Wednesday, May 28, 2025

1976 – Eaker Wins in Davenport Debut

 


Driving Russ Lyman’s Mustang, Verlin Eaker found the winner’s circle in his return to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. – Dick Kleindolph Photo




Davenport, Iowa (May 28, 1976) – Verlin Eaker, breaking track tradition driving a Ford Mustang, celebrated his 1976 return to the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds circuit with a wire-to-wire late model modified feature victory Friday night in Davenport.

The Cedar Rapids wheelman, handling one of the few Fords at the Fairgrounds this campaign, started on the outside of the front row, taking the lead at the drop of the green flag, and holding on throughout the 20-lap main event.

Roger Bruggeman of Dubuque finished second in the feature, witnessed by a crowd of 4,000, while Tom Hearst of Wilton, the second heat winner, finished third.

In sportsman action, Gary Kerres of Edgington was the feature winner. Rock Island’s John Simenec was second in the feature followed by Davenport’s Dave Wheeler.

Eaker led off the late model modified portion of the program with a heat win, while season point leader Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley won the semi-main and finished fifth in the feature.


Results 


Heat #1 – Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
Heat #2 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
Heat #3 – Mel Morris, West Liberty
Semi-main – Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
Feature –
1. Verlin Eaker
2. Roger Bruggeman, Dubuque
3. Tom Hearst
4. Jim Strube, Peoria, Ill.
5. Ron Weedon
6. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
7. Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
8. Larry Jenkins, Wilton
9. Jim Thruman, Freeport, Ill.
10.Dan Bennett, Peoria





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