George Scheffler won the 11th annual Wally Jors Classic late model
feature at Hales Corner Speedway. Lee Larson, representing Wisconsin Fans for
Auto Racing, makes the trophy presentation. – Wayne Larson Photo
Franklin, Wis. (June 6, 1987) – George Scheffler captured the 11th annual Wally Jors Classic for late models and his nephew Don Scheffler won the sportsman feature at Hales Corner Speedway on Saturday night.
The Coors Racing Series event was named for late model driver Wally Jors, who died of a heart attack after competing in the June 1976 50-lapper.
Hank Hovorka started on the pole and paced the initial trio of laps before a caution flag flew. After the restart, Larry Richards took command and built up a comfortable 10-car-length lead.
On lap 12, Frank Smith worked his way into second. He then started to reel in Richards and took over the top spot on lap 14.
Meanwhile, Scheffler, who started 12th in the 18-car field, was continuing his steady march to the front. He battled with Richards for second and eventually got by on lap 25. Scheffler gradually narrowed the gap between himself and Smith and got by coming out of turn two on lap 34 to take the lead.
“Frank gave me a small opening, and I took advantage of it,” Scheffler said.
Scheffler opened up a comfortable margin for the remaining 16 laps and won going away, enjoying a 10-car-length lead at the checkers.
In contrast to the single yellow flag of the late model 50-lapper, the 15-lap sportsman main event needed three interruptions before it could be completed.
Danny Scholl led the first three laps, but the race was stopped when Mark Bruner lost a tire. On the restart, Mark Hintz took over with the field bunched closely behind him. Scholl took the lead back on lap 8 but the caution flew again a lap later.
Just before the green flag waved again for the restart, Chris Clausing’s car came out of the pits. With the field bearing down on him, he half-spun in turn one and got in the way of the frontrunners.
In the mix-up, Pat Heaney took the lead for a lap before Don Scheffler took over. Scheffler started 13th in the 18-car field and had been running fifth before the last restart.
The final yellow came out on lap 12 but Scheffler pulled away on the restart and breezed the last three circuits and won by eight-car-lengths over Heaney. Scholl finished third, followed by Bob Rasmussen and John Johnson.
Results –
Late Model –
1. George Scheffler, Pewaukee
2. Frank Smith, Milwaukee
3. Larry Richards. Montello
4. Mike Melius, Adell
5. Russ Scheffler, Waukesha
6. Whitey Harris, Lake Villa, Ill.
7. Gordie Seegert Jr., Oostburg
8. Jim Zwirgadas, Salem
9. Tom Searing, Greenfield
10.Jack Ashenbrenner, Hales Corner
Sportsman –
1. Don Scheffler, Dousman
2. Pat Heaney, New Berlin
3. Danny Scholl, Greenfield
4. Bob Rasmussen, West Allis
5. John Johnson, New Berlin
6. Bob Gutknecht, Oak Creek
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