1984 – Johnson Tops Corning’s NASCAR Invitational

 

Johnny Johnson is joined by his crew and Debbie Bohr in victory lane after winning the NASCAR late model season opener at Adams County Speedway. – Jerry Adams Photo

By Jim Brennan

Corning, Iowa (May 5, 1984) – Mother Nature decided to relax Saturday night and allow the Adams County Speedway to kick off their season under the NASCAR Winston Racing Series banner.

An excellent crowd saw an exciting show with 60 cars – 38 late models and 22 street stocks – doing battle on the half-mile oval.

A power failure that took out half of the track lighting and took almost an hour to repair failed to dampen the enthusiasm of fans or racers.

In late model action, Jeff French of Mt. Ayr took the lead from his outside front row starting position and held it until lap 6 when Johnny Johnson of Wapello overtook him and led until the finish, which was shortened to 40 laps due to running over the town’s curfew.

Tom Hearst of Wilton, the 1982 Winston Racing Series national champion, had moved into second position on lap 10 and was challenging Johnson when mechanical difficulties forced him to the infield.

Next to challenge Johnson was Joe Kosiski of Omaha, but a broken rear suspension forced him to the sidelines. Kosiski was able to make repairs but had to restart at the rear of the field. He fought his way back and finished eighth.

Ron Tilley of Council bluffs, who had earned a starting position through one of two consolation races, moved into second when Kosiski dropped out and held it to the end. Rounding out the top-five were Glenn Robey of Omaha, French, and Bill Leighton of Omaha.

Heat races were won by Jim Jenkins of Council Bluffs, Kosiski, Rick Beebe of Overland Park, Kan., and Hearst. Consolation winners were Tilley and Don Weyrich of Norfolk, Neb.

In the street stock feature, John Mensing of Fontanelle came from his seventh row starting position to capture the 15-lap contest. Mensing, who had mechanical problems in his heat, finished second in the consolation to earn a starting spot in the feature. He worked his way through the field and passed David Weeda on lap 12 to take the lead. Weeda held on to second in a close finish with Doug Lund.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Johnny Johnson, Wapello
2. Ron Tilley, Council Bluffs
3. Glenn Robey, Omaha
4. Jeff French, Mt. Ayr
5. Bill Leighton, Omaha
6. Denny Rosenberg, Grimes
7. Keith Mander, Omaha
8. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
9. Don Weyrich, Norfolk, Neb.
10.Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.


Street Stock –

1. John Mensing, Fontanelle
2. David Weeda, Mt. Ayr
3. Doug Lund, Fontanelle
4. Cliff McKinney, Omaha

5. Larry Robinson, Omaha