1983 – Smith Takes Winged Sprint Main at Blue Grass

 

Randy Smith of Norwalk won the 25-lap winged sprint car feature at Hawkeye Raceway in Blue Grass. Promoter Verne Schumann (left) and flagman Larry Armstrong join Smith in victory lane. – Bernie Tappa Photo

Blue Grass, Iowa (May 6, 1983) – Despite threatening skies, six different racing divisions completed their events Friday night at Hawkeye Raceway.

Ina special appearance of winged sprinters, Randy Smith of Norwalk stated third and picked up the victory in the 25-lap headliner.

Manny Rockhold of Pekin, Ill., finished fourth in the sprint car feature after flipping onto its side earlier in the contest. Rockhold spun to avoid hitting cars in front of him that were slowing due to a caution flag but was able to continue when his car was put back on it’s wheels and a tire changed.

Tim Baker of Sioux City, the heat winner, was not so fortunate. His car flipped onto it side on the feature and could not continue.

In the winged three-quarter midgets, Bruce Moore of Moline, Ill., made a clean sweep, winning his heat and feature.

Rick Hixson of Coal Valley, Ill., won the bomber feature race and Mike Kennedy of East Moline, Ill., went all the way in the mini-stock main event.

Jim Mettlin of Cambridge, Ill., led wire-to-wire in the IMCA modified feature and Gary Reinhart of Moline, Ill., made it two in a row, winning the sportsman feature.


Results –


Winged Sprint Cars –

1. Randy Smith, Norwalk
2. Mike Pinckney, Des Moines
3. Mike Thomas, Des Moines
4. Manny Rockhold, Pekin, Ill.
5. Steve Morris, West Burlington

IMCA Modified –

1. Jim Mettlin, Cambridge, Ill.
2. Tom Herbert, Silvis, Ill.
3. Jack Lueth, Davenport
4. Ken Raabe, Davenport
5. Robert Dlouhy, Tipton

Bomber –

1. Rick Hixson, Coal Valley, Ill.
2. Wayne Sperry, Davenport
3. Darrel Beauchamp, Davenport
4. Rod Stevens, Davenport
5. Mel Reicks, Davenport

Sportsman –

1. Gary Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
2. Ron Van Gothem, Moline, Ill.
3. Jim Ross, Thomsen, Ill.
4. Al Yerington, Rock Island, Ill.