1969 – Derr Claims #10 at Shreveport Finale

 

Ernie Derr receives congratulations from International Racing, Inc., promoter Verna Winkley after winning the IMCA stock car season finale at Shreveport. Joining them is announcer Nick Nachias. – Bill Causey Jr. Photo

Shreveport, La. (October 26, 1969) – Now that Ernie Derr has wrapped up his fourth straight International Motor Contest Association national point title after winning Sunday’s 150-lap feature at State Fair Speedway, the 10-time champion can now take a well-deserved rest since the racing season is over – right?

Wrong…

Even though Ernie Derr could probably take a long vacation after capturing the IMCA stock car division title by well over 1,200 points, he has something more important to take care of – like getting ready for next season.

“I plan to start building another Dodge Charger like the one I have now,” said Derr, moments after he drove his 1969 Dodge Charger across the finish line, beating his nearest competitor, Bill Ries of Shakopee, Minn., by over a lap.

Derr, who may be labeled the Babe Ruth of the racing world with the distinction of winning more feature races (250) than any other driver, not only setting an world IMCA record in winning the 150-lapper, but he also rewrote the IMCA record book with a record-setting time in the preliminary 10-lap race before a thrilled crowd of 6,800.

In the 10-lap STP run by the eight fastest qualifiers, the Keokuk, Iowa, native dashed to a record 3 minutes and 51.92 second clocking. He nipped the previous mark of 3 minutes and 52.29 seconds set by Freddy Fryar of Baton Rouge – a record that lasted exactly one week as Fryar set his record at State Fair Speedway a week ago Sunday.

Derr then took the checkered flag for the feature in 1 hour, 51 minutes and 54 seconds, to set a new 150-lap record. Through the two-weekend racing activity, Derr came within $10 of $1,700.


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Bill Ries, Shakopee, Minn.
3. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Phil Cronin, Houston, Tex.
5. Lewis Taylor, Shawnee, Kan.
6. Gene Newsome, West Monroe, La.
7. Bob Perry, Springfield, Mo.
8. Butch Hall, Russell, Minn.
9. Leon Bowman, Wichita, Kan.
10.Tony Bettenhausen Jr., Houston, Tex.
11.Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.
12.Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa
13.Larry Jones, West Monroe, La.
14.Sonny Brown, Corpus Christi, Tex.
15.Jerre Wichman, Kansas City
16.Howard Hart, Kansas City
17.Tony Barcelona, Houston, Tex.
18.Sandy Sandstrom, Kansas City
19.Kent Stouffer, Independence, Mo.
20.Gordon Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
21.Vic Elson, Ash Grove, Mo.
22.George Brooks, Dallas, Tex.
23.Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
24.John Tiller, Fridley, Minn.
25.Ray Putnam, Baton Rouge, La.