Jim
O’Conner (center) stands next to his trophy after winning the 200-lap National
Clay Track Championship at Santa Fe Speedway. Joining him on the winner’s stand
are runner-up LeRoy Schneiderman (left and third place finisher Gary Webb
(right). – Vince Mayer Photo
Hinsdale, Ill. (September 23, 1979) – Jim O’Conner of Kankakee, Ill., claimed the National Clay Track Championship “200” on Sunday afternoon at Santa Fe Speedway. The 100-mile classic, worth $3,000 to win, celebrated its 27th running and was O’Conner’s third career crown.
Two qualifying races on Saturday left Pete Parker and O’Conner sharing the front row with Gary Webb and tony Izzo starting a row back.
Parker took charge of the late model main event at the green but found O’Conner quick to relieve him of the front spot on lap 9. However, defending champion of the crown, Tony Izzo, seized the lead from O’Conner’s grasp when Ray Jelnick spun out before the front runners and scattered the field through the first turn. The incident on lap 25 was Izzo’s advantage to the lead.
The next 10 circuits slowly faded Izzo’s control as the tires started to wear. O’Conner regained domination on lap 37, and never relinquished it until the final checkers. After a relentless pursuit, LeRoy Schneiderman would pass Gary Webb with 16 laps to go to take runner-up honors while Webb would settle for third. Schneiderman and Webb were on the same lap as O’Conner at the end.
Results –
1. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee
2. LeRoy Schneiderman, Woodstock
3. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
4. Arnie Gardner, Batavia
5. Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
6. Mike Gardner, Batavia
7. Larry Jackson, Lyons
8. Bill Davis, Chesterton, Ind.
9. Eddie Farrell, Clarendon Hills
10.John Engelkens, Morrison
11.Ray Guss, Peoria
12.James Bond, Blue Island
13.John Hollifield, Hammond, Ind.
14.Denny Falkos, Aurora
15.Dick Potts, Morocco, Ind.
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