1974 – Bettenhausen Memorial 100 to Reffner

 

Tom Reffner took top honors after capturing the 13th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 stock car race at Illiana Motor Speedway. Presenting the trophy are starter Art Kelly (right) and assistant starter Bob Adams. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Schererville, Ind. (October 27, 1974) – Tom Reffner of Rudolph, Wis., captured the 13th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

The 32-year-old driver was crowned the North American Short Track Champion in September.

Reffner drove a 1970 Ford Mustang to victory in the 100-lap late model stock car event which had previously been postponed three times. Reffner collected $1,500 of the $8,500 purse.

On lap 20, last year’s winner, Tom Jones, crashed through the outer guardrail at the end of the backstretch, flipping his Camaro several times and landing in a wooded area outside the track. Jones’ car was demolished but he escaped injury.

It was a highly competitive race with numerous lead changes. Six different drivers – Joe Shear (1-4), Ray Young (5-6), Larry Schuler (9-19), Tom Musgrave (20-37), Dick Trickle (38-72), and Tom Reffner (73-100) – took turns leading the talented field.

On the final lap, Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., drove hard into turn three to overtake Reffner, but Trickle’s Mustang slid high in the corner, letting a fast-closing Larry Schuler of Lockport, Ill., take over second at the finish.

Reffner paced a field of 66 entries during time trials with a 22.00 second clocking around the half-mile.

A large crowd was on hand for the program, which was held in conjunction with the Whitey Gerkin-Dennis Shelton Memorial Benefit program. Over $3,000 was collected for the families of the two men who lost their lives at the speedway last year.


Results –

1. Tom Reffner
2. Larry Schuler
3. Dick Trickle
4. Rick Knotts
5. Don Axtmann

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.

1989 – Heroics by Holzhausen Highlight Racefest ‘89

 

Steve Holzhausen is congratulated by promoters John McKarns and Harry Molenaar after winning the ARTGO-style late model headliner at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Al Fortner Photo

Schererville, Ind. (October 22, 1989) – Steve Holzhausen made a dramatic pass of four-time track champion Frank Gawlinski on the 121st circuit and went on to win Sunday afternoon’s 129-lap ARTGO-style late model feature that highlighted Racefest ’89 at Illiana Motor Speedway.

Gawlinski, who had scored a dozen regular feature wins at the 1/3-mile paved oval this year, charged past early pacesetter Tony Raines to take the lead on lap 39 of the ARTGO-style late model headliner, which was scheduled for 125 laps.

With no yellow flags to slow them, Gawlinski and second-running Raines opened up a substantial lead over their closest pursuers, Dave Weltmeyer, Len Nowosel, and Holzhausen.

The fireworks began on lap 89, when Nowosel and Weltmeyer bumped in turn two, dropping Weltmeyer all the way back to eight position and resulting in a stop-and-go penalty for Nowosel. The incident necessitated a restart in which Holzhausen got around Raines for second.

Another yellow on lap 113 put the leaders in single-file once again with Gawlinski shaking up the field with a lightning-fast restart. But, within five circuits, Holzhausen had closed the gap and was nipping at Gawlinski’s heels.

Holzhausen finally got around Gawlinski on lap 121 then outran his rival to the checkers, which was extended to 129 laps by a caution period that regrouped the field on lap 124. Tracy Schuler came in third followed by Steve Carlson, Weltmeyer, and Raines.

In other action, Joe Witowski won the 50-lap sportsman feature Steve Christman was the E-mod winner. Kevin Cywinski took the NASCAR late model feature and David Dotter grabbed street stock honors.


Results –

1. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, Wis.
2. Frank Gawlinski, Lynwood, Ill.
3. Tracy Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
4. Steve Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
5. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey, Ill.
6. Tony Raines, LaPorte
7. Tony Hertko, Joliet, Ill.
8. Tom Jones, Northbrook, Ill.
9. Lem Nowosel, Grayslake, Ill.
10.Dale Hirschfield, Alsip, Ill.

1972 – Cronin Tops in IMCA

Phil Cronin of Houston is joined by trophy queen Ms. Ann Wallace after winning the trophy dash and the 50-lap feature at State Fair Speedway. – Farris Baughman Photo

Shreveport, La. (October 21, 1972) – Phil Cronin of Houston Tex., made a clean sweep of the International Motor Contest Association late model stock car program at State Fair Speedway, winning the trophy dash, heat and the 50-lap feature on Saturday afternoon.

The veteran Cronin gunned his Chevelle to new track records in both the 12-lap heat and 50-lap feature.

Vance Cook of Jonesboro, Ark., finished second in both the first heat and feature.

Cronin’s record-setting 12-lap time was 4 minutes and 29.63 seconds, less than a second faster than Norman Blythe’s winning time of 4 minutes and 30.15 seconds in the third heat.

Blythe finished second behind Cronin in the trophy dash but could only manage a seventh-place finish.


Results –

Heat #1 – Phil Cronin, Houston, Tex.
Heat #2 – Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
Heat #3 – Norman Blythe, Houston, Tex.
STP trophy dash – Phil Cronin
Consolation – Freddy Cook, West Monroe, La.
Feature –
1. Phil Cronin
2. Vance Cook, Jonesboro, Ark.
3. Tony Bettenhausen Jr., Houston, Tex.
4. Willie Crane, Springfield, Mo.
5. Gerry Harrison
6. Gordon Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Norman Blythe
8. Jim Hagar, Liberty, Mo.
9. Gene Newsome, West Monroe, La.
10.Warren Hughes, Houston, Tex.

1986 – Moyer Wins Pennsboro ‘World Championship’

 

Billy Moyer Jr. won the sixth annual Dirt Track World Championships at the legendary Pennsboro Speedway. – Ashley Ness Photo

Pennsboro, W.Va. (October 19, 1986) – Billy Moyer Jr., of Batesville, Ark., celebrated his 29th birthday by winning $40,000 at the sixth annual Dirt Track World Championships at Pennsboro Speedway.

Moyer, who led the final 46 laps of the 100-lap STARS-sanctioned race for late model stock cars, was followed under the checkered flag by Willy Kraft of Lakefield, Minn., Jeff Purvis of Clarksville, Tenn., Gary Stuhler of Westminster, Md., and two-time DTWC winner Freddy Smith of Kings Mountain, S.C.

Kraft, who battled his way into the main event by winning the 40-lap consolation, started 25th on the grid of 30 cars and earned $10,000 from a purse exceeding $100,000.

As the crowd of 7,000 settled on the golden hillsides of Pennsboro for the feature, they were as quickly on their feet as a first lap tangle on the backstretch eliminated two former DTWC winners, Charlie Swartz (1982) and Jack Boggs (1984) and banged up much of the field.

After repairs were made, the field was relined and the start saw Roy Miller of Quaker City, Ohio, running strongly in front for the first 36 laps before being overtaken by John Mason of Millersburg, Ohio.

A red flag stopped the action on lap 34, and the leaders pitted. At that point, Moyer may have made some race-winning decisions as he changed both tires and gearing on his race car while Mason settled for fuel and tire pressure changes.

When action resumed, Mason roared past Miller to lead laps 37 to 53. But Moyer was moving up from his 13th starting position and overtook Mason on lap 54. He would never relinquish the lead and win by a straightaway’s margin. Mason was eventually knocked out of the race when Mark Banal of Dillonvale, Ohio, bounced off the concrete stage of turn one, triggering a chain-reaction accident which brought out the second red flag on lap 79.


Results –

1. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
2. Willy Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.
3. Jeff Purvis, Clarksville, Tenn.
4. Gary Stuhler, Westminster, Md.
5. Freddy Smith, Kings Mountain, S.C.
6. Mike Duvall, Gaffney, S.C.
7. Buck Simmons, Cowpens, S.C.
8. Larry Moore, Dayton, Ohio
9. Donnie Moran, Frazeysburg, Ohio
10.Randy Boggs, Webbville, Ky.
11.Bob Wearing, Callery, Penn.
12.Steve Baker, Morgantown, W.Va.
13.Roy Miller, Quaker City, Ohio
14.Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
15.Mark Banal, Dillonvale, Ohio
16.John Mason, Millersburg, Ohio
17.Tom Hearst, Wilton, Iowa
18.Paul Davis, Louisa, Ky.
19.Rodney Franklin, Winchester, Va.
20.Bob Adams Jr., Racine, Ohio

1979 – Wolfgang Wins at Tri-City

 

Doug Wolfgang reaps the rewards of victory at Tri-City Speedway. 

Granite City, Ill. (October 18, 1979) – Doug Wolfgang led all 35 laps to win the World of Outlaws winged sprint car feature at Tri-City Speedway.

Wolfgang took the lead from his outside from row starting position and was never headed.

However, Lee James challenged for a while until getting too high in the fourth turn and dropping back two positions. Two laps later, James’ car drifted high again, caught the wall and flipped. He escaped without injury.

Jim Linder won the B-main.


Results –

1. Doug Wolfgang
2. Rick Ferkel
3. Shane Carson
4. Steve Kinser
5. Tom Corbin
6. Jim Linder
7. Allen Barr
8. Lee Osborne
9. Danny Smith
10.Jeff Swindell
11.Steve Perry
12.Tom Mislich

1976 – Jones Captures Western

 

Bubby Jones (center) celebrates his victory in the Western United States Sprint Car Championships at Manzanita Speedway. He's joined on the podium by runner-up Ron Shuman (left) and third-place Fred Linder (right). 

Phoenix, Ariz. (October 17, 1976) – Norman “Bubby” Jones has been on that podium for three years now, always looking for a way to that top step.

Saturday night, the Danville, Ill., youngster climbed two steps, all the way to the top of the Western United States Sprint Car Championships at jam-packed Manzanita Speedway.

And he did it in the most dramatic way, passing local favorite and defending champion Ron Shuman in turn three of the final lap.

Shuman, bidding to win his second straight Western, had led comfortably with up to a four-second lead for 49 and 3/4 laps in his backup Gary Stanton Chevy.

But Jones, who has finished second once and third twice in the past three Western’s, finally broke loose from the pack that included Lil’ Joe Saldana and Rick Ferkel and started to apply pressure on Shuman the last two circuits.

Shuman still looked like he could keep his lead despite running into heavy traffic.

This time, however, it wasn’t meant to be. Jones drove underneath in turn three while Shuman maintained his ride in the high groove.

By the time the ARA point leader realized what happened, Jones was home free by a car length.

“I had no brakes left,” Jones said from the top step on the podium. “I just about didn’t go back out after the red flag (on lap 14 when Leroy Van Conett tore a hole in the turn four fence). But I’m sure glad I did.”

The fastest car on the track at the finish, though, was Fred Linder of Fremont, Ohio, in his experimental all-aluminum Nance-built sprinter (the frame weighs 37.5 pounds).

Linder, unbelievably, came from the back row after winning the 25-lap semi to finish third ahead of 1974 Western champ Rick Ferkel and Saldana, who ran second to Shuman for most of the night before yielding to Jones on lap 35.


Results –

1. Bubby Jones
2. Ron Shuman
3. Fred Linder
4. Rick Ferkel
5. Joe Saldana
6. Dub May
7. Chuck Amati
8. Lealand McSpadden
9. Eddie Leavitt
10.Lee Osborne

1988 - All-American 400 Victory to Miller

 

Butch Miller ended his long wait by winning the All-American 400 at Nashville Motor Raceway. Making the trophy presentation are country singers Shelly Mangrum and Ric Steel. – Don Thies Photo

Nashville, Tenn. (October 16, 1988) – After posting six consecutive top five finishes in the annual event, Butch Miller scored his first All-American 400 triumph Sunday afternoon at Nashville Motor Raceway.

Miller, who earned $13,575 from the event’s $150,528 purse, averaged 84.796 miles per hour in winning the 400-lap contest which featured many of the top ASA, All-Pro, and American Canadian Tour (ACT) drivers.

“This is like winning the Daytona 500 for me,” Miller said. “We’ve been close so many times before I was expecting something to go wrong even on the last lap.”

Miller was 1.74 seconds ahead of runner-up Harold Fair at the finish. Scott Hansen came in third, giving ASA pilots a sweep of the podium positions. Darrell Brown and Junior Hanley completed the top-five.

A mid-morning shower delayed the start for more than two hours. Once the action got underway, Dick Trickle led the first 17 laps and polesitter Fair the next 18 before Miller moved on top. The event’s third caution triggered the first round of pit stops, resulting Bill Bigley pacing the field on lap 63, and Rick Craven leading on the 64th round.

When Craven pitted during the next yellow on lap 76, Ted Musgrave inherited the lead, a position he maintained until Fair took over on lap 114. Bobby dotter gained control on lap 119 but surrendered it to Trickle on the 139th circuit.

A series of yellow flag pit stops on lap 162 gave Russ Urlin the lead but 10 rounds later, Miller assumed control. A chain reaction mishap triggered another amber during which Miller pitted, allowing Brown to claim the top spot on lap 215.

Miller came back to rule circuits 224-2444 before Rick Crawford led 17 revolutions. Trickle ousted Crawford from the top spot on lap 262, but encountered differential issues moments later, opening the door for Fair to take charge on the 279th circuit. When the problem worsened, Trickle called it a day on lap 293.

Miller took over the final time on lap 295. A few laps later, a flat tire caused Fair to bump the wall, accounting for the final caution.

After the final yellow, Miller was challenged briefly by Hansen. However, stripped lug nuts had prevented Hansen from taking on left-side tires late in the battle and the worn rubber slowed the Wisconsin pilot, short-circuiting his bid to unseat Miller.

Capitalizing on Hansen’s plight, Fair came on strong to claim second place in the waning laps but was unable to run down Miller.


Results –


1. Butch Miller
2. Harold Fair
3. Scott Hansen
4. Darrell Brown
5. Junior Hanley
6. Rick Crawford
7. Denny Wallace
8. Bob Senneker
9. Steve Burgess
10.Bobby Gill
11.Daniel Keene
12.Bobby Hamilton
13.Dennis Vogel
14.Rick Craven
15.Clifford Allison
16.Glenn Allen Jr.
17.Gary St. Amant
18.Kent Stauffer
19.Don Bickford
20.Scott Lovelady

Butch Miller en route to winning the All-American 400 - Todd Healy Photo

1967 – Baker Charges to ‘500’ Win

 

Buddy Baker enjoys his first career NASCAR victory.  

Charlotte, N.C. (October 15, 1967) - Eclipsing an anticipated duel between Ford and Plymouth, Buddy Baker streaked his 1967 Dodge Charger to his first-ever NASCAR victory in the National 500 stock car race on Sunday.

Baker, of Charlotte, N.C., took the lead on the 257th lap of the 334-lap race and was never headed. It was the 100th career Grand National win for Dodge’s Charger.

Bobby Isaac, Catawba, N.C., came in second in another 1967 Charger and Dick Hutcherson of Camden, S.C., was third in a Ford Fairlane. Fourth place went to Charlie Glotzbach of Georgetown, Ind., in a 1965 Dodge.

G.C. Spencer of Jonesboro, Tenn., took fifth in a 1967 Plymouth. He finished in spite of a crash midway in the race which ate up a tire and cost precious time.

Baker missed a race record by finishing with an average of 130.186 miles per hour. He was ahead of the record pace until a caution flag slowed down the field.

Baker led four times for a total of 160 laps, including the last 68 circuits, to collect the first prize of $18,000. Issac collected $9,500 and Hutcherson received $5,800.

Although he had finished in the top-10 six times in 18 outings this season, Baker’s stamina proved too much for drivers such as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Cale Yarborough, A.J. Foyt, and Mario Andretti.

All had to leave the 1.5-mile, high banked track with mechanical issues or accidents.

Petty suffered a blown engine. Andretti and David Pearson, Spartanburg, S.C., wrecked on the 193rd lap and Foyt also blew his engine.

Pearson, Andretti, Yarborough, and Foyt were all piloting Fords in a bid to top Petty, who has won more races than any other driver in history.


Results –

1. Buddy Baker, Charlotte
2. Bobby Isaac, Catawba
3. Dick Hutcherson, Camden, S.C.
4. Charlie Glotzbach, Georgetown, Ind.
5. G.C. Spencer, Jonesboro, Tenn.
6. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Bobby Wawak, Villa Park, Ill.
8. Neil Castles, Charlotte
9. Buddy Arrington, Martinsville, Va.
10.Cale Yarborough, Timmonsville, S.C.

1962 – Cotton Farmer Wins Horn/Schindler Memorial

 

Al "Cotton" Farmer

Mechanicsburg, Penn. (October 14, 1962) – Al “Cotton” Farmer won the annual Ted Horn/Bill Schindler Memorial 50-lap race at Williams Grove Speedway on Sunday afternoon, but Parnelli Jones clinched the United States Auto Club sprint car title with a third-place finish.

Farmer, a 10-year veteran from Indianapolis, Ind., by way of Fort Worth, Tex., finished the race in 23 minutes and 54.54 seconds, about six lengths ahead of Fred “Jiggs Peters of Neshanic Station, N.J.

Jones was five lengths behind Peters but that was good for third place and the USAC championship.

Farmer zoomed into the lead when Jim Hurtubise of North Tonawanda, N.Y., went into a spin on the 48th lap to lose an advantage which at one time measured 30 car lengths. Hurtubise finished in 12th-place.

Several accidents marred the feature but there were no injuries.

Roger McCluskey flipped his car in the third turn on lap 35, finishing the Tucson, Ariz., driver for the day.

Bobby Marshman of Speedway, Ind., and Bobby Marvin of Columbus, Ohio, were involved in a minor collision but both drivers were uninjured and able to continue in the race.


Results –

1. Cotton Farmer
2. Jiggs Peters
3. Parnelli Jones
4. Hal Rettberg
5. Red Riegel
6. Don Branson
7. Johnny Rutherford
8. Elmer George
9. Don Brown
10.Dave Humphrey
11.Ron Lux
12.Jim Hurtubise
13.Bobby Marvin
14.Roger McCluskey
15.Bobby Marshman
16.A.J. Foyt

1968 – Smith Captures Pittsburgh ‘200’

 

Harold Smith

Carnegie, Penn. (October 13, 1968) – Harold Smith of Dayton, Ohio, who swept through the Pittsburgh Racing Association ranks late in the season, won the fifth annual Pittsburgher 200, a national open championship race for late model stock cars at Heidelberg Raceway.

The husky Ohioan, who qualified first and started in the pole position, led the field for 175 laps and by the time he received the checkered flag, he had lapped every driver except Jim Bickerstaff, the Mineral Ridge, Ohio, leadfoot who finished a distant second.

A field of 117 cars and drivers entered Saturday’s qualifying events, and 55 of them started in the 200-lap event on the high-banked, half-mile paved oval.

Bickerstaff started second but jumped into the lead at the drop of the green flag. There were four restarts because of accidents during the first 25 laps. Bob Blaney of Hartford, Ohio, spun out on the 25th circuit to bring out another yellow flag.

When the green light flashed again, it was Smith jumping out front of Bickerstaff. He would go on to extend his lead en route to picking up the biggest share of the $12,500 purse.

Bob Senneker of Grand Rapids, Mich., Joy Fair of Pontiac, Mich., and Tom Colella of Whitehall, Penn., rounded out the top five finishers.


Results –

1. Harold Smith, Dayton, Ohio
2. Jim Bickerstaff, Mineral Ridge, Ohio
3. Bob Senneker, Grand Rapids, Mich.
4. Joy Fair, Pontiac, Mich.
5. Tom Colella, Whitehall, Penn.
6. Herb Scott, Wexford, Penn.
7. Dale Hafer, Sarver, Penn.
8. Dave Sorg, fort Wayne, Ind.
9. Bob Frederick, Clawson, Mich.
10.Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa

1952 – Bryan Speeds to Terre Haute Win

Jimmy Bryan, driving the Leitenberger Special, won the 30-lap sprint car feature at the Vigo County Fairgrounds.

Terre Haute, Ind. (October 12, 1952) – Jimmy Bryan of Phoenix, Ariz., led all the way in the Leitenberger Special to set a new 30-lap, 15-mile record in the windup event of the first season of AAA auto races at the Vigo County Fairgrounds.

Bryan’s mark of 11 minutes and 56.80 seconds broke Tommy Hinnershitz’s standard of 13 minutes and 37.37 seconds which was set just a month ago.

Hinnershitz, of Reading, Penn., and Mike Nazaruk of East Meadow, N.Y., finished second and third, respectively.

The three top-ranking Midwest point leaders defeated the top three Eastern point leaders in a special 10-lap match race, 14 to 13, based on a 9-7-5-3-1 basis, with Hinnershitz, the Eastern champion, finishing first. The other Easterners were Bryan and Otis Stine.

Joie James, Gene Force, and Pat O’Conner represented the Midwest.

Bryan, Carter, and Red Bales won heat races and Stine took the consolation.


Results –


1. Jimmy Bryan
2. Tommy Hinnershitz
3. Mike Nazaruk
4. Duane Carter
5. Gene Force
6. Eddie Sachs
7. Leroy Warriner
8. Otis Stine
9. Red Bales
10.Red Renner

1983 - Wallace Overall Winner in ARTGO Grundy Go

Rusty Wallace (66) combined first, second, and fourth place finishes to take the overall title in the ARTGO Racing "Fall Nationals" at Grundy County Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Morris, Ill. (October 9, 1983) – Aided by a win in the first of two 50-lap features Sunday afternoon, Rusty Wallace emerged the overall winner of the two-day ARTGO Racing Fall Nationals, which brought down the curtain on the traveling circuit’s 1983 season.

Dick Trickle captured the event’s opening night 50-lap headliner on Saturday night and Frank Gawlinski took top honors in Sunday’s concluding 50-lapper.

Trickle, the 41-year-old racing legend from Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., wheeled his 1983 Firebird to a record 13th ARTGO feature win of the season. Trickle, who had wrapped up a unprecedented fourth series driving title prior to the program, had about a two-car length lead over Wallace at the checkered.

Trailing the lead duo after 50 circuits was Rich Bickle Jr., Mel Walen, Al Schill, and Dave Weltmeyer.

Wallace, appearing in his first ARTGO event of the year, nailed down the victory in Sunday’s opening 50-lap contest. To secure the triumph, the 27-year-old Valley Park, Mo., pilot had to hold off the repeated challenges of Gawlinski, the weekend’s fastest qualifier.

At the finish, Wallace’s Camaro was six-car-lengths ahead of Gawlinski, Tracy Schuler, Weltmeyer, Trickle, and Walen.

With the victory, Wallace became the 11th different ARTGO feature winner this year. His only other ARTGO feature win came in 1978.

The weekend’s final feature saw Gawlinski pick up his third series win of the season. The 36-year-old Lynwood chauffeur wheeled his 1982 Firebird to the victory over Trickle, Jim Weber, Wallace, and Walen.

After taking over the lead on lap 9, Gawlinski ran a strong race and maintained a healthy advantage over Trickle throughout much of the contest, but Trickle would close the gap in the closing stages.

At starter Bill Gronley’s checkered, Gawlinski’s margin over Trickle had been shaved down to three-car-lengths.

The overall Fall Nationals standings found Wallace in first place, followed by Trickle, Gawlinski, Walen, and Weltmeyer.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Rusty Wallace, Valley Park, Mo.
3. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
4. Mel Walen, Shakopee, Minn.
5. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
6. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey
7. Frank Gawlinski, Lynwood
8. Burt Weitemeyer, Lansing
9. Steve Seligman, Wheeling
10.Bill Sontag, Joliet

Feature #2 –

1. Rusty Wallace
2. Frank Gawlinski
3. Tracy Schuler, Lockport
4. Dave Weltmeyer
5. Dick Trickle
6. Mel Walen
7. Al Schill
8. Burt Weitemeyer
9. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
10.Rich Bickle Jr.

Feature #3 –

1. Frank Gawlinski
2. Dick Trickle
3. Jim Weber
4. Rusty Wallace
5. Mel Walen
6. Tracy Schuler
7. Dave Weltmeyer
8. Al Schill
9. Burt Weitemeyer
10.Bill Sontag

Frank Gawlinski (14) and Rusty Wallace (66) battle it out during ARTGO Racing's "Fall Nationals" at Grundy County Speedway. Each driver would score a feature win with Wallace winning the overall title. - Stan Kalwasinski Photo

1972 – Joe Shear Wins Oktoberfest 200

 

Joe Shear (36) battles Dave Watson (37) during Saturday night preliminary action at Oktoberfest at La Crosse Interstate Speedway. Shear would go on to win the 200-lapper on Sunday afternoon. – Vince Mayer Photo

West Salem, Wis. (October 8, 1972) – Joe Shear of South Beloit, Ill., drove his 1972 Camaro to the checkered flag first in the third annual Oktoberfest 200 at La Crosse Interstate Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Shear, who won the third annual Interstate 100-lap event here in July, powered his 454 cubic-inch “pony car” a full lap ahead of runner-up Dan Prziborowski of Savage, Minn.

Taking third was Larry Detjens of Wausau with Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa placing fourth. Rounding out the top-five finishers was Don Leach of Beloit.

Butch Sluka of Minneapolis and Larry Behrens of Northfield, Minn., both earned spot in the 200-lapper by winning their 25-lap semi-features, respectively.

During Saturday’s qualifications, Shear led 31 qualifiers with a lap speed of 21.098 seconds on the half-mile paved track. That time earned him the pole position for the race with Marzofka sharing the front row of the 33-car field.

Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, the defending Oktoberfest champion, chose not to compete in this year’s event, electing to compete in a race in Heidelberg, Penn., instead.


Results –

1. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
2. Dan Prziborowski, Savage, Minn.
3. Larry Detjens, Wausau
4. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
5. Don Leach, Beloit
6. Jim Sauter, Necedah
7. Al Ward, Elba, Minn.
8. Jim Back, Vesper
9. Don James, Bloomington, Minn.
10.Lyle Nabbefeldt, Wisconsin Rapids
11.John Reimer, Caledonia
12.Ralph Bakewell, La Crosse

1961 – Young Driver is Fair Feature Winner

Johnny White wheeled Diz Wilson’s Offenhauser to a decisive victory in Birmingham.

Birmingham, Ala. (October 7, 1961) – Johnny White, a young driver who is strongest at the close of the season, won the IMCA big car feature at the Alabama State Fair on Saturday.

His time for the 20-lap feature was 12 minutes and 6.44 seconds. The Warren, Mich., ace also won the match race between the four fastest qualifying cars.

Two weeks ago, White won both feature events of two auto racing programs at the Tennessee State Fair.

Finishing behind White in the main event was Harold Leep of Wichita, Kan., and International Motor contest Association champion Pete Folse of Tampa, Fla.

Both Leep and Folse won heat races as did Hugh Randall of Louisville, Ky. Gordon Woolley of Waco, Tex., won the 10-lap Australian Pursuit.


Results –

Heat #1 – Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
Heat #2 – Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 – Hugh Randall, Louisville, Ky.
Australian Pursuit – Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
Feature –
1. Johnny White, Warren, Mich.
2. Harold Leep
3. Pete Folse
4. Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
5. Gordon Woolley
6. Jay Woodside, Wichita, Kan.
7. Johnny Rutherford, Fort Worth, Tex.
8. Hugh Randall
9. Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
10.Paul Dorcic, North Chicago, Ill.

1975 – Hoffman Grabs Illiana Finale

 

Ed Hoffman celebrates his victory in the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial with family and friends. 

Schererville, Ind. (October 5, 1975) – Grabbing the lead on the final lap, Ed Hoffman of Niles, Ill., captured the 14th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial Classic late model stock car race at Illiana Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Hoffman, wheeling a 1975 Camaro, became the eleventh different winner in the history of the event.

Thirty cars pounded the pavement for the start of the race, with Dave Evans of Crystal Lake, Ill., taking the lead from his outside front row starting position. Evans and his Camaro led the first three circuits with Jerry Kemperman of Blue Island, Ill., taking over the top spot on lap 4. Kemperman would attempt to pull away from the rest of the pack, but yellow flags erased any margin Kemperman built.

Kemperman and his 1975 Camaro maintained the lead for 91 laps with Bob Carnes of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Larry Schuler of Lockport, Ill., pressuring him all the way.

Meanwhile, Hoffman, who dropped back seemingly out of contention midway through the race, made it a four-car battle with 20 laps to go.

Hoffman, running in fourth position most of the day, moved into third on lap 89, second on lap 91 and took over the top spot on lap 95. Schuler would slip past Hoffman to take the point on laps 98 and 99.

But it was Hoffman, who gave credit to a late race tire change for his late race surge, who charged past Schuler on the backstretch of thee final lap and held the lead for the final quarter-mile to the checkered flag.

Several accidents slowed the race, one of them involving early race leader Dave Evans when the throttle on his car stuck sending him crashing into the guardrail in the second turn. He was taken to a local hospital with a broken foot, neck injuries, cuts and bruises.

Schuler, the Illiana track champion, paced a field of nearly 90 entries during time trials, with a lap of 21.43 seconds on the half-mile oval.


Results –

1. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
2. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
3. Jerry Kemperman, Blue Island, Ill.
4. Bob Carnes, Grand Rapids, Mich.
5. Bob Roper, Chicago, Ill.
6. Dave Roahring, Plymouth, Ind.
7. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee, Ill.
8. Ray Baker, Muskegon, Mich.
9. Larry Middleton, East Hazel Crest, Ill.
10. Ron Dole, Oak Forest, Ill.

1987 - Winchester 400 Victory Gives Miller ASA Title

 

Butch Miller receives his trophy from queen Lori Maupin after winning the Winchester 400 and clinching the ASA Racing Series driving championship at Winchester Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

Winchester, Ind. (October 4, 1987) – Butch Miller outran six-time winner Winchester 400 winner Bob Senneker by 1.07-seconds to win Sunday afternoon’s 18th annual running of the event and in the process wrapped up the 1987 ASA Racing Series driving championship.

For his sixth series victory of the year, Miller pocketed $10,500 from a $70,916 purse.

Fast time honors in qualifying gave Miller the pole position in the 400-lap event and the Coopersville, Mich., driver put that advantage to good use early on, blasting into the lead at the green. Miller kept his advantage by passing up the opportunity to pit along with most of his challengers during a caution necessitated when the yellow came out on lap 63.

However, when another yellow flag slowed circuits 114-118, Miller headed for the pits and in the process, relinquished the lead to Mike Eddy on lap 115.

Eddy remained in front until he brought his car in for servicing during a caution 62 rounds later. Miller regained the lead at that point but was passed by Eddy on lap 216.

Harold Fair became the race’s third pacesetter on lap 243 but enjoyed the lead only until the 279th round when Miller took over again.

Eddy departed after 297 laps and Senneker eventually emerged as Miller’s chief opponent, A late yellow set up a five-lap dash to the finish but Senneker was unable to cash in on the opportunity to dislodge Miller.

Fair came in third followed by Mark Martin and Dick Trickle.

The victory gave Miller a 1,595 to 1,405 margin over Dick Trickle in the series’ final point standings.


Results –

1. Butch Miller
2. Bob Senneker
3. Harold Fair
4. Mark Martin
5. Dick Trickle
6. Tom Jones
7. Dave Jackson
8. Bobby Dotter
9. Kent Stauffer
10.Dennis Vogel
11.Terry Senneker
12.Gene Harsch
13.Buddy Schrock
14.Ted Musgrave
15.Kenny Wallace
16.Mike Eddy
17.Ed Cooper
18.Dave Jensen
19.John Wilson
20.Peter Gibbons

1982 – Overall Title to Back in La Crosse’s Fest

Oktoberfest champion Jim Back is joined by La Crosse Interstate Speedway promoter Larry Wehrs in victory lane. – Photo by Lee Foster

West Salem, Wis. (October 3, 1982) – Tom Reffner and Joe Shear each won a 100-lap late model feature, but second and third place finishes gave Vesper's Jim Back the overall victory in La Crosse Interstate Speedway’s 13th annual Oktoberfest 200, which concluded on Sunday.

Also scoring a feature win in the three-day event was Ron Lockington, who took top honors in Sunday’s hobby stock headliner.

A total of 66 hobby stocks and 73 late models competed for shares of the $28,935 weekend purse.

Sunday’s first 100-lap late model feature started 30 cars, including the 20 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s time trials, with the quickest 14 starting in inverted order at the front of the pack.

That put Steve Burgess on the pole position and the Eau Claire pilot grabbed the lead on the opening circuit.

Jim Sauter moved up to challenge Burgess on lap 10 and took the lead when Burgess spun on the 19th round, bringing out the caution banner.

Burgess’ misfortune also elevated Shear to second and Reffner to third. However, Shear began experiencing tire problems during the caution and pitted for repairs, advancing Reffner to second for the restart.

When Shear’s tire problems continued, the Beloit pilot became the contest’s first dropout after 20 laps.

Back under green, Reffner pursued Sauter until the 25th revolution when he annexed the lead.

The amber flashed again on lap 38 when Dick Stang and Steve Holzhausen tangled and spun in turn two. Stang was able to continue but Holzhausen was on the sidelines when activities resumed.

The final yellow came out on lap 62 when Mike Miller spun in the first corner after his Camaro’s differential locked up.

Marv Marzofka, the event’s fastest qualifier, was the first driver to get around Sauter in the waning laps, taking second from the Necedah chauffeur on lap 74. However, Marzofka’s car was sidelined by ignition trouble after 89 circuits, relegating him to a 14th place finish.

Back took second when Marzofka departed, but was unable to challenge Reffner and wound up about half a straightaway behind the winner. Dave Watson was an additional car length back in third with Burgess finishing fourth. Bob Iverson rounded out the top five.

The top-12 finishers in the first 100 were gridded at the front of the field in inverted order to start the second feature, which started 26 cars. Unable to answer the bell for the finale thanks to mechanical problems suffered in the first main were Marzofka, Terry Baldry, Tom Carlson, and Steve Carlson.

Polesitter Steve Moll paced the opening three rounds of the nightcap before yielding the top spot to John Ziegler. Jim Sauter became the contest’s third frontrunner on lap 15.

Back pulled into the runner-up position on lap 17. Shear took third fur rounds later and immediately began working on Back.

By then, Watson was through for the day, having been sidelined by a broken crankshaft while running sixth on lap 19.

Shear got around Back on lap 45 and slowly closed in on Sauter, finally grabbing the lead on lap 67.

With no cautions to slow his pace or bunch the field behind him, Shear expanded his advantage over Sauter to about one-third of a lap at the finish. Back was third, about three-quarters of a circuit in arrears, as only the top three were on the same lap as the checkered.

Miller finished one lap down in fourth with Reffner completing 98 laps to place fifth.

Back was declared the overall winner of the event, based on his combined finishes in the two 100-lappers. It was his first triumph in the event’s 13-year history.

Thanks largely to his win in the day’s opening main and having been the most prolific lap leader in feature competition, Reffner emerged as the event’s top money winner, earning $2,255.


Results –

Feature #1 –

1. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
2. Jim Back, Vesper
3. Dave Watson, Milton
4. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire
5. Bob Iverson, Hyde, Mich.
6. Dick Stang, Prior Lake, Minn.
7. Jim Sauter, Necedah
8. Arnie Christen, Mineral Point
9. Don Collins, Lake Villa, Ill.
10.John Ziegler, Madison


Feature #2 –

1. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
2. Jim Sauter
3. Jim Back
4. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Tom Reffner
6. Bob Iverson
7. Dick Stang
8. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh
9. Jay Sauter, Necedah
10.Steve Holzhausen, Bangor

1971 - Horn Takes Fairgrounds' Finale

 

Fred Horn accepts the checkered flag from starter Johnny Beauchamp after winning the season finale at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. - Beetle Bailey Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (October 2, 1971) - Fred Horn of Marion, Iowa, had “luck” Saturday night, winning the 50-lap sportsman-late-model stock car feature at the Iowa State Fairgrounds over Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids and Ernie Derr of Keokuk.

Actually, all three could count their blessings in the wild affair in which 33 cars started three abreast. A crowd of 6,019 watched the season finale.

Horn, who was the season point champion at Farley, Iowa, didn't take the lead until the 39th lap. Then the former International Motor Contest Association star had to hold off two present IMCA standouts, runner-up Janey and Derr, to capture the $600 first prize.

“I got a break coining out of the fourth turn when I took the lead,” Horn said. The leader at that point, Jim Wyman of Oakland, Iowa, got caught in traffic and Horn, with Janey right behind, went to the inside.

Horn, in a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, then managed to hold off Janey's ‘70 Roadrunner. Derr, 12-time IMCA champ driving a 1970 Dodge Charger, didn't get into third spot until the 48th lap, when he went around Wyman. Janey received $400 and Derr $300.

“It was just luck that I won,” Horn said. “I could have been hit by one of those lapped cars.”

Fred had started on the outside of the ninth row. Derr, in the middle of the seventh row at the start, was caught in a jam and dropped to the rear of the pack before the first lap was completed.

Wyman, driving a 1971 Mustang, had qualified for the pole position with a 26.50-second clocking in time trials. He took the initial lead.

Stan Stover of Reinbeck, Iowa, the season late model champ at the Fairgrounds, passed Wyman on the 15th lap and quickly pulled away.

It appeared he would be the winner, but he was involved in a collision with Wayne Meyer of Algona, Iowa, on the 27th lap and was sidelined with tire and front-end problems.

“I got careless,” Stover said about the accident. "He (Meyer) apparently didn't see me and ran into my right side.”

“I should have been watching those lapped cars more closely, and I shouldn't have been as aggressive as I was at that point. But, that's what happens.”

Wyman was back in the lead then and before the cars could be given a restart, second-place Joe Merryfield also was sidelined when he and Bill Carter of Des Moines collided. That mishap was caused when cars in front of them slowed — and Merryfield and Carter were unable to stop in time. Fans felt flagman Johnny Beauchamp may have been partly to blame.

Wyman led until Horn assumed command.


Results –


Heat #1 – Larry Wasserfort, Waterloo, Iowa
Heat #2 – Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa
Heat #3 – Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
Heat #4 – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Consolation – Larry Wasserfort
Feature –
1. Fred Horn
2. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. Ernie Derr
4. Jim Wyman, Oakland, Iowa
5. Phil Reeves, Omaha
6. Bob Shryock, Estherville, Iowa
7. Joe Schaefer, Waterloo, Iowa
8. Tom Hughes, Monticello, Iowa
9. Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa
10.Chris Maurer, Colfax, Iowa
11.Paul Zdan, Omaha
12.Bill Carter, Des Moines
13.Bob Kosiski, Omaha
14.Gary Jones, Des Moines
15.Marvin Korns, Brooklyn, Iowa
16.Rodger Bruce, Des Moines
17.Carl Vander Wal, Ames, Iowa
18.Bill Holder, Ames, Iowa
19.Bill Rice, Des Moines
20.Phil Reece, Des Moines

1966 – Trickle Zooms to Rockford Win

 

Dick Trickle shows off his trophy after winning the National Short Track Championships 200-lapper at Rockford Speedway. 

Rockford, Ill. (October 2, 1966) – Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., the Central Wisconsin Racing Association champion for 1966, made the top stock car drivers in the Midwest take a back seat Sunday afternoon as he won the National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway.

The 24-year-old Trickle won one of the two 50-lap features on Saturday night and then came back Sunday to roar away with top honors in the 200-lap main event on Sunday. Trickle earned $1,645 for the victory.

In his win on Saturday night, Trickle, driving the same 1963 Ford that has brought him so much success in Wisconsin this season, stole the lead from Sal Tovella of Addison, Ill., the third-ranked driver in the United States Auto Club thus far, on lap 44 and distanced himself from the rest of the field to score the relatively easy win.

In the 200-lapper on Sunday, Trickle again gave the astonished drivers a great view of his back bumper throughout the contest. He gunned his Ford into the lead position at the beginning of the second 100-lap segment and by lap 160 he was out for a Sunday afternoon driver all by his lonesome.

To add insult to injury, he lapped everyone in the field at least once before taking the checkered.

“This Rockford race was the biggest win of my career,” Trickle said afterwards. “I was out to do nothing less than win.”

“They had some top drivers here and I guess they were really surprised to see me win,” he added. “They were especially surprised to see me take it with a 2-barrel carburetor, when every other driver was running a 4-barrel carburetor.”

1972 – Sorg Captures Second Dri-Powr at Winchester

 

Dave Sorg receives congratulations from track owner Roger Holdeman as Miss Winchester Pennie Brown looks on after Sorg captured his second Dri-Powr 400 victory at Winchester.

Winchester, Ind. (October 1, 1972) – Dave Sorg did it again.

The steady stock car driver from Fort Wayne won his second Dri-Powr 400 Sunday at Winchester Speedway where he’s been almost unbeatable for the past three years.

Sorg’s victory was worth more than $5,000 from the nearly $21,000 purse. John Sommerville of Louisville, Ky., finished second, nearly two laps behind the winner.

Finishing third was Tom Maier of Midland, Mich., followed by Delmar Clark of New Philadelphia, Ohio, and Carl Smith of Columbus, Ohio.

Ed VanderLaan of Grand Rapids, Mich., led the first half of the race before Sorg caught in heavy traffic. Larry Moore of Fairborn, Ohio, who led the first few laps of the race, broke a tie rod and lost more than 30 laps in the pit area. He finished 18 laps down, however.

Jim Dickey of Anderson, crewman with Darwin Blankenship, and an unidentified spectator, were burned when fuel from Blankenship’s car exploded during a pit stop. Both were treated at the track and Blankenship continued in competition.

Sorg’s time of 2 hours, 42 minutes, and 4.03 second established a new track record, erasing his previous mark set in the first Dri-Powr in 1970.


Results –

1. Dave Sorg
2. John Sommerville
3. Tom Maier
4. Delmar Clark
5. Carl Smith
6. Larry Moore
7. Dwayne Chaffin
8. Dan Hopper
9. Roland Van Arsdale
10.Paul Weisner

1973 – Gilbert Collects Top Payday at Eldora

 

Floyd Gilbert proudly poses with his trophy after winning the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. 

Rossburg, Ohio (September 30, 1973) – Floyd Gilbert, a 43-year-old driver from Lockland, Ohio, scored the biggest payday of his racing career Sunday afternoon by winning the World 100 late model stock car feature at Eldora Speedway.

Gilbert cashed in $6,870 - $6,000 for the win and $870 for leading the final 87 laps at $10 per lap. He piloted a 1969 Chevelle.

Bill Teegarden of Dry Ridge, Ky., took runner-up honors and earned $1,500. He drove a 1973 Camaro.

Such famous racing names as Tiny Lund, Charlie Glotzbach, Verlin Eaker, and Ralph Latham failed to qualify for the feature. Another well-known name, Jim Hurtubise, watched from the stands.

Eaker, last year’s winner of the World 100, won the 25-lap feature which followed the main event.


Results –

1. Floyd Gilbert, Lockland, Ohio
2. Billy Teegarden, Dry Ridge, Ky.
3. Gene Petro, Columbus, Ind.
4. Bruce Gould, Milford, Ohio
5. Dick DeBolt, Union City, Ind.
6. Roger Grossnickle, North Manchester, Ind.
7. Chuck McWilliams, Union, Ky.
8. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs, Iowa
9. Chick Hale, Lewisburg, Ohio
10.Frank Lamp, Davison, Mich.
11.Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa
12.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo, Iowa
13.Ron Edwards, Cincinnati, Ohio
14.Rodney Combs, Lost Creek, W. Va.
15.Dale Woolworth, Saginaw, Mich.
16.Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
17.John Mugavin, Glen Este, Ohio
18.Don Goff, Zanesville, Ohio
19.Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
20.Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.

1979 – ‘Husker-Hawk’ Cup to Niffenegger

 

Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa won the eighth annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan. With Niffenegger are promoter John Beaman (left) and race sponsor. – Dean Malone Photo

Harlan, Iowa (September 29, 1979) – Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa, grabbed the lead from his pole position, lost it for 19 laps, then regained it and sailed to victory in the eighth annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye challenge at the Shelby County Speedway on Saturday night.

The two-day show attracted many of the top late model pilots from Iowa and Nebraska, each gunning for the $1,500 winner’s prize, plus the coveted cup.

Niffenegger’s win gave Iowa its eighth straight win in the challenge series since it began in 1972.

Niffenegger earned the pole position for the 75-lap feature by virtue of his win in the trophy dash Saturday evening. The trophy dash featured the eight heat winners, who fought it out for the pole position.

When the green flag waved, Niffenegger pushed his Camaro to the head of the pack. However, Don Hoffman of Des Moines moved up from his third row starting position to challenge after the first 10 laps of the contest.

Time after time Hoffman tried to get around Niffenegger and finally on the 18th lap, Hoffman got the job done.

Then, it was Niffenegger’s turn to challenge the leader. Lap after lap the two drivers would be nose to tail down the back straight. Then, like a derailed train, they would separate – Hoffman running the high side and Niffenegger the low side. Finally, after 10 laps, Niffenegger came out on the front straightaway ahead of Hoffman and they would run that way to the end.

“I knew the only way to get the lead back was to go really hard and low into the turns and slide out in front of him (Hoffman),” a tired but happy Niffenegger said from victory lane.

Hoffman held off a persistent Tom Hearst of Wilton to claim second while Joe Merryfield of Des Moines was fourth – the only other driver on the same lap as Niffenegger.

The best finish by a Nebraskan was Randy Sterner of Blair, who finished eighth.


Results –

1. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
2. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
3. Tom Hearst, Wilton
4. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
5. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
6. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
7. George Barton, Ankeny
8. Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
9. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
10.Joe Kosiski, Omaha
11.Dan Rabbass, Bellevue, Neb.
12.Bill Davis, Des Moines
13.Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
14.Paul Zdan, Omaha
15.Craig Spetman, Omaha
16.Al Humphrey, Giltner, Neb.
17.Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
18.Red Dralle, Evansdale
19.Kent Tucker, Aurora, Neb.
20.Ken Davidson, Indianola

1975 – Champions 100 to Kenimer

 

Doug Kenimer

Ionia, Mich. (September 28, 1975) -Doug Kenimer of Dahlonega, Ga., won the Cavalcade of Champions 100 open competition late model stock car race at the Ionia Fairgrounds Speedway on Sunday after the event was nearly canceled by the owner of Clarke’s Motor Speedway in Clarksville, Mich.

The rich event was scheduled to be held at Clarke’s Motor Speedway.

The promoter of the race, Ross Havenstick, who has leased the track all season, reported he received a telegram from track owner Steve Clarke on Wednesday night, just three days before qualifications and preliminary heats on Saturday. The telegram said the race would not be held on his track because of financial risks. Unbeknownst to Havenstick, Clarke reportedly sent cancellation notices to several newspapers and some of the top drivers that were scheduled to appear.

Havenstick, that same night, secured the use of the Ionia Fairgrounds, which is located 10 miles north of Clarksville.

Havenstick notes the uncalled for cancellation of his lease with Mr. Clarke, which did not expired until October 1, caused a noticeable decrease in the size of the crowd and the number of entries.

Des Moines, Iowa, driver Joe Merryfield, the recent winner of the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, finished runner-up in the 100-lap feature, which paid $10,000 to win and $5,000 for second place.

Placing third was fast qualifier Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, followed by Em Fretheim of Decorah, Iowa, and Bill Youkin.


Results –

1. Doug Kenimer, Dahlonega, Ga.
2. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines, Iowa
3. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
4. Em Fretheim, Decorah, Iowa
5. Bill Youkin
6. Dan Dickey, Packwood, Iowa
7. Dale Woolworth
8. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
9. Tom Helfrich, Haubstadt, Ind.
10.Dick Schiltz, Waterloo, Iowa

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

1986 – Fischlein Tops Park Jefferson ‘Tour’

 

Dale Fischlein won the Busch/Winston All-Star Tour feature at Park Jefferson International Speedway. He’s joined by track owner Dr. John Anderson. – Kathy Root Photo

Jefferson, S.D. (September 26, 1986) – Dale Fischlein of Independence, Iowa, outraced the NASCAR late model field at Park Jefferson International Speedway Friday night to pocket first place and $2,000 as the Busch/Winston All-Star Tour made a Siouxland stop.

Fischlein, who also won his heat race, went 50- laps to nab the main event over 23 other contenders. Starting on the outside of the front row, Fischlein took the early lead from polesitter Joe Kosiski of Omaha, then survived two cautions to win by nearly a half a lap over Kosiski.

Steve Kosiski of Omaha, Fischlein, Dave Chase of Omaha, Bill Baldwin of Bellevue, and Roger Dolan won heat races. Bill Kirk of Salix, Iowa, won the first B-main while Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, took the second B-main.


Results –

1. Dale Fischlein, Independence, Iowa
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
3. Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
4. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
5. Bill Kirk, Salix, Iowa

1959 – Shepherd Wins Race; IMCA Records Fall

A.J. Shepherd receives his trophy from Tennessee State Fair president Beverly Briley as promoter Al Sweeney looks on.

Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 1959) – A.J. Shepherd shattered every IMCA record in the book Saturday as he blazed to his second straight big car victory at the Tennessee State Fair.

Shepherd traveled the 12.5-miles on the high banked oval in 9 minutes and 9.65 seconds or 81.95 miles per hour, easily eclipsing the old IMCA national record. The old mark of 9 minutes and 26.48 seconds as set by Marvin Pifer at Salem, Ind., in 1953.

A roaring shirt sleeve crowd of approximately 12,000 enthusiastic race fans cheered every move the big car drivers made, often rising as cars attempted to pass each other.

“I figured I’d broke the 25-lap record for the track, but I know it was a national mark,” an elated Shepherd said afterwards. “Man, that was a terrific pace out there today. I’ve never had to run so fast to win a race, but I couldn’t let up for a second with Pete right on my tail.”

Shepherd was referring to Pete Folse, the IMCA national champion, who finished in second place for the second straight day. Folse again held the pole position and held the lead for the first three laps. He wasn’t even close at the finish.

It took quite a bit of daring on Shepherd’s part to grab the lead, and in so attempting, nearly spun out. First, Shepherd tried to take Folse on the second lap, and he hit him from behind, spinning slightly off the bank.

The A.J. really brought the crowd to its feet as he rammed Folse full force from behind in trying to get by again.

“Pete was braking slightly on the banks,” explained Shepherd. “I was going faster than he was, and I couldn’t avoid hitting him. I’m lucky I didn’t spin out completely.”

After those two gasping efforts, Shepherd finally made it around Folse on lap 4, and held the top spot the rest of the way.

Jack Rounds of Huntington Beach, Calif., who described the racetrack as a “dandy,” finished third, with Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., coming in fourth.


Results –

Heat #1 – Jack Rounds, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Heat #2 – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
Heat #3 – Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
Match race – A.J. Shepherd
Australian Pursuit – Jerry Blundy
Feature –
1. A.J. Shepherd
2. Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
3. Jack Rounds
4. Jerry Blundy
5. Mickey McCormick, Mitchell, Ind.
6. Ray Duckworth
7. Duke Hindahl, Pekin, Ill.
8. Hank Lawshe, Winchester, Ill.
9. Paul Dorcic, Chicago Ridge, Ill.

1960 – Derr is Winner in 150-Lapper

 

Ernie Derr

Oklahoma City, Okla. (September 25, 1960) – National champion Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, made it a repeat performance at the Oklahoma Free State Fair on Sunday afternoon, besting a field of 13 stock cars in the 150-lap marathon run.

“Durable Ernie” set a torrid pace from the very start to sack up his second triumph in two years and for all purposes just about wrapped up the International Motor Contest Association title.

Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, finished second, about 10 car lengths behind, and Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., took third. Both were driving Ford’s while Derr steered a 1960 Pontiac to victory. Stott piloted a 1960 convertible and Williams was driving a 1958 model.

Time for the distance (75 miles) was 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 24.8 seconds with the yellow flag causing two slowdowns for minor mishaps. It still bettered last year’s mark of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 17 seconds.

One of the mishaps - a broken axle on the 69th lap – sidelined rookie-of-the-year Dick Hutcherson, another product of Keokuk. At the time, Hutcherson was in third place and challenging the leaders.

Five other cars failed to finish due to mechanical problems and only six of the original 13 starters completed the race.

Derr set a track record in time trials with a tour of 28.62 seconds for the half mile dirt oval.

Another record broke was the attendance mark. Unofficially, 8,000 fans saw the race despite overcast skies and a light drizzle which prevailed through the first few minutes of the race.

Derr, sitting on the pole position, beat the rest of the field into the first turn, and after that, it was Derr all the way. Stott challenged throughout but never did get any closer that his 10-car-length difference at the end.

Most of the action centered on the fight for second place with Stott, Hutcherson, and Williams battling it out. At the 69th lap, Hutcherson dropped out, leaving a pattern of Derr, Stott, and Williams for the remainder of the contest.

Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle, Iowa, was fourth with Joe Dolphy of New Brighton, Minn., and Bob Eichor of Oklahoma City the only other drivers still on the course when the checkers fell.