Jerry Blundy celebrates his fourth Missouri Futurity win.
Sedalia, Mo. (August 30, 1970) – “The Man of the Mile”, Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., said it wasn’t the way he liked to win, but he did it anyway and for the fourth consecutive time at the Missouri State Fairgrounds’ one-mile track.
The ageless International Motor Contest Association sprint car driver ran second for 35 laps after leading the first 10, regained the lead from Tom Corbin of Carrollton, who ran out of gas late in the race and amassed his fourth Missouri Futurity title in as many years.
Corbin, who got by Blundy on the 10th lap, was running strong and seemed to have his initial mile win under his belt when he pulled into the pits on the 44th lap to get fuel.
Fuel played a big part in the outcome of the race as two other drivers lost positions due to fuel consumption. Bill Utz of Sedalia, who was running a strong third after Corbin in pulled into the pits, found himself slowing coming out of the second turn on lap 45 for the same reason. He set out the rest of the race and had to settle for 12th place, his worst finish ever in the annual IMCA event.
Jan Opperman of Beaver Crossing, Neb., running third behind Corbin and Blundy for most of the race, found himself in second after Corbin stopped for fuel, but ran out himself coming down the front straightaway. He was passed by Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., for the second payoff slot and had to settle for third-place money.
Blundy, running as much as five seconds behind leader Corbin during much of the race, played a waiting game after the 15th lap; the waiting paid off in a $1,000 check for winning the day’s feature event.
The dry slick track proved to the drivers’ liking as three records were established. Jan Opperman set a new record for 10 laps in the second heat race of the afternoon of 6 minutes, and 3.58 seconds. The old mark was held by Corbin, set in 1967 of 6 minutes and 5.90 seconds.
A new world’s record was established for six laps by Blundy of 3 minutes and 34.47 seconds. There was no previous clocking for that distance in the IMCA books.
The 25-lap mark set by Blundy last year was also toppled; Corbin toured the oval 25 times in a record time of 14 minutes and 58 seconds.
Although the fuel made the difference in losing the race for Corbin, he was able to re-enter the 50-lap feature and cop fourth behind Blundy, Leavitt and Opperman. Fifth place went to Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb.
Gene Gennetten of Kansas City was the consolation race winner; heat races were won by Blundy, Opperman and Earl Wagoner. Blundy also was the match race winner over Corbin, Opperman and Utz.
Results –
1. Jerry Blundy
2. Eddie Leavitt
3. Jan Opperman
4. Tom Corbin
5. Joe Saldana
6. Al Murie
7. Chuck Lynch
8. Jim Moughan
9. Dale McCarty
10.Ralph Parkinson Jr.
11.Leonard McCarl
12.Bill Utz
13.Gene Gennetten
14.Earl Wagner
15.Ron Perkins
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