1987 - Aikey Wins ‘Red Baron Pizza 50’

 

Jeff Aikey won the IMCA Late Model Summer Series race at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Promoter Larry Kemp (left) and IMCA Race Directory Keith Knaack make the trophy presentation. – Jerry Mackey Photo

By Bill Haglund

Davenport, Iowa (August 18, 1987) – Current IMCA Late Model Summer Series point leader Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls ran the high side of the racetrack Tuesday night and captured the “Red Baron Pizza 50” on the quarter-mile at Davenport Speedway.

Aikey started on the fifth row but moved to the hide side of the track, picking off car after car in the 50-lap feature. Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., led most of the race and his battle with Aikey had the near-capacity crowd on its feet as the two drivers raced side-by-side, not giving an inch to the other.

However, Guss was forced to drop out with two laps remaining after he broke a tie rod. Gus ran several laps with the broken part and had slipped back to fifth when he finally called it a night.

That gave the victory to Aikey with Rick Wendling of Hazelton taking runner-up honors. Curt Martin of Independence was third followed by Jay Johnson of Wapello and hometown favorite Gary Webb rounding out the top-five.

Jim Willert won the IMCA modified feature at Davenport Speedway. IMCA Race Director Keith Knaack presents the checkers. – Jerry Mackey Photo

In the companion IMCA modified feature, Jim Willert of Davenport led all the way in the 20-lapper, but was challenged every lap by current IMCA Modified National Series point leader Shane Davis of Rock Island, Ill.

Davis, who started in the fifth row, eventually made his way up front and into second. But he was forced to stay there as Willert’s car began overheating and shooting water in the final laps of the race. Dan Chapman of Clarence finished third followed by Butch Cole of Kewanee, Ill., and Rick Wages of Davenport.

Steve Boley of LeClaire, Terry Gallaher of New London, Mo., Frank Springsteen of Morning Sun, and Aikey were late model heat winners. Rollie Frink of Davenport won the B-main.

IMCA modified heat winners were Jeff Morris of Eldridge, Steve Johnson of Camanche, Bob Schadt of Davenport, and Willert. Leland Bushong of Colona, Ill., and Bruce Hanford of Davenport were B-main winners.


Results –


IMCA Late Model –

1. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls
2. Rick Wendling, Hazelton
3. Curt Martin, Independence
4. Jay Johnson, Wapello
5. Gary Webb, Davenport
6. Steve Boley, LeClaire
7. Dale Fischlein, Independence
8. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown
9. Ted Pallister, Wapello
10.Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
11.Bill Breuer, Wapello
12.Rollie Frink, Davenport
13.Terry Gallaher, New London, Mo.
14.Ken Walton, Viola
15.Greg Hunter, Independence



IMCA Modified –

1. Jim Willert, Davenport
2. Shane Davis, Rock Island, Ill.
3. Dan Chapman, Clarence
4. Rick Cole, Kewanee, Ill.
5. Rick Wages, Davenport
6. Jerry Conners, Bettendorf
7. Leland Bushong, Colona, Ill.
8. Bruce Hanford, Davenport
9. Steve Johnson, Camanche
10.Rick Cox, Davenport

1979 – Dralle Wins Owatonna MSI Special

 

Owatonna, Minn. (August 18, 1979) – Red Dralle of Evansdale, Iowa, was the winner of the 50-lap Minnesota Speedways, Inc.- sponsored feature race at the Steele County Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon.

Dralle, by virtue of winning the second heat, started on the outside of the front row, took over the lead from first heat winner and polesitter Terry Hansen of Owatonna on lap 3, and never relinquished it thereafter.

A first lap crash eliminated Harvey Patterson of St. Ansgar, Iowa, Bruce Busho of Owatonna, and Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie from the 30-car field. A lap later, Ted Zieman of Mason City, Iowa, would drop out with mechanical problems.

When Marion Smiley of Phoenix, Ariz., hit a guardrail on the track and separated his soft-sand running tires from the wheels, he dropped out of second place, leaving Jim Bruggeman of White Bear Lake to hold that spot the remainder of the way.

Leon Plank of Mondovi, Wis., made the biggest jump in the race, coming from his 14th starting position to finish third while Dave Bjorge of Austin relayed his 16th starting position into a fourth-place finish.

However, it was the jolly, round fellow in the red suit who accepted the MSI trophy and the $1,200 first-place prize money at the end of a hot, grueling afternoon.


Results –

Heat #1 – Terry Hanson, Owatonna
Heat #2 – Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa
Heat #3 – Marion Smiley, Phoenix, Ariz.
Feature -
1. Red Dralle
2. Jim Bruggeman, White Bear Lake
3. Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.
4. Dave Bjorge, Austin
5. Rich Olson, Rochester
6. Terry Hanson
7. Darrell Zweifel, Rochester
8. Leroy Scharkey, Rochester
9. Jim Dahle, Hayfield
10.Marion Smiley
11.Steve Sorenson, Austin
12.Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie
13.Bob Saterdalen, Oronoco
14.George Baurnfiend, Faribault
15.Arnie Braland, Boone, Iowa

1973 – Springfield Stocker Captured by Bowsher

 

Springfield, Ill. (Augst 18, 1973) – Jack Bowsher of Springfield, Ohio, won the Allen Crowe Memorial 100 USAC stock car race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds on Saturday afternoon before a crowd estimated at 13,000.

Bowsher drove a 1971 Ford Torino to a 20.1-second victory over Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, who was driving a 1973 Dodge.

Als finishing on the lead lap was Bay Darnell of Deerfield, who drove a 1972 Dodge, and Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, piloting a 1972 Dodge.

Bowsher averaged 74.781 miles per hour. His speed was slowed by three yellow flags for a total of 22 laps.

The race had to be stopped for fence repairs at the end of the fourth lap when a 1972 Dodge driven by Dan Weyker went through the barrier between turns three and four.

Another accident on lap 11 involved cars driven by Art Bormet and Joe Booher.

The third and final accident occurred on lap 31 and involved two-time and defending USAC national stock car champion Butch Hartman, Leonard Blanchard, and Larry Cope.

Hartman was able to continue after the accident despite serious body damage but was eliminated after 83 miles when his 1973 Dodge stalled on the backstretch.

Al Unser led the first 32 laps in his 1971 Ford before making a pit stop. Paul Feldner then led laps 33 through 46 in his 1972 Dodge.

Bowsher passed Feldner on the 47th lap and increased his margin gradually throughout the remainder of the race.

White moved passed Feldner to take over second on lap 78.


Results –


1. Jack Bowsher
2. Don White
3. Bay Darnell
4. Ernie Derr
5. Harold Fair
6. Paul Feldner
7. Ramo Stott
8. Dave Whitcomb
9. Chuck McWilliams
10.John Reimer
11.Blackie Wangerin
12.Mark Dinsmore
13.Bruce Jacobi
14.John Schultz
15.Sal Tovella
16.Butch Hartman
17.Darwin Sandstrom
18.Al Unser
19.Charlie Glotzbach
20.Ralph Latham

1962 – Junior Jalopy Fair Race to Zwanziger

 

Bill Zwanziger won the Iowa State Junior Jalopy Championship at the Iowa State Fair. - Jim Volgarino Collection. 

Des Moines, Iowa (August 18, 1962) – Waterloo’s Bill Zwanziger led all the way to win the Junior Jalopy crown before an estimated 5,000 fans at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday afternoon.

Last year’s champion, Charlie Moffitt of Stanwood, finished third behind Bob Hilmer of Dysart.

Zwanziger, who had the pole position, wasn’t even threatened. After the first lap, he maintained a 10 to 50-yard lead the rest of the way. The race was a duel for second place.

It was a hectic day for the 6-foot, 7-inch Moffitt. He was the leader in the first heat when a tire blew. In the fifth heat, Moffitt was vying for the lead again when Bill Starr’s car swerved and struck John Babb of Ottumwa. Moffitt struck the entanglement, sidelining him for the rest of the race.

But Moffitt came back in flying fashion to capture the consolation and qualify for the championship feature.

He started in the tenth row but by the second lap he was in ninth place. On the 20th lap, he had moved into third.

Moffitt couldn’t overcome the lead established by Zwanziger and Hilmer, driving one of Ernie Derr’s old Pontiacs.

Zwanziger earned $450 for the win in addition to collecting $50 for winning the first heat. Hilmer’s take for finishing second was $350 while Moffitt went home with $200. Starr finished fourth and “Big” Tom Hughes of Monticello, who won the fifth heat, was fifth.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Jimmy Johns, Dubuque
Heat #3 – Cal Swanson, Reinbeck
Heat #4 – Norman Weimers, Manson
Heat #5 – Tom Hughes, Monticello
Consolation – Charlie Moffitt, Stanwood
Feature –
1. Bill Zwanziger
2. Bob Hilmer, Reinbeck
3. Charlie Moffitt
4. Bill Starr, Davenport
5. Tom Hughes
6. Arnie Spore, Waterloo
7. Hilbert Schramm, Manson
8. Bill Knapp, Kellogg
9. Pete Lillie, Grinnell
10.Norm Baker, Clarion
11.Gale Morrow, Newton
12.John Moss, Iowa City
13.John Connolly, Delhi
14.Slim Doonan, Brooklyn
15.Orlo Alexander, Ackworth

1986 – Roper Repeats at Springfield

 

Dean Roper is joined in victory lane by Miss Illinois Fair after winning the Allen Crowe Memorial at Springfield. – J.D. Scott Photo

Springfield, Il. (August 16, 1986) – Defending champion Dean Roper of Fair Grove, Mo., took over the lead on lap 94 and kept his Pontiac in front the last seven laps to win the Allen Crowe Memorial 100-mile ARCA stock car race Sunday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Roper, claiming his fourth Allen Crowe Memorial victory, earned $5,925 for the triumph before an estimated crowd of 8,500.

No time was announced for the race, which was slowed by seven yellow flags and halted for 30 minutes because of rain after the 65th lap. There were no serious accidents or injuries.

Bob Brevak of Ashland, Wis., finished second in a Buick, about 15 seconds behind Roper, while Bob Strait of Mokena, Ill., took third in a Chevy. Rounding out the top five were Lee Raymond of Dayton, Ohio, in a Chevy and Terry Pearson of Saybrook, Ill., in an Oldsmobile.

Roper, who started from the 12th position, steadily moved through the pack and was running second behind Bobby Jacks of Huber Heights, Ohio, by lap 86. Jacks, who led laps 26 through 93 in his Oldsmobile, was forced to make his only pit stop on lap 94 to add fuel and finished 10th.

“I had to run hard all day long, I never did get to loaf at all,” joked Roper, who has won a total of seven races on the Illinois State Fair mile dirt track during his career.

Raymond, the current ARCA Permatex Super Car Series point leader, earned the pole position with a fast time of 35.9 seconds.

Results –


1. Dean Roper
2. Bob Brevak
3. Bob Strait
4. Lee Raymond
5. Terry Pearson
6. Jim Jeffrey
7. Dick Taylor
8. Bob Dotter
9. Scott Stovall
10.Bobby Jacks
11.Grant Adcox
12.Don Marmor
13.Dennis Metpenningen
14.Roger Blackstock
15.Mike Fry
16.Maurice Randall
17.Butch Garner
18.Randy Huffman
19.Hoyte Choate
20.Bob Keselowski
21.David Goldsberry
22.Bill Venturini
23.Rick Jeffrey
24.Jim Hurlbert
25.Jim Elliot
26.Ken Rowley
27.Jerry Huffman
28.Ronnie Bates
29.Mark Gibson
30.Dennis Marcelle

1980 - Wolfgang Wins Sprint Main at Des Moines

 

Des Moines, Iowa (August 17, 1980) – Luck changed dramatically for Doug Wolfgang on Sunday night.

After week of mishaps which kept the Sioux Falls, S.D., sprint car driver from victory and from the main event of the Knoxville Nationals, Wolfgang finally made it to the winner’s circle.

He snared the lead on the 20th lap and dashed away to the win in the 30-lap feature on the half-mile dirt at the Iowa State Fair. National Speedways Contest Association sanctioned the program.

Earlier Sunday, Wolfgang had to withdraw from the C-feature at the fog-delayed Knoxville Nationals program with a broken axle.

“We thought we had that fixed before we left the pits at Knoxville (in the afternoon),” said Wolfgang. “The car was working really well tonight.”

Wolfgang had been leading the feature in Kansas City on Tuesday night when he had to retire due to oil pan problems. On his qualifying night at Knoxville, he broke the one-lap track record but then was sidelined with mechanical issues.

Finishing behind Wolfgang was Rick Ferkel of Findlay, Ohio, with Knoxville Nationals champion Steve Kinser of Bloomington taking third.

Kinser, at first, didn’t want to compete on Sunday night at Des Moines. But car owner Bob Trostle said he was going anyway, and Kinser changed his mind. Kinser collected $1,000 in addition to his $6,000 winnings from that afternoon in Knoxville.

“I might have done better but the brakes were gone, and my headers were caked with mud,” Kinser said. “I just rode it out.”

There was near tragedy for Kinser. His Knoxville Nationals championship ring, which had 30 diamonds, was dropped by a friend who was admiring the jewelry. The incident happened in the pit area at Des Moines. Tragedy was avoided, however, when his friend found the ring with the help of a flashlight.

Wolfgang, who collected $1,500 for the victory, had to borrow a wing from Trostle.

Danny Smith of Hendersonville, Tenn., was fourth and Gary Patterson of Carmichael, Calif., completed the top-five.

Although John Stevenson of St. Paul, Minn., and Tom Corbin of Carrollton, Mo., fared poorly, Stevenson nailed down the National Speedways Contest Association sprint car title. Stevenson had a 200-point lead over Corbin and only one race meet – Saturday on the mile track at the Missouri state Fair – remains. Stevenson finished 10th while Corbin was 13th.

Ken Potter of Kansas City, Ron Wiuff of St. Paul, Minn., Bob Geldner of St. Peter, Minn., and Randy Smith of Norwalk were het winners. Mikee Thomas of Des Moines won the B-main.


Results –


1. Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2. Rick Ferkel, Findlay, Ohio
3. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
4. Danny Smith, Hendersonville, Tenn.
5. Gary Patterson, Carmichael, Calif.
6. Tim Green, Sacramento, Calif.
7. Jimmy Sills, Sacramento, Calif.
8. Bill Robison, Topeka, Kan.
9. Shane Carson, Oklahoma City, Okla.
10.John Stevenson, St. Paul, Minn.
11.Randy Smith, Norwalk
12.Bob Geldner, St. Peter, Minn.
13.Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.
14.Lenard McCarl, Des Moines
15.Mike Thomas, Des Moines

1975 – State Fair Stock Win to Hartman

Springfield, Ill. (August 17, 1975) – Butch Hartman took $3,960 back home to South Zanesville, Ohio, Sunday afternoon, after placing first in a confusing 100-mile USAC late model stock car race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Hartman, driving a Dodge, started third and finished several car lengths ahead of Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, who drove a Plymouth. Hartman was listed as the leader after 51 miles, but Stott said USAC officials failed to see him pass Hartman on lap 30. USAC later credited Stott with leading the race laps 32 to 83.

The race was run under yellow on lap 59 when officials stopped the race entirely, saying they first wanted to check track conditions and then blaming erratic current for disrupting electric timers. Electricians stated the current was fine.

After an hour, officials decided to back up and restart the race at lap 50. They made Stott the leader, putting Ernie Derr of Keokuk in second and Hartman in third. The crowd, thinking Hartman was first, booed unmercifully.

Hartman, however, brought the fans to their feet, moving past Derr on lap 66 and then taking the lead away from Stott on the 84th mile.


Results –


1. Butch Hartman
2. Ramo Stott
3. Sal Tovella
4. Ernie Derr
5. Don White
6. Fred Zack
7. Ralph Latham
8. Butch Garner
9. Jigger Sirois
10.Paul Feldner
11.Jim Bowsher
12.Gordon Blankenship
13.Ken Rowley
14.Russ Peterson
15.Harold Fair
16.Paul Sizemore
17.John Schultz
18.Joe Booher
19.Marcus Phelps
20.Bay Darnell

1969 - Burdick Grabs Top $$$ at Sunset

 

Bud Burdick

By Mark Woods

Omaha, Neb. (August 17, 1969) – Bud Burdick of Omaha worked his way up through the field to take the late model feature Sunday night at Sunset Speedway before a crowd of 2,231.

The 25-lap thriller was marked with three restarts as a two-car tangle involving Carl Smith and Phil Reeves on the first lap resulted in a complete restart. On the third lap, Paul Zdan savagely rolled his ’66 Chevelle after hitting the south turn wall. He luckily escaped injury. Lyle Roucka spun to mark the fourth restart in four laps.

Finally, the field of 12 cars started working together long enough for Burdick to jump ahead of Marvin Kruse and lead the remaining 21 long rounds and pocket the $275 winner’s share.

Burdick was challenged constantly by Kruse, Bob Kosiski, and point leader Jim Wyman. This marked Wyman’s first finishing of the “A” in four weeks.

In the B-main, Larry Jiskra led the first 10 laps before Jack Golder shot ahead to lead the other 10 laps and grab the win. Mike Dizona was running a strong second before his engine started smoking and was forced to retire. The entire 20 laps was run around the4/10-mile in 7 minutes and 22 seconds.

The 6-lap trophy dash went to Bill Wrich, who was challenged by Roucka and Wyman the entire way. Speed dash honors went to Marvin Kruse, subbing for Keith Leithoff. “Wild” Bill Martin took a tremendous lead at the start but lost to Kruse on the final decisive lap.

Martin also gave Burdick and Milo Stodola quite the battle in the third heat won by Burdick. Martin, driving a ’64 Chevelle, was unable to make the big “A” with a blown motor. Other heat winners were Bob Kosiski and Lyle Roucka.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bob Kosiski
Heat #2 – Lyle Roucka
Heat #3 – Bud Burdick
Speed dash – Marvin Kruse
Trophy dash – Bill Wrich
B-main – Jack Golder
A-main –
1. Bud Burdick
2. Marvin Kruse
3. Bob Kosiski
4. Jim Wyman
5. Bill Wrich
6. Milo Stodola
7. Randy Sterner
8. Harold Austin
9. Phil Reeves
10.Joe Stewart

1958 – Wausau 200-Lapper to Don White

 

Don White

Wausau, Wis. (August 17, 1958) – Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, won the 200-lap speed event for stock cars Sunday afternoon on the half-mile dirt track at Marathon Park. The victory for the International Motor Contest Association point leader earned him $500.

Time for the 100-mile contest was 1 hour, 47 minutes, and 45.97 seconds, much faster than last year’s run, when IMCA started the longer distant run.

The grandstands and bleachers were filled to capacity, with approximately 5,500 watching more than two hours of racing.

In the feature event, White, who finished the 100 miles by lapping the runner-up, Bruce Nystrom of Oshkosh twice, was time at 29.88 seconds on one of the feature laps, which was faster than his 30.44 second time he made in qualifying on Saturday. Establishing those two marks helped run his earnings to $750.

In the feature event on Sunday, White had the lead all the way and his one times varied from 28.80 to 33.01 seconds for the century grind. He finished a full two laps ahead of Nystrom and that included one pit stop which took 24 seconds for gas and a drink of water.


Results –

1. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Bruce Nystrom, Oshkosh
3. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
4. Whitey Traeder, Milwaukee
5. Joe Gustaf, Moline, Ill.
6. Ralph Wilhelm, Milwaukee
7. Pete Van Oudenhoven, Appleton
8. Clarence Bolton, Hutchinson, Kan.

1986 - Bettenhausen to Hewitt

 

Jack Hewitt won the USAC Silver Crown "Tony Bettenhausen 100" at the Springfield Mile. - Ken Coles Photo

Springfield, Ill. (August 16, 1986) – Jack Hewitt grabbed the lead on lap 29 and went on to capture the USAC Sliver Crown Championship Series’ Tony Bettenhausen 100 Saturday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Gary Bettenhausen jumped into the lead from his outside front row starting position and paced the first 19 laps before Hewitt tasted the lead for the first time. Eight laps later, Bettenhausen found himself back out front.

But one lap later, Hewitt took over for good. A caution for a Danny Milburn spin on lap 72 and another when Duke Cook hit the wall in turn one on lap 83 bunched up the field. Hewitt managed to stay out front on both ensuing restarts and went on to score the victory.

Chuck Gurney took second ahead of Larry Rice, Rick Hood, and Bobby Olivero.


Results –

1. Jack Hewitt
2. Chuck Gurney
3. Larry Rice
4. Ricky Hood
5. Bobby Olivero
6. Warren Mockler
7. Brent Kaeding
8. Tom Bigelow
9. Manny Rockhold
10.Leon Thickstun
11.Steve Chassey
12.Andy Hillenberg
13.Greg Staab
14.Terry Kawell
15.Randy Standridge

1974 – Lund Grabs Rain-Shortened Red Bud

 

DeWayne "Tiny" Lund won the rain-shortened Red Bud 300 stock car classic at Sun Valley Speedway. - Brian Norton Collection

Anderson, Ind. (August 16, 1974) – Was it meant to be this way? Probably.

Two of the three NASCAR drivers entered in the field were forced out, but Tiny Lund of Cross, S.C., grabbed the lead in his ’74 Camaro on the 117th lap and held it until the rain-drenched halt to the eighth annual running of the Red Bud 300 at Sun Valley Speedway Friday night.

Darrell Waltrip of Franklin, Tenn., one oof NASCAR’s greats, hit the fourth turn wall on lap 20after receiving a helpful nudge from Lund. Pete Hamilton, the polesitter for the 300 with a qualifying time of 13.419 seconds, experienced mechanical issues with his ’72 Dodge Challenger and was forced from the event after only 47 circuits around the high-banked quarter mile oval.

But the big story of the night had to be the driving of Gene Prosser of New Castle, Ind. After stepping into his machine amid the boos and jeers, the second fastest qualifier ran straightaway with some of the biggest names in stock car racing. Prosser never gave up and finished second classic followed by Dave Sorg of Fort Wayne, Ind.

Dennis Miles of Muncie, Ind., was fourth, driving a 1970 Camaro.

The race saw its first yellow flag after only seven laps of racing had been completed when Harold Scott and Miles got entangled on the first turn. Hamilton had jumped into a quick lead at the start and led until his car developed trouble on lap 46.

Tiny Lund made his move on lap 44 that probably won him the race as he moved up two positions as the green flag dropped for the restart. Lund literally jumped around Jackie Neal and jimmy Roberts. From that point, Lund waited patiently until Prosser made a wrong move and Lund slid under and into the lead.

Roberts put on the most exciting show of the evening as he moved from his eighth starting position into third place in less than 10 laps. Roberts held the third spot until the 91st lap when he was involved in a three-car pileup.

The race was red-flagged due to the mishap being delayed some 20 minutes. Prosser maintained his lead as the race was restarted but lost to Lund on the 117th lap.

Prosser got high in the second turn and spun but did a fine job of driving as he lost only a quarter of a lap to Lund. On laps 199 and 200, Lund and Prosser made their mandatory pit stops while jockeying for position. Lund maintained his lead and Prosser remained second with Sorg moving into the third spot ahead of Miles.

And then the rains came. Typical with most central Indiana races, the thunderclouds and strong winds made their appearance. The race, however, was never halted due to the rains until torrents hit on lap 159. The red flag immediately appeared, and the race was halted with Lund declared the winner.


Results –

1. Tiny Lund
2. Gene Prosser
3. Dave Sorg
4. Denny Miles
5. Jackie Neal
6. Gene Christie
7. John Sommerville
8. Don Keevin
9. LaMarr Marshall
10.Ken Simpson
11.Ray Fullen
12.Jiggs Meyer
13.Ernie Layton
14.Gene Fullen
15.Don Higgins
16.Jim Blount
17.Shorty Hinshaw
18.Randy Sweet
19.Mike Eddy
20.Bill Kimmel

1969 – Downing Wins at Denison

 

Dyle Downing

By Jackie Pester

Denison, Iowa (August 16, 1969) – Dyle Downing of Storm Lake won the A-main at the Crawford County Fairgrounds in Denison on Saturday evening.

Downing led from start to finish with Everett Hutchinson of Sac City taking second and Dennis Hovinga of Laurens coming in third.

Ken Braasch of Deloit won the B-main with George Peterson of Harlan finishing second. Braasch took the lead away from race-long leader Dick Street of Schleswig when he developed mechanical problems with only a few laps remaining.

Ev Hutchinson won the trophy dash over Dennis Hovinga and Monty Hansen of Harlan.

Loren Thies of Arthur, Hansen, and Hutchinson were heat winners.


Results –


Heat #1 -Loren Thies, Arthur
Heat #2 – Monty Hansen, Harlan
Heat #3 – Everett Hutchinson, Sac City
Trophy dash – Everett Hutchinson
B-main – Ken Braasch, Deloit
A-main -
1. Dyle Downing, Storm Lake
2. Everett Hutchinson
3. Dennis Hovinga, Laurens
4. Mike Chapman, Whiting
5. Monty Hansen
6. Jim Miller, Ida Grove

1964 – Petty a Winner at Ona Track

 

Richard Petty flashes a winner’s smile after winning the Mountaineer 500 late model stock car race. Presenting the trophy is “Miss Huntington” June Patton.

Ona, W.Va. (August 16, 1964) – Richard Petty of Randleman, N.C., wheeled his 1964 Plymouth to victory Sunday in the Mountaineer 500 stock car race at West Virginia International Speedway.

Petty had an average speed of 70.48 miles per hour over the 7/16-mile racetrack to finish three laps ahead of Junior Johnson of Rhonda, N.C., who drove a 1964 Ford. The time was 3 hours, 6 minutes, and 12 seconds.

First place was worth $2,500 to Petty, the high point man and the leading money winner of the NASCAR Grand National circuit this season. It was his eighth win of the season.

Johnson earned $1,500 for his runner-up finish. Ned Jarrett of Camden, S.C., finished third in his 1964 Ford and took home $1,200. Jim Paschal of High Point, N.C., driving a 1964 Plymouth, finished fourth and collected $1,000.

The caution flag was out six times, although there were no serious accidents or injuries. The flag was displayed for 13 laps when David Pearson of Spartanburg, S.C., hit a guardrail on the backstretch and gasoline flowed down over the track from his 1964 Dodge.

A crowd of about 12,000 – the second largest crowd in the two-year history of the track – watched the race under overcast skies. Of the 31 starters, 15 finished the race. Most of the drivers that dropped out had either engine trouble or blown tires.


Results –

1. Richard Petty
2. Junior Johnson
3. Ned Jarrett
4. Jim Paschal
5. Earl Balmer
6. Billy Wade
7. Darel Dieringer
8. Larry Thomas
9. Bunkie Blackburn
10.Buddy Arrington

1959 – McWithey is Terre Haute Winner

 

Jim McWithey won the rain-shortened USAC sprint car feature at the Vigo County Fairgrounds. – Ken Coles Photo

Terre Haute, Ind. (August 16, 1959) - Jim McWithey of Anderson, Ind., who finished the Indianapolis 500 Classic this year as a rookie driver, won the feature Sunday afternoon at the Vigo Fairgrounds in a race that was cut short by rain.

The victory slowed down Don Branson of Urbana, Ill., who was seeking his eighth victory in nine starts on the USAC Midwest circuit. Branson finished fourth behind McWithey, Tommy Hinnershitz of Oley, Penn., and Ed Elisian of Oakland, Calif.

The 30-lap feature was first stalled on the 16th lap by an accident, and then two laps later the cars were called off the track for good when a downpour started.

An accident midway through the running of the 30-lap feature sent Jud Larson of Tampa, Fla., to the hospital suffering minor injuries, and the crackup forced a restart of the race with the drivers lining up in the same position in which they were running when the red light went on.

Larson, a veteran of sprint, midget and Indianapolis 500 competition, clipped a car hastily abandoned by Bill Brown, who lost control coming out of turn two. After Brown’s car spun and brushed the guard rail, he scrambled free from the car and hastily vaulted over the outside guard rail.

Almost at the same time, Larson smacked into the Offy Brown was driving. Larson was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released.

After a delay of about ten minutes the race was re started and two more laps were run before a downpour of rain swept the track and the drivers were flagged in.

McWithey established himself early in the race as the man to beat. And soon the interest turned to the duel for second place. As McWithey opened up a lead, first Hinnershitz and Branson dueled for second place and later Hinnershitz and Larson.

After the race restarted and with Larson out of the running, Elisian was the main challenger for two laps before the rain hit.

Because of multiple restarts, no time was given.

McWithey’s victory was his first in a feature race here, but not the first time he had shown the crowd some daring and fine driving. McWithey holds the track record for eight laps at 3 minutes and 16 seconds.

Branson, who posted the best qualifying time at 23.88 seconds, added to his take-home pay by winning the first 8-lapper. McWithey was second and Elisian was third; and the time was 3 minutes and 22 seconds.

Hinnershitz had the crowd on its feet in the second 8-lapper when he seized the lead before a lap had been completed. The time was 3 minutes and 17 seconds.

Packard also got a big hand from the crowd for winning the third heat race. Starting in the rear row, Packard worked his way through the field and got the checkered flag over Bobby Grim of Indianapolis, and Duman. The time was 3 minutes and 17 seconds despite the fact the yellow flag was out for one lap.

The rainstorm that bobtailed the 30-lap feature also washed out the semi feature. Race officials had planned to run the semi-feature last in order to get the 30-lapper run before another shower struck. Rain shortly after 12 o’clock caused a delay in the qualifications and it was nearly 3 o’clock before the first heat race was ready to go on but once the program started, track officials ran the program off with a minimum of delay.


Results –


1. Jim McWithey, Anderson
2. Tommy Hinnershitz, Oley, Penn.
3. Ed Elisian, Oakland, Calif.
4. Don Branson, Champaign, Ill.
5. Eddie Sachs, Center Valley, Penn.
6. Lee Caldwell, Perrysburg, Ohio
7. Jim Packard, Indianapolis
8. Ronnie Duman, Roseville, Mich.
9. Leon Clum, Duchouquet, Ohio
10.Bud Tingelstad, Dayton, Ohio

1981 – Osborn Wins ‘Winston 50’

 

Denny Osborn won the Winston 50 late model special at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. He’s joined in victory lane by his wife Nancy and son Bradley.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (August 15, 1981) – Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls won the “Winston 50” Saturday night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway, an event shortened after an accident sent veteran driver Darrell Dake to an area hospital with a broken leg.

Osborn started on the outside of the third row, and he passed Tom Hearst of Wilton midway through the contest. Osborn remained in front despite two restarts and was in the lead when the race was halted after Dake slammed into the turn three wall on the 42nd lap.

Dake, who has been racing approximately 30 years, had a tire go down on his car and he went out of control, slamming into the wall. Reportedly, Dake’s foot slipped off the clutch on impact and the clutch smashed into his leg, causing the break.

Scott Braun of Cedar Falls won the sportsman feature while Tom Fitzpatrick of Gilbertsville won the IMCA modified main event.

Jerry Naylor of Scotch Grove won the street stock feature but was disqualified when he refused to sell his engine after it was claimed. Gus Hughes of Monticello was declared the winner and his engine was claimed.


Results –


Heat #1 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
Heat #2 – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Heat #3 – Jim Burbridge, Delhi
Feature –
1. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
2. Gary Webb, Davenport
3. Rollie Frink, Cedar Rapids
4. Jim Burbridge
5. Tom Hearst
6. Bill Beckman, Lisbon
7. Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
8. Em Fretheim, Decorah

1969 – Powell, McDowell Winners at Memphis

 

By Ida May Van Genderen

Memphis, Mo. (August 15, 1969) – Cliff Powell of Hannibal and Mac McDowell of Fort Madison, Iowa, took home the honors Friday night at the Scotland County Fairgrounds. The track re-opened after having been closed for several weeks.

Powell managed to take the lead on the first lap and hold it all the way to capture the semi-modified feature event. Powell’s semi-super modified was really fined-tuned as he also won the trophy dash and heat race.

Following Powell across the finish line were Sonny Smyser of Glenwood, Bob Ensminger of Burlington, Iowa, Bud Palmer of Kirksville, and Gary Latham of Centerville, Iowa.

Latham edged out Stave Hainline of Bonaparte, Iowa, on the last lap to win the first heat. Powell won the second heat and trophy dash with Ensminger finishing second to him in both races.

Mac McDowell took the lead on lap 9 of the 12-lap super stock feature to win that contest. Junior Reese of Bloomfield, Iowa, was second followed by Don Green of Kirksville. Tommy Roberts of Lancaster and Ivan Long of Pittsfield rounded out the top-five.

Roberts led the first eight laps of the super stock feature and was ahead by a wide margin when a front spindle broke and he was forced to slow his pace. That gave the top spot to McDowell, who charged to victory.

After taking the checkered, Roberts plowed into the first turn guardrail, causing considerable damage to his car.

McDowell also won the trophy dash and the second heat. Roberts won the first heat.


Results –


Modifieds –

1. Cliff Powell, Hannibal
2. Sonny Smyser, Glenwood
3. Bob Ensminger, Burlington, Iowa
4. Bud Palmer, Kirksville
5. Gary Latham, Centerville, Iowa
6. Walt Paris, Moravia, Iowa


Super Stock –

1. Mac McDowell, Fort Madison, Iowa
2. Junior Reese, Bloomfield, Iowa
3. Don Green, Kirksville
4. Tommy Roberts, Lancaster
5. Ivan Long, Pittsfield, Ill.

1964 – International 500 to Watson

 

Bobby Watson would win the 1964 International 500 at Fairgrounds Motor Speedway.   

Louisville, Ky. (August 15, 1964) – Bobby Watson, taking the lead on lap 340 and never looking back, held off Ken Reiter in a stirring finish to win the third annual International 500 stock car race at Fairgrounds Speedway on Saturday night.

Watson, turning in a nifty driving job in his 1963 Ford, started third from last in the 30-car field. He was placed in the rear of the field because he did not qualifying Friday night.

Watson picked up $1,350 check for his first-place finish, plus the lap money he earned.

Reiter, driving a 1964 Ford, started on the pole position since he was fast qualifier. Ken was in contention all the way, several times leading the race. He was on the same lap as Watson near the end of the race but with three laps to go he went into the pit area when his car began to heat up. Reiter earned $800 for his second-place finish.

“Charging” Charlie Glotzbach, driving a 1964 Plymouth, was third when Watson zipped across the finish line. He had completed 493 laps and earned $500.

Jesse Baird was fourth in his 1964 Pontiac and Jack Bowsher of Springfield, Ohio, the point leader on the Automobile Racing Club of America circuit, rounded out the top five.

Although many of the drivers encountered mechanical difficulty, Jack Purcell perhaps was the “hard luck” guy of the race witnessed by a crowd of 6,393. Purcell, starting on the outside of the front row, wrested the lead from Reiter soon after the race started. He kept the lead for 181 laps when he blew and engine and was through for the night.


Results –

1. Bobby Watson
2. Ken Reiter
3. Charlie Glotzbach
4. Jesse Baird
5. Jack Bowsher
6. Jim Robinson
7. Buddy Ward
8. John Hornung
9. Andy Hampton
10.Dick Dunlevy
11.Don Gettlefinger
12.John Baker
13.Bob Thomas
14.Don Melton
15.Paul Wensink
16.Don Capel
17.LaMarr Marshall
18.Bill Clemons
19.Bob Teeters
20.Jim Cushman

1984 - ARTGO's Carter Classic Seventh Win for Trickle

 

Dick Trickle captured the 10th anniversary Wayne Carter Classic 100-lap contest at Grundy County Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Morris, Ill. (August 14, 1984) – Again proving his late model stock car mastery, Dick Trickle rolled to another ASA-ARTGO Challenge Series victory, capturing the 10th anniversary Wayne Carter Classic on Tuesday night.

The amazing Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., driver wheeled his 1984 Firebird to his seventh Challenge Series win of the season, adding to his current point lead which will give him his fifth ARTGO season title at this pace.

A starter in eight of the previous nine Carter classics, Trickle was one-quarter lap ahead of second place Larry Schuler at the conclusion of the 100-lap main, making him the eighth different winner of the traditional Chicagoland event.

Finishing behind Trickle and Schuler were Joe Shear, Jim Sauter, and Dave Watson.

A field of 25 started the 100-lapper with Dave Weltmeyer pushing his Firebird into the lead and Shear pressing hard in second place. Battling for fifth place, Mark Martin and Jim Weber tangled on the backstretch on lap 12, sending Weber spinning and bringing out the yellow.

When all-out action resumed, Weltmeyer continued to stay on top with Shear still nipping at his bumper.

Trickle began to make his march to the front, using the outside groove. After starting 12th, Trickle was sixth by lap 17 and fifth by lap 20. Using the tricky outside line, Trickle moved past Bob Senneker for fourth on lap 26 and then took third from Larry Schuler two rounds later.

Going into the first turn on lap 30, Weltmeyer skated high, allowing Shear and a close-following Trickle to move under him. Exiting turn two, Shear, Trickle, and Weltmeyer made it three-wide, with Shear finally moving into first place.

However, Shear could only stay on top for three laps before Trickle moved outside of him in turn two to take command on lap 33.

Once he was in the number one spot, Trickle built a commanding lead with Shear running second and Weltmeyer falling off the pace because of engine problems. At the halfway mark, it was Trickle in the lead, followed by Shear, Larry Schuler, Senneker, and Watson.

With Trickle enjoying a solid hold on first place, Shear found himself fending off the challenges of Schuler, Senneker, Watson, and Sauter, who were running bumper-to-bumper. Suffering engine ills, Weltmeyer finally pulled to the infield after 68 laps. Lap 80 saw transmission problems send Senneker into the infield and out of the race as well.

Continuing to show the way to the checkered, Trickle built up nearly a half-lap lead over second place. Lap 82 saw Schuler slip by Shear for the runner-up position with Sauter moving past Watson for fourth.

A yellow flag on lap 98 would take away Trickle’s huge lead but on the restart he would pull away from the field and at the checkered have nearly a quarter-lap lead over Schuler.

For his efforts, Trickle picked up $4,004 of the $30,000 in prize money and posted awards. A crowd of 4,710 witnessed the evening’s action.


Results –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Larry Schuler, New Lenox
3. Joe Shear, Beloit, Wis.
4. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
5. Dave Watson, Milton, Wis.
6. Tom Jones, Northbrook
7. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.
8. Rusty Wallace, Greensboro, N.C.
9. Steve Murgic, Burnsville, Minn.
10.Tracy Schuler, Lockport
11.Tom Musgrave, Glenview
12.Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
13.Steve Seligman, Wheeling
14.Larry Morris, Channahon
15.Joe Tyrell, Sycamore

1970 - Hutch Wins at Eldon

 

Ron Hutcherson

Eldon, Iowa (August 14, 1970) – Ron Hutcherson of Keokuk drove his 1970 Ford Torino to his first-ever International Motor Contest Association victory in the 25-lap late model stock car feature at the Wapello County Fair.

Hutcherson missed the first spot in the heat race after hitting the fence in the third turn of the first lap, causing a half-hour delay getting his new Ford off the wire and wood, and cleaning up the track area.

Ernie Derr of Keokuk, who finished second in the feature behind Hutcherson, had earlier set a new track record for one lap with a time of 27.10 seconds around the half-mile oval.

It was the first time that the IMCA late models had ever run on the Eldon oval, so every time there was a new record. Derr went on to win the trophy dash, beating out George Barton of Ankeny by a foot at the finish line and setting a new track record of 2 minutes and 28.93 seconds for five laps.

Fred Horn of Marion won the first heat, leading Derr and Mel Morris of West Liberty to the checkers. Keokuk’s Lem Blankenship brought his 1969 Plymouth home in the second heat by a wide margin over Bill Schwader of McCausland. Gordy’s time of 3 minutes and 48.61 seconds was a new record for an 8-lap heat.

Hutcherson won third heat with Vern Covert of Topeka, Kan., finishing second and Bill Stark of Des Moines third.

The 25-lap main event had to be stopped before one lap was completed when two cars, including Mel Morris, spun and knocked Fred Horn out of competition and tearing a hole in the side of Morris’ 1969 Charger.

The victory by Hutcherson kept the young charger in third place in the point standings behind the defending IMCA champion Derr and second-place Horn.

Results - 

Fast Time – Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa (27.10)
Heat #1 – Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa
Heat #2 – Gordon Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
Heat #3 – Ron Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
Trophy dash – Ernie Derr
Semi-main – George Barton, Ankeny, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ron Hutcherson
2. Ernie Derr
3. Gordon Blankenship
4. Bill Schwader, McCausland, Iowa
5. Mel Morris, West Liberty, Iowa
6. Jerre Wichman, Kansas City
7. Bill Stark, Des Moines
8. Verne Covert, Topeka, Kan.
9. Thurman Lovejoy, Kansas City
10.Bob McCall, Ottumwa, Iowa

1959 – Lorenzen Takes 100-Lap Windy City Championship

 

Fred Lorenzen is joined by starter Art Kelly after winning the 100-lap Chicago City Championship at O’Hare Stadium. – Bob Brown Photo

By Bud Booth

Chicago, Ill. (August 14, 1959) – Defending USAC and O’Hare Stadium late model stock car champion Fred Lorenzen of Elmhurst tonight added another title to his impressive and long list as he won O’Hare’s second annual Chicago City Championship before a capacity crowd.

Fred and his 1956 Nickey-owned Chevrolet were never in trouble as he ripped through the grueling distance covering 400 turns and 25 miles in the record time of 27 minutes and 11.27 seconds. That knocked over 8 seconds off the old track record he set himself last August 25 – 27 minutes and 19.72 seconds.

Before the race began, Fred had ranked slightly behind point leader Bill Lutz of Louisville, Ky., in the role of favorite, but Lutz had trouble with his 1957 Chevrolet from the very start even though he turned in a masterful job and finished third.

Lorenzen’s chief opposition for most the race came from two-time champion Gene Marmor of Schiller Park and “Gentleman” Bryant Tucker of Hillside, who was running a strong third until he dropped out with a blown engine in his ’57 Buick on the 72nd lap.

Marmor ran a solid race throughout and managed his way through traffic as aptly as Lorenzen. He held the lead briefly in the early stages before Lorenzen took over on lap 9 and was never headed again. At the finish it was Lorenzen with a third of a lap advantage over Marmor.

After Lorenzen and Marmor it was Lutz, Roy Martinelli of Half Day, and Butch Linden of Deerfield. The race was fast and furious all the way but miraculously free of mishaps, blowups, and blowouts.


Results –


1. Fred Lorenzen, Elmhurst
2. Gene Marmor, Schiller Park
3. Bill Lutz, Louisville, Ky.
4. Roy Martinelli, Half Day
5. Butch Linden, Deerfield
6. Neil Houston, Chicago
7. Al Warfield, Forest Park
8. Don Oldenberg, Highland, Ind.

1988 - Kinser Wins Sixth Knoxville Nationals

 

Steve Kinser is interviewed by Jack Miller following his victory in the Knoxville Nationals. Trophy girls Amy Richert and Missy Smith (left) look on. – Tony Cipolletti Photo

By Bob Wilson

Knoxville, Iowa (August 13, 1988) – Steve Kinser drove to one of the most exciting wins in the 28-year history of the Knoxville Nationals before a sellout crowd at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night.

“I didn’t think I was going to win it. They got to racin’ with each other,” Kinser explained about Dave Blaney and Bobby Davis Jr., who were running first and second in front of him, “and I snuck back in there.”

The track played a big part in Kinser’s sixth title as pole sitter Dave Blaney was in command of the race for a large portion of the 30-lap main event with Kinser in close quarters. A lap 16 restart saw Davis get by Kinser and the trio of cars brought the huge grandstand to its feet for the remainder of the race.

On lap 24, Davis dove beneath Blaney in turn one and momentarily gained the upper hand but Blaney was able to fend him off down the back chute. The following laps saw Davis try the high cushion and that was when Kinser mounted his charge on the low side and formed a three-abreast battle around the half-mile oval. The issue was settled at the flag stand as Kinser took the lead and held on to it to the checkered with a 10-car-length advantage.

Kinser, whose previous titles came in 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, and 1987, was paid $30,000 for his victory and he earned an additional $2,000 for his win in Wednesday night’s qualifier.

Davis, who finished as the runner-up for the second straight year, earned $20,000 for his hard-fought efforts. Blaney recorded his highest finish to date and received $12,000. Sammy Swindell, the 1983 champion, drove a solid race to collect $9,000 for his fourth-place finish.

Without a doubt, Doug Wolfgang of Sioux Falls, S.D., drove more laps than anyone as he started 11th in the C-main and finished second to Kenny Jacobs in the 15-lapper. That earned him a tail-end starting berth in the B-main, which he won. Starting at the tail of the championship feature, he placed fifth when the final checkers flew.


Results –


1. Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
2. Bobby Davis Jr., Memphis, Tenn.
3. Dave Blaney, Hartford, Ohio
4. Sammy Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn.
5. Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D.
6. Mark Kinser, Oolitic, Ind.
7. Joey Allen, Hanover, Penn.
8. Danny Smith, Danville, Ind.
9. Jimmy Sills, Fairfield, Penn.
10.Cris Eash, Woodbine, Md.
11.Jack Hewitt, Troy, Ohio
12.Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.
13.Johny Herrera, Albuquerque, N.M.
14.Don Krietz Jr., Sinking Springs, Penn.
15.Bobby Allen, Hanover, Penn.

1978 - Foyt Survives Collision, Heat to Win at Fair

 

A.J. Foyt receives a kiss from trophy girl Ellen Reinke after winning the Fair Stock 200 at the Milwaukee Mile. Presenting the winner’s trophy is Mal Richert while announcer Jack Baker looks on with envy. – Russ Lake Photo

West Allis, Wis. (August 13, 1978) - A.J. Foyt survived a collision and intense August heat Sunday to win a United States Auto Club stock car race and says he owes considerable thanks to modern equipment and the crewmen in the pits.

‘‘Everybody was running fast today, turning 33 seconds. I can remember when even (Indy) champ cars didn’t turn laps in 33 seconds. Now these 3,300-pound cars do it. The equipment is so much better today,” he said.

Foyt, who leads the USAC circuit in point standings, was almost out of the race after his 1978 Camaro was damaged in a collision with Harold Fair’s 1978 Magnum.

But his crew kept his car operating, and he averaged 96.254 mph to beat newcomer Joe Ruttman in the Wisconsin State Fair event. Foyt had qualified Saturday at a Fairgrounds track record 110.463 miles per hour, about 32.5 seconds per mile lap.

The engine in Fair’s car exploded. The car bounced off the wall and into the side of Foyt’s car. Foyt used four brief pit stops during the ensuing yellow to repair his car enough to continue.

“I knew I had a long way to come back,” Foyt said. “But that’s where experience pays off. I have an experienced crew, and we were able to slip in and out and repair the car. You’ve got to give them credit. They’re no quitters. They don’t quit when they get behind.”

Foyt was back challenging for the lead by lap 60, and finished more than a lap ahead of Ruttman, 34, the younger brother of 1952 Indy 500 winner Troy Ruttman.

Ruttman, a short track driver from the West Coast making his first appearance at State Fair Park, battled the veteran Texan for the lead most of the afternoon. Foyt finally took the lead for good on the 168th lap.

Outside temperatures climbed into the low 90s in the August sun, and Goodyear technicians said temperatures inside the cockpits reached 140 degrees.

Larry Moore suffered the most from the heat, having to withdraw from the race on lap 122. Moore was relieved by Bobby Unser, whose Camaro had been sidelined with a blown engine after 79 laps.

‘‘It was hot,” Foyt said. ‘‘Look at my hands. It was no disgrace to fall out today. But I’ve never needed relief, and when I do, I’ll hang it up.”

Ruttman was just two seconds behind Foyt with 20 laps remaining. His chance faded when he was forced to make a pit stop under the green because of a flat tire on his 1977 Pontiac Ventura.

“It wasn’t the heat,” Ruttman said “The tires weren’t wearing badly or anything. The tire was cut on a piece of metal. It was a slow leak. I wondered why he was catching me.”


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt, Houston, Tex.
2. Joe Ruttman, Dearborn, Mich.
3. Sal Tovella, Addison, Ill.
4. Dave Watson, Milton
5. Bay Darnell, Deerfield, Ill.
6. Jim Sauter, Necedah
7. Roger McCluskey, Tucson, Ariz.
8. Bob Brevak, Ashland
9. Terry Ryan, Davenport, Iowa
10.Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa

1967 – Derr’s Four Wins Pace Action at Wausau

 

Ernie Derr receives congratulations from Daune Moen, Miss Wausau, after winning the 100-lap late model stock car feature Sunday afternoon at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. Derr also won the 50-lap evening feature in the doubleheader.

Wausau, Wis. (August 13, 1967) – Record-setting Ernie Derr, already stamped as one of the best late model drivers of all-time, moved closer to an unprecedented eighth International Motor Contest Association championship here Sunday by posting four victories at the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

The 46-year-old Derr completely dominated the doubleheader at the Marathon Park track by winning two events in the afternoon program and two more in the nightly racing sessions.

He piloted his finely-tuned Dodge Charger to victory in two 25-lap dashes and then captured both the 100-lap afternoon feature and the 50-lap evening feature.

Der also set a one-lap track record in the afternoon’s time trials as he circled the half-mile track in 26.59 seconds. The old record was 27.36 seconds set by Ramo Stott in 1966. Stott, who like Derr is from Keokuk, Iowa, tied his old record in Sunday’s trials, while John Mickey of Columbus Junction, Iowa, also broke it with a clocking of 27.16 seconds.

Thirty-one cars, the largest field ever to compete in the Fair’s late model events, competed Sunday and area racing fans responded with a capacity crowd in the afternoon and 3,000 for the nightcap.

The weather for both programs was perfect, and the track was in excellent condition, resulting in some of the best action in the program’s history.

Derr came from last place to win the afternoon’s dash and then displayed some fine driving talent in the feature by slipping by Stott on the 59th circuit and holding on for another victory.

Derr also won the dash in the evening program and then again, outdueled Stott in the feature, slipping by Stott on the last lap to score the victory.

Stott won the second dash in the afternoon and finished second to Derr three times. Mickey won the second dash in the evening program.


Results –


Afternoon –

Dash #1 – Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
Dash #2 – Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ernie Derr
2. Ramo Stott
3. Chuck Nutzman, New Richmond
4. Don Knutson, Rib Lake
5. Dale Keeling, Dixon, Mo.


Evening –

Dash #1 – Ernie Derr
Dash #2 – John Mickey, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ernie Derr
2. Ramo Stott
3. Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
4. Wally Christensen, Minneapolis
5. Ken Pankratz, Mosinee

1989 – Martin Tops J&J Steel Summer Series at Indy

 

Curt Martin

By Les Houser

Independence, Iowa (August 12, 1989) – Over the last few years, Curt Martin has shown mastery of his hometown Independence Motor Speedway.

Beginning in 1984, Martin racked up three straight point titles. Saturday night was no exception as Martin added another jewel to his crown, winning the J&J Steel Summer Series feature.

A capacity crowd witnessed a long but exciting night of racing as the pit area was jammed with 110 cars including 39 IMCA late models.

After the parade lap, the 35-lap main event got underway with polesitter Johnny Johnson taking the lead. Greg Kastli followed closely behind and on the third lap tried to nose down inside of Johnson, but the veteran held strong.

Martin, who started on the outside of the third row, started making his run to the front. A yellow waved on lap 9 when Karl Sanger slid off the track. On the restart, Red Dralle spun, bringing out another yellow.

When action resumed, Martin quickly took over second place and pulled alongside Johnson but again he refused to give up the lead. Martin continued to stay on the high side of the track, pulling alongside Johnson again lap 12. Finally, on lap 14, Martin took control, passing Johnson for the lead.

After that, Martin put some distance between himself and the rest of the field and took home the $1,000 winner’s check. Lem Blankenship moved up late in the race to take second while series point leader Jay Johnson wound up third.

Mike Smith, Blankenship, Martin, Kastli, and Dralle were heat winners. Rick Wendling and Dean Wagner were B-feature winners.

In the other classes running this night, Tom Bartholomew continued his winning ways in the IMCA modified division, taking his fourth feature win of the season. There were many lead changes in this race with Larry Schmidt and Tom Fitzpatrick running side-by-side for many laps until Bartholomew passed them both on the outside, then survived a late race bid by Kevin Pittman to score the victory.

Denny Dettman bested an 18-car field to win the street stock contest, and Ken Irvine won the hobby stock feature.


Results –

IMCA Late Models - 

1. Curt Martin, Independence
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Jay Johnson, West Burlington
4. Ron Jackson, Burlington
5. Greg Kastli, Waterloo
6. Mike Smith, Ellsworth
7. Bob Hill, Story City
8. Dave Gerner, Garber
9. Jerry Pilcher, Ottumwa
10.Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown
11.Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
12.Steve Borts, Ames
13.Dean Wagner, Waterloo
14.Rick Wendling, Hazelton
15.Bob Fisher, Vinton


IMCA Modified –

1. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
2. Kevin Pittman, Waterloo
3. Tom Fitzpatrick, Gilbertville
4. Ed Thomas, Waterloo
5. Tim Jensen, Waterloo

1971 – Blundy Wins Twice at Wausau

 

Jerry Blundy

Wausau, Wis. (August 12, 1971) – Defending International Motor Contest Association champion Jerry Blundy got a big assist from his smooth, hardworking crew on Thursday night as he won two events and set two new track records in the IMCA sprint car races at the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

Blundy, of Galesburg, Ill., turned the fastest circle in time trials when he was clocked in 24.21 seconds and then went on to win his 8-lap heat in a record time of 3 minutes and 22.70 seconds and the 25-lap feature in 11 minutes and 24.14 seconds. The races were held on the half-mile Marathon Park.

It looked like Blundy was all but eliminated from the feature event when his car was one of three that slid together on the first turn of the first lap. His orange-colored Chevy-powered sprinter was pushed into the infield with a broken tie rod, brake line and radius rod. His three-man crew went to work immediately and in the 15 minutes it took the race to restart, they had Blundy back in the race.

Blundy, who tops the IMCA point standings, did the rest as he outdueled Dick Sutcliffe of Greenwood, Mo., for the victory. Sutcliffe, a double winner himself, jumped off to a good-size lead in the feature but caught a bad break when the race went under caution on lap 13.

Blundy, who had come from the rear of the field after his first lap accident, had made his way through the field and was in third place when the yellow waved.

On the restart, Sutcliffe grabbed the lead and Blundy moved quickly into second. Two laps later, however, Blundy would get by Sutcliffe on the high side of the track and take the top spot. He wouldn’t look back as he extended his margin and won comfortably at the finish.

“My pit crew won the race for me as far as I’m concerned,” Blundy said from victory lane. “They did a tremendous job under pressure.”

Sutcliffe, who won his heat and the 6-lap trophy dash, settled for second after it appeared he had the race won. Bill Hudson of Montezuma, Iowa, was third followed by Ron Larson of White Bear Lake, Minn., and Hank Albers of Bismarck, N.D.

Jerry Richert of Forest Lake, Minn., a four-time IMCA national champion and one of the more popular drivers on the circuit, was forced to miss the feature race because of mechanical issues.


Results –


Time trials – Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill. (24.21)
Trophy dash – Dick Sutcliffe, Greenwood, Mo.
Heat #1 – Jerry Blundy
Heat #2 – Dick Sutcliffe
Heat #3 – Dick Kelly, St. Paul, Minn.
Consolation – Dick Jones, Whitewater
Feature –
1. Jerry Blundy
2. Dick Sutcliffe
3. Bill Hudson, Montezuma, Iowa
4. Ron Larson, White Bear Lake, Minn.
5. Hank Albers, Bismarck, N.D.
6. Dick Kelly
7. Ron Perkins, Wood River, Ill.
8. Tom Custer, Rock Island, Ill.

1988 – Kellen Tops Madison IMCA ‘National’

 

By Dennis Londgren

Madison, Minn. (August 11, 1988) – Jim Kellen won the 30-lap IMCA modified feature at his hometown track of Madison Speedway on Thursday night during the second stop on the IMCA Modified National Series “Tour of the Northland” circuit.

Kellen, a dominant force all season long at Madison, started on the inside of the second row and battled with pole sitter Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Dude Thompson of Huxley, Iowa, from the drop of the green flag.

This trio settled in the groove and led the field of 26 cars for the first 18 laps. On the 19th circuit, Kellen, who had passed Thompson on lap 12, got around Chandler, coming down the front chute to grab the lead.

The race’s only yellow flew on lap 22 when Jack Miles of Des Moines came to a stop in turns three and four.

On the restart, Kellen maintained his cushion as Chandler’s mount started to slowly fall off the pace and eventually forced him to the infield. Thompson moved back into second and was joined by J.L. Cooper of Claycomb, Mo., and Scott Tofte of Madison. Tofte was the hardest charger of the night, as he finished fourth after starting in the 15th position.

Kellen held his line and kept Thompson at bay to capture the win. Cooper was third followed by Tofte and Randy Walford of Watertown, S.D. Walford also had a fine finish as he moved up from his 12th starting position.

Miles, Walford, Chandler, and Ron Luitjens of Brewster were heat winners. The B-main was scratched because of threatening weather.

Jeff Wildung won the 12-lap IMCA stock car feature.


Results –


1. Jim Kellen, Madison
2. Dude Thompson, Huxley, Iowa
3. J.L. Cooper, Claycomb, Mo.
4. Scott Tofte, Madison
5. Randy Walforrd, Watertown, S.D.
6. Leroy Schuelke, Boyd
7. Ron Luitjens, Brewster
8. Ron Becker, Tama, Iowa
9. Lance Beebe, Watertown, S.D.
10.Joe Schmit, Mankato
11.Dave Nutt, Fairmont
12.Rollie Wold, Dawson
13.Jerry Boumeester, Waseca
14.Larry Hall, Rochester
15.Garry Hall, Rochester

1974 – Mueller and Plank Pace Racing at Wausau

 

By Bill Haglund

Wausau, Wis. (August 11, 1974) – Harold Mueller and Leon Plank, both of Eau Claire, showed Wausau race fans some of the best dirt track racing seen at the Wisconsin Valley Fair in recent years as they staged several bumper-to-bumper duels in dominating Sunday’s Pepsi 100 at Marathon Park.

The twin 50-lap features, which actually went into the books as a 30-lapper in the afternoon and a 50-lapper at night, were dominated by the two Chevelle drivers.

But as hot as the action was on the track, a multi-car accident, which sent two drivers to the hospital early in the evening show and some boisterous fans in the afternoon detracted from the competition.

In the first heat of the night show, Wayne Lodholz of Wausau stalled on the back chute of the track on the first lap. Al Stepan of Mosinee made it past but the cars following piled up in one of the wildest melees ever at the Valley Fair races. Tom Pietroski of Wausau and Russ Rueden of Dorchester were conveyed by ambulance to an area hospital.

The fans got into the act when the afternoon feature was shortened from 50 to 30 laps when a number of drivers refused to run 50 laps because of the poor track conditions.

The track had been newly resurfaced but heavy rains on Saturday, and some Sunday morning rain showers made the surface break up and left the track in rough shape. A number of cars suffered mechanical damage in preliminaries as a result.

Fans milled around the grandstands and came out with a chorus of boos each time track announcer Jerry Rohde attempted to explain the situation. Even when driver Tom Steuding tried to explain the situation, he was greeted with a chorus of boos. A number of fans then attempted to get into the infield but were turned away by several police officers.

At that point, several drivers walked across the track to try and talk to some of the fans.

“There was just no way we could run 50 laps,” Steuding explained. “We would have been lucky to have five or six cars running at the end.”

It was finally agreed that any fans from the afternoon show would be admitted free to the evening program.

Mueller set fast time prior to the afternoon show with a 27.17-second clocking, was sixth in the heat, and won the feature. He was first in the fast heat Sunday evening and finished second in the feature to edge Plank for the overall title in the Pepsi 100.


Results –


Afternoon -

Time trials – Harold Mueller, Eau Claire (27.17)
Heat #1 – Ernie Nikolai, Marshfield
Heat #2 – Russ Rueden, Dorchester
Heat #3 – Tim Lorenz, Ladysmith
Heat #4 – Axel Dahlberg, Mauston
Semi – Tom Gebauer, White Bear Lake, Minn.
Feature –
1. Harold Mueller
2. Leon Plank, Eau Claire
3. Phil Prusak, Eau Claire
4. Tom Steuding, Eau Claire
5. Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay, Ont.
6. J.J. Smith, Appleton
7. Don Chrudminsky, Wausau
8. Roger Guldan, Marshfield
9. Tom Merkel, Marshfield
10.Bill Herr, Greenwood


Evening –

Heat #1 – Al Stepan, Mosinee
Heat #2 – Bill Herr
Heat #3 – Harold Mueller
Semi – Bill Herr
Feature –
1. Leon Plank
2. Harold Mueller
3. Tom Steuding
4. Tim Lorenz
5. Roger Ress, Marshfield
6. Don Chrudminsky
7. Dan Duellman, Stetsonville
8. Red Steffen, Eau Claire
9. Phil Prusak
10.Roger Guldan