1966 – White Wins Du Quoin Stock Car 100

 

Don White happily accepts his trophy after winning the USAC late model stock car 100-miler at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. – Christoff Zdeb Collection

Du Quoin, Ill. (September 4, 1966) – Don White continued his “Mr. Untouchable” role on the United States Auto Club stock car circuit Sunday by winning his fourth consecutive feature race.

As happy as any man can be after winning a 100-mile race through the billowing dirt of the Du Quoin State Fair, White still could manage only a look of disgust as he peered over his shoulder throughout the race and watch Norm Nelson hanging relentlessly in second.

Not even a new record for a 100-mile stock car race at Du Quoin could change the point standings enough for White to gain more than 60 points on Nelson, the pacesetter.

There have been 14 stock car races run thus far this season under the USAC banner and White, by taking his fourth straight win, edged by Nelson in total victories, by 7-6, with Sal Tovella the only other driver to win this season.

Sunday’s feature, run in 1 hour, 9 minutes, and 50.2 seconds, was a case of White sitting on the pole position, beating Nelson into the first turn, then running away whenever the traffic got too close. Nelson, passed by teammate Jim Hurtubise on lap 5, slipped back into second on the 10th circuit and stayed there.

A crowd of 21,000, the largest ever to watch an event at Du Quoin, contributed to a total purse of $23,300 of which $4,337 went to White.

Hurtubise was the first car out of the race, going into the pits and parking his “clutch less” Plymouth on the 29th lap, giving Billy Foster third place – a spot which the Canadian driver held the rest of the race.

Not to be overshadowed by the doings on the racetrack, Hurtubise stripped to his skivvies, jumped into the infield pond, and had himself a enjoyable swim.


Results –

1. Don White
2. Norm Nelson
3. Billy Foster
4. Sal Tovella
5. Bay Darnell
6. Butch Hartman
7. Gary Bettenhausen
8. Hank Teeters
9. Andy Hampton
10.Ed Kozbiel
11.Whitey Gerken
12.Jerry Norris
13.Dave Whitcomb
14.Jim Martin
15.Rabon Hinkle
16.Bob Voyles
17.Bob Dugan
18.Roger Regeth
19.Frank Freda
20.Jim Welty
21.Eddie Meyer
22.Art Brady
23.Bill Behling
24.Bob Wawak
25.Jim Hurtubise