Mike Niffenegger
West Liberty, Iowa (May 26, 1975) – Curt Hansen returned to West Liberty for the first time since the season opener and he repeated an earlier accomplishment.
In the season opener, the Dike driver set a track record in time trials and then went out and won the feature. Ten days ago, his mark was erased by Mike Niffenegger of Kalona.
But in Monday’s Memorial Day races, Hansen re-established the record with a time of 24.21 seconds on the half-mile dirt oval to better Niffenegger’s mark of 24.30 seconds.
However, Niffenegger managed to outduel Hansen in the accident-shortened feature. The race was halted after 24 circuits because of a wreck.
Niffenegger had already received the white flag for the final lap, so a restart was not made after the accident. Steve Keppler of Marion hit the wall in turn two and ended up on his top. He was taken to the hospital in Iowa City for observation.
Niffenegger started on the outside of the third row and Hansen on the outside of the fourth row. Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley led until midway through the race until Niffenegger took command.
Hansen assumed the lead for one lap near the end, but Niffenegger raced past him with a couple of laps to go and gained his second straight victory.
Phil Larsen and Ken DeGood, both of Iowa City, had a duel to the finish in the sportsman main event before Larsen took the checkered flag.
Results –
Fast time – Curt Hansen, Dike (24.21)
Heat #1 – Mel Morris, West Liberty
Heat #2 – Gail Brenner, Wilton
Heat #3 -Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
Semi-main – Ken Walton, Viola
Feature –
1. Mike Niffenegger
2. Curt Hansen
3. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
4. Mel Morris
5. Fred Horn, Marion
6. Jim Strube, Peoria, Ill.
7. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
8. Don Bohlander, Peoria, Ill.
9. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
10.John Connolly, Delhi
11.Larry Rummelhart, Riverside
12.Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
13.Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree
14.Ken Walton
15.Tom Hearst, Wilton
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