Jerry Richert accepts congratulations after a dominating performance in the 30-lap IMCA sprint car feature at the Iowa State Fair. Larry Shipley holds the checkers.
Des Moines, Iowa (August 23, 1970) – Jerry Richert of Forest Lake, Minn., celebrated the first anniversary of his return to auto racing with a victory in the 30-lap International Motor Contest Association sprint car feature Sunday afternoon at the Iowa State Fair before an estimated 9,200 fans.
And, he really made it a blast, winning by nearly one-half lap over Jay Woodside of Kansas City.
Richert, a four-time IMCA national sprint car champion, had chest surgery in the early part of 1969 and was sidelined until late August.
It was second triumph at the Fairgrounds this season, his first coming at the Hawkeye Futurity in June.
Sunday, he took the lead from Woodside who was driving a car owned by Hank Smith of Mt. Ayr, on lap 8. Two laps later on the half-mile dirt track, he possessed a quarter-lap advantage.
The victory was worth $800. He also won his heat race and was the ninth-fastest qualifier, adding another $100 to his afternoon earnings.
Jan Opperman of Mechanicsville, Penn., who won the ’69 Futurity and a State Fair feature las year, was third, and Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., the current IMCA point leader, was fourth. Dale Reed of Wichita, Kan., rounded out the top five finishers.
Dick Sutcliffe of Kansas City, the day’s fastest qualifier, was sidelined early in the main event with a broken axle. He had been running in second place when it occurred.
Russ Hibbard of Slater, Mo., who had started on the outside of the front row, led at the drop of the green flag. After some shuffling around between turns one and two, Woodside took command with Richert right on his bumper.
As they crossed the start/finish line completing the first lap, Richert made his move to the outside and roared around him as they entered the first turn. Heading down the backstretch, Richert lengthened his lead, leaving Woodside to contend with Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., and Blundy.
Two accidents marred the program, but no one was injured.
Ron Perkins of Wood River, Ill., driving a car owned by Dave Van Patten of Des Moines, spun into the wall. A car driven Duane McDonald of Rock Island, Ill., smashed into Perkins’ machine, then Conn Edwards of Ankeny hit McDonald.
On lap 7, Steve Schultz of Chillicothe, Mo., flipped.
Results –
Time Trials – Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City (23.84)
Heat #1 – Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
Heat #2 – Jerry Richert, Forest Lake, Minn.
Heat #3 – Ralph Parkinson Jr. Blue Springs, Mo.
Feature –
1. Jerry Richert
2. Jay Woodside, Kansas City
3. Jan Opperman, Mechanicsville, Penn.
4. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
5. Dale Reed, Wichita, Kan.
6. Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
7. Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Ill.
8. Ralph Parkinson Sr., Wichita Falls, Tex.
9. Russ Hibbard, Slater, Mo.
10.Earl Wagner, Pleasantville, Iowa
11.Jim Moughan, Springfield, Ill.
12.Hal Minyard, Speedway, Ind.
13.Dale McCarty, Kansas City
14.Johnny Babb, Ottumwa
15.Stan Borofsky, Kansas City
16.Al Murie, Kansas City
17.Ralph Parkinson Jr.
18.Eddie Leavitt
19.Jon Backlund, Kansas City
20.Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City
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