Arnie Knepper receives his trophy from Missouri
State Fair queen Sara Beth Stevens after winning the Missouri Futurity big car
classic. Car owner Pete Mocca proudly looks on.
Sedalia, Mo. (August 26, 1961) – Hard-charging Arnie Knepper of Belleville, Ill., drove the Mocca Circle Deuce Offenhauser to victory over Buzz Barton of Tampa, Fla., here Saturday afternoon in the seventh annual Missouri Futurity big car classic.
Knepper, who with Barton had crowded three different leaders unmercifully all through the 50-mile chase over the one-mile oval, blasted past Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., on lap 46, then staved off repeated thrusts by Barton to the finish.
Blundy had taken over the lead on lap 2, getting by Harold Leep of Wichita, Kan., on the backstretch. The Illinois ace held the top spot through most of the 46 miles before Knepper took over.
Dale Reed, driving the Forshee Chevy out of Wichita, Kan., got to the forefront on the 28th circuit and held until lap 35 when Blundy powered his Chevy back out front. Reed would regain the point on the next go-round only to lose it back to Blundy on lap 37.
Leep, piloting the Chet Wilson Chevy, and Dale Breedlove of Waco, Tex., who sat on the pole in the Tegtmeier Chevy, had to come in for fresh rubber early in the contest, spoiling their chances for success.
Colby Scroggins of Pasadena, Calif., in the Blair Offy, finished fourth behind Blundy in the approximate spot he ran during most of the race.
Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla., the pre-race favorite, saw his Honore Offy sidelined by a broke ring gear during the consolation after he had et fast time in qualifying with a time 39.91 seconds.
Results –
1. Arnie Knepper
2. Buzz Barton
3. Jerry Blundy
4. Colby Scroggins
5. Jerry Shumaker
6. Dale Reed
7. Jay Woodside
8. Harold Leep
9. Dale Breedlove
10.Don Hartman
11.Froggy Droz
12.Charlie Lutkie
13.Dale Congdon
14.Willie Wildhaber
15.Roger Lane
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