1981- Sauter’s Seconds Secure ARTGO Showdown Title

 

Larry Detjens won the first of two features for the ARTGO late models at the Chicagoland Showdown at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Bob Elman Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Schererville, Ind. (May 23, 1981) – Current series point leader Larry Detjens and three-time champion Dick Trickle captured 50-lap feature races, but it was Jim Sauter winning the overall championship in ARTGO Racing’s second annual “Chicagoland Showdown” at Illiana Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

The twin 50-lap late model events saw Detjens and Trickle wheel their Camaros to the checkered flag, but it was Sauter’s two runner-up finishes in the 50s that gave the Necedah, Wis., flyer the overall title.

Detjens would take the lead from Steve Burgess on a lap 20 restart and set sail for checkers. Sauter drove past Joe Shear on lap 33 and quickly moved in on the leader. For the remainder of the race, Detjens set the pace with Sauter running right behind as the duo left the rest of the field far behind. Trickle pressed Shear for third place late in the race, but the “White Knight’s” charging style cost him a position as Burgess slipped by him at the checkered flag.

John Knaus pushed his car out front for the second 50-lapper and led a freight train of hard chargers.

Burgess would loop his car on lap 14, sending the rest of the field scattering for a safe place. With more than a dozen cars involved, Burgess, Detjens, and defending champion Frank Gawlinski found themselves out of action.

When all-out racing resumed, Knaus stayed on top with Trickle flying past Bob Senneker on lap 16 for second place. Trickle moved in on Knause and took over the top spot on lap 17.

Trickle would remain the leader with Sauter moving into second and setting his sights on Trickle. The rest of the way saw Trickle and Sauter go at it bumper-to-bumper with Sauter looking for an opening.

Entering the backstretch on the final lap, Sauter used a slower car to move alongside Trickle but couldn’t find daylight to get by Trickle.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
2. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
3. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
4. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire, Wis.
5. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
6. Alan Kulwicki, Milwaukee
7. Mel Walen, Shakopee, Minn.
8. Larry Schuler, New Lenox, Ill.
9. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
10.Bobby Dotter, Chicago


Feature #2 –

1. Dick Trickle
2. Jim Sauter
3. Bob Senneker
4. Larry Schuler
5. Alan Kulwicki
6. Joe Shear
7. Pat Schauer, Watertown, Wis.
8. John Knaus, Rockford, Ill.
9. Jim Pierson, Milton, Wis.
10.Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey, Ill.