1984 – Webb Envelops Rivals in Santa Fe Challenge

 

Gary Webb of Davenport, Iowa, won the 50-lap Dixieland Challenge at Santa Fe Speedway. – Dorothy and Vince Mayer Photo

Hinsdale, Ill. (June 14, 1984) – Iowa driver Gary Webb led flag-to-flag to capture the Dixieland Challenge 50-lap late model feature on Thursday night at Santa Fe Speedway.

The event featured NASCAR drivers Bobby Allison and Buddy Baker.

Webb jumped into the lead on the opening lap and paced the field around Santa Fe’s larger track until Ken Pohlman wiped out on the second lap forcing the night’s first caution.

When the green flag returned, Webb again took the lead ahead of Jim O’Conner, but the yellow flag reappeared a second time when Dennis Erb and Baker tangled in the fourth turn.

Shortly after the green returned, Webb again extended his lead and the remainder of the field battled for second place. Darrell Marmor took command of the runner-up spot while O’Conner and Al Johnson drove door handle to door handle for eight laps with Johnson finally taking control of third place on lap 25.

Johnson then set out for Marmor and moved right behind him on lap 32. Two circuits later, Johnson slid by and stole second.

Webb maintained a comfortable lead throughout the contest to score a relatively easy victory while Johnson claimed a distant second. Marmor settled for third followed by O’Conner and Tony Izzo rounding out the top five.


Results –


1. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
2. Al Johnson, Justice
3. Darrell Marmor, River Grove
4. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee
5. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
6. John Provenzano, Aurora
7. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
8. Fred Lofgren, Bensenville
9. Denny Falkos, Aurora
10.John Kennedy, Villa Park

1981 – Roper Wins First USAC Event

Dean Roper scored his first USAC stock car win of his career at the Illinois State Fairgrounds' one-mile dirt oval. - Todd Healey Photo

Springfield, Ill. (June 14, 1981) – It was a long time coming, but Dean Roper finally got his first career victory on the United States Auto Club stock car circuit.

Roper, from Fair Grove, Mo., took advantage of some first-turn problems encountered by the three front-runners on lap 39, to win the 59-lap late model stock car feature at the Illinois State Fairgrounds’ one-mile dirt oval.

In capturing his first career USAC win of his 20-year career, Roper passed the front-running Sal Tovella of Addison, Ill., Bob Brevak of Ashland, Wis., and Ken Schrader of Fenton, Mo., on lap 39 and then held on for the last 20 circuits.

Yellow-flag situations on lap 48 and 49 and 52 through 56 extended the race from it’s scheduled 50 laps.

Herb Shannon of Peoria, Ill., also took advantage of the lap 39 miscue to secure second place.

Bay Darnell of Deerfield, Ill., finished third, with John Olson of Addison, Ill., in fourth and Terry Deatheridge of Wichita, Kan., rounding out the top five.

Tovella ended up finishing sixth after the melee, with Brevak trailing in the seventh spot. Schrader settled for a tenth-place finish.


Results –

1. Dean Roper
2. Herb Shannon
3. Bay Darnell
4. John Olson
5. Terry Deatheridge
6. Sal Tovella
7. Bob Brevak
8. Rick O’Brien
9. Rick Hanley
10.Ken Schrader

1976 – No Stopping Ron Weedon

 

Ron Weedon

East Moline, Ill. (June 13, 1976) – Nonstop. 100 laps NONSTOP!

On a night when it took 35 minutes just to complete the first lap of the first heat, Ron Weedon sat back and let the lead come to him in an incredible finale at Quad-City Raceway on Sunday.

And once he got out front in the Pabst Blue Ribbon 100, there was no stopping him – or anyone else for that matter – as the late model stock car event went the full 100 circuits without a hitch.

That’s almost unheard of a quarter-mile clay track where drivers generally try to squeeze 20 cars into the first turn side-by-side.

A couple of years ago, Raceway ran a 50-lap mid-season championship race without a restart, and Weedon remembers running 50 laps on a dirt track in Springfield, Ill., non-stop – but that’s a one-mile track.

Perhaps the distance that made the difference in this one. In the shorter events, the driver have to charge right from the start; while in the longer events, they can sit back for a while.

That’s exactly what Weedon did. “We started a long way back and I figured we’d take maybe second or third,” the popular Pleasant Valley driver said. That was about midway through the event when Weedon was lapped by leader Jim Gerber, who had started on the pole position and led most of the way.

But Weedon, who started tenth on the basis of afternoon time trials, fell in behind Gerber and some of the best racing of the evening came as he tried to un-lap himself.

Just a few laps later, on lap 65, telltale smoke started pouring from the rear of Gerber’s car, and soon after his tire popped from rubbing on metal that was bent from banging into the wall in one of the turns.

He hung on gamely until Ray Guss scooted by and only then headed to the pits for a tire change. Guss and Gerber were the only cars on the same lap at this point.

But when Guss suffered mechanical problems three-quarters through the race, the scoring was up for grabs. Weedon got out front and held on, but it took track officials almost an hour to determine the other placings and payoffs.

Bob Stogdell was second followed by Dan Bennett, Gary Webb, and Ernie Speth.

But while many in the capacity crowd didn’t know who was ahead after Gerber and Guss dropped out, Weedon knew right where he was. “I knew I had been lapped by Gerber – and Gerber only,” he said.

It wasn’t really a bad night for Gerber. The veteran turned in the fastest lap in time trials and led probably half the race – at $20 a lap, meaning he most likely matched the $1,000 Weedon received for winning. Of course, the champion also pocketed a sizeable amount of laap money as well.


Results –


Heat #1 – Duane Steffe, East Moline
Heat #2 – Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
Heat #3 – Ernie Speth, Davenport, Iowa
Semi-main – Herb Shannon, Peoria
Feature –
1. Ron Weedon
2. Bob Stogdell, East Moline
3. Dan Bennett, Peoria
4. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
5. Ernie Speth

1971 - Sessions Takes USAC Win at Eldora

 

Sam Sessions

Rossburg, Ohio (June 12, 1971) – Sam Sessions swerved around a pile-up that took out frontrunner Larry Cannon on Saturday and sped to his second United States Auto Club sprint car victory in less than 24 hours.

Sessions, of Nashville, Mich., ran in second for more than half of the 40-lap contest on Eldora Speedway’s half-mile, high-banked dirt track, but a three-car crash on lap 23 eliminated Cannon, of Danville, Ill., and gave Sessions the lead.

He had led briefly at the start of the race, but Cannon took over on the third lap.

That same accident sent Larry Dickson of Marietta, Ohio, the defending USAC national champion, into a spectacular flip that put him of the race and eliminated Johnny Rutherford of Fort Worth, Tex., who was driving the car Cannon hit. Rutherford’s bruised ribs were the only injury in the incident.

The nationally-televised race marked the fifth victory of the season for Sessions and sent him even father ahead in the national point standings. His last win was in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Friday night.

The top four finishers crossed the finish line bumper-to-bumper in the $15,500 event. Gary Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, Ill., Don Nordhorn of Wadesville, Ind., Bill Puterbaugh of Indianapolis, were right behind Sessions as the checkered waved. Jim McElreath of Arlington, Tex., rounded out the top five.


Results -

1. Sam Sessions
2. Gary Bettenhausen
3. Don Nordhorn
4. Bill Puterbaugh
5. Jim McElreath
6. Johnny Parsons
7. Pancho Carter
8. Bill Koepfer
9. Dick Tobias
10.Lennie Waldo

1960 – White Easy Winner at Nashville

 

Don White receives kisses from Carolyn Reeves and Becky Butner after winning the 300-lap USAC late model feature at Fairgrounds Speedway. - Jimmy Ellis Photo

Nashville, Tenn. (June 12, 1960) – Don White averaged 68.39 miles per hour in winning the 300-lap USAC late model race at Fairgrounds Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

White’s blistering time approached the track record of 71.002 miles per hour set by Rex White last year in a 200-lap NASCAR race.

White, a mite of a 140-pounder from Keokuk, Iowa, registered his second victory in two weeks. He captured a 150-lapper in Atlanta last week where he led for every lap. It was almost the same story Sunday, as he stayed in front for 296 turns of the half-mile oval.

A crowd of 7,000 watched under sunny skies as White, driving a 1960 Ford, proved far superior to the rest of the field.

His nearest competitor, Norm Nelson, also in a 1960 Ford, was a full lap plus eight seconds behind at the finish. Only 10 of the 23 starters were racing when the checkered flag waved and several of them were only going through the motions.

Nelson Stacy, last year’s winner, encountered car trouble early, and pulled out early. Stacy later returned as a relief driver for Jack Shanklin on the 120th lap and finished fifth in Shanklin’s 1959 Ford.

Mike Klapak and Iggy Katona, both expected to be in the running, bowed out early. Klapak retired when the rear end of his car went out. Running second on lap 25, Katona, in a 1960 Ford, blew a right rear tire and slid into the guardrail on the southeast turn.

White, who didn’t finish in the USAC race here last year, said, “I had the same kind of tires as Iggy, so it kind of worried me.”

Actually, Don only had one anxious moment, and that came on the 150th lap when a tire came off a car driven by Chuck Hancock. It rolled all the way down the frontstretch, and White had to swerve to avoid it. The 34-year-old father of three dismissed it, though, saying, “I saw it in plenty of time.”

White required only on pit stop, at which time his crew poured in 17 gallons of gas. The stop, which occurred on lap 174, lasted only 20 seconds. From the time White came in until Nelson made a stop on lap 179, it was the only period in which he didn’t lead. Nelson’s pit stop lasted 51 seconds.

Some hasty figuring might indicate that the race was won in the pits. But to anybody on hand, it was obvious there wasn’t a machine on the track comparable to the one driven by White.

“I’ve got the best mechanic in the business in Paul Newkirk.” White said. “I wouldn’t trade him for anyone.

His only complaint was that he was hot, but the $1,350 in prize money ought to cool things off.


Results –


1. Don White
2. Norm Nelson
3. Earl Balmer
4. Nelson Stacy
5. Paul Parks
6. Les Snow
7. Tiny Shilts

8. Bob James
9. Jack Wyatt
10.Augie Sandman

1986 – Moyer, Winkler Tops at ‘Shryock Memorial’

 

Billy Moyer Jr. won the Bob Shryock Memorial late model feature at Fairmont Raceway. Moyer, fourth from left, is joined by promoter Denny Houseman, flagman Doug Clark, and members of Shryock’s family, Misty Strunk, Dawn Shryock, Kelly Shryock, and Lori Homan. – Lowell Johnson Photo

Fairmont, Minn. (June 11, 1986) – Billy Moyer Jr., a nationally known late model driver racing out of Batesville, Ark., and Joe Winkler, in his first year of driving an IMCA modified after a several year layoff from sportsman racing, were the big feature winners at the first annual Bob Shryock Memorial at Fairmont Raceway on Wednesday.

This was the first time in several years that late models had competed at Fairmont and 25 of the best late models in the Midwest, along with nearly 30 of the top modifieds were on hand.

A strong threat of rain all day never materialized, and the track turned dry-slick early in the evening. This didn’t seem to bother Moyer any, as his strength was apparent even in hot laps. He won hiss heat handily, then came through the field from his sixth starting position to claim the 30-lap main event.

Polesitter Dick Sorenson and fellow front row starter Ron Droog battled for the lead early, but both had problems and dropped off the pace. Willy Kraft and Moyer then charged to the head of the pack and waged their own brief battle for the lead, along with Jim Bruggeman, until Moyer established himself for good.

Kraft held off Bruggeman for runner-up honors while Keith Strunk ran a solid fourth for most of the race, and Bill Kirk grabbed fifth place away from Ed Sanger on the very last lap.

In addition to Moyer’s heat win, Bob Hill and Kraft were heat winners as well.

The modifieds had a harder time with the dry track, and their feature was restarted several times. Winkler came from his third row starting position to overtake early leader Doug Petersen, then held off persistent challenges from Mark Noble and Kelly Shryock to grab the 25-lap victory. Jeff Ross continued his strong showing for the night, grabbing fourth just ahead of Ron Luitjens.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Billy Moyer Jr.
2. Willy Kraft
3. Jim Bruggeman
4. Keith Strunk
5. Bill Kirk
6. Ed Sanger
7. Greg Moyer
8. Lynn Idler
9. Dick Schiltz
10.Frank Jorgenson


IMCA Modified –

1. Joe Winkler
2. Mark Noble
3. Kelly Shryock
4. Jeff Ross
5. Ron Luitjens
6. Bob Weber

Joe Winkler won the IMCA Modified National Series event at Fairmont Raceway, part of the Bob Shryock Memorial. He’s joined by flagman Doug Clark, and Shryock’s daughters, Misty Strunk and Lori Homan. – Lowell Johnson Photo

1971 – Davenport Honors to Montgomery

Dean Montgomery holds the checkers after winning the late model feature at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. – Woody Perkins Photo

Davenport, Iowa (June 11, 1971) – Dean Montgomery of Milan, Ill., captured the feature event in the late model modified division at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night.

Montgomery withstood challenges from Jerry Reinhart of Moline, Ill., and Bill Beckman of Lisbon, Iowa, to score the victory.

Reinhart would grab the lead early in the 25-lap event but would lose the top spot to Beckman on lap 16. Montgomery, who had been closing in on the leaders, powered past Beckman two laps later and then fought off challenges by both drivers to take the hard-fought win.

Montgomery was followed across the finish line by Reinhart, John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, Beckman, and Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa.

There was only one accident to mar the feature event as Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley, Iowa and Tom Spitznogle of Fruitland, Iowa, bumped on the fourth turn of lap 6, sending Spitznogle to the pits with a broke axle and ending Weedon’s night of racing as well.

Bill Beckman and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, were heat winners while Montgomery won the semi-feature.


Results –

1. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
2. Jerry Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
3. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
4. Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
5. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
6. Del Williams, East Moline, Ill.
7. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
8. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
9. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
10.Jack Rebholz, Henry, Ill.

Today in Racing History

37 years ago today, history was made.... sort of.

In the June 16, 1988, edition of Hawkeye Racing News, the front-page headline read:

"Two Iowa gals in historic feature wins"

Shawna Robinson of Des Moines became the first female driver to win a NASCAR series feature when she won at Asheville (N.C.) Speedway.

That same day, at Audubon (Iowa) Speedway, Christina Davidson of Stuart, became the first female to win an IMCA modified feature.

However, two weeks later in the June 30, edition of HRN, editor Bill Haglund pointed out that Davidson was not the first female to win an IMCA modified race.

That honor belonged to Carla Roberts of Fayetteville, Ark., who won a IMCA modified feature at Razorback Speedway in the summer of 1985. Ironically, Roberts and her husband Bud, operated Razorback Speedway in 1988.

1956 – Flaherty Wins Rex Mays Classic

 

Rex Mays Classic winner Pat Flaherty and announcer Ed “Twenty-Grand” Steinbock share a laugh after the Chicago tavern owner won the 100-mile USAC national championship race. – Steve Noffke Collection

Milwaukee, Wis. (June 10, 1956) – Pat Flaherty of Chicago, winner of the Indianapolis 500, roared to his second victory in a row Sunday when he won the 100-mile Rex Mays Classic at a record 98.958 miles per hour.

The red-haired tavern keeper raced from his 11th starting post to win before 22,564 fans on the one-mile asphalt State Fair track and collect $5,488 of the $22,540 purse.

Flaherty finished about two-thirds of a mile ahead of Johnny Thomson of Springfield, Mass., last year’s winner, and his time of 1 hour and 37.884 seconds beat Thomson’s 1955 track record by more than four seconds.

The veteran started out in 11th and moved up to sixth after just 10 miles. He passed two more cars to reach fourth in the second 10 miles, after 25 miles he was third, and after 27 miles, he was running in second.

For the next 22 miles he ran behind leader Troy Ruttman of Indianapolis. At the halfway point of the race, Ruttman was running a blistering pace, with a record time of 30 minutes and 30.618 seconds.

But then Lady Luck frowned on Ruttman. His clutch went out and on the 52nd circuit, Flaherty got around the 1952 Indianapolis 500 winner on the backstretch and Ruttman was forced to drop out a lap later.

Flaherty was never seriously threatened for the remainder of the race, taking the checkered flag 20 seconds ahead of Thomson, almost the identical lead he had on Sam Hanks in the “500”.

Actually, the best racing – After Ruttman dropped out – was between Bob Sweikert, the 1955 “500” champion, and Jimmy Bryan, his long-time rival who was the 1954 driving champion. Sweikert and Bryan raced neck-and-neck almost the entire way. Sweikert finished third with Bryan a car-length behind in fourth.

Flaherty earned $5,448 for his victory, a popular win for the Irishman. Milwaukeeans feel he’s almost a hometown boy, owning a tavern less than a 100 miles away.


Results –

1. Pat Flaherty
2. Johnny Thomson
3. Bob Sweikert
4. Jimmy Bryan
5. Johnny Boyd
6. Don Freeland
7. Jimmy Reece
8. Gene Hartley
9. Al Keller
10.Bob Veith
11.Pat O’Conner
12.Keith Andrews
13.Jack Turner
14.Bill Garrett
15.Rex Easton
16.Shorty Templeman
17.Johnnie Parsons
18.Elmer George
19.Jim Rathmann
20.Troy Ruttman
21.Dick Rathmann
22.Danny Kladis

1979 – Stevenson Wins at Mason City

 

John Stevenson

Mason City, Iowa (June 8, 1979) – John Stevenson of St. Paul, Minn., lost the lead twice but regained it on the 22nd lap and went to win the 25-lap sprint car race at Golden Hawk Speedway on Friday night.

The event on the half-mile dirt was sanctioned by the National Speedways Contest Association.

Stevenson led the first two laps, then lost the top spot to Roger Larson of Madison, S.D., on the third go-round, regained command on lap 4, then lost it to Doug Wolfgang of Sioux Falls, S.D., on the 14th circuit.

Wolfgang stopped to change a tire during a yellow flag on lap 22 forcing him to go back to the tail of the field on the restart and giving the lead back to Stevenson.

Larson hung on to finish second followed by Randy Smith of Norwalk. Wolfgang managed to finish fourth.

Jerry Potter of Kansas City flipped off the track on the third lap. He was taken to an area hospital where he was treated and released.


Results –


Time trials – Randy Smith, Norwalk (21.508)
Trophy dash – Roger Larson, Madison, S.D.
Heat #1 – Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Heat #2 – Roger Larson
Heat #3 – Tim Green, Carmichael, Calif.
Feature –
1. John Stevenson
2. Roger Larson
3. Randy Smith
4. Doug Wolfgang
5. Tim Green
6. Ralph Blackett, Des Moines
7. Mike Thomas, Des Moines
8. Stacy Redmond, Mason City
9. Ed Pitko, Kansas City
10.Dean Smith, Garner

1983 – Dolan Captures 11th Annual Miller 100

 

Roger Dolan holds his trophy after winning the 11th annual Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. - Terry Thompson Collection 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 7, 1983) – Veteran Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa, played a waiting game Tuesday night as he won the annual Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

Dolan started outside the second row and stayed near the front the whole race but used a lap 93 pass of Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, to annex the victory. Walton started on the outside of the front row and led the first 92 laps, including a number of them under caution for various spins and crashes.

Then, as the leaders diced in turn two of the 93rd circuit, Dolan took to the low side of the speedway while Walton rode the high side and Dolan edged past and into first for the eventual win.

“I was hoping the cushion up high would wear out soon,” Dolan remarked. “The only chance I had was to pass low and in turn two. There was no other place to make a pass.”

It was Dolan’s first win in the Miller 100.

Walton held onto second, while polesitter Bill Rice of Des Moines was third, Ed Sanger of Waterloo fourth and Jim Burbridge of Delhi, Iowa, fifth.

NASCAR Grand National star Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala., leader of the “Alabama Gang,” finished 20th after being involved in an early crash in turn three. After losing a couple of laps due to repair, Allison ran creditably in the Miller 100 car prepared by Ed Sanger.

“It was just one of those things,” Allison said afterwards. “Somebody spun and the track was clogged with cars and I had no place to go. Losing the front hub took some of the aerodynamics away and I couldn’t run up high like most of the others. I had to be content with staying low.”

Rice’s quick time of 22.984 seconds was the only driver to crack the 23-second barrier during qualifying. Walton was next with 23.181 seconds.

In preliminary action, Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, won the 6-lap trophy dash while heat wins went to Denny Ansel of Dubuque, Iowa, John Provenzano of Wheaton, Ill., Rollie Frink of Davenport, Iowa, Leon Plank of Eau Claire, Wis., and Gary Tigges of Durango Iowa.

The semi-feature was won by Gary Webb of Davenport with Greg Kastli of Waterloo, Iowa, second and John Engelkens of Morrison, Ill., third.

An absolute packed house was on hand for the race and many fans were forced to stand in front of the grandstand. A field of more than 45 late models participated in the annual event staged by Fleck Sales. Net proceeds went to United Cerebral Palsy.


Results –

1. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
2. Ken Walton, Viola
3. Bill Rice, Des Moines
4. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
5. Jim Burbridge, Delhi
6. Darrell Sells, Waverly
7. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
8. Lance Matthees, Winona, Minn.
9. Leon Plank, Eau Claire, Wis.
10.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
11.Greg Hunter, Independence
12.Rollie Frink, Davenport
13.Em Fretheim, Decorah
14.Steve Lurvey, Dousman, Wis.
15.Bob Fisher, Vinton
16.Gary Henderson, Independence
17.Martin Bennett, Des Moines
18.Jay Johnson, Morning Sun
19.Rick Prusator, Independence
20.Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
21.Scott Braun, Cedar Falls
22.Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
23.Ron Schreiner, Eleva, Wis.
24.Curt Martin, Independence
25.Gary Tigges, Durango
26.Mike Frieden, Fairfax
27.Steve Spahr, Monticello
28.Rick Wendling, Hazelton

1987 - Hales' Jors Classic Dominated by Schefflers

 

George Scheffler won the 11th annual Wally Jors Classic late model feature at Hales Corner Speedway. Lee Larson, representing Wisconsin Fans for Auto Racing, makes the trophy presentation. – Wayne Larson Photo

Franklin, Wis. (June 6, 1987) – George Scheffler captured the 11th annual Wally Jors Classic for late models and his nephew Don Scheffler won the sportsman feature at Hales Corner Speedway on Saturday night.

The Coors Racing Series event was named for late model driver Wally Jors, who died of a heart attack after competing in the June 1976 50-lapper.

Hank Hovorka started on the pole and paced the initial trio of laps before a caution flag flew. After the restart, Larry Richards took command and built up a comfortable 10-car-length lead.

On lap 12, Frank Smith worked his way into second. He then started to reel in Richards and took over the top spot on lap 14.

Meanwhile, Scheffler, who started 12th in the 18-car field, was continuing his steady march to the front. He battled with Richards for second and eventually got by on lap 25. Scheffler gradually narrowed the gap between himself and Smith and got by coming out of turn two on lap 34 to take the lead.

“Frank gave me a small opening, and I took advantage of it,” Scheffler said.

Scheffler opened up a comfortable margin for the remaining 16 laps and won going away, enjoying a 10-car-length lead at the checkers.

In contrast to the single yellow flag of the late model 50-lapper, the 15-lap sportsman main event needed three interruptions before it could be completed.

Danny Scholl led the first three laps, but the race was stopped when Mark Bruner lost a tire. On the restart, Mark Hintz took over with the field bunched closely behind him. Scholl took the lead back on lap 8 but the caution flew again a lap later.

Just before the green flag waved again for the restart, Chris Clausing’s car came out of the pits. With the field bearing down on him, he half-spun in turn one and got in the way of the frontrunners.

In the mix-up, Pat Heaney took the lead for a lap before Don Scheffler took over. Scheffler started 13th in the 18-car field and had been running fifth before the last restart.

The final yellow came out on lap 12 but Scheffler pulled away on the restart and breezed the last three circuits and won by eight-car-lengths over Heaney. Scholl finished third, followed by Bob Rasmussen and John Johnson.


Results –


Late Model –

1. George Scheffler, Pewaukee
2. Frank Smith, Milwaukee
3. Larry Richards. Montello
4. Mike Melius, Adell
5. Russ Scheffler, Waukesha
6. Whitey Harris, Lake Villa, Ill.
7. Gordie Seegert Jr., Oostburg
8. Jim Zwirgadas, Salem
9. Tom Searing, Greenfield
10.Jack Ashenbrenner, Hales Corner


Sportsman –

1. Don Scheffler, Dousman
2. Pat Heaney, New Berlin
3. Danny Scholl, Greenfield
4. Bob Rasmussen, West Allis
5. John Johnson, New Berlin
6. Bob Gutknecht, Oak Creek

1966 - Butch Hartman Captures Stock Car Race at Salem

 

Butch Hartman

Salem, Ind. (June 5, 1966) – Butch Hartman, Zanesville, Ohio set a one-lap record in qualifying at the Greater Salem Speedway Sunday, then went on to win the 100-lap stock car feature of an American Racing Car Association (ARCA) program.

In his first time at the half-mile, high-banked paved track, Hartman turned the qualifying lap in his 1965 Dodge in 20.35 seconds to shatter the previous mark of 20.73.

He led from start to finish in the 50-mile feature, finishing 15 car lengths in front of Andy Hampton, Louisville, Ky., who also drove a 1965 Dodge. Jerry North, Louisville, was third in a 1965 Ford: Iggy Katona, Willis, Mich., fourth in a 1965 Plymouth, and Roy Wathen, Louisville, Chevrolet.

Behind them fifth in a 1966 in order were Ralph Latham, Cincinnati, 1965 Plymouth; Dick Freeman, Dayton, Ohio, 1964 Ford; Paul Wensink, Deshler, Ohio, 1964 Ford, Shad Wheeler, Fredericktown, Ohio, 1964 Ford, and Namon Martin, Cleveland, Ohio, 1964 Chevrolet.

Hampton won the trophy dash and Wensink, Latham and Jack Shanklin, Indianapolis, captured the heat races.

Only one wreck marred the program. Jesse Griffith, New Albany, Ind., driving a 1965 Plymouth, lost control on a turn on the 12th lap, and his car tore down some double guard rails. It slid down the banked turn crossways and was struck by a 1965 Plymouth driven by Jack Purcell, Louisville.

Neither driver was injured but both cars were severely damaged. Purcell was running in second place at the time.

1955 – Larson Winner in Death-Marred Futurity

 

Hawkeye Futurity winner Jud Larson is joined by his beautiful wife Valerie, runner-up Bobby Grim (left) and winning car owner Tom Randol. – Elwood “Shorty” Jensen Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (June 5, 1955) – Jud Larson, a 32-year-old Austin, Tex., transport truck driver when he isn’t racing, captured the 50-mile Hawkeye Futurity auto racing title Sunday afternoon before 12,000 spectators.

A crash, which claimed the life of 29-year-old Bob Slater of Kansas City, the International Motor Contest Association champion, interrupted the feature after it had gone only seven laps.

Larson’s elapsed time for the 100 laps, frequently interrupted by mishaps, was 45 minutes and 51.82 seconds, an IMCA record for the distance, staged for the first time on a half-mile flat dirt track.

Bobby Grim of Indianapolis finished second, half a lap behind the winner. Bud Randall of Cincinnati, Ohio, was third, a full lap behind, and Don Carr of Tampa, Fla., was fourth.

The field of 20 starters roared through some near-record laps with Slater’s 24.59 second dash through the fifth lap, when he gained his temporary ill-fated lead, as the best posted.

Randall, who started on the inside of the second row, spurted in front at the start and led until the fifth circuit.

There, Slater roared from his seventh starting position to take over until he crashed on the east wall going into the seventh lap.

After the race was resumed, Randall led the field, followed by Jim McWithey of Anderson, Ind., until the 26th lap.

Here Grim, who had been staying an eighth of mile back behind the leaders, took command. McWithey, meanwhile, pulled into the pits for a fuel stop on the 21st lap, a halt that cost him a chance of finishing higher.

After two interruptions from minor crack-ups, Larson made his move on lap 40 as Don Olds and Randall battled for second place behind Grim.

Larson managed to squeeze past both Olds and Randall in a traffic jammed second turn, then slid past Grim coming out of the fourth turn in a thrilling but dangerous spurt coming into the homestretch on the 44th lap.

The Texan put distance between himself and Grim until the margin was half a lap by the time he crossed the start/finish line on lap 85. On his 88th tour around the half-mile, he was clocked at 26.42 seconds.

He was still half a lap ahead of Grim when he received the checkered flag.

The race was worth a total of $1,810 to Larson, who in addition to claiming the $1,680 first prize of the $9,100 purse, won $130 in lap money.


Results –

1. Jud Larson, Austin, Tex.
2. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
3. Bud Randall, Cincinnati, Ohio
4. Don Carr, Tampa, Fla.
5. Don Olds, Seattle, Wash.
6. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
7. Jim Wegscheider, St. Louis
8. Andy Anderson, Hastings, Neb.
9. Bob Cleburg, Rio, Wis.

10. Jim McWithey, Anderson, Ind. 

1988 - Stott Garners Victory in ARCA Perry County 150

Ramo Stott receives the checkered flag and congratulations from promoter Lucian Hall after his first ARCA victory since 1971. – J.D. Scott Photo

Hazard, Ky. (June 4, 1988) – Ramo Stott scored his first ARCA Series victory since October of 1971 as he topped the Perry County ARCA 150 Saturday night at Perry County Speedway.

The 54-year-old Stott watched the first 50 laps unfold as he stayed in the top-five. Polesitter Larry Moore spun on lap 1 before Steve Drake, Scott Stovall, Randy Huffman and Lee Raymond traded the lead.

Stott charged in front on lap 65 and never trailed again. The 1970 and 1971 ARCA champion outdistanced Billy Thomas by three seconds to take the checkered. Huffman placed third while Bobby Gerhart finished fourth, one lap behind the trio. Jerry Churchill filled out the front five.

The win was Stott’s 27th career ARCA victory, a mark that is fifth best on the all-time list. His best performances since his 1971 victory were runner-up finishes at Daytona in 1984 and Owosso, Mich., in 1986.

“I really never retired or got out of racing,” said Stott. “I’ve stayed active driving a few races a year and I guess it’s like riding a bike, you never forget how.”

Stott collected $5,010 for the win and earned $1,500 in bonuses.

Grant Adcox, the current ARCA point leader, finished sixth.


Results -


1. Ramo Stott
2. Billy Thomas
3. Jerry Huffman
4. Bobby Gerhart
5. Jerry Churchill
6. Grant Adcox
7. Bob Keselowski
8. Bob Dotter
9. Marvin Smith
10.Bill Venturini
11.Eric Smith
12.Don Marmor
13.Donnie La Duke
14.Maurice Randall
15.Steve Drake

1978 – Reffner Ends ARTGO Dry Spell, Captures All-Star 200 at Grundy

 

Tom Reffner won the ARTGO-sanctioned All-Star 200 at Grundy County Speedway. - Bob Elman Photo

Morris, Ill. (June 3, 1978) – Tom Reffner returned to the ARTGO winner’s circle for the first time since 1975, Saturday, by winning one 50-lap feature and tying Dick Trickle for the top spot in the other, during the All-Star 200 at Grundy County Speedway. Reffner also won the King-of-the-Hill race, to bring his total earnings for the evening to $1,960.

Bob Senneker got the program off to a big start in time trials by breaking the one-lap record on the third-mile paved oval with a time of 15.31 seconds. However, handling issues forced Senneker to retire midway through the first race and he did not start the second 50-lapper.

The dead heat finish between Reffner and Trickle in the first feature was set up when the radiator hose in Bobby Dotter’s car popped with two laps remaining and his car skidded into Senneker’s car, which was parked in the infield.

Trickle, who caught up to the front running Reffner in heavy traffic five circuits earlier, pressured Reffner after the caution and one false start prior to the resumption of all-out action.

As the duo flashed under the white flag, Trickle used the outside groove to edge ahead of Reffner briefly, but Reffner rebounded quickly to regain a slight advantage.

Reffner still held the upper hand as the pair charged out of the fourth turn, but Trickle put on a late burst of speed to pull even with Reffner at the finish. It was the first dead heat for any position in any event ever promoted by ARTGO.

Polesitter Ed Hoffman had led the first 23 laps of the race before Reffner gained first place on lap 24. Trickle took second on lap 25, but never contended for the lead until heavy traffic delayed Reffner in the closing rounds.

Mike Miller finished third and was followed by Rusty Wallace and Larry Detjens.

With the top 10 finishers in the first main event inverted at the front of the field for the start of the second feature, Ted Musgrave found himself on the pole position. However, Denny Nyari, who started on the outside of the front row, forged into the lead as the field wound through the first set of turns of the opening lap.

Miller took second place from Musgrave on lap 11 and then powered by Nyari on lap 14 to take over the lead. At the 15-lap mark, the top nine cars were still tightly bunched.

On lap 29, Trickle’s ignition failed temporarily, and he dropped from third to 12th before recovering. Despite not having the benefit of a caution flag the rest of the day, Trickle still managed to battle back to finish fifth at the finish.

Reffner caught up with Miller on lap 37 and after three rounds of tight racing, opened up a comfortable lead, which he held to the finish. Miller edged Detjens for second with Burgess finishing fourth and Trickle rounding out the top-five.

Butch Ledy won the 20-lap semi-feature and Frank Gawlinski took the 10-lap consolation.


Results -

Feature #1 - 

1. Tom Reffner, Rudolph, Wis., and Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. (tie)
2.
3. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
4. Rusty Wallace, St. Louis, Mo.
5. Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
6. Ray Young, Dolton
7. Ed Hoffman, Niles
8. Steve Burgess, Fall Creek, Wis.
9. Denny Nyari, South Bend, Ind.
10.Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh, Wis.


Feature #2 –

1. Tom Reffner
2. Mike Miller
3. Larry Detjens
4. Steve Burgess
5. Dick Trickle
6. Ed Hoffman
7. Denny Nyari
8. Larry Schuler, Lockport
9. Rusty Wallace
10.Joe Shear, South Beloit

1984 - Lasoski Wins at Knoxville with Last-Lap Pass

 

Danny “The Dude” Lasoski waves to the crowd after winning the winged sprint car feature at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Flagman Doug Clark presents the checkers. – Action Photo

Knoxville, Iowa (June 2, 1984) – Second generation driver Danny Lasoski powered his sprinter to a surprising last lap pass of race leader Randy Smith to capture his initial Knoxville Raceway feature win.

The Dover, Mo., youngster collected $1,500 for the win.

In victory lane, Lasoski greeted the exuberant crowd with, “On the white flag lap I figured it was now or never, so I dove low in turn three and stayed on the ridge. Fortunately, I was able to hold it.”

Smith, who had set quick time at 18.267 seconds, finished second as he suffered wing difficulties in the final rounds of the race. Third place went to Tod Bishop, fourth went to Glenn Hughes Jr., and Bob Hop round out the top-five.

Jerry Potter won the trophy dash with Buddy Wallen, Rocky Hodges, and Smith winning heat races. Scott Ritchhart won the B-main.


Results –


Time trials – Randy Smith, Norwalk (18.267)
Trophy dash – Jerry Potter, Raytown, Mo.
Heat #1 – Buddy Wallen, Kansas City
Heat #2 – Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
Heat #3 – Randy Smith
B-main – Scott Ritchhart, Lincoln, Ill.
Feature –
1. Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.
2. Randy Smith
3. Tod Bishop, Harrisburg, Ill.
4. Glenn Hughes Jr., Denver, Mo.
5. Bob Hop, Mendota, Minn.
6. John Stevenson, St. Paul, Minn.
7. Junior Parkinson, Gladstone, Mo.
8. Scott Ritchhart
9. Jeff Tuttle, Des Moines
10.John Walsh, Sidney, Australia

1968 – McDonough, Dake Split at Speedbowl

 

Darrell Dake won the second of twin 25-lappers at Sterling Speedbowl Park. 

Sterling, Ill. (June 2, 1968) – Bill McDonough and Darrel Dake, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, shared the limelight at Speedbowl Park on Sunday afternoon in a stock car racing program that was highlighted by two 25-lap features.

McDonough won the first 25-lapper, which was actually an event that was rained out two weeks ago, while Dake won the regular program.

There were no serious mishaps throughout the entire program, with the worst being spinouts. Bill Forbes, Rock Falls, who has been setting quite a pace in the late model division lately, had a heart-breaking experience in one of the heat races. He had started on the pole position and was doing an excellent job of maintaining first place, especially with heavy pressure coming from Jim Strube.

Late in the Darrel Dake pulled alongside Strube, making the battle for second a close one, while Forbes continued to lead the event. Just as Forbes was passing the judge’s stand and receiving the white flag, he suddenly slowed and pulled off the track. It was later learned that the differential had gone out on his car. Meanwhile, Strube went on to win the heat race.

Two spinouts highlighted the first 25-lap feature. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa, who had started on the outside of the second row, was running second when he suddenly spun in the second turn. A lap later, Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who was driving Allen May’s Chevelle, spun between the first and second turns, necessitating the caution flag to be displayed when the car stalled in the middle of the track.

McDonough, driving a 1965 Chevrolet, went on to win followed by Al Terrell, Lloyd Ewing, Don Bohlander and Tom Hughes. Terrell staged a tremendous wheel-to-wheel battle with McDonough throughout the entire 25-laps with McDonough winning a by only a couple of car lengths over Terrell.

In the second feature, John Engelkens, Sterling, who had started on the pole position, had the uncanny experience of spinning out in from of the entire 17-car field on the second lap. All drivers in the event showed the skill it takes to be a race car driver, as each and everyone sped past the spinning Engelkens without as so much brushing against him.

Dake, who started on the outside of the fifth row, was waiting for no one and took the lead from Dick Nesteby, Dubuque, Iowa, on lap 16, who had been leading from the very start. Dake drew the plaudits of most of the fans present when he zoomed into first place because this had been no easy task, chiefly, because Nesteby himself had been setting a blistering pace.

When the checkered flag dropped, it was Dake with Nesteby taking runner-up honors, McDonough in third, Lloyd Ewing in fourth and John Connolly rounding out the top five.


Results –


Trophy Dash – Jerry Roedell
Heat #1 – B.J. Higley
Heat #2 – Bruce Haack
Heat #3 – John Connolly
Heat #4 – Jim Strube
Heat #5 – John Schlemmer
Feature #1 –
1. Bill McDonough
2. Al Terrell
3. Lloyd Ewing
4. Don Bohlander
5. Tom Hughes

Consolation – Jim Baker

Feature #2 –
1. Darrel Dake
2. Dick Nesteby
3. Bill McDonough
4. Lloyd Ewing
5. John Connolly

1980 - Repeat Dr. Pepper Victory for Martin at La Crosse

 

Mark Martin

West Salem, Wis. (June 1, 1980) – Mark Martin won the overall title of the 6th annual Dr. Pepper 100 by finishing second in the first 50-lap feature and then winning the second at La Crosse Interstate Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Martin, who won the event last year, was gaining fast at the end of the first feature but could not catch the victorious Dick Trickle and ended up in second place, two car-lengths back.

Steve Burgess finished third, Jim Sauter took fourth and Mike Miller was fifth.

In the second 50-lapper, Martin took the lead on lap 13 by passing Miller, who had led since the sixth circuit. Martin stretched his lead until lap 46 when the first caution of the race occurred as Bob Strait spun in turn two.

After the race was restarted, Martin again began to stretch his lead and held on to score the win.

Joe shear finished second after passing both Miller and Trickle with one lap to go. Trickle settled for third while Miller placed fourth. Bob Strait recovered from his spin to round out the top five.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
2. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
3. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire
4. Jim Sauter, Necedah
5. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
6. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.

Feature #2 –

1. Mark Martin
2. Joe Shear
3. Dick Trickle
4. Mike Miller
5. Bob Strait, Flossmoor, Ill.
6. Larry Detjens, Wausau

1982 - Reffner, Miller Split Capital ARTGO Pepsi 100

By Stan Kalwasinski

Oregon, Wis. (May 31, 1982) – Tom Reffner and Mike Miller each recorded 50-lap feature victories in ARTGO Racing’s fifth annual Memorial Day Pepsi-Cola 100 late model stock car special at Capital Super Speedway on Monday afternoon.

By virtue of turning in a faster qualifying run during time trials, Reffner, a two-time ARTGO champion, was the overall winner of the event. Reffner’s run was clocked at 18.565 seconds, while Miller turned in an 18.774 second performance.

Plagued by two rain delays, once which lasted just over two hours, the program was witnessed by 5,500 fans.

Reffner, who captured ARTGO titles in 1975 and 1978, was declared the winner of the first 50-lapper, after apparent winner Steve Burgess was found to be underweight.

The official finish found the Rudolph veteran and his 1981 Camaro in first place, followed by 1976 ARTGO champion Dave Watson, defending ARTGO titlist Jim Sauter, Al Schill, and Joe Shear.

Miller won the second 50-lapper, passing Ted Musgrave on lap 39 and then fending off a hard-charging Shear in the last few laps to secure the victory. Following Miller and Shear across the finish line was three-time ARTGO king Dick Trickle, who slipped by Musgrave on the final lap, Musgrave, and Mark Martin.

Results –

Feature #1 –

1. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
2. Dave Watson, Milton
3. Jim Sauter, Necedah
4. Al Schill, Franklin
5. Joe Shear, Beloit
6. Mark Martin, Harrisburg, N.C.
7. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
8. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
9. John Ziegler, Madison
10.Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh

Feature #2 –

1. Mike Miller
2. Joe Shear
3. Dick Trickle
4. Ted Musgrave
5. Mark Martin
6. Al Schill
7. Kevin Stepan, Mosinee
8. Tom Reffner
9. Jim Sauter
10.Tom Jones, Northbrook, Ill.

1964 - Smith Wins in Buick-Powered Car

 

Ona, W.Va. (May 31, 1964) - Al Smith led from start to finish in his Buick-powered sprint car to breeze home first in the IMCA feature Sunday at West Virginia International Speedway.

Smith, a newcomer to the IMCA sprint car division this season, gave an indication of things to come by turning the fastest qualifying lap in 17.77 seconds at 88.50 miles per hour to win the pole position for the feature. The Dayton, Ohio driver averaged a sizzling 73.79 mph in outdistancing the field of sprinters in the 30-lap main event.

Jack Lenhout, driving another speedy Buick-powered creation, edged Bob Pratt, who was behind the wheel in a Chevy conversion, for second place. Rollie Beale and Dick Good were fourth and fifth in Chevy-powered cars.

Serge Tesolin brought up the rear of the 17-car feature in a rear-engine Ford - a first of its kind on the IMCA sprint circuit - and Gordon Woolley, defending IMCA king, and Jerry Richert, point’s leader this season, both experienced mechanical malfunctions earlier in the program. Tesolin also never got his car perking at full tilt.

Feature winner Smith said that the cool, overcast day with moisture in the air helped his 420-cubic inch Buick monster perform at full capacity. He also praised the track.

“It felt real good,” he declared and added that his blue and white car “handled fine.”

The weather, however, put a damper on the crowd. An estimated 2,000 fans turned out to see the program. That’s by far the smallest turnout at the four race dates at Ona. The three previous races were late model affairs which are the first love of auto racing fans throughout Southern West Virginia.

No serious accidents marred the action.


Results –


Heat #1 - Dean Mast
Heat #2 - Red Amick
Heat #3 - Bob King
Match Race - Rollie Beale
Consolation - Dick Good
Feature - 
1. Al Smith
2. Jack Lenhout
3. Bob Pratt
4. Rollie Beale
5. Dick Good
6. Jim McCune
7. Dick Gaines
8. Jack Thomas
9. Bob Davis
10.Tom York
11.Dean Mast
12.Bob King

1971 - Jaycees' Memorial Feature to Goodwin

 

Sedalia, Mo. (May 31, 1971) - Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City, made it look like an easy Sunday afternoon drive as he breezed to the checkered flag ahead of the 20-car field in the annual Sedalia Jaycees Memorial Classic, Sunday afternoon at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

In pocketing the $600 first place check, Goodwin leaped ahead of the pack from his outside pole position and built up an eight and one-half second lead by the race’s conclusion.

It marked the second time in the past three days that Goodwin had won a feature event. Friday night the veteran super-sprint campaigner won the feature race at Knoxville, Iowa, Saturday night was almost as profitable as h finished second in the main event on the same Marion County Fairgrounds’ track in Knoxville, Iowa.

Although Goodwin had little competition for the lead Sunday after the third lap, the real battle was raging for second place between Steve Shultz, Wib Spalding and Roy Hibbard.

Spalding was able to grab the second spot at the finish line ahead of Shultz and Hibbard, who finished third and fourth in that order. Flea Atkin copped fifth in the race, while Tom Corbin, Dale Moore, Junior Dietzel, Roy Cary and Russell Hibbard rounded out the top 10.

For the first time in the past three years, the predicted afternoon rains did not materialize, and the entire Jaycee program was worked in.

Bob Williams, who was the last to pull into the pits in an attempt to qualify for a position in the feature event, took the lead from Sedalia’s Ernie Buso in the consolation feature on the third lap and led the field across the finish line for first place in that event.

The old one-lap record on the half-mile oval was bettered four times during the time trials. Russell Hibbard, Slater, Mo., was the first to top Joe Saldana’s old mark of 22.67 seconds; Hibbard turned the distance in a new record clocking of 22.66 seconds. However, Goodwin turned successive laps of 22.57 and 22.59 seconds, to drop Hibbard’s newly established mark from the books.

But it was Steve Shultz, Chillicothe, Mo., who turned in the fastest time of the day with a one-lap clocking of 22.45 seconds. Shultz set the standard in the same car that Saldana used last year to set the previous record. Shultz recently purchased the car from Saldana.

Absent from the field was last year’s defending champion Bill Utz, Sedalia. Utz received severe burns on his left hand, back and neck in Saturday night’s racing card at Capital Speedway, near Jefferson City. Utz was in the pits to witness the race but may not see any racing activity behind the wheel until July.

Wib Spalding won the trophy dash over Steve Shultz and Junior Dietzel, who were second and third in that order.

Heat winners in the super-sprint division included Frank Makings, Wib Spalding, Bob Williams, Jim Jenkins and Flea Atkin.


Results –


Time trials – Steve Schultz (22.45)
Trophy dash – Wib Spalding
Heat #1 – Frank Makings
Heat #2 – Wib Spalding
Heat #3 – Bob Williams
Heat #4 – Jim Jenkins
Heat #5 - Flea Atkin
Consolation – Bob Williams
Feature –
1. Ray Lee Goodwin
2. Wib Spalding
3. Steve Schultz
4. Roy Hibbard
5. Flea Atkin
6. Tom Corbin
7. Dale Moore
8. Junior Dietzel
9. Roy Cary
10.Russell Hibbard
11.Jerry Johnson
12.Jay Lyle
13.Ralph Parkinson Jr.
14.Bob Thoman
15.Steve Lewis

1966 – Hill Wins Disputed ‘500’

 

Graham Hills waves to the crowd from victory lane after winning the Indianapolis 500. Sue Ellen Harrison, the Indy 500 Festival Queen, flanks the Englishman.

Indianapolis, Ind. (May 30, 1966) – Graham Hill evidently won the most fantastically confused and incredible 500-mile race in the 50-year history of the event Monday afternoon, finishing 41.13 seconds ahead of defending champion Jimmy Clark.

Hill’s victory was strongly disputed by Clark’s car owner, Colin Chapman, and sponsor Andy Granatelli, who maintained that Clark should be credited with the victory.

However, Indianapolis Motor Speedway publicist Al Bloemker said that scorers had told him that after a check of the official timing tape, “they hadn’t found anything that would indicate a change in the finish.”

The contested finish was in keeping with the tenor of a race that simply defied description. Eleven of the 33 starters were wiped out in a single crash that stopped the race before the leaders could get through the first turn of the first lap.

Miraculously, no driver was injured in a pileup that involved 16 cars, nor in any of the five accidents that followed.

The ending was just as incredible as the start as both Hill, a Londoner who gained his ride after Walt Hansgen was killed in an April crash at LeMans, and Clark both headed for victory lane.

Just 10 laps from the finish, both looked like also-rans as Hill’s teammate, Jackie Stewart, led by more than half a lap.

Then, Stewart’s engine – which had been laboring for 17 laps with failing oil pressure – gave up the ghost in the third turn with victory just 25 miles away.

Before that, both Clark and Lloyd Ruby had the race all wrapped up and ready for delivery when misfortune struck.

Ruby’s bad break came last, and therefore was more dramatic. The Wichita Falls, Tex., veteran was leading by almost a lap when he sprung an oil leak in the cam tower housing and was black flagged after 152 laps. He finally got back in the race, six laps down, only to go out or good with cam failure after 175 laps.

Clark spun his car twice while leading the race. The first time came on lap 62 when he had a lead of more than half a lap over Ruby. He looped coming out of the fourth turn but regained control and came on around to the pits.

Then, on the 84th circuit, while holding a lead of approximately 20 seconds, he did a complete spin in the third turn, but again regained complete control. But the ensuing pit stop would cost him dearly in time and most certainly in victory.

Chapman said afterwards that Clark was bothered all the way with handling issues. The two-time world road champion did reduce his speed considerably after the second spin.

The crux of the argument on whether Hill or Clark won was the 175th lap. Hill passed Clark on the front stretch of that circuit but the dispute concerns whether Hill was taking over second place or unlapping himself at the time.

As far as George Bignotti, who saddled his third winner as a chief mechanic with Hill, is concerned, the 1962 world road racing champion was moving into second behind Stewart.

But Chapman and Granatelli were just as certain that Clark won. Chaman pointed out, “We think they (the scorers) gave Hill an extra lap someplace.”

Granatelli was in a much less compromising mood than the calm Chapman. “How could Hill win when they were announcing and showing on the scoreboard that Stewart and Clark were running 1-2 and Hill was half a lap behind on the backstretch?”

“If that was the case, Hill had been leading all the time and Stewart never was in front.”

“We lapped Hill on the 47th lap and we were running faster than him the rest of the way. Now, where d he pass Clark?” he added.

With Hill the winner, he is the first rookie to capture auto racing’s richest prize in 39 years. The last was George Souders in 1927.

It was also a staggeringly successful debut for Hill’s car owner, John Mecom Jr., a 26-year-old multi-millionaire from Houston, Tex. The owner not only won the race on his very first shot but also would have had first and second sewn up if Stewart had made it to victory lane.

Hill’s winning time for the 500 miles was 3 hours, 27 minutes, and 52.33 seconds for an average speed of 144.317 miles per hour. This was more than six miles per hour off Clark’s record of 150.6886 miles per hour set last year.


Results –


1. Graham Hill
2. Jimmy Clark
3. Jim McElreath
4. Gordon Johncock
5. Mel Kenyon
6. Jackie Stewart
7. Eddie Johnson
8. Bobby Unser
9. Joe Leonard
10.Jerry Grant
11.Lloyd Ruby
12.Al Unser
13.Roger McCluskey
14.Parnelli Jones
15.Rodger Ward
16.Carl Williams
17.Jim Hurtubise
18.Mario Andretti
19.George Snider
20.Chuck Hulse
21.Bud Tinglestad
22.Johnny Boyd
23.Don Branson
24.Billy Foster
25.Gary Congdon
26.A.J. Foyt
27.Dan Gurney
28.Cale Yarborough
29.Arnold Knepper
30.Al Miller
31.Bobby Grim
32.Ronnie Duman

USAC starter Pat Vidan waves the checkered flag for Indianapolis 500 winner Graham Hill.  

1961 – Folse Wins Big Car Race at Knoxville

Pete Folse

Knoxville, Ill. (May 30, 1961) – Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla., defending national IMCA big car champion, piloted his powerful Offenhauser to victory here Tuesday night in the 20-lap feature before a capacity crowd of 3,500 at the annual Memorial Day race.

The two-time national champion and currently the pacesetter in national standings this year also turned in the best time trial, touring the half-mile, dirt track in 25.90 seconds.

Folse, however, had to settle for third in a heat race and was fourth in the handicap. Jerry Blundy, of nearby Galesburg, finished second in the feature in his hot Chevrolet-powered racer while third place went to Herschel Wagner of Kansas City in an Offenhauser. Blundy is in third place in national standings.

Folse, starting on the pole position in the feature, took over the lead at the green flag and was never headed. Blundy and Wagner staged a sensational duel for second place with the Galesburg chauffer getting by Wagner on the fourteenth lap, Wagner finished third.

Blundy, although he closed the gap between, he and Folse, was unable to catch the Florida speedster.

The race was marred by one minor mishap when Buzz Rose of La Puente, Calif., went through the fence after his steering mechanism failed. The Californian, however, was uninjured and the car was returned to action in a later race.


Results –


Heat #1 – Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
Heat #2 – Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
Heat #3 – Duke Hindahl, Pekin, Ill.
Handicap – Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
Australian Pursuit – Joe Noeske Freeport, Ill.
Feature -
1. Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
2. Jerry Blundy
3. Herschel Wagner
4. Hal Schroeder, Bettendorf, Iowa
5. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
6. Duke Hindahl
7. Duane Stoneking, Burlington, Iowa
8. Del Hindahl, Sherrard, Ill.
9. Eddie Frese, Quincy, Ill.
10.Joe Noeske

1955 – Death of Vukovich Mars Sweikert’s ‘500’ Victory

 

Indianapolis 500 winner Bob Sweikert receives a kiss from movie star Dinah Shore in victory lane.

Indianapolis, Ind. (May 30, 1955) – Handsome Bob Sweikert drove his big new Zink Special to victory on Monday in the bloodiest 500-mile race in 25 years – a bitter contest that cost the life of two-time winner Bill Vukovich of Fresno, Calif.

The six-car accident that sent Vukovich hurtling to a flaming death along the backstretch was the first fatal mishap in the Memorial Day classic since William “Shorty” Cantlon of Indianapolis was killed in 1947.

Vukovich, a swarthy little mechanic of Slovenian ancestry, kept the track record in death – the 46th since the speedway opened in 1909.

Sweikert’s winning speed was 128.209 miles per hour. Vuky set the record last year at 130.84 miles per hour in winning for the second straight year.

Sweikert, whose new Offenhauser-powered Kurtis Kraft, said a stiff wind made the race, “twice as hard” as usual and sometimes made the cars jump.

The 28-year-old Californian turned Hoosier, competing in his hometown’s big race for the fourth time, blamed the wind for a spin by Rodger Ward of Los Angeles that started the big pileup.

Ed Elisian of Oakland, Calif., and Al Keller of Green Acres, Fla., whipped their cars towards the infield to avoid Ward but Johnny Boyd of Fresno, Calif., smacked the retaining wall.

Vukovich, who had led 50 of the first 56 laps, tried to miss the wreckage, but his car suddenly flipped end-over-end and landed outside the two-foot high barrier. The car caught fire while lying upside down. Vukovich was dead when safety crews removed him from the cockpit.

Sweikert, whose car was owned by John Zink of Tulsa, Okla., drove a smart race, aways keeping in contention and coming on to win when the early leaders wrecked or developed mechanical problems.

Sweikert was considered an outsider in pre-race speculation although he was the sixth-ranked driver in last year’s American Automobile Association’s championship point standings. There were 10 cars that qualified faster than Sweikert and he started in the fifth row.

Either Vukovich or Jack McGrath of Inglewood, Calif., perennial early leaders in the race, were considered race favorites. McGrath, who set a 10-mile qualifying record of 142.58 miles per hour, led early on before Vukovich took over. Ironically, McGrath’s ignition would fail on lap 54, two laps before Vukovich’s fatal ride.

Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, the 1954 AAA national driving champion led for 31 laps, Sweikert was ahead for 35, Art Cross was in front for 25 laps before the last big drive. Don Freeland of Los Angeles led three laps during a series of pit stops for the leaders then Sweikert came back on the 160th lap – the 400-mile mark – and was out front the rest of the way.


Results –

1. Bob Sweikert
2. Tony Bettenhausen
3. Jimmy Davies
4. Johnny Thomson
5. Walt Faulkner
6. Andy Linden
7. Al Herman
8. Pat O’Conner
9. Jimmy Daywalt
10.Pat Flaherty
11.Duane Carter
12. Chuck Weyant
13.Eddie Johnson
14.Jim Rathmann
15.Don Freeland
16.Cal Niday
17.Art Cross
18.Shorty Templeman
19.Sam Hanks
20.Keith Andrews
21.Johnnie Parsons
22.Eddie Russo
23.Ray Crawford
24.Jimmy Bryan
25.Bill Vukovich
26.Jack McGrath
27.Al Keller
28.Rodger Ward
29.Johnny Boyd
30.Ed Elisian
31.Jerry Hoyt
32.Fred Agabashian
33.Jimmy Reece