Council Bluffs, Iowa (June 17, 1961) – A deft-driving daredevil from Oklahoma City thrilled 4,100 fans on Saturday night at Playland Speedway as he captured the 50-lap stock car feature from the favorites.
Bob Reynolds literally tore up Playland’s asphalt in edging defending International Motor Contest Association titlist Ernie Derr of Keokuk for top honors.
In doing so, he broke up what appeared to be a stranglehold that Keokuk drivers had on victory laurels in the late model stock car program.
Derr, Ramo Stott, Jerry McCredie, and Dick Hutcherson, all of Keokuk, had hogged most of the preliminary honors.
And, for most of the feature, it appeared that Derr, the present IMCA point leader, would again earn checkered flag recognition.
He jumped to the front of the field on lap 3 and held on to it almost to the end.
But for much of the going, the front bumper of Reynold’s racer was nudging the bumper of Derr’s.
Then, on the next-to-last go round, Reynolds darted inside his rival on the first and second turns. They battled side-by-side on the backstretch and as they entered the final set of turns, the Oklahoman took command.
Despite Derr’s last lap challenge, Reynolds held on and crossed the finish line a car-length ahead with the capacity crowd on their feet roaring their approval.
Playland’s asphalt took a fearful beating under the pounding of the heavy late model entries. By the time the feature was 10 laps old, the cars had gouged heavy hollows on every corner.
But while it made the going rough, the hazards never slowed the pace.
Results –
Heat #1 – Ernie Derr, Keokuk
Heat #2 – Bob Reynolds, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Heat #3 – Jerry McCredie, Keokuk
Match race – Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk
Consolation – Bill Moyer, Des Moines
Feature –
1. Bob Reynolds
2. Ernie Derr
3. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
4. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
5. Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.
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