced into the pits again and wound up fourth in the final standings.
Defending International Motor Contest Association stock car champion Don White of Keokuk had his share of troubles. He grabbed the lead briefly in the early laps but was then forced to the sidelines when his fan broke through his radiator.
John Beauchamp of Harlan had the best qualifying time with a clocking of 29.99 seconds, but he lost the lead early to Sonny Morgan of Beaumont, Tex. Both had their share of car troubles, with Morgan finishing second and Beauchamp credited with fifth. Bud Burdick, brother of the winner, started last and finished an impressive third.
Beauchamp led the first two laps, then lost it to Morgan. Morgan the led the parade until lap 7 when White grabbed it briefly. Morgan took it back when White went to the sidelines. Dake and Morgan then dueled for the top spot until lap 61, when Morgan got jammed up in the first turn.
He plowed into a fence, losing the lead to Dake. He came out of the mishap with a 15-foot plank protruding from under his left front fender, and it took several crewmen to remove the board and get Morgan back on the track.
Dake then led the way until he pitted on the 130th lap and Burdick took over for good.
Results –
1. Bob Burdick, Omaha, Neb.
2. Sonny Morgan, Beaumont, Tex.
3. Bud Burdick, Omaha, Neb.
4. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
5. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan
6. Roxy Dancy, Shreveport, La.
7. Tubby Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
8. Frank Richards, Marion
9. Lee McClunk, What Cheer
10.Les Dykes, Davenport
11Ted Zieman, Mason City
12.Doc Narber, Cedar Rapids
13.Bob Chauncy, Mason City
14.Burton Ramsey
15.Glen Strellner, Cedar Rapids
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