1981 - Gemmill Scores Win in Kansas Nationals

 

Van Gemmill won the 50-lap late model championship at the Kansas Spring Nationals at Fun Valley Speedway in Hutchinson. Wayne “Whiskers” White holds the checkered and Marcie Tisdale presents the trophy. – Bill Haglund Photo

Hutchinson, Kan. (May 3, 1981) – Van Gemmill of Ponca City, Okla., squeezed past Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., on the 28th lap to win the 50-lap late model championship of the Kansas Spring Nationals at Fun Valley Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Phillips had started on the pole by virtue of winning the opening heat race on Friday and Gemmill started on the outside of the front row after winning the first qualifying heat on Saturday.

After he took the lead, Gemmill was not seriously challenged even though young Steve Kosiski of Omaha moved past Phillips on the 33rd lap of the 50-lap grind and stayed within striking distance until the end.

The race was red flagged after 45 circuits when Dhon Hauserman of Wichita crashed into the front straightaway retaining wall, but Gemmill immediately pulled away from Kosiski on the restart and won handily.

Phillips hung on to take third followed by Larry McDaniels and Jon Arnce, both of Wichita.

Seventeen-year-old Greg Ward of Salina was dominant in the 25-lap sportsman division and Reggie Green of Hutchinson won the 15-lap street stock feature.


Results –

1. Van Gemmill, Ponca City, Okla.
2. Steve Kosiski, Omaha
3. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
4. Larry McDaniels, Wichita
5. John Arnce, Wichita
6. Buck Cadwell, Arnett, Okla.
7. Bob Dauer, Falun
8. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
9. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
10.Bud Purkey, Coffeyville
11.Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
12.Rick Beebe, Overland Park
13.Bill Martin, Council Bluffs, Iowa
14.Rick Dauer, Falun
15.Jeff Montgomery, Blackwell, Okla.

Greg Ward, only 17 years old, won the sportsman feature at the Kansas Spring Nationals. Marcie Tisdale makes the trophy presentation. – Bill Haglund Photo