1974 – Dirt Track Title to Guss

 

Ray Guss won the 50-lap championship feature at the National Dirt Track Championships at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Promoter Homer Melton is on left and a representative of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the race’s sponsor, make the trophy presentation. – B.E. Tappa Photo

By Charlotte Reinhart

Davenport, Iowa (September 27, 1974) – Ray Guss of Milan, Ill., walked away with the National Dirt Track Championships Friday night at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Guss received $1,200 for his winning efforts.

Guss, piloting a car usually driven by Ron Weedon, set fast time in qualifying, circling the half-mile in 26.82 seconds.

Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored the event and awarded $100 to each heat winner and the consolation winner plus the $1,200 to the feature winner.

Second place went to Roger Dolan of Lisbon with Curt Hansen of Dike taking third. Ed Sanger of Waterloo was fourth and 12-time IMCA stock car champion Ernie Derr of Keokuk took fifth.

The semi-main winner was Russ Hughes of Monticello, with heat wins going to Mike McGrew, Mike Bardoel, Jerry Wolland, and Mike Niffenegger.

Fifty-five drivers entered the event that boasted a $6,000 purse.


Results –

Time trials – Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
Heat #1 – Mike McGrew
Heat #2 – Mike Bardoel
Heat #3 – Jerry Wolland
Heat #4 – Mike Niffenegger
Semi-main – Russ Hughes
Feature –
1. Ray Guss
2. Roger Dolan
3. Curt Hansen
4. Ed Sanger
5. Ernie Derr