1971 – Davenport Honors to Montgomery

Dean Montgomery holds the checkers after winning the late model feature at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. – Woody Perkins Photo

Davenport, Iowa (June 11, 1971) – Dean Montgomery of Milan, Ill., captured the feature event in the late model modified division at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night.

Montgomery withstood challenges from Jerry Reinhart of Moline, Ill., and Bill Beckman of Lisbon, Iowa, to score the victory.

Reinhart would grab the lead early in the 25-lap event but would lose the top spot to Beckman on lap 16. Montgomery, who had been closing in on the leaders, powered past Beckman two laps later and then fought off challenges by both drivers to take the hard-fought win.

Montgomery was followed across the finish line by Reinhart, John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, Beckman, and Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa.

There was only one accident to mar the feature event as Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley, Iowa and Tom Spitznogle of Fruitland, Iowa, bumped on the fourth turn of lap 6, sending Spitznogle to the pits with a broke axle and ending Weedon’s night of racing as well.

Bill Beckman and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were heat winners while Montgomery won the semi-feature.


Results –

1. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
2. Jerry Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
3. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
4. Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
5. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
6. Del Williams, East Moline, Ill.
7. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
8. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
9. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
10.Jack Rebholz, Henry, Ill.