1975 - Sanger Unstoppable – Wins at Davenport, Denison, CR

 

Ed Sanger went on a winning rampage in late model stock car racing over the weekend, winning features at Davenport, Denison, and Cedar Rapids. He’s shown here in victory lane at Denison accepting his trophy. The flagman is Larry Cook of Spencer. 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (May 18, 1975) – Ed Sanger of Waterloo scored a hat trick in late model racing over the weekend, winning at Davenport Speedway on Friday, May 16, Denison Speedway on Saturday, May 17, and wrapping up the weekend at Hawkeye Downs on Sunday, May 18.

Sanger would win at Davenport with Bill Zwanziger hugging his bumper the entire time. It was Sanger’s second feature win in a row on the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds half-mile. Mike Niffenegger of Kalona was third followed by Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley and Steve Keppler of Marion.

On Saturday night in Denison before a crowd of 4,200, Sanger would nose out Curt Hansen of Dike on the last lap to win the 15-lap super stock feature at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. Hansen had led the first 14 laps of the feature on the big half-mile with Sanger pushing hard the entire way. As Hansen was between turns three and four, Sanger gave Hansen a little nudge forcing him out on the loose dirt into the corner and allowing Sanger to slide by. Bob Kosiski of Omaha also took advantage and got by Hansen as well to take runner-up honors. Wendell Kuehn of Rochester, Minn., was fourth followed by Jerry Wancewicz of Omaha.

As exciting as his win in Denison was, his victory in Cedar Rapids would be a carbon copy as he passed race-long leader Don Hoffman of Des Moines on the very last lap to score the win. Sanger was a couple of car-lengths behind Hoffman for the last few remaining laps and as they took the white flag, Sanger made his move. Giving Hoffman some slack as they entered the final set of turns, the Waterloo hot shoe slingshot past Hoffman as they entered the front stretch, bringing the 3,100 in attendance to their feet. Sanger would nip Hoffman at the checkered by a mere car-length. Curt Hansen, Fred Horn, and John Connolly of Delhi rounded out the top five.


Results –

Davenport –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
3. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
4. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
5. Steve Keppler, Marion

Denison –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Bob Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
3. Curt Hansen, Dike
4. Wendell Kuehn, Rochester, Minn.
5. Jerry Wancewicz, Omaha, Neb.

Cedar Rapids –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
3. Curt Hansen
4. Fred Horn, Marion
5. John Connolly, Delhi