1957 – Burdick Races to Easy Victory in 100-Lapper

 

Bob Burdick

Oklahoma City, Okla. (July 3, 1957) – Bob Burdick, the lead-footed youngster from Omaha, Neb., rammed his supercharged 1957 Ford to a runaway victory in the 100-lap IMCA stock car feature Tuesday night at Taft Stadium.

Padding his lead in the International Motor Contest Association point standings, the 22-year-old schoolteacher had things his own way after an engine mishap sidelined challenger Sonny Gross of Quincy, Ill., on the 61st lap.

Starting well back in the field, Burdick quickly shot out front and led for 96 laps in the 25-mile contest.

The Nebraska product, in only his second year of big-time auto racing, caught the attention of 1,803 fans when he came from far back to barely lose a photo finish to George Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, driving a 1957 Pontiac, in the first heat.

Then – apparently inspired by a glimpse of trophy girl Kay Wilson – he soundly thrashed Miller in the 7-lap trophy dash and established himself as the solid favorite with the crowd by planting an enthusiastic kiss on the pretty young singer.

The night’s other winner was Bob Hardy of Beaumont, Tex., driving a 1956 Chevrolet to victory in the second heat.

A pleasant surprise to the fans was the performance of local driver Bill Carpenter, who tooled his 1955 Chevrolet to a third-place finish in the feature, trailing Burdick and runner-up Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Hardy finished fourth.

Burdick opened up a lead of 130 yards in the early stages, but Gross and his 1957 Pontiac began to trim away at it slowly. As they passed the halfway point, Gross had cut the margin to 90 yards and was gaining steadily. But 10 laps later, the throttle rod broke, and Gross was forced to the pits.

The leaders whizzed by him 14 times before he could get under way again, then driving at full throttle, he managed a fifth-place finish.


Results –

1. Bob Burdick, Omaha, Neb.
2. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. Bill Carpenter, Oklahoma City
4. Bob Hardy, Beaumont, Tex.
5. Sonny Gross, Quincy, Ill.
6. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.