A.J.
Shepherd receives his trophy from Tennessee State Fair president Beverly Briley
as promoter Al Sweeney looks on.
Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 1959) – A.J. Shepherd shattered every IMCA record in the book Saturday as he blazed to his second straight big car victory at the Tennessee State Fair.
Shepherd traveled the 12.5-miles on the high banked oval in 9 minutes and 9.65 seconds or 81.95 miles per hour, easily eclipsing the old IMCA national record. The old mark of 9 minutes and 26.48 seconds as set by Marvin Pifer at Salem, Ind., in 1953.
A roaring shirt sleeve crowd of approximately 12,000 enthusiastic race fans cheered every move the big car drivers made, often rising as cars attempted to pass each other.
“I figured I’d broke the 25-lap record for the track, but I know it was a national mark,” an elated Shepherd said afterwards. “Man, that was a terrific pace out there today. I’ve never had to run so fast to win a race, but I couldn’t let up for a second with Pete right on my tail.”
Shepherd was referring to Pete Folse, the IMCA national champion, who finished in second place for the second straight day. Folse again held the pole position and held the lead for the first three laps. He wasn’t even close at the finish.
It took quite a bit of daring on Shepherd’s part to grab the lead, and in so attempting, nearly spun out. First, Shepherd tried to take Folse on the second lap, and he hit him from behind, spinning slightly off the bank.
The A.J. really brought the crowd to its feet as he rammed Folse full force from behind in trying to get by again.
“Pete was braking slightly on the banks,” explained Shepherd. “I was going faster than he was, and I couldn’t avoid hitting him. I’m lucky I didn’t spin out completely.”
After those two gasping efforts, Shepherd finally made it around Folse on lap 4, and held the top spot the rest of the way.
Jack Rounds of Huntington Beach, Calif., who described the racetrack as a “dandy,” finished third, with Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., coming in fourth.
Results –
Heat #1 – Jack Rounds, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Heat #2 – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
Heat #3 – Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
Match race – A.J. Shepherd
Australian Pursuit – Jerry Blundy
Feature –
1. A.J. Shepherd
2. Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
3. Jack Rounds
4. Jerry Blundy
5. Mickey McCormick, Mitchell, Ind.
6. Ray Duckworth
7. Duke Hindahl, Pekin, Ill.
8. Hank Lawshe, Winchester, Ill.
9. Paul Dorcic, Chicago Ridge, Ill.
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