1974 – Shear Claims Midwest Crown

 

Joe Shear won the Midwest Championships at Dells Motor Speedway. - Kurt Luoma Photo

Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (August 31, 1974) – Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill., narrowly picked up the Midwest Championship at Dells Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

Ed Howe, Beaverton, Mich., all but had the race in his back pocket, winning the first of the twin 75-lap events by a four-car length margin over Shear, and then coming back in the second 75-lapper to take the lead on the 43rd lap, and then hold off Dick Trickle for more than 15 laps before Howe’s ’73 Camaro blew a rear tire, ending his chances of picking up his first Midwest Championship title.

In the first 75-lap event it looked like Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa, was going to be able to hold off the rest of the field and take the checkered flag, as Marzofka took the lead on the opening lap and held the top spot for the first 46 circuits.

Jim Back, Vesper, was the first to head into the pits on the opening lap, when he spun his ’74 Camaro in the second turn and took it to the infield. The next caution came out four laps later, when Dick Hed, Sheboygan Falls, spun in the first turn.

It was smooth sailing for leader Marzofka and the rest of the field again, until the 60th lap, when Al Schill spun his Camaro in turn two. However, Marzofka had lost his top spot on lap 60 to Tom Reffner, Rudolph, on the 46th lap. Reffner held a brief lead for 15 laps before the “Green Hornet,” Ed Howe, driving a 1973 Camaro, pulled in front of Reffner’s ’70 Mustang, and Howe picked up the checkered for the first segment.

Shear followed Howe across the finish line, and following Shear were Reffner, Trickle and Marzofka to round out the top five finishers.

Howe started his ’73 Camaro on the outside of the fourth row for the second 75-lapper. Howe had originally planned to drive his much publicized “Brand X” AMX Javelin, but the motor in the AMX was blown a few nights earlier, so Howe had to settle for the back-up Camaro, which is usually piloted by Tom Maier of Midland, Mich., who finished eighth in an identical ’73 Camaro.

In the second 75-lap event, Red Hutchinson took the early lead and held it for 27 laps, before front row sitter Bob Gunn took over for 10 laps.

The first yellow came out on lap 40, when three cars, John Knaus, Tom Musgrave, and Tom Maier, were caught up in a spinout. Maier and Musgrave were able to continue.

Three laps later it was again the “Green Hornet,” Ed Howe, wheeling his Camaro out in front of Gunn, and away he went. Meanwhile, Dick Trickle was working his way through traffic. Trickle eventually caught up with Howe, having only to ride Howe’s back bumper most of the way. Trickle made several attempts at passing, but to no avail.

On lap 72, only three laps away from the Midwest title, Howe blew a right rear tire, and Trickle, right on his tail, moved in front with Joe Shear following behind in second. Trickle, in a newly built Mustang with a spare engine, took the victory with Shear right on his heels.

Following Trickle and Shear across the finish line in order were Tom Reffner, Joe Ruttman, Bob Gunn, and Al Schill, to round out the top six.

1961 – Derr Wins 200-Lap Stock Race at Fair

 

IMCA’s Jake Bozony presents the checkers while Ernie Derr exits his car after the Keokuk, Iowa, driver won the 200-lap stock car race at the Minnesota State Fair.

St. Paul, Minn. (August 31, 1961) – Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, the defending IMCA national stock car champion, gunned his 1961 Pontiac to win the 200-lap late model stock car race at the Minnesota State Fair on Thursday.

Derr, who won the same event in 1960, set a track record, winning the 100-miler in 1 hour, 36 minutes, and 51.92 seconds, eclipsing the old record of 1 hour, 38 minutes, and 53.57 seconds set by Johnny Beauchamp in 1956.

Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., took the early lead and held it for the first 23 laps when he developed engine trouble. Chub Liebe of Oelwein, Iowa, took over and held it until his motor blew up on lap 37.

Derr took over at this point and held on to it to the finish. The little Iowan built his lead to more than a lap at one stage but Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., started to close in during the last 75 laps. He had moved to within 300 yards of Derr at the finish.

Eddie Harrow of Corpus Christi, Tex., finished third, two laps behind Derr.


Results –

1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
3. Eddie Harrow, Corpus Christi, Tex.
4. Bob Reynolds, Edmond, Okla.
5. Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
6. Sonny Morgan, Beaumont, Tex.
7. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
8. Jerry McCredie, Keokuk, Iowa
9. Bob Kosiskie, Omaha, Neb.
10.Buzz McCann, St. Paul
11.Bob Jusola, Mound, Minn.
12.Johnny Jones, Russell, Minn.
13.Dick Johnson, St. Paul
14.Don Nash, White Bear Lake
15.Ralph Wilhelm, Milwaukee

1951 - Holland Wins Fair Race Before 16,000

 

Bill Holland

Des Moines, Iowa (August 31, 1951) – Bill Holland got himself involved in the Frank Luptow – Bobby Grim feud here Friday afternoon and dusted both of the International Motor Contest Association’s top two aces before 16,000 spectators at the Iowa State Fair.

Just getting the feel of half-mile dirt ovals after a decade of racing at the “Indianapolis 500” and other hard tracks, Holland took the lead at the start and was never headed in the National Speedways 10-mile championship.

A spin by Frank Nykaza on the backstretch slowed down the crack field, or the Reading, Penn., veteran and one-time winner of the Memorial Day classic might have racked up a new record time.

His Blue Crown Offenhauser, with a 220-inch cubic motor, was clocked in 8 minutes and 54.64 seconds, not much over the 8 minute and 36.94 second mark set by Frank Luptow on the same track in May of 1950.

Luptow, beaten the previous afternoon in Belleville, Kan., by Holland when he suffered wheel bearing problems, was plagued by wheel troubles once again on Friday and finished third, almost a car-length behind the second-place Grim.

Grim made a daring attempt to catch the flying Holland in the closing laps but couldn’t quite close the gap and finished a bare car-length behind.

Strung out behind the top-three were Ken Rubright of Lyndon, Ill., and Roy Prosser of Sun Valley, Calif., the hot rod kid who came from his tenth starting position to round out the top-five.

Luptow, who was beaten by Grim in the inaugural meet last Sunday, set fast time in qualifying as he wheeled his black Offenhauser around the half-mile in 25.30 seconds.

But, from there on, Luptow’s troubles started. In the opening heat, the Tampa, Fla., veteran, starting in the rear, was blacked out by the dust of the field ahead of him. He scraped the retaining wall but still managed to finish second to Grim with a partly bent wheel. Repairs were made but Luptow apparently didn’t trust them.

At the start of the championship race, Holland, on the outside of the front row, alongside Luptow, roared into the lead. Luptow was never in contention and on the third lap, Grim roared past him for second place.


Results –

1. Bill Holland, Reading, Penn.
2. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
3. Frank Luptow, Tampa, Fla.
4. Ken Rubright, Lyndon, Ill.
5. Roy Prosser, Sun Valley, Calif.
6. Bud Randall, Cincinnati, Ohio
7. Al Kerns, Lima, Ohio
8. Phil Mocca, St. Louis
9. Jimmy Campbell, Bates City, Mo.

1987 – Waltrip Wins by a Bumper in World Crown 500

 

Darrell Waltrip

Jefferson, Ga. (August 30, 1987) – It was that close. Dave Mader III and Darrell Waltrip were locked in a last-lap dual Sunday. At the end of Georgia International Speedway’s $101,000 World Crown 500, Waltrip stuck the nose of his Camaro barely in front of Mader’s racer to win by the width of a bumper.

NASCAR vice president Les Richter was watching from the scorer’s box. He thought it might have been even closer. “Maybe just the width of a bumper sticker,” Richter said. “But it was a great race, a ‘Daytona finish’ in the red hills of Georgia.”

Waltrip, 40, is NASCAR’s and all of racing’s all-time leader in career money won with $7.6 million. Yet Sunday, with a winning purse of only $3,500 in the 200-lap All-American Challenge Series race, Waltrip was as proud of his victory as if it had been the Southern 500 at Darlington.

“Dave Mader is a gentleman,” Waltrip said. “He deserves all the credit in the world. Most racer would have tried to stick you in the wall in a race down to the last lap like that. But he gave me room.”

Waltrip had worked his way around Mitch Fowler of Smyrna, Ga., just four laps before Billy McGinnis of Suwanee ran out of tires on the rubber-eating half-mile and spun on lap 182, and the yellow flag locked up the field only 18 laps from the finish. Only 12 laps remained when the green flag waved to restart the race.

“I waited until that white flag lap, Waltrip explained. “I had tried to go by Dave down low before, and that didn’t work. Dave’s Camaro was as quick as mine. But this time, on the last lap, I went high on the outside. I was either going to go into the wall or win it.”


Results –

1. Darrell Waltrip
2. Dave Mader
3. Don Jenkins
4. Stanley Smith
5. Mitch Fowler
6. Donnie Bishop
7. Marty Ward
8. Mark Martin
9. Clary Brown
10.Randy Porter
11.Rick Martin
12.Sonny Chaplin
13.Billy McGinnis
14.Larry Lancaster
15.Robby Johnson
16.Jerry Charlton
17.Nick Smith
18.Ronnie Sanders
19.Tim Nooner
20.David Green
21.Jeff Neal
22.Al Kuhn
23.Jimmy Cope
24.Gene Morgan
25.Bruce Battle
26.Junior Franks
27.Tiger Parsley
28.Mark Day
29.A. Arnold
30.Richie Till
31.Keith Waid
32.Bruce Stone

1981 - Miller Emotional After Minnesota Win

 

Mike Miller accepts his award after winning the ASA-sanctioned AMS/Oil 300 at the Minnesota State Fair. – Bernie Tappa Photo

St. Paul, Minn. (August 30, 1981) – Mike Miller scored the biggest win of his career in the AMS/OIL 300 opening weekend race at the Minnesota State Fair.

But it was Butch Lindley of Greenville, S.C., who terrorized his “Yankee hosts,” by virtually dominating the race in a Chevy Cavalier V-6 until engine problems sidelined late in the race.

While the two-time NASCAR sportsman champion led 213 of the 300-lap race around the .52-mile oval in spectacular fashion, eventually lapping even Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., driver battled tenaciously to stay in touch.

Many times a bridesmaid in ASA competition, it was Miller’s first win, but it seemed completely out of the question until Lindley pulled into the infield with a broke rod at lap 248.

The normally talkative Miller was choked with emotion in a post-race interview, saying, I would like for everyone to observe a moment of silence for Larry Detjens,” recalling his close personal friend who was fatally injured earlier in the month. “I felt like Larry was in the car with me today.”

After Rusty Wallace and Mark Martin traded the lead for the first 22 circuits, it was Lindley guiding the potent Chevy V-6 from his third starting spot to take the lead he wouldn’t relinquish until a pit stop on lap 150.

Until he pitted, Lindley enjoyed a least a one lap lead over everyone in the 36-car field except Miller, who took over on the 151st circuit.

So overwhelming was Lindley in handling the track’s wide, sweeping turns, he methodically ran down Miller in just 10 more laps after his stop to take the lead again.

Lindley proceeded to put second-place Miller down a lap after 229 revolutions but at the 248-lap mark, the V-6 gasped for life when a connecting rod apparently broke, ending the dominating drive.

Mark Martin, the only other driver beside Miller to keep Lindley in his sights, left the hunt at lap 133 when a valve spring broke in his Camaro.

When Lindley exited, ASA points leader Mike Eddy applied maximum pressure on Miller, hoping for a late race caution to give him a chance at victory, but Miller was uncooperative.

At the finish, Miller was a lap plus a few feet ahead of Eddy and NASCAR star Darrell Waltrip was another lap in arrears of Eddy.

Finishing two laps back, Dick Trickle was fourth followed by Jim Sauter, who came all the way from his 31st starting position.

Miller’s win was worth $7,325 from a purse of $33,000. Done before a weekend crowd of over 18,000 that often-dodged showers, fog, and overcast conditions.


Results –

1. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Mike Eddy, Kawkawlin, Mich.
3. Darrell Waltrip, Franklin, Tenn.
4. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
5. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
6. Joe Shear, Twin Lakes, Wis.
7. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
8. Rusty Wallace, Valley Park Mo.
9. Alan Kulwicki, Milwaukee
10.Don Gregory, Columbus, Ohio

1975 – Schaefer Edges Burbridge at Independence

 

Joe Schaefer captured the late model season championship at Independence Motor Speedway. Flagman Roger Beck presents the checkers and co-promoter Vern Weber makes the trophy presentation. – Mike Chapman Photo

Independence, Iowa (August 30, 1975) – Joe Schaefer of Waterloo and Jim Burbridge of Greely fought a 32-lap wheel-to-wheel battle in one of the longest duels ever seen at Independence Motor Speedway before Schaefer edged out Burbridge on the final lap of the 50-lap late model season championship on Saturday night.

Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls won the late model point title.

John Weers of Readlyn led start to finish in the 15-lap sportsman championship. He also won the point title.

Waterloo’s Dave Rice, who had already clinched the point title in the roadrunner division, was leading their race when he took a flying leap off the first and second turn. Mark Liebfried of Rickardsville grabbed the win.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Joe Schaefer, Waterloo
2. Jim Burbridge, Greely
3. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills
4. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
5. Roger Klingfus, Waterloo

Sportsman –

1. John Weers, Readlyn
2. Roger Bucholz, Cedar Falls
3. Keith Braun, Cedar Falls
4. Steve Auringer, Waterloo
5. George Liebfried, Rickardsville

Roadrunner –

1. Mark Liebfried, Rickardsville
2. Bob Bennett, Independence
3. Loras Schaefer, Eagle Center

1970 – Blundy Nabs Fourth Missouri Futurity

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

1982 – Roper Wins Rain-Shortened Sentinel 200

The rain didn’t bother Dean Roper a bit after he was declared the winner of the rain-abbreviated Sentinel 200 at the Milwaukee Mile. Robert W. Smith, editor of the newspaper, makes the trophy presentation. – Russ Lake Photo

West Allis, Wis. (August 29, 1982) – Defending United States Auto Club champion Dean Roper of Fair Grove, Mo., won the rain-shortened Sentinel 200 race Sunday afternoon at Milwaukee’s State Fair Park as nearly 10,000 spectators looked on.

The historic event was scheduled for 200 laps over the famous “Milwaukee Mile,” but was shortened to 171 laps when persistent rain began falling in the late afternoon.

Rain, in fact, delayed the start of the event by almost a half hour.

It was the first time ever that two sanctioning bodies had competed against each other as drivers from both the United States Auto Club (USAC) and Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) joined forces for the event.

Roper was running under the USAC banner, although he had raced in ARCA races, too, this year.

Roper ran near the front of the pack throughout the race and got some assistance when NASCAR star Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala., running for ARCA, developed the problems just before the rains came. Allison started last but charged to the front in less than 40 laps. He dominated thereafter but wound up fourth when late tire problems prevented another charge to the front.

Finishing second was Bob Brevak of Ashland, Wis., also representing USAC, and third was Bill Venturini of Chicago, another USAC pilot. Like Roper, however, Brevak and Venturini have both competed in ARCA-sanctioned events.

Two Iowa drivers in the event finished several laps behind the leaders. Gordon Blankenship of Keokuk finished 16th and Phil Barkdoll of Garrison was 19th at the end, both driving Dodges.

Polesitter Bob Schacht of Lombard, Ill., developed ignition problems after setting a fast pace early on. Schacht broke the track record for stock cars in qualifying as he ran a 31.94 second lap for a speed of 114.141 miles per hour, breaking the old mark of 31.77 seconds and 113.314 miles per hour set by Joe Ruttman of Upland, Calif., in 1981.


Results –

1. Dean Roper, Fair Grove, Mo.
2. Bob Brevak, Ashland, Wis.
3. Bill Venturini, Chicago
4. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
5. Marvin Smith, Reynoldsburg, Ohio
6. Lee Raymond, Dayton, Ohio
7. Bay Darnell, Deerfield, Ill.
8. Scott Stovall, Fort Wayne, Ind.
9. Jim Vaughn Jr., Columbus, Ohio
10.Bobby Jacks, Dayton, Ohio
11.Tom Meinberg, Hamilton, Ohio
12.Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey, Ill.
13.Bobby Dotter, Chicago
14.Ken Kotowicz, St. Charles, Ill.
15.Larry Moyer, Fort Wayne, Ind.
16.Gordon Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
17.Tracy Read, Lake Village, Ill.
18.Jack Wallace, New Albany, Ind.
19.Phil Barkdoll, Garrison, Iowa
20.Terry Pearson, Saybrook, Ill.

1976 – Jones is Du Quoin Dirt Race Victor

Eventual winner Bubby Jones (51) leads Larry Dickson (72) during the Ted Horn Memorial at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. - Joseph Ramirez Collection

Du Quoin, Ill. (August 29, 1976) – Another driver established new track record in time trials, but Bubby Jones of Danville took home the bacon by winning the $37,500 United States Auto Club national championship dirt feature Sunday afternoon at the Du Quoin State Fair.

Although the 100-mile race was stopped twice because of accidents, no one was injured.

Tom Bigelow of Whitewater, Wis., set a track record on the one-mile dirt oval with a time of 109.243 miles per hour. The old record had been 107.270 miles per hour set by Al Unser.

Pancho Carter of Huntington Beach, Calif., led the race for 23 laps before his car ran through a fence. He was uninjured. When the race resumed, Bigelow was unable to re-fire his car.

Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., took over the lead on the restart and held it until lap 58 when he blew an engine. Jones inherited the lead and held the rest of the way.


Results –


1. Bubby Jones
2. Larry Dickson
3. Jim McElreath
4. Larry Rice
5. Johnny Parsons
6. Jim Hurtubise
7. James McElreath
8. Bill Cassella
9. Jerry Miller
10.Ronnie Burke
11.Clark Templeman
12.Joe Saldana

1971 – Bobby Unser Takes State Century

 

Bobby Unser won the Indiana State Century for USAC late model stock cars at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. - Doug Dempsey Collection

Indianapolis, Ind. (August 29, 1971) – Sports fans of the Indiana capital, where pro wrestling regularly fills a big coliseum, also demand heroes and villains in their auto racing, especially the fender-banging State Fair Century.

They had both Sunday when popular Bobby Unser, Albuquerque, N.M., won $7,300 of a record $24,737 purse rather easily.

They lost their favorite villain, Don white, with a blown engine in practice for the 100-mile United States Auto Club stock car event Sunday. He once tangled with Bobby’s bother Al on the same track and local speed buffs never forgave him.

They picked up a new unwilling target for their hoots, Les Snow of Bloomington, Ill., in a chain reaction wreck that involved most of the 36 starters and bashed four cars beyond repair.

Snow made the mistake of tangling with Texan A.J. Foyt, a prime Indianapolis favorite and three-time winner of the 500-mile race across town at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

On the 71st lap, with Bobby Unser and Roger McCluskey running one-two, Foyt challenged Snow for third place in the first turn. Following cars looped all over the track and a dozen or so were battered to various degrees.

Foyt said Snow, “shut the door on me,” that is, cut him off.

The two drivers argued angrily at the start/finish line for the third restart of the race while the crowd booed snow and cheered Foyt.

Snow said Foyt yelled at him for not yielding him any room. “He said I didn’t show him enough courtesy, so he ran over me,” Snow said. “I’m not going to mover for him or anyone else. He was behind me when we entered the turn.”

Tiny Lund, a product of NASCAR’s southern tracks, might have earned the Hoosier crowd’s displeasure if they had heard him talking after the race.

Foyt won the pole position and led the first 26 miles. Lund wheeled his Dodge ahead of Foyt’s Torino on the 27th mile – and led the next 10 laps. Then Snow went ahead and led 10 laps until Unser took over on the 58th mile in a flurry of pit stops and led comfortably the rest of the way.

Lund’s engine went sour, and he pulled into the pits to have it fixed. USAC officials told him that constituted leaving the race and he was done for the afternoon.

“That’s the most ignorant thing I’ve heard of,” Lund fumed. “What do they want us to do, repair the car on the track and get ourselves killed? In the south, if you try and work on your car on the track, you’re done.”

The race was interrupted twice for repairs on the training wall before the Foyt-Snow argument. Leonard Blanchard, Louisville, Ky., wiped out part of the inner wall on the eighth mile after bending one of Snow’s fenders.


Results -

1. Bobby Unser
2. Roger McCluskey
3. A.J. Foyt
4. Bobby Allison
5. Butch Hartman
6. Bay Darnell
7. Dave Whitcomb
8. Sal Tovella
9. Les Snow
10.Dick Trickle
11.Bill Moyer
12.Larry Berwanger
13.Ted Dolhun
14.Ron North
15.Lefty Robinson
16.Darwin Sandstrom
17.Joe Booher
18.Dick Beinlich
19.Paul Sizemore
20.Rich Oertel
21.George Giesen
22.Harold Fair
23.Paul Feldner
24.Mark Dinsmore
25.Denny Wilson
26.Woody Walcher
27.Verlin Eaker
28.Bobby Wawak
29.Larry Cannon
30.George Rondelli

1966 – Laursen Wins State Fair Race – Finally!

 

Russ Laursen, driving Duke DaBruzzi’s Chevy, picked his first victory ever at the Minnesota State Fair. – Beetle Bailey Photo

St. Paul, Minn. (August 28, 1966) – Russ Laursen, in his Chevy-powered purple and white sprint car, waved his right arm wildly as he took the checkered flag and shouted, “Finally!”

The yell could not be heard above the roar of the motors, but the result was felt way up in his throat – and in his billfold.

The Cumberland, Wis., car salesman whipped across the finish line a surprising first in the North Star “100” International Motor Contest Association sprint car race at the Minnesota State Fair.

Laursen winning time was 37 minutes and 3.73 seconds and he collected $1,500 for his dexterity.

“That flag was the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in a long time,” he said after the race. “I was thrilled. I was all choked up.”

Laursen, a 38-year-old father of three, won his first feature race in two years of competing in IMCA. He finished 20th in the national point standings last year.

“In the big races,” he said, “it seems I always run into trouble of one kind or another. But not today.”

He started the race in the fourth position but quickly moved past third-runner Jerry Poland of Dayton, Ohio, on the first lap.

Laursen stayed there, behind pole-sitter Harold Smith of Dayton, Ohio, and Jerry Richert of Forest Lake, Saturday’s feature winner, until lap 6.

After being lightly bumped from behind by Dean Mast of Dover, Ohio, as he drifted wide on the far straightaway, he shot around Richert for second and was now challenging Smith and his Buick-powered machine.

On the third turn of the 8th lap, Laursen dashed past Smith on the outside to take the lead. That’s where he stayed.

While Laursen increased his margin, a constant shuffling was going on in the pack.

Smith dropped back to third, fourth, seventh and then encountered trouble on lap 56 and drove his car to the grassy infield, a disappointed dropout.

Richert drove a steady race and moved back and forth between the top four positions behind Laursen. He finished third. Jerry Daniels of St. Paul had slowly moved up and finished second. Leo Caldwell of Maumee, Ohio, also stayed up front during the race and finished fifth. Poland grabbed the fourth spot at the finish.

From lap 14 to lap 86, Laursen received his biggest challenge from Dean Mast. But he kept pulling farther and farther away – a straightaway lead gradually became a quarter of a lap lead at the finish on the half-mile asphalt track.

On lap 86, Mast, unfortunately, needed a one-minute fuel stop. It cost him $850 – the difference between second-place prize money and the $150 he took home for his ninth-place finish.

At the finish, Laursen had lapped everyone at least once, except for Daniels, and he was 150 feet away from doing that when the checkered flag waved.

A crowd 18,741 watched as 16 cars finish out of the original 24-car starting field.


Results –

National Race of Champions

1. Jerry Richert, Forest Lake
2. Harold Smith, Dayton, Ohio
3. Jerry Daniels, St. Paul
4. Leo Caldwell, Maumee, Ohio
5. Ron Larson, White Bear Lake
6. John Hesselgrove, St. Paul


Consolation –

1. Casey Jones, South Bend, Ind.
2. Eldon Rasmussen, Edmonton, Alberta
3. Harry Kern, St. Paul
4. Ed McVey, Independence, Mo.
5. Jerry Lepinski, St. Paul
6. Bob Davis, Dayton, Ohio


North Star 100 - 

1. Russ Laursen, Cumberland, Wis.
2. Jerry Daniels
3. Jerry Richert
4. Jerry Poland, New Carlisle, Ohio
5. Leo Caldwell
6. Eldon Rasmussen
7. Casey Jones
8. Don Guida, Moorhead, Minn.
9. Dean Mast, Dover, Ohio
10.Karl Busson, Toledo, Ohio

1960 – Iowans Lower Stock Car Marks at Sedalia

 

Ramo Stott receives his trophy from the Missouri State Fair Queen while National Speedways' Al Sweeney interviews the winner. Starter Woody Brinkman presents the checkers. 

Sedalia, Mo. (August 28, 1960) – Two stock car racing records were broken on the one-mile oval of the Missouri State Fair on Sunday afternoon.

Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa, smashed the 100-mile world record, and Ernie Derr, also of Keokuk, lowered the one-mile time trial record.

Despite the yellow flag being waved numerous times, Stott was able to set a world record for the 100 miles, his time was 1 hour, 17 minutes and 38.57 seconds. The old record, set here in 1956 by Short Eberts of Avondale, Mo., was 1 hour, 23 minutes and 19.48 seconds.

Missouri Fair officials also pointed out the time also bettered the sports car record of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 24.15 seconds, set in 1958 by Loyal Katskee, which is a world record.

The one-lap qualifying time for Derr was 43.91 seconds, which eclipsed the old mark of 45.78, held by bob Burdick of Omaha, Neb.

The race centered around Stott, Derr, Dick Hutcherson, and Bud McKee, swapping the lead back and forth as each driver stopped for pit stops.

Derr would spin on the backstretch on lap 84, falling back two laps, but was able to get back into the race after a wrecker jerked his bumper loose from the left front wheel, and made up the time to grab third place.


Results –


1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Bud McKee, Springfield, Mo.
5. Joe Dennis, Clinton
6. Ken Taylor, Slater
7. Wayne Lee, Burlington, Iowa
8. Stan Zimmerman, Jefferson City
9. Claude Ellis, Riverside
10.Milo Van Oudenhoven, Appleton, Wis.
11.Woody Carpenter, Clarksburg
12.Bill Pollock, Springfield

1954 – Derr Easily Wins Fair Stock Car Race

 

Ernie Derr

Des Moines, Iowa (August 28, 1954) – Ernie Derr, the 32-year-old Keokuk parts manager, wheeled his green 1954 Oldsmobile to another stock car racing triumph Saturday before a near-record crowd of 20,500 at the Iowa State Fair.

The 150-pound, 5-foot, 6-inch veteran received a roaring ovation as he sped across the finish line of the 50-mile feature to beat a field of 29 starters, only 12 of whom were still on the track when the checkered flag waved.

Derr almost put himself out of the race on the first lap when he nearly spun into the guardrail on the west turn.

However, the International Motor Contest Association stock car point leader righted himself, caught Jim Ward on the 11th lap, and stayed in front the rest of the race to win in 56 minutes and 48.86 seconds.

He was nearly three-quarters of a lap in front of Ward, the Chicagoan who finished on top in the 125-mile event here earlier this summer. In third place, two laps back, was Roxy Dancey of Shreveport, La.

Fourth place went to Larry Farr of Chicago with fifth place money going to Chris Skadal of Des Moines, who was five laps behind the winner.

The only accident came one lap to the finish when Cecil Hayes of Gary, Ind., halted with a broken left rear wheel in front of the grandstands. Otherwise, not a single fender was dented, despite traffic jams in the early going.


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
2. Jim Ward, Chicago
3. Roxy Dancey, Shreveport, La.
4. Larry Farr, Chicago
5. Chris Skadal, Des Moines
6. Robert Narber, Cedar Rapids
7. Cecil Hayes, Gary, Ind.
8. Dick Jepsen, Hoxie, Kan.
9. Arnold Hudson, Ogden
10.Whitey Traeder, Green Bay, Wis.
11.Mel Krueger, Anita
12.Jack Skadal, Des Moines
13.Gene Harmon, Lincoln, Neb.
14.Don Rosenberger, Carlisle
15.Shorty Eberts, Kansas City

1988 - Tom Carlson Turns Back Dells Rivals

 

Tom Carlson won the 75-lap season championship for late models at Dells Motor Speedway. – Bob Cruse Photo

By Dick Johnson

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (August 27, 1988) – Tom Carlson drove to victory in the 75-lap Central Wisconsin Racing Association late model feature, which was part of the season championship program at Dells Motor Speedway on Saturday night.

A fifth-place finish in the event helped eight-year veteran Dave Klein wrap up his first late model point championship. Klein finished this season with a 688 to 640 advantage over Allen Check.

Steve Mol paced the opening nine laps of the headliner before being passed by Mike Beling.

On lap 25, Bobby Weiss spun while being lapped by Belling bringing out the caution banner. On the attempted restart, Moll, who had fallen back to seventh place, rammed the third turn wall, delaying the resumption of action for a couple more minutes.

Back under green, Carlson passed Belling to take the lead on lap 31 and Rick Wateski pulled into the runner-up spot 14 rounds later.

As Doug Herbst was attempting to lower Belling another rung on lap 46, Belling lost control of his racer entering turn one, triggering a multi-car spin. Herbst, and another contender, Steve Carlson, were forced to make pit stops for repairs. Herbst rejoined the field at the rear by coming out on the backstretch pit road, but not until the field had taken the green. As a result, Herbst was unknowingly a lap down.

Three additional cautions slowed the remaining laps, during which Herbst worked his way back up front.

When Carlson took the checkered, his car was only a few inches ahead of Herbst’s at the finish line. However, Herbst later learned that he was a lap down and Wateski was actually in second place. Allen Check was third, with Kevin Cywinski fourth.


Results –

1. Tom Carlson, La Crosse
2. Rick Wateski, La Crosse
3. Allen Check, Shantytown
4. Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee
5. Dave Klein, Madison
6. Pete Moore, McFarland
7. Terry Baldry, Omro
8. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor
9. Brian Holzhausen, Bangor
10.Brian Johnson, Lakeville, Minn.

1974 – Farley Championship to Zwanziger

 

Bill Zwanziger is congratulated on his season championship win at Farley Speedway. Zwanziger is joined by flagman Roger Beck, trophy girl Lois Kramer, promoter Paul Massey, and track operator Al Frieden. – Mike Chapman Photo

Farley, Iowa (August 27, 1974) – Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo was crowned late model season champion at Farley Speedway on Tuesday night.

The victory came after Ed Sanger of Waterloo crashed into the turns three and four guardrail after suffering a steering malfunction.

Curt Hansen of Dike finished a close second while Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids was third.

The sportsman championship was decided in the last few laps with Don Mayner of Winthrop nosing across the finish line just ahead of Bob Schulte of Delhi, who had led most of the way.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Skip Kennedy, Dubuque
Heat #2 – Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
Feature –
1. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Darrell Dake
4. Ken Walton, Cedar Rapids
5. Karl Sanger, Waterloo


Sportsman –

Feature –
1. Don Mayner, Winthrop
2. Bob Schulte, Delhi
3. George Liebfried, Rickardsville
4. Bob Jaeger, Dubuque
5. Jim Stodola, Shellsburg

1965 – Ken Taylor Wins Modified Title

 

Ken Taylor is presented his trophy after winning the Missouri State Modified Championship at the State Fairgrounds. National Speedways’ Al Sweeney interviews the winner and IMCA Gene Van Winkle gives the winner a pat on the shoulder. – Ken Simon Photo

Sedalia, Mo. (August 27, 1965) – The State Modified Championships at the Missouri State Fair, Friday night, saw a new champion take over the title as Ken Taylor of Slater moved out front early and then held a strong lead to win the 50-lap event on the half-mile dirt oval.

Taylor’s unofficial time for 49 of the 50 laps time was 21 minutes and 41 seconds which would have set a new record if there hadn’t been a complete restart after a crash on the first lap. Junior Hower, who won this race in 1962, still holds the record at 22 minutes and 50.94 seconds.

Jerry Weld, the defending champion of the race, did not appear for the event.

The evening of racing was spectacular as two crashed occurred. The first serious mishap happened in the “A” class championship and sent Walter Sorrels of Columbia to the hospital with a laceration of the left leg, chest injuries, and possible rib fractures. His condition was reported as satisfactory.

The second accident happened on the last lap of the “B” feature when Ben Hollifield of Kansas City flipped three times coming out of the fourth turn and heading into the straightaway. Jerry Beatie of Independence crashed into the overturned car, a chain reaction resulted, and Gene Johnson of New Franklin smashed into Beatie. There were no serious injuries and medical attention wasn’t sought by any of the drivers involved.

Al Sweeney of National Speedways reported there were 85 laps of racing – two 10-lap heats, one 15-lap B feature, and one 50-lap A feature – completed in the record time of two hours flat.

The “B” feature went to Tom Corbin of Carrollton, who practically coasted to victory lane. He took over the new title as “B” champion from Tommy Maycock of Waverly, who finished far back in the 16-car field.

The “A” feature accident occurred on a restart after Junior Hower blew a tire on the very first lap, and a quick change was made in the pits. On the restart, Bob William of Kansas City stalled in front of the grandstands and Sorrel was unable to avoid the collision.


Results –


Heat #1 – Jim Barton, Independence
Heat #2 – Tom Corbin, Carrollton,
B-main – Tom Corbin
A-main –
1. Ken Taylor, Slater,
2. Junior Hower, Kansas City
3. Freddie Holman, California
4. Sam Austin, Kansas City
5. Tom Corbin
6. Don Meltie, Brookfield
7. Jim Schlotzhauer, Marshall
8. J.L. Cooper, Kansas City
9. Johnny Lyle, Warrensburg
10.Bill Utz, Sedalia

1955 – White Duplicates ’54, Wins 100-Lap Feature

 

Don White 

St. Paul, Minn. (August 27, 1955) – Don White, the “Keokuk Komet,” picked up where he left off last year by blazing home in front of 29 top-notch drivers in the accident-marred 100-lap feature for late model stock cars Saturday at the Minnesota State Fair.

The 24,078 fans, who witnessed the opening event of the 1955 Minnesota State Fair racing program, were treated to an afternoon of high speed thrills and record-breaking performances

World’s records were set in each of the three preliminary races. Seven crackups, none of them serious, kept the fast field under wraps for 30 laps of the 50-mile main event and prevented any threat of a new mark.

White, the 28-year-old driver from Keokuk, Iowa, never had anything to worry about. He shot into the lead in his two-toned ’55 Oldsmobile on the first lap and never relinquished his position.

His time was 1 hour, 5 minutes, and 22.68 seconds. The victory was worth $800 and moved him into first place in the International Motor Contest Association point standings.

Bill Harrison of Topeka, Kan., piloted his ’55 Olds to second place. Harrison, the displaced IMCA point leader, bested Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, and Tiny Lund of Anita, Iowa.

Jerry Draper, the 29-year-old midget driver from Moline, Ill., pushed his black ’55 Chevrolet to a new IMCA 5-mile heat record of 5 minutes and 10.89 seconds.

That mark didn’t last any longer than the second heat when Derr lowered it by seven seconds to 5 minutes and 3.58 seconds in his green and white ’55 Olds.

Bob Hilmer, another Iowa speedster, showed why he owns the half-mile record of 29.70 seconds, by booting home another ’55 Olds in the consolation for a new 6-mile mark of 6 minutes and 15.93 seconds.


Results –

1. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
3. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Tiny Lund, Anita, Iowa
5. Bob Hilmer, Dysart, Iowa
6. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan, Iowa
7. Herschel Buchanan, Shreveport, La.
8. Bob Potter, Duluth
9. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
10.Paul Fitzpatrick, Rochester

1972 – Allison Takes Nashville 420

 

Bobby Allison won the Nashville 420, driving the Junior Johnson-owned, Coca-Cola sponsored Monte Carlo.

Nashville, Tenn. (August 26, 1972) – A disputed pit stop proved the margin of victory for Bobby Allison on Saturday night in the Nashville 420 NASCAR Grand National stock car race at Fairgrounds Speedway.

Allison finished less than a lap ahead of Richard Petty who made the controversial pit stop on lap 327 when he pitted for left-side tires and fuel.

As Petty left the pits, he received a “stop” flag from officials because of traffic on the track in the area of the pit exit. Petty was going too fast and missed the signal.

Two laps later, Bill Gazaway, the NASCAR Grand National competition director, stopped Petty and penalized him a lap.

Petty, normally calm, cool and collected in any situation, banged on his steering wheel while arguing with Gazaway, who had already received much help in reaching the decision from both Allison’s and Petty’s pit crews.

The decision stood and Petty was never able to overtake Allison though he did get back on the same lap on the 405th circuit.

Repairs to the track kept the record standing room only crowd, estimated at 19,500, waiting for an hour and fifteen minutes before the start while a steamroller attempted to repair a troublesome hole in the track. The hole was not a real factor in the race, though some drivers, including Petty, indicated they experienced some steering difficulties.

Darrell Waltrip, a popular local driver from Franklin, Tenn., proved that he could outrun anyone in the field, except Allison and Petty, who put on a show themselves in what largely proved to be a two-man race. Waltrip would finish third with Benny Parson right behind him in fourth.

The race was delayed on the first lap when two of the real chargers entered, Coo Coo Marlin and Bobby Isaac, collided on the back straightaway when Marlin lost control and spun into the path of Isaac. Both were eliminated from the race.


Results –

1. Bobby Allison
2. Richard Petty
3. Darrell Waltrip
4. Benny Parsons
5. Elmo Langley
6. Cecil Gordon
7. Henley Grey
8. James Hylton
9. Walter Ballard
10.J.D. McDuffie
11.D.K. Ulrich
12.John Sears
13.Earl Brooks
14.Frank Warren
15.David Ray Boggs
16.Richard Childress
17.David Sisco
18.Raymond Williams
19.Charlie Roberts
20.Ben Arnold
21.Robert Brown
22.Jabe Thomas
23.Dean Dalton
24.George Altheide
25.Bill Champion
26.Coo Coo Marlin
27.Bobby Isaac
28.LeeRoy Yarbrough

1961 – Sedalia Big Cars to Knepper

 

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

1956 – Bryan Cops 250-Mile Race at Milwaukee

 

Jimmy Bryan accepts his trophy from Bob Wilke after winning the 250-mile national championship race at Milwaukee. – Steve Noffke Collection 

Milwaukee, Wis. (August 26, 1956) - Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, Ariz., king of the nation’s dirt tracks, won his first championship race on pavement Sunday by coming from behind to capture the 250-mile event at Wisconsin State Fair Park.

Bryan, driving the Dean Van Lines Special, finished in the twilight after the race had been red flagged twice and restarted because of rain and an accident.

No one was hurt but the same John Zink Special which Indianapolis 500 winner Pat Flaherty cracked up a week ago in Springfield, Ill., was damaged seriously when it hit the wall and caught fire after 155 laps.

Ed Elisian of Oakland, Calif., was unhurt when the fuel tank burs, setting the car on fire and causing a 25-minute delay in the racing action.

Racing action had been stopped earlier for a half-hour after the first 48 laps due to rain.

Johnny Boyd of Fresno, Calif., led the first 228 miles but Bryan passed him on the backstretch and ran untouched for the remainder of the race. Boyd, whose Bowes Seal Fast had been smoking badly since lap 175, pulled into the pits for an adjustment and lost two laps as a result.

Jimmy Reece of Oklahoma City, Okla., driving the Dunn Engineering “roadster” finished second, more than a lap behind the winner.

Rodger Ward of Los Angeles, driving the Wolcott Special, finished third with Eddie Sachs of Greensboro, N.C., piloting the Ray Brady Special, coming in fourth. Boyd would settle for fifth place.

The race didn’t end until 6:30 – taking almost four hours. The State Fair crowd of 22,735 stayed in their seats despite the interruptions. The yellow flag came out a total of seven times, five of them due to rain. The others were Duke Dinsmore of Dayton, Ohio, hitting the north wall on lap 114 and Billy Garrett of Burbank, Calif., spinning out at the head of the main stretch.

Don Freeland, who was running second in USAC points, only 440 behind Pat Flaherty, lost a chance to gain when his Bob Estes Special was forced out after 102 laps with a sour magneto. Freeland was running eighth at the time.


Results –

1. Jimmy Bryan
2. Jimmy Reece
3. Rodger Ward
4. Eddie Sachs
5. Johnny Boyd
6. George Amick
7. Jack Turner
8. Bob Veith
9. Earl Motter
10.Johnnie Tolan
11.Johnnie Parsons
12.Al Keller
13.Cliff Griffith
14.Johnny Thomson
15.Jim Rathmann

1951 – 23,000 See Grim Stave Off Luptow

 

Bobby Grim is a picture of content prior to winning the 20-lap IMCA big car feature at the 1951 Iowa State Fair. – Larry Sullivan Collection 

Des Moines, Iowa (August 26, 1951) – Bobby Grim, the 24-year-old Indianapolis youth, whipped the best dirt track drivers in the nation Sunday afternoon before a near record 23,000 race fans at the Iowa State Fair.

Frank Luptow, the International Motor Contest Association’s two-time champion, was an even car’s length behind the winner in a furious duel for the final 10 laps of the 10-mile championship race. A good 10-car-lengths behind was former Indianapolis 500 winner Bill Holland, with Roy Prosser, the sensational newcomer to big car racing from Sun Valley, Calif., in fourth place.

Grim was clocked in 9 minutes and 14.52 seconds over a heavy track, considered a good performance since the oval was badly rutted from equipment used to iron it out earlier.

It marked the third time that Grim, himself one of the top-ranked drivers in the Central States Racing Association, had beaten Luptow this season but it was the first time the Indianapolis driver had claimed a major purse here.

Luptow, using a 274-cubic inch Offenhauser motor, streaked into the lead at the start and held what appeared to be a wide margin over the field of 18 starters.

Luptow, the Tampa, Fla., veteran, however, got into a pocket on lap 9 when he got caught behind slower cars, and Grim closed the gap on the outside and was hub to hub with Luptow on lap 10.

From there to the 17th circuit, Grim was able to increase his margin by three-car-lengths. Luptow would close in on Grim in the closing laps but wasn’t fast enough to overtake his rival in the final lap.

Due to the delay of the program, because of the muddy track, time trials weren’t held. Instead, the field for the three heats were selected from the fastest cars that qualified Saturday in Sedalia, Mo.


Results –

1. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
2. Frank Luptow, Tampa, Fla.
3. Bill Holland, Reading, Penn.
4. Roy Prosser, Sun Valley, Calif.
5. Al Kerns, Lima, Ohio
6. Ken Rubright, Lyndon, Ill.
7. Stan Callaway, Miami, Fla.
8. Jay King, Omaha
9. Hank Nykaza, Chicago
10.Fritz Tegtmeier, Elgin, Ill.

1979 – Rookie Wallace Quick on Du Quoin Dirt

 

Rusty Wallace hoists his trophy after winning the 100-mile USAC stock car race at the one-mile Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. 

Du Quoin, Ill. (August 25, 1979) – Rookie Rusty Wallace, appearing on a mile dirt track for only the second in six-year career, beat the best the USAC stock car division had to offer, including the legendary A.J. Foyt, to win the 100-mile feature at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds on Saturday.

Driving the only Pontiac Firebird in the century, the 23-year-old St. Louis pilot finished a mere second ahead of veteran Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, in the $27,049 affair. He led the final 43 laps to collect the $4,583 first prize.

It wasn’t that ‘ol A.J. wasn’t up for the event and the 9,256 spectators who supported vociferously. In fact, the state fair officials made the “Welcome AJ. Foyt” a theme. Foyt last appeared there in 1974 but enjoyed his first major victory there in 1960. He was fast qualifier that afternoon and started on the pole position.

As light rain fell, Foyt brought the 24-car field down for the green. He would never lead again. Bay Darnell shot his Camaro into first and led for half the race before White and Wallace made their moves.

A yellow would flash on lap 3 when Bill Venturini lost his bumper in the third turn. On the restart, it was Darnell out front with Foyt, Randy Ogden, Ken Rowley, Ken Schrader and Wallace in hot pursuit. Wallace would dispatch Schrader then Rowley as the first six cars were under a blanket for the first 10 miles.

A second yellow came out when Schrader’s Ford Granada blew its engine on lap 23. Many drivers would take their mandatory pit stop, including Wallace. “That put me in a good position,” he would remark later.

With the green, back out on lap 26, Wallace was a distant eighth and Foyt, who also had pitted, in sixth. The crowd was sensing a Foyt victory. Then on lap 49, Fred Zack belted the inside guard rail in turn four. The third yellow came out and Wallace found himself in second as A.J. took another pit stop.

A fourth yellow on lap 55, gave Wallace his opportunity to overtake race leader White. With 16 cars still running on the 60th circuit, Wallace had only White to worry about. His work of picking off car after car was tedious but popular.

“My car got faster towards the end,” Wallace recalled afterwards. Only White was a threat but Wallace consistently maintained a two-second lead for the remainder of the race.

The Springfield, Mo., and Fort Smith, Ark., track champion almost didn’t make the trip to Du Quoin. He had avoided all dirt tracks until this year, and the Du Quoin track resembled asphalt more than it did dirt.


Results –


1. Rusty Wallace
2. Don White
3. Bay Darnell
4. A.J. Foyt
5. Sal Tovella
6. John Prior
7. Dean Roper
8. Joe Wallace
9. Steve Drake
10. Randy Ogden
11. Rich Clement
12. Tom Meinberg
13. Clyde Dagit
14. Dick Potts
15. Terry Pearson
16. Rick O’Brien
17. Joe Ruttman
18. Fred Zack
19. Ken Simpson
20. Ken Rowley
21. Ken Schrader
22. Gordon Blankenship
23. Tom Helfrich
24. Rick Venturini

1974 – Nesteby Wins Tight Race for Tunis Championship

Dan Nesteby of Waterloo won the late model season championship at Tunis Speedway. He’s joined by trophy sponsors from the Eldorado Club of Waterloo and flagman Carroll Hilmer. – Earl Schwartz Photo

Waterloo, Iowa (August 25, 1974) – Although Tunis Speedway season champion Dan Nesteby couldn’t see Karl Sanger of Waterloo for the second half of the 50-lap title race, he knew where his nearest competitor was all the time.

Nesteby, who won a tight two-car race on Sunday, lost the use of his rear-view mirror for the final 25 circuits and couldn’t tell visually where Sanger was.

“I kept looking back and there and saw that he was right on me during the first part of thee race,” said the Tunis point champion, “then a chunk of mud hit my mirror, tilted it, and I couldn’t see where he was.”

“I could tell someone was behind me, though,” continued Nesteby, who had just won his third late model feature in as many days. “Especially when we started lapping cars. I could feel Kaarl behind me.”

Nesteby also though a pre-race decision was key. He elected to start on the outside of the front row instead of the customary pole position.

“That was a good decision, because it was a one-groove track,” beamed Nesteby.

The first half of the race was a tight three-man race between Nesteby, who led all 50 laps, Sanger, and Evansdale’s Red Dralle, who was running a close third.

Dralle, however, couldn’t keep up with the torrid pace that Nesteby and Sanger were setting but still managed a third-place showing.

The roadrunner season championship went to Paul Snodgrass of Waterloo. Snodgrass got by Mike Krall on the next-to-last lap of the 25-lap title run to best the field of 24 cars.

Besides winning the championship trophy, and a check for $550, Nesteby also claimed the semi-main event, taking the lead from Dave Auringer after a restart on the ninth lap.

Auringer, however, would have his moment of glory when he edged by Tom Moore on the homestretch of the final lap to win the 15-lap consolation.

The program concluded what Tunis promoter Claus Stricker termed, “a successful season of racing.” A crowd of 2,500 paid admission witnessed the season finale on the quarter-mile dirt oval.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Denny McCombs, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Bob Hesse, Cedar Falls
Semi – Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
Consolation – Dave Auringer, Cedar Falls
Feature –
1. Dan Nesteby
2. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
3. Red Dralle, Evansdale
4. Tom Bartholomew, Washburn
5. Roger Klingfus, Waterloo
6. Dave Plum, Waterloo
7. Bob Hesse
8. Greg Kastli, Waterloo
9. Don Etringer, Raymond
10.Jack Mitchell, Cedar Falls


Roadrunner –

1. Paul Snodgrass, Waterloo
2. Mike Krall, Waterloo
3. Earl Pruitt, Marshalltown
4. Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center

1968 – York Dominates St. Paul Sprints

 

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

1957 – Nebraskan Wins Missouri State Fair 100-Miler

Bob Burdick is presented his trophy by Missouri State Fair secretary M.C. “Colie” Ervin after the Omaha driver won the 100-mile IMCA stock car feature in Sedalia.

Sedalia, Mo. (August 25, 1957) – Bob Burdick of Omaha, Neb., bested a field of 27 other drivers and won the 100-mile International Motor Contest Association stock car race at the Missouri State Fair Sunday afternoon.

Burdick’s winning time was 1 hour, 24 minutes, and 40.8 seconds.

Burdick set a new world’s record for the mile in time trials when he clocked the distance in 45.78 seconds in his 1957 Ford. The previous record, also set here on August 26, 1956, was 47.33 seconds, set by Don White of Keokuk, Iowa.

During the grueling grind, Ernie Derr of Fort Madison, Iowa, pushed Burdick the entire way. Burdick, in making a stop for gasoline, was then passed by Derr who held a lap lead before stopping himself for only a few seconds but was back out front just before Burdick pulled into the frontstretch.

The two ran side-by-side for several laps, pounding against each other as they fought for the top spot. Burdick succeeded in taking his spot back his first place position and held it until to the finish.

On the 93rd lap, Russ Gross of Quincy, Ill., blew a tire going into the south turn. The car swerved, crashed through a wire fence, and plunged down a 30-foot embankment. Gross was not injured.


Results –

1. Bob Burdick, Omaha, Neb.
2. Ernie Derr, Fort Madison, Iowa
3. Bob Dugan, Tampa, Fla.
4. Shorty Eberts, Avondale
5. Russ Gross, Quincy, Ill.
6. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Johnny Edwards, Kansas City
8. Clarence Bolton, Hutchinson, Kan.
9. Jimmy Clearwater, Des Moines, Iowa
10.Torch Alshire, Moberly

 

1975 – Southerners Win Minnesota 400

 

Buck Simmons (left) finished what L.D. Ottinger started to win the Minnesota 400 for NASCAR late model sportsman at the Minnesota State Fair. - Bob Martin Photo

St. Paul, Minn. (August 24, 1975) – Buck Simmons lot his grip on the liter-sized bottle of 7-Up when he reached for the Minnesota 400 trophy on Sunday afternoon at the State Fair. The bottle dropped and shattered at his feet. Simmons was embarrassed, but it was the only mistake he made all weekend.

Simmons, from Baldwin, Ga., let his friend, L.D. Ottinger of Newport, Tenn., drive the first half of Sunday’s NASCAR late model sportsman 400-lap race. Then he climbed in, and although they already had a comfortable lead, Simmons did what he had done the two previous days and blitzed the field to secure another victory.

Having set the fastest qualifying time on Friday, a record 20.61 seconds, Simmons drove his Camaro from last-to-first to win Friday’s feature. Saturday, he led all the way to win the 75-lap feature, also in record time. That made it seem a cinch to run away with the 400-lapper on the paved half-mile oval, and 10,000 fans watched as he did just that.

When the checkered flag waved over Simmons first, runner-up Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa, Wis., and third place finisher Larry Detjens of Wausau, Wis., were a full five laps behind.

The Ottinger – Simmons team won $5,500 for their combined efforts, giving the Camaro $6,475 – the maximum possible in the three days. They won in 2 hours, 35 minutes and 16 seconds, another record, more than two minutes better than Butch Lindley’s year-old record.

Several top contenders were wiped out by mechanical issues when they may have offered a stiff challenge. Tom Reffner of Rudolph, Mark Lamoreaux of Bloomington, Minn., John Boegeman of Shakopee, Minn., Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., and Harry Gant of Taylorsville, N.C., headed the list.

Reffner made the best bid. At the start, Reffner and his “Blue Knight” Javelin moved into first place. “I was just getting used to Buck’s car,” Ottinger said. Reffner led Ottinger on a merry chase for the first 22 laps until Reffner got boxed in by some slower cars, and Ottinger slipped by for the lead.

“Even when I was leading my engine was blubbering and missing,” Reffner said. Reffner regained the lead when Ottinger dashed into the pit area during a caution on lap 68. But Reffner was forced to pit during green flag racing on lap 99.

The “blubbering” got worse for Reffner, and on lap 122, he started a string of pit stops that removed him from contention. “I thought it was in my points, but it turned out to be the starter switch.”

Gant, the other Dixieland flash who dominated on Saturday, ran a strong third behind Ottinger and Reffner but his rear end locked up on his Nova on lap 34 and he was done. Trickle’s “Purple Knight” had the same issues and retired early as well.

At the halfway point, Lamoreaux, driving a Camaro, was running second. Simmons replaced Ottinger on lap 219, and Lamoreaux, with an eye on the $3,700 second place money, had a valve go on his engine on lap 358.

Boegeman, the “Black Knight” in Superamerica’s flashy trio that included Trickle and Reffner, inherited second. But second place was ill-starred. With two laps to go, the rear-end on Boegeman’s Camaro locked up. Boegeman hoped to limp his car to a second-place finish, but Marzofka and Detjens both slipped ahead of him on the final lap, leaving Boegeman to settle for fourth.

Banjo Matthews of Arden, N.C., built Simmons’ race car. “A new one like that would cost about $30,000,” said Matthews, who was in attendance for the race. “We build 40% of the Grand National cars. Can build a rolling kit car for around $11,000 if you can’t afford $30,000. We don’t build too many. We’re not interested in volume; we build them for guys who like to win races.”


Results –

1. L.D. Ottinger/Buck Simmons, Baldwin, Ga.
2. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa, Wis.
3. Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
4. John Boegeman, Shakopee, Minn.
5. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
6. Rich Somers, Stevens Point, Wis.
7. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
8. Dave Roahrig, Plymouth, Ind.
9. Dan Prizborowski, Bloomington, Minn.
10.Mike Murgic, Rosemount, Minn.