1960 – Derr is Winner in 150-Lapper

 

Ernie Derr

Oklahoma City, Okla. (September 25, 1960) – National champion Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, made it a repeat performance at the Oklahoma Free State Fair on Sunday afternoon, besting a field of 13 stock cars in the 150-lap marathon run.

“Durable Ernie” set a torrid pace from the very start to sack up his second triumph in two years and for all purposes just about wrapped up the International Motor Contest Association title.

Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, finished second, about 10 car lengths behind, and Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., took third. Both were driving Ford’s while Derr steered a 1960 Pontiac to victory. Stott piloted a 1960 convertible and Williams was driving a 1958 model.

Time for the distance (75 miles) was 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 24.8 seconds with the yellow flag causing two slowdowns for minor mishaps. It still bettered last year’s mark of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 17 seconds.

One of the mishaps - a broken axle on the 69th lap – sidelined rookie-of-the-year Dick Hutcherson, another product of Keokuk. At the time, Hutcherson was in third place and challenging the leaders.

Five other cars failed to finish due to mechanical problems and only six of the original 13 starters completed the race.

Derr set a track record in time trials with a tour of 28.62 seconds for the half mile dirt oval.

Another record broke was the attendance mark. Unofficially, 8,000 fans saw the race despite overcast skies and a light drizzle which prevailed through the first few minutes of the race.

Derr, sitting on the pole position, beat the rest of the field into the first turn, and after that, it was Derr all the way. Stott challenged throughout but never did get any closer that his 10-car-length difference at the end.

Most of the action centered on the fight for second place with Stott, Hutcherson, and Williams battling it out. At the 69th lap, Hutcherson dropped out, leaving a pattern of Derr, Stott, and Williams for the remainder of the contest.

Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle, Iowa, was fourth with Joe Dolphy of New Brighton, Minn., and Bob Eichor of Oklahoma City the only other drivers still on the course when the checkers fell.