1977 - Reffner Wins at WIR; Series Title to Trickle

 

The top three finishers in the Red, White and Blue State Championship at Wisconsin International Raceway got together after the final race of the series. From left is Larry Detjens, who placed third in the series; Tom Reffner, who won Sunday’s 65-lap feature and was runner-up and Dick Trickle, who won the first two races of the series and earned the championship. – Gary Vercauteren Photo

Kaukauna, Wis. (August 21, 1977) – Tom Reffner piloted his 1974 AMC Javelin to victory in the 65-lap feature concluding the Red, White and Blue State Championship series at the Wisconsin International Raceway on Sunday afternoon before a crowd of 5,270.

Reffner totaled 1,520 points during the series, finishing second to Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids who chalked up 1,815 points in the three series races held at the Kaukauna this summer.

Trickle, who returned to the raceway after a violent crash the previous Wednesday night at another track, became entangled with a slower car on the 49th lap which prevented him from becoming a contender at the race’s end.

Gene Coleman of Menominee, Mich., set the pace for the opening two laps with his 1977 Camaro. Al Schill of Franklin slipped around Coleman and held onto the lead until lap 7 when Jim Pierson of Janesville guided his ’77 Camaro into the top spot.

Pierson stayed in the lead for the next three laps when Larry Detjens of Wausau, wheeled his 1974 Camaro past. Detjens was the afternoon’s fastest qualifier with a 20.53-second clocking around the half-mile.

Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids quickly put his 1970 Mustang into second place with Reffner close behind. Detjens was able to maintain a three-car-length margin over Miller and Reffner until lap 26 when Reffner got around Miller and began to slice away at Detjen’s lead.

Detjens, unexpectedly dropped out of the race on the 29th lap with a motor vibration developed in his racer.

With Detjens on the sidelines, Reffner smoothly zipped past in the top spot with Miller second, Pierson third and Trickle fourth.

Trickle brought out the yellow flag on lap 49 when he and Todd Acklam tangled in the second turn, Trickle hurried into the pit area with a dangling rear bumper which was yanked off during the caution period without the loss of laps.

Realizing he had to advance several positions to take home the championship, Trickle sped past four other competitors in the remaining laps to finish fourth.

Reffner continued his blistering pace to win by two-car-lengths over Miller. Gary Hemmerling of Beloit brought his 1973 Camaro home in third for his best finish ever at WIR, followed by Trickle and Kimberly’s Roger Regeth in a ’73 Camaro.


Results –

1. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
2. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
3. Gary Hemmerling, Beloit
4. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Roger Regeth, Kimberly
6. Tony Strupp, Slinger
7. Jerry Eckhardt, Watertown
8. Bob Jusola, Centuria
9. Gene Coleman, Menominee
10.Jim Pierson, Janesville
11.Larry Nipple, Albany
12.Steve Lurvey, Dousman
13.Bob Brevak, Ashland
14.Cliff Ebben, Appleton
15.Todd Acklam, Racine