Tom York and crew celebrate his IMCA sprint car victory at the Minnesota State Fair.
St. Paul, Minn. (August 25, 1968) – Tom York, a 32-year-old father of two from South Bend, Ind., proved that his Saturday victory on the half-mile Minnesota State Fair track was no fluke by humbling a big field of IMCA sprint cars on Sunday in winning both ends of the twin 50-lap program before 16,304.
York’s luck was with him in the opening half century when race leader Ray Wright’s fuel pump pulley came off late in the going, giving the race to the red-headed Hoosier.
York started fourth and had his hands full getting around second-place starter Jerry Richert on the 32nd lap. Richert later left the race while riding hard when a “$12 racing tube split” allowing his right rear tire to go flat. York took over in the final.
Bucky Peterson drove well, coming from seventh in the 24-car field to place second with Russ Laursen third – just where he started. A standout drive was turned in by John Albrechtsen, who came from his 16th starting spot to finish fifth.
In the second 50-lapper, York was started near the rear of the field, with only the alternates behind him – and rocketed through traffic to challenge Richert, who had taken the lead from Cliff Cockrum after seven laps.
York tried for 20 laps to go around Richert, and finally got by when Jerry slipped a wee bit wide in the turn. Ray Wright, who lined up in the first row, found that his repairs were not enough, and had to sit out the second race.
Richert took second with Don Mack third and Albrechtsen fourth in another savvy drive. Buzz Gregory finished fifth.
York’s time in the opener was 18 minutes and 6 seconds, a IMCA national record, which lasted until the second race, which he won in 17 minutes and 44 seconds, for his second record of the day.
York’s two-day winnings were $2,500.
Results –
Heat #1 – Darl Harrison
Heat #2 – John Albrechtsen
Feature #1 –
1. Tom York
2. Bucky Peterson
3. Russ Laursen
4. Jim Eberstein
5. John Albrechtsen
Feature #2 –
1. Tom York
2. Jerry Richert
3. Don Mack
4. John Albrechtsen
5. Buzz Gregory
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