Ernie Derr
Des Moines, Iowa (August 28, 1954) – Ernie Derr, the 32-year-old Keokuk parts manager, wheeled his green 1954 Oldsmobile to another stock car racing triumph Saturday before a near-record crowd of 20,500 at the Iowa State Fair.
The 150-pound, 5-foot, 6-inch veteran received a roaring ovation as he sped across the finish line of the 50-mile feature to beat a field of 29 starters, only 12 of whom were still on the track when the checkered flag waved.
Derr almost put himself out of the race on the first lap when he nearly spun into the guardrail on the west turn.
However, the International Motor Contest Association stock car point leader righted himself, caught Jim Ward on the 11th lap, and stayed in front the rest of the race to win in 56 minutes and 48.86 seconds.
He was nearly three-quarters of a lap in front of Ward, the Chicagoan who finished on top in the 125-mile event here earlier this summer. In third place, two laps back, was Roxy Dancey of Shreveport, La.
Fourth place went to Larry Farr of Chicago with fifth place money going to Chris Skadal of Des Moines, who was five laps behind the winner.
The only accident came one lap to the finish when Cecil Hayes of Gary, Ind., halted with a broken left rear wheel in front of the grandstands. Otherwise, not a single fender was dented, despite traffic jams in the early going.
Results –
1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
2. Jim Ward, Chicago
3. Roxy Dancey, Shreveport, La.
4. Larry Farr, Chicago
5. Chris Skadal, Des Moines
6. Robert Narber, Cedar Rapids
7. Cecil Hayes, Gary, Ind.
8. Dick Jepsen, Hoxie, Kan.
9. Arnold Hudson, Ogden
10.Whitey Traeder, Green Bay, Wis.
11.Mel Krueger, Anita
12.Jack Skadal, Des Moines
13.Gene Harmon, Lincoln, Neb.
14.Don Rosenberger, Carlisle
15.Shorty Eberts, Kansas City
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