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

1968 – Dickson Wins Pride City 50

Larry Dickson exits his car after winning the Pride City 50 sprint car race at Terre Haute. 

Terre Haute, Ind. (August 11, 1968) - Larry Dickson won the Pride City 50 sprint car race at the Action Track Sunday afternoon, but it was a decision hard -reached by United States Auto Club officials after George Snider and hundreds of the fans protested the official finish.

Dickson, who is the current point standings leader, failed to qualify for the feature event and borrowed Johnny Rutherford’s sprinter to make the 50-lap finale.

He started in the 17th starting position but found his way to the lead in 19 laps, according to officials of USAC, finishing ahead of Carl Williams.

The fans and Snider had thought the all the time he was in the lead. After all, Snider was still ahead of Dickson as they finished lap after lap.

Not so, said USAC. Snider had spun on the first lap of the feature, and that caused the race to be restarted. According to officials, the race had gone one lap, and Snider was supposed to have re-started last, instead of sixth, the position he for which he qualified.

USAC issued a statement which read; “Snider lost a lap due to the fact he stalled on the second turn – on lap 1, when he had to slow to avoid contact with other cars, and was mistakenly allowed to re-start in sixth position, rather at the end of the pack.”

Due to the controversy, the settlement of which should come early this week, the purse has been held up.

Rutherford, who will get the winner’s share of the purse – Dickson wanted only the points that go toward the sprint title, won the semi-feature, while Gary Bettenhausen, Sammy Sessions, and Karl Busson were the heat-race winners.

Bettenhausen won the first go-round in 3 minutes and 23 seconds while Busson won in 3 minutes and 34 seconds. No times were kept for the other heat, the semi-feature or the feature due to the yellow flag.

Don Brown was top qualifier for the day with a lap at 23.61 seconds, but he posed no threat in the feature event. He was followed on the track by Wib Spaulding with a 23.76, Snider with a 23.85, and Bettenhausen with a 23.92.

Brown held the lead in the first race for three laps when Bettenhausen took it from him and held on for the win.

The other two heat winners had little trouble. Rutherford took the lead on the first lap of the semi-feature and was never headed to take the checkered flag.

Approximately 4,000 fans were on hand for the race, which had a guaranteed purse of $6,500.


Results –

1. Larry Dickson
2. Carl Williams
3. Don Thomas
4. Karl Busson
5. Bill Puterbaugh
6. Sonny Ates
7. George Snider
8. Gary Bettenhausen
9. Mickey Shaw
10.Bill Koepfer

 

1956 – Beauchamp Wins Mason City 100-Miler

 

Mason City, Iowa (August 11, 1956) – Johnny Beauchamp showed why he’s the leader in the International Motor Contest Association stock car point standings Saturday afternoon at the North Iowa Fair.

Before an overflow crowd of 5,000, the Harlan, Iowa, driver scored his 19th feature win of the season, winning the 200-lap event by a full two laps over his nearest competitor, Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan. Beauchamp drove a 1956 Chevrolet while Funk wheeled a 1956 Dodge.

Beauchamp’s winning time was 1 hour, 51 minutes and 20 seconds goes down as a local record. The previous best mark of 1 hour and 52 minutes was set by Wally Dahl of Minneapolis at the 1952 North Iowa Fair.

A crash and pileup on the northwest corner was the only delay in the contest but it took out four top contenders. Knocked out of the running were Chub Liebe of Oelwein, fast timer Bernie Hentges of Anoka, Minn., Don White of Keokuk, and local favorite Ted Zieman of Mason City.

According to a witness, Hentges smacked the fence on the northwest curve, Zieman then tried to go through the fence to avoid another collision but hit Hentges. White and Zieman had no place to go and piled into Hentges and Zieman. Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle was also involved but was able to continue and finished sixth.

Lee Pinckney of Des Moines and Jerry Draper of Moline, Ill., were running third and fourth midway through the feature when they both spun out. Each fell back a notch in the final standings.

Beauchamp and Funk were well ahead of the rest of the pack at the midway point. Beauchamp was actually running faster during the last half of the race than his fastest time trial run.

The field wasn’t quite as large as expected and the start of the race was delayed an hour. Many of the drivers were detained in their trip to Mason City by the highway patrol for illegal towing of their race cars. One of the drivers paid a wrecker $25 just to tow him to the fairgrounds so he could compete. At least eight other drivers didn’t arrive even for the late start.


Results –

1. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan
2. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
3. Chris Skadal, Des Moines
4. Lee Pinckney, Des Moines
5. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
6. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle
7. Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.
8. Glen Strellner, Cedar Rapids
9. Bob Guffey, Des Moines
10.Bob Chauncey, Mason City
11.Chub Liebe, Oelwein
12.Bernie Hentges, Anoka, Minn.
13.Ted Zieman, Mason City
14.Don White, Keokuk
15.Jim Clearwater, Des Moines

1986 – Bradway Takes J-Hawk Nationals Title

 

Dave Bradway Jr.

Kansas City, Kan. (August 10, 1986) – Jimmy Sills and Doug Wolfgang won record-setting battles, but it was Dave Bradway Jr. who won the war in the 10th annual J-Hawk Nationals sprint car championship held Sunday at Lakeside Speedway.

Wolfgang, 34, of Sioux Falls, S.D., will go into the Lakeside record book as the fastest one-lap qualifier since the half-mile dirt track opened in 1955, while Sills, 34, of Sacramento, Calif., became the first driver in J-Hawk Nationals history to win three heat races. Wolfgang, the 1982 J-Hawk champion, clocked a 17.98-second run during time trials – the old track record was 18.02 seconds set by Brad Doty of Fredericksburg, Ohio, in 1983.

It appeared Sills, who won the J-Hawk in 1983 and ’84, was headed for a possible flag-to-flag win after a restart of the race, but a left rear torsion bar snapped during a lap 13 caution and Sills headed for the pits for repairs. Sills would charge back through the field and finish fourth.

Bradway, 36, of Roseville, Calif., inherited the lead on the restart and built up enough of a lead by the 18th circuit to drive the remainder of the 30-lap contest unchallenged. Bradway, making his second career J-Hawk appearance, improved upon a 18th-place finish in 1985. It was the 12th feature victory of the season for the Northern California driver.

“It means a lot to win this race, especially when great ones like Kinser, Wolfgang, and Sills have won it,” said Bradway, who finished seventh in last year’s Knoxville Nationals.

Wolfgang’s hopes for a second J-Hawk title were dampened when he tangled with Mike Peters of Wichita before the field could complete the first lap. Wolfgang’s sprinter suffered a bent wheel and broken shock. Arizona’s Lealand McSpadden, the B-feature winner, was also involved in the crash when he flipped over Peters’ and Wolfgang’s entanglement. Like Sills, Wolfgang would charge through the field to garner a top-five finish.

The 34 cars competing were the most since the event changed from the Mid-America Fairgrounds to Lakeside.

“We were pleased with the turnout of cars, the weather, and the crowd,” said promoter John Jones.


Results –


1. Dave Bradway Jr.
2. Shane Carson
3. Rick Ungar
4. Jimmy Sills
5. Doug Wolfgang
6. Darrell Hannestad
7. Buddy Wallen
8. Rick Howard
9. Rick Pennell
10.Tom Strong
11.Junior Parkinson
12.Max Grogan
13.Jeff Hausman
14.Tommy Estes
15.Rocky Hodges
16.Tony Armstrong
17.Mel Krause
18.T.J. Giddings
19.Joe Boyles
20.Mike Peters
21.Lealand McSpadden

1968 – Harrison Wins IMCA Finale at Allentown

Darl Harrison smiles as he accepts his trophy from Gene Fritzinger after winning the 50-lap IMCA sprint car finale at the Great Allentown Fair. Starter Bernie Carlson holds the checkers. 

Allentown, Penn. (August 10, 1968) – Darl Harrison of Tiffin, Ohio, said before the 50-lap feature at the Great Allentown Fair on Saturday that the track, “runs good only when you’re in front,” so that’s where he spent most of his time and nipped a charging Bobby Adamson and Ray Tilley in the windup of the Keystone State Trophy Series.

Harrison, who led from start to finish in winning the semi-main, fought a duel with Tilley and Adamson over the final 15 laps that had a crowd of more than 5,000 standing, cheering, stomping, and waving their fists in the air every time the trio came flashing past the grandstand.

In the end it was a slick move by Harrison on the fourth turn of lap 48 to pass Tilley – who led for that lap and the preceding four laps which were run under caution – and gain the triumph.

But it was Tilley who garnered the big prize – the point championship of the three days of racing by International Motor Contest Association drivers.

Tilley finished second to Jerry Richert in last weekend’s pair of features and third on Sunday behind Harrison and Adamson for a total of 425 points. Harrison, with his 220 points accumulated for his feature win, finished second with 405 points.

Richert, the three-time IMCA champion and this year’s point leader who missed Sunday’s feature and a chance at three straight wins, finished third with 360 points. Richert had blown his engine on Thursday in a race in Wausau, Wis., and couldn’t compete.

Adamson, starting ninth in the feature, quickly worked his way into contention. He streaked by Tilley on the third and fourth turns of the final lap for second place after Tilley had realized that Harrison had beaten him.

Harrison, driving with a bath towel stuffed into the right sleeve of his racing suit to protect his arm from flying gravel, had little trouble beating Tilley to the first turn in the feature.

He held a substantial lead through the first 14 circuits until a caution slowed the field for five laps.

He jumped back on top quickly as Adamson began making his move from sixth position. By lap 28 he was battling Bill Roynon for fourth and Gus Linder of Pittsburgh had caught Tilley for second place.

Tilley, of Clearfield, Penn., was content in second or third, waiting for his opportunity to move up and challenge the front-running Harrison.

It came on lap 36.

Tilley went high around the fourth turn, cut to the inside on the homestretch, passed Linder and set out for Harrison. Running very well on the outer fringes of the turns – a place where Richert had found daylight last weekend – Tilley drew alongside Harrison in turn three on lap 37.

Riding lows in the turns when trailing and high when trying to get to the front, Tilley hugged Harrison’s tailpipe for three laps and then made his move on lap 41. He skidded through the outer edges of turn three and came down off of it ahead of Harrison, but the eventual winner reciprocated on turn four and took Tilley to the inside and crossed the start/finish line leading.

Tilley and Adamson both made decisive advances on lap 42. Tilley ran wide in turns one and two and beat Harrison on the backstretch. This time there was no chance for Harrison to re-pass.

Adamson, the winner of two of last year’s features, caught Linder in turn three of the same lap and vaulted into third place. Then the caution flag flew bunching the field up one more time.

When the green flag was dropped, Tilley poured on the juice down the stretch, beat Harrison and Adamson to the first turn and led all the way around. Harrison made the move that won the race on the last turn of next lap - 48.

He moved up into a challenging position aside Tilley on the backstretch, trailed him only by a slight margin in the third turn then cut to the inside through turn four and came broad sliding into the straightaway with a slim lead. He right his car quickly as Tilley churned up gravel on the outside and beat him to the line.

After that, Tilley began to fade and Adamson, never letting up, took advantage. As they crossed the finish line and took the white flag, Adamson had already started his final charge and by the first two turns, was even with Tilley. He used a good bite on the inside of turn two to get past Tilley solidify his second-place finish.

Harrison’s tires, which were brand new when he started the afternoon of racing, were worn considerably at the end of the race. The track ate into his tires so extensively that his crew cut new grooves in them before sending him out for the 50-lapper.

Wiping grit and dirt from his face, Harrison said, “I got good grip everywhere I was on the track but just look at those tires. They’re shot.”


Results –

1. Darl Harrison
2. Bobbie Adamson
3. Ray Tilley
4. Bill Roynon
5. Ronnie Rough
6. Gene Varner
7. Benny Rapp
8. John Auxter
9. Jim Fowler
10. Gus Linder
11. Fred Linder
12. Buzz Rose
13. Hansler
14. Lynn Paxton
15. Ray Duckworth

1955 – Fitzpatrick, Elgin Win Stock Car Championships

 

Paul Fitzpatrick displays a big smile to go along with his City of Rochester championship stock car trophy he won at the Olmstead County Free Fair.

By Dave Pennington

Rochester, Minn. (August 10, 1955) – A 1946 Hudson showed its wheels to the rest of the field at the Olmstead County Free Fair on Wednesday night as it carried Paul Fitzpatrick and Sue Elgin to the City of Rochester stock car titles before a crowd of 2,000.

The heap, owned by Fitzpatrick, was the class of the field of 57 cars, the largest in three years of racing here. Fitzpatrick steered to victory in both the feature and the City of Rochester championship while Miss Elgin took it over to cop the women’s city title.

There were thrills and spills galore as crackups and rollovers sent three drivers to the hospital for medical treatment. Al Babcock of Northfield, Rod Herman of St. Charles, and Johnny Pfaff of Rochester were all treated and released with minor cuts and bruises in the city championship.

Fitzpatrick, who ranked seventh in the point standings before the races, proved his merit in both the feature and the City of Rochester championship. He led from the sixth lap on in the feature to beat out Pfaff and Roy Smith of Rochester.

In the City of Rochester feature, Mert Williams of Rochester, the leading driver here this season, started on the pole position for the first time this season. He usually starts near the rear of the field because of his fast times in qualifying. Tonight, cars started in order of the point standings.

Unfortunately, Williams’ position didn’t help him in the title race as Fitzpatrick, driving smartly, passed Williams on the 17th lap and won rather easily with Williams settling for second, Bud Kutina of Rochester third and Roy Smith fourth.

Heat winners were Dick Harwick of Rochester, George Kramer of Rochester, Dale Schillinger of Hayfield, and Don Herrick of Rochester, Bill McDonough of Faribault won semi-main.

Kutina was the fastest in time trials, turning in an 18.7 second clocking.

Miss Elgin had no issues winning the women’s city title, holding the lead from start to finish. Pat Deyo of Rochester finished a distant second.


Results –


Heat #1 – Dick Harwick, Rochester
Heat #2 – George Kramer, Rochester
Heat #3 – Dale Schillinger, Hayfield
Heat #4 – Don Herrick Rochester
Semi – Bill McDonough, Faribault
Feature –
1. Paul Fitzpatrick, Rochester
2. John Pfaff, Rochester
3. Roy Smith, Chester
4. Ole Brua, Albert Lea

City Championship –
1. Paul Fitzpatrick
2. Mert Williams, Rochester
3. Bud Kutina, Rochester
4. Roy Smith

Dale Schillinger helps Sue Elgin remove her driving gear after she won the City of Rochester women’s stock car championship at the Olmstead County Free Fair.

1981- Mid-Continent Crown to Martin

 

Bill Martin Council Bluffs, Iowa, won the ninth annual Late Model Nationals at Mid-Continent Raceways. Congratulating Martin on his victory is B-main winner Gary Tigges of Durango, Iowa. – John Vass Photo

Doniphan, Neb. (August 9, 1981) – Bill Martin of Council Bluffs, Iowa, won the ninth annual Late Model Nationals on Sunday afternoon at Mid-Continent Raceway. The vent had been washed out Saturday.

Martin diced with Leon Plank of Eau Claire, Wis., for much of the contest and took the lead on the 49th of the 50-lap championship feature.

Finishing third was Dave Chase of Council Bluffs, Iowa, while Joe Kosiski of Omaha was fourth and Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, took fifth.

Martin won $6,000, Plank pocketed $3,000 and Chase took home $2,000.

Larry Philips of Springfield, Mo., who dominated the Race of Champions on Friday night, dropped an engine early on in the feature.

Gary Tigges of Durango, Iowa, won the B-main to earn a spot in the feature along with three others. Plank earned the pole position by winning the trophy dash, open to the eight heat winners – four each from Thursday and four more from Friday’s qualifying races.

Phillips was Thursday’s fastest qualifier while Chase was Friday’s quickest.

Thursday heats were won by Phillips, Dhon Hauserman of Wichita, Kan., Plank, and Martin. Friday’s heat winners were Chase, Joe Kosiski, Rick Haas of Lincoln, and Dave Hoffman of Renfrew, Penn.

Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala., NASCAR Grand National driver, finished fourth in his heat and ran tenth in the Race of States on Friday.


Results –

1. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs, Iowa
2. Leon Plank, Eau Claire, Wis.
3. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs, Iowa
4. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
5. Ken Walton, Viola, Iowa
6. Dhon Hauserman, Wichita, Kan.
7. Craig Spetman, Omaha
8. Dave Hoffman, Renfrew, Penn.
9. Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
10.Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
11.Steve Kosiski, Omaha
12.Les Siebert, York
13.Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
14.Jay Stearns, Grand Island, Neb.
15.Lyle Roucka, Fremont
16.Gary Tigges, Durango, Iowa
17.Johnny Johnson, Morning Sun, Iowa
18.Jim Jorgenson, Omaha
19.Al Humphrey, Giltner
20.Mel Sorenson, Elkhorn
21.Terry Holliman, Hamburg, Iowa
22.Curt Hogue, Ames, Iowa
23.Roger Thompson, Junction City, Kan.
24.Lance Matthees, Winona, Minn.

1969 - Leavitt in Knoxville First

 

Eddie Leavitt earned his first career super-modified feature win at Knoxville Raceway. He’s joined by car owner Taylor “Pappy” Weld. – Jeffrey Wagner Collection

Knoxville, Iowa (August 9, 1969) – Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., tuned up for next week’s National Super Modified Championships by copping the 25-lap feature at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night.

For Leavitt, it was his first career feature win at the Marion County Fairgrounds’ half-mile.

He jumped into the lead and stayed out front the entire way. Jan Opperman of Beaver Crossing, Neb., was second with Bob Williams of Kansas City in third.

The event was halted on the eighth lap when Burt Sonner of Des Moines and Norm Wadle of Milo tangled in the first turn. Wadle’

Wadle’s car tumbled end-over-end three times and crashed into the wall with such force the rear end and one wheel exploded over a 12-foot fence. The rearend rolled onto the highway and was hit by a passing car, cracking the windshield and damaging the passenger door.

Wadle was taken from the wreckage and rushed to the Knoxville hospital where he was reported in critical condition with head and internal injuries.

Earl Wagner flipped in the second turn of the trophy dash when he caught the rear wheel of Sonners’ car trying to pass on the outside. Neither driver was hurt but Wagner’s car was sidelined for the rest of the night.

Fast time for the night was shared by three drivers. Ken Gritz of Lincoln, Neb., Ken Weld of Thomasville, Penn., and Wagner all time in at 21 seconds flat.

Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., won the 10-lap consolation in the record time of 3 minutes and 38.75 seconds.


Results –


Trophy dash – Roger Rager, Lincoln, Neb.
Heat #1 – Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Ill.
Heat #2 – Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
Heat #3 – Ken Gritz, Lincoln, Neb.
Consolation – Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
Feature –
1. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
2. Jan Opperman, Beaver Crossing, Neb.
3. Bob Williams, Kansas City
4. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
5. Ken Gritz

1959 – Kosiskie Takes 100-Lap Thriller

 

Bob Kosiskie 

La Crosse, Wis. (August 9, 1959) – Bob Kosiskie of Omaha, Neb., broke his string of hard luck Sunday night to win the late model stock car 100-lap feature race at the La Crosse Inter-State Fair.

Kosiskie, driving a 1959 Thunderbird, regained the lead from Jerry Draper of Moline, Ill., on lap 99 after pacing the race for the first 86 circuits.

An estimated 3,400 watched the thrilling night feature. Another 3,000 witnessed the afternoon program, highlighted by Ernie Derr’s 25-lap feature win. Derr, from Keokuk, Iowa, drove a 1957 Pontiac.

In the afternoon feature, Kosiskie had led the first 19 laps and was well on his way to victory before being black-flagged because of a badly shredded tire.

Kosiskie led the first 86 laps of the nightcap with Draper, Derr, Dick Hutcherson of Keokuk, Iowa, and Bruce Nystrom of Oshkosh following in that order for the first 14. Derr then dropped behind Hutcherson and Nystrom.

The caution flag waved from lap 27 to 34 for Sonny Morgan of Beaumont, Tex., who had spun.

Draper nearly took the lead from Kosiskie on the lap 34 restart but settled in behind him and tailed him until he made his move on lap 87.

Right before Draper took over, Nystrom would retire on lap 82 after hitting a rock and puncturing his distributor, dropping him from fourth to eleventh. The caution flag was out for laps 82 – 86.

The field of leaders tightened for the restart and as the green flag waved, Draper bolted ahead of Kosiskie on the backstretch as the fans roared. Stock car fans were then treated to 12 laps of exciting, tight racing.

Draper – Kosiskie – Hutcherson – Derr, in that order, were separated by no more than a car length. The excitement even reached the IMCA officials.

On lap 99, Kosiskie would make his final bid on the back straightaway to take the lead. He would power past Draper just as the field entered the final turns and with every fan on their feet cheering, would take the checkered flag.

Hutcherson would also pass Draper to take second with Draper settling for third.

Ken Schultz of Wisconsin Rapids, driving a 1958 Ford, won the 16-lap consolation while Dick Hutcherson, in a 1957 Pontiac, would win the 4-lap trophy dash.


Results –

1. Bob Kosiskie, Omaha, Neb.
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
4. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
5. Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
6. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
8. Ken Schultz, Wisconsin Rapids
9. Ralph Wilhelm, Milwaukee
10.Milo Van Oudenhoven, Appleton

1987 – Mullens Completes Two-Race Sweep

 

Wichita, Kan. (August 8, 1987) – Buddy Mullens of Wichita won his second IMCA Modified National Series feature race in two nights as he captured the event Saturday night at 81 Speedway.

A field of 41 IMCA modifieds participated in the program.

Mullens took the lead away from Rick Cox of Davenport, Iowa, on a restart as Cox anticipated another lap under yellow and dropped back to fifth. Larry McDaniels of Wichita also led for a time as he passed Mullens and Cox but dropped out with mechanical problems.

However, Cox worked his way back into second and regained the lead from Mullens a few laps later. The lead lasted only a lap, however, as Mullens found his way around Cox and stayed there to the finish.

Cox wound up second with Steve Echer of Wichita third, Martin Bennett of Des Moines, Iowa, fourth, and current IMCA Modified National Series point leader Ray Cox Jr. of Walcott, Iowa, fifth.

Heats were won by Ted Beaman of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Ray Cox Jr., Van Gemmill of Ponca City, Okla., Walt Schilt of Muskogee, Okla., and Delbert Smith off Wichita.

Gary Dunkle of Chanute won the B-feature.


Results –

1. Buddy Mullens, Wichita
2. Rick Cox, Davenport, Iowa
3. Steve Echer, Wichita
4. Martin Bennett, Des Moines, Iowa
5. Ray Cox Jr., Walcott, Iowa
6. Larry Pankratz, Wichita
7. Joe Reed, Wichita
8. Jess Folk, Iola
9. Rusty Minden, Paola
10.Gary Dunkle, Chanute
11.Tom Yokum, Hillsboro
12.Kenny Thompson, Persia, Iowa
13.Tom Coyan, Wichita
14.Walt Schilt, Muskogee, Okla.
15.Jerry Phillips, Galva

1975 – Blankenship Gets to Top at Valley

 

Lem Blankenship

Davenport, Iowa (August 8, 1975) – Lem Blankenship, many times a bridesmaid but never a bride, took his final vows in what he hopes will be a long, happy marriage with the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

The veteran Keokuk driver, second so often he was starting to get a complex, simply outran one of the classiest field of the year before 8,000 screaming fans in Friday night’s late model modified feature.

Blankenship’s win, couple with Davenport’s Dave Wheeler’s victory in the sportsman feature, came before the largest crowd of the year, thanks in part to the Great Valley Fair which concludes a 10-day stand on Saturday.

While the two Iowa drivers were rolling in all the marbles, they certainly went in opposite directions to get there.

Blankenship, starting on the front row, got a great jump when the green flag was dropped, moved in front coming out of the second turn, and led a five-car chase that was never interrupted.

Wheeler, meanwhile, began his adventure in the middle of the pack, used two red flags and three yellow flags to cap an uphill climb that resulted in his first feature win of the season as well.

In the late model windup, Blankenship and point leader Ed Sanger ran 1-2 the entire 25 laps. Cedar Rapids’ Darrell Dake, after flirting with third and fourth, finished a strong third with Lisbon’s Roger Dolan following in fourth. Mike Niffenegger of Kalona rounded out the top-five finishers.

“All I had to do was drive the car,” an elated Blankenship said in victory lane. “Its pretty hard not to win when your crew has the car running so well.”

Dake and Blankenship were heat winners while Dolan won the semi-feature.

The sportsman feature was the wildest of the night with a three-car pileup on lap 2 setting the stage for a 45-minute, 16-lap slugfest.

It all started when point leader Gary Kerres of Edgington, Darrell Bidwell of Davenport, and Rapid City’s Gary Henry got tangled up one lap into the race.

All were sidelined at that point, leaving John Simenec of Rock Island in perfect position not only to take the win but overhaul Kerres for the point lead as well.

And it looked like a certainty as Simenec opened up a quarter=lap lead on the rest of the field. But a simple case of over-steering took Simenec off the beaten path in turn three, giving the lead to Phil Larsen of Iowa City.

Larsen held the top spot for the next eight circuits but gave up his lead to the hard-charging Wheeler on lap 13. They crossed the finish line that way a couple of laps later with Ted Claeys taking third.


Results –

Heat #1 – Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
Heat #2 – Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
Semi-main – Roger Dolan, Lisbon
Feature –
1. Lem Blankenship
2. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
3. Darrell Dake
4. Roger Dolan
5. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona

1969 – Marshalltown Fair Wins to Keen, LeCroy, Hansen

 

By Denny Carter

Marshalltown, Iowa (August 8-12, 1969) – Mike Keen, Jerry LeCroy, and Curt Hansen were feature winners at the Central Iowa Fair in Marshalltown.

Drivers competed for a $1,300 purse on Friday and Saturday night and a $1,200 purse on Tuesday.

Keen, of Marshalltown, worked his way up through the pack to win the late model opener on Friday night. Keen also placed second in his heat and third in the Australian Pursuit.

A really hot driver Friday night was Merle Leonard of Marshalltown who followed Keen in the feature, won the Australian Pursuit and the first heat.

Jerry LeCroy of Des Moines, who took third in the feature, finishing ahead of George Barton of Des Moines and Joel Ramussen of Gilbert to win the third heat.

Paul Uhlenberg of Garwin captured honors over Keen in the second heat.

John Schroyer of Laurel topped the sportsman field, winning his heat and the feature – a repeat performance from last week. Schroyer now has four wins for the season.

LeCroy charged from the rear of the field on Saturday to score the late model feature win on Saturday. Lynn Warden of Marshalltown led the first three laps before Joel Rasmussen took over. Rasmussen’s lead would be short-lived as a broken axle sent him limping to the infield. Warden would take over again and lead one more lap before LeCroy took over for good on lap 8 and led the rest of the way to the checkers.

Chuck Warnhoff of Marshalltown won the Australian Pursuit ahead of Paul Uhlenberg. Warden won the first heat while Jim Cowan of Marshalltown was the second heat winner. Friday night’s feature winner, Keen, won the third heat.

In the sportsman division, Carroll Menter from Marshalltown, a late arrival, won his heat and the feature.

Curt Hansen of Dike would walk off with late model honors on Tuesday and won a $100 bonus for an outsider winning on his first or second time. Hansen became the second driver this season to earn the bonus. Ed Sanger of Waterloo was the first driver to accomplish the feat.

In addition to winning the feature, Hansen also won the first heat.

Joel Ramussen won the B-semi and led all the way in winning the third heat. Arlo Becker of Atkins won the A-semi and Del McDowell of Ames captured the second heat.

In sportsman action, Carroll Menter made it two-in-a-row, winning the feature over Jon Schroyer and George Eruom of Marshalltown.


Results –


Friday –

1. Mike Keen, Marshalltown
2. Merle Leonard, Marshalltown
3. Jerry LeCroy, Des Moines
4. Chris Maurer, Des Moines
5. Del McDowell, Ames
6. Dan Clement, Rhodes
7. Lynn Warden, Marshalltown

Saturday –

1. Jerry LeCroy
2. Dan Clement
3. Mike Keen
4. Paul Uhlenberg
5. Larry DeFrance, Marshalltown
6. Del McDowell
7. Jim Cowan, Marshalltown
8. Ron Witte, Marshalltown

Tuesday –

1. Curt Hansen, Dike
2. Darrell DeVries, Charles City
3. Arlo Becker, Atkins
4. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
5. Jerry LeCroy
6. Del McDowell
7. Chris Maurer

1984 – Swindell Tops ‘Jerry Weld Memorial’

 

Sammy Swindell won the ninth annual Jerry Weld Memorial at I-70 Speedway. 

Odessa, Mo. (August 7, 1984) – Sammy Swindell of Bartlett, Tenn., had to wrestle with his car most of the night, but finally won over the car and the entire field to score the $6,000 first prize in the ninth annual Jerry Weld Memorial at I-70 National Speedway on Monday night.

Earlier in the evening, the engine on Swindell’s mount let go at the end of the first time trial laps right after he set fourth fastest time, but his crew was able to install a new one before the first heat race. Sammy was able to finish second in his heat and qualify himself a start in the 25-lap feature.

Tim Green of Carmichael, Calif., jumped into the lead at the green but was run down by Bobby Davis Jr. on lap 7. On lap 9 Davis pulled to the inside of the front straight because of inbalance in his right rear tire when it filled with dirt, sending him to the ear of the field joining Swindell, who had been sent back earlier on lap 2 when his tire blew.

That put Green back on top with a charging Doug Wolfgang moving in on his tail and making the lead pass on lap 13. During their battle for first place, Swindell charged his way through heavy traffic up to third, and by lap 24 with the final lap coming, moved in to challenge the leaders.

On the white flag lap, Sammy drove low into turn one to move by Green and then drive even with Wolfgang on the back chute. Wolfgang’s brake lines were gone, leaving him no possibility to drive hard entering the final corners, and Swindell dove low again in turns three and four to take the lead and win on the final turn.

Wolfgang settled for second with Green taking third, Scott Ritchhart fourth, and “The Dude” Danny Lasoski rounding out the top five finishers.

Kenny Jacobs, Junior Parkinson, Davis, and Richard Griffin won heat races while Jimmy “Buckwheat” Sills won the last chance “B” feature.

In time trials, fast time was set by Jacobs, who turned the half-mile in 17.09 seconds.


Results –

1. Sammy Swindell
2. Doug Wolfgang
3. Tim Green
4. Scott Ritchhart
5. Danny Lasoski
6. Greg Wooley
7. Kenny Jacobs
8. Terry Gray
9. Randy Smith
10.Bobby Davis Jr.
11.Richard Griffin
12.Junior Parkinson

1979 - Miller Claims Second ARTGO Carter Classic Win

 

Mike Miller captured his second straight ARTGO Wayne Carter Classic at Grundy County Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Collection

Morris, Ill. (August 7, 1979) – Repeating last year’s performance, Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., wheeled his Oldsmobile Cutlass to victory in ARTGO Racing’s Wayne Carter Classic at Grundy County Speedway on Tuesday night.

It was Miller’s second ARTGO win of the ’79 season, giving him the distinction of becoming the first two-time winner of the event, which was originated in 1975 to honor Wayne Carter, who brought auto racing to the area in 1917.

The largest crowd of the season saw defending track champion Ray Young grab the lead from his outside front row starting position at the drop of the green flag. The Chicago-land veteran with more than 20 years of racing experience, quickly began building a commanding lead as the rest of the 25-car field sorted themselves out.

With 25 laps in the books, Young’s lead began to approach the half-lap variety as Rusty Wallace, Mike Miller, Billy Kuhn, Mark Martin, and Tom Reffner gave chase. With no stop in the action, the halfway mark quickly approached with Young still on top and Miller, Martin, Reffner, and now Dick Trickle seemingly moving a little closer with every lap.

Young’s comfortable lead was erased on lap 46 when the yellow flag flew for Bob Strait who spun in turn one.

When the green flag resumed racing, it was Young holding off the pressuring Miller, who was followed closely by Martin. Only seven more laps were completed when the yellow light flashed again, this time for Jerry Kemperman, who came to a halt on the frontstretch.

When the green reappeared, Miller immediately dove underneath Young as thee duo headed for the groove in turn one with the two cars making contact, sending Young high and out of shape between turns one and two.

Taking full advantage of the situation, Martin, Reffner, and Trickle slipped by Young, moving behind Miller who was wasting no time in establishing a commanding lead between himself and the rest of his competitors.

It was Miller the rest of the way as far as first place was concerned as the real battle was for second between Reffner, Trickle, Young, Martin and Larry Detjens. The tightly knit bunch ran bumper-to-bumper for the remaining laps as they battled continuously for position.

At the checkered, it was Miller with almost a half-lap lead advantage over runner-up Reffner who was followed by Trickle and Young, who finished the race with a broken tie rod causing him to drag his smoking left front tire for the final few laps.


Results –

1. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Tom Reffner, Rudolph, Wis.
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
4. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
5. Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
6. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
7. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
8. Dave Watson, Milton, Wis.
9. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
10.Dave Evans, Crystal Lakes, Ill.

1988 – Belleville Midget Nationals to Knepper

 

Steve Knepper proudly displays his trophy for winning the 40-lap Midget Nationals at the Belleville High Banks. – Jim Viviano Photo

By Bryan Gapinski

Belleville, Kan. (August 3, 1988) – Steve Knepper scored the biggest win of his career Saturday night by winning the 40-lap Belleville Midget Nationals feature at the Belleville High Banks. The win was worth $6,500 of the $34,000 purse.

Knepper, who started on the pole, jumped into the lead immediately closely followed by Randy Roberts. The duo pulled away from the rest of the field and battled for the top spot.

By the 10th trip around the half-mile, Knepper increased his lead over Roberts to four-car-lengths as third-place Dan Boorse closed in on Roberts. At the midway point of the race, Knepper’s margin was six-car-lengths.

Former Belleville winner Mike Gregg and Tommy White crashed on lap 29, with Gregg flipping, bringing out the red flag. Neither driver was hurt.

On the restart, defending race winner Ron “Sleepy” Tripp retired to the pits with engine problems and Knepper cruised to the easy win over Roberts, Boorse, Chuck Gurney, and Robby Flock.


Results –

1. Steve Knepper
2. Randy Roberts
3. Dan Boorse
4. Chuck Gurney
5. Robby Flock
6. Palmer Crowell
7. Jon Backlund
8. Mike Brooks
9. Steve Enlow
10.Dean Billings

1968 – Bob Lane Captures D.M. County Fair Win

 

Bob Lane

By Duane King

Burlington, Iowa (August 6, 1968) – Fifty-three cars, both modified and cadet class, moved from 34 Raceways Park and took charge at the local Des Moines County Fairgrounds on Tuesday night.

Semi-super modified driver Bob Lane made the adjustment very well to the half-mile oval as he won the match race then went on to take the main event as well.

After winning the match race in short order, Lane picked up the pace again in the feature, demonstrating to everyone in attendance his skill behind the wheel and his masterful moves as he made his way to the front of the 15-car field.

He was aided, however, by a first lap wreck involving Cliff Blundy, Roger Clarke, and Jim Dillon. On the restart, Lane immediately moved to second, passing Starman on the third lap, and then continued his torrid pace, passing early leader Johnn Babby on the fourth lap.

No one would close in on Lane from that point, and the Burlington truck driver would sail home the easy winner. Babb hung on to finish second with Bob Ensminger taking third.

“Wild” Bill Arnold had no difficulty, as usual, in copping the cadet feature. Although Arnold started in the sixth row, he plotted a course the short way around the track and was in the lead after only five laps.


Results –


Semi-Super Modified –

Match race – Bob Lane
Heat #1 – Dean Anderson
Heat #2 – Bob Ensminger
Semi-main – Allen Tee
Feature –
1. Bob Lane
2. Johnny Babb
3. Bob Ensminger
4. Jerry Blundy
5. Dean Anderson

Cadet –

1. Bill Arnold
2. Larry Reighard
3. Ken Haley
4. Jack Alter
5. Ken Reighard

1961 – Jones’ Streak Ended by Foyt

 

A.J. Foyt is surrounded by race fans and well-wishers after winning the 30-lap USAC sprint car feature on the high banks of Greater Salem Speedway. – IRMA Photo Collection

Salem, Ind. (August 6, 1961) – National USAC champion and Indianapolis 500 winner A.J. Foyt had a day of revenge at Greater Salem Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

The handsome 26-year-old Texan from Houston swept most of the honors on the United States Auto Club’s fourth sprint program of the year here before a crowd of 4,200.

He drove his Bowes Offenhauser to victory in the 30-lap feature, grabbed the win in the first heat, and also set fast time during qualifying with a time of 18.80 seconds.

And, equally as important, he protected his slight lead over Parnelli Jones in the USAC sprint car standings by handing Jones, of Torrance, Calif., his first defeat after five straight USAC sprint car victories. It also avenged a defeat Jones handed him here on July 4.

Elmer George of Speedway, Ind., finished second in the Tony’s Special and Jones was third in the Chevrolet-powered Fike Plumbing Special as the last seven laps were run under the caution flag.

It was displayed after Dick Pratt of Winchester, Ind., who had set a track record of 3 minutes and 16.68 seconds in the 10-lap semi-feature, blew his engine, and spun while running sixth.

However, Foyt was 100 yards ahead at the time and appeared the certain winner.

All told, it was a bad day for the Chevies.

Bill Cheesbourg of Tucson, Ariz., started the streak when he demolished his Chevy-powered car in a warmup spin when his throttle stuck, and his brakes locked going into the first turn. He suffered a slight concussion with cuts and bruises all over his face. He would be hospitalized overnight.

Jones had handling issues all day long and Don Branson of Champaign, Ill., broke the crankshaft in his Hoover Special just before his qualifying run.


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt, Houston, Tex.
2. Elmer George, Speedway
3. Parnelli Jones, Torrance, Calif.
4. Len Sutton, Portland, Ore.
5. Chuck Hulse, Indianapolis
6. A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
7. Al Miller, Roseville, Mich.
8. Jim Hemmings, North Vernon
9. Jack Rounds, Huntington Beach, Calif.
10.Leroy Neumayer, Los Angeles, Calif. 
11.Bob Mathouser, Indianapolis
12.Dick Pratt, Winchester
13.Bud Tingelstad, Dayton, Ohio
14.Roy Robbins, Scottsburg

1989 – Hughes, Mitchell Top at Monticello

 

Monticello, Iowa (August 5, 1989) – A huge crowd packed the grandstand and the hillside on Saturday, waited out a rain shower, then watched the annual stock car races at the Great Jones County Fair.

Gus Hughes delighted his hometown fans by winning the modified feature, Hughes fought off early challenges by Bill Beckman, also of Monticello, then late in the race, withstood a hard-charging Skip Frey of Ely.

Gayln Mitchell of Decorah made the long tow pay off as he topped a strong field of pro stocks. Dan Bohr, also from Decorah, finished second ahead of Tom Guckenberger of Dubuque.

Fifth-four bombers checked in, and fans witnessed some slam-bang action. Gary Hughes of Monticello took the lead late from Rich Glenn of Olin and held on for the win.


Results –

Modified –

1. Gus Hughes, Monticello
2. Skip Frey, Ely
3. Bill Beckman, Monticello
4. Ryan Dolan, Lisbon
5. Scott Nesteby, Dubuque
6. Jack Roth, Hazel Green, Wis.
7. Jay Hanken, Monticello
8. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids
9. Ed Thomas, Waterloo

Pro Stock –

1. Gayln Mitchell, Decorah
2. Dan Bohr, Decorah
3. Tom Guckenberger, Dubuque
4. Erik Spaw, Cedar Rapids
5. Jerry Miles, Dubuque
6. Phil McDonald, Monticello
7. Jeff Valentine, Dubuque
8. John Charnowski, Hiawatha
9. Bart Miller, Tipton
10.Randy Hansen, Dubuque

Bombers –

1. Gary Hughes, Monticello
2. Rich Glenn, Olin
3. Red Hughes, Monticello
4. Dale Stolte, Martelle
5. Kevin Leonard, Center Junction
6. Matt Sams, Anamosa
7. Pat Murray, Hopkinton
8. Bart Harms, Wyoming
9. Joe Breitbarth, Cascade
10.Larry Appleby, Cedar Rapids

1978 - Shear Edges Miller for Dells Mid-Season

 

Joe Shear won the 50-lap late model mid-season championship at Dells Motor Speedway. - Stan Kalwasinski Collection 

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (August 5, 1978) – Joe Shear of South Beloit, Ill., powered his Neilsen Camaro to first place in the 50-lap mid-season championship at Dells Motor Speedway. Steve Carlson of La Crosse was the hobby stock mid-season titlist.

Shear edged fast timer Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids at the finish line by two feet. In all, 46 late models and 17 hobby stocks signed in for the Saturday night program that marked the halfway point in the season. Fans were treated to five late model heats and two hobby stock heats along with their respective features.

After Jim Back won the trophy dash, heat wins went to Mike Langsdorf, Richie Bickle, Jim Johnson, Rocky Breezer, and Steve Burgess. Bart Reinen won the 15-lap consolation and Bickle came back to nip Steve Moll for the win in the 25-lap semi-main.

Mike Hennesy was fast timer in the hobby stocks with Rich Blackdeer winning the trophy dash. Ollie Christanson and Steve Carlson were heat winners.


Results –


Late Models –

1. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
2. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
3. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
4. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
5. Pat Schauer, Watertown
6. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire
7. Larry Detjens, Wausau
8. Fred Bender, Sun Prairie
9. Jim Bohmsach, Wisconsin Rapids
10.Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh

Hobby Stocks –

1. Steve Carlson, La Crosse
2. Bob Suhr, Cashton
3. Mike Niles, Holmen
4. Rick Wateski, La Crosse
5. Terry Mashak

1967 - Mullink Double Winner at West Liberty

 

John Mullink used his driving skill to win the Mississippi Valley Speed Club feature at West Liberty. He’s shown here receiving a certificate from a representative of Wynn’s Friction Proofing, rewarding him with a free trip for two to Florida. – Dick Kleindolph Photo

By Dorothy Mitchell

West Liberty, Iowa (August 5, 1967) – John Mullink of West Liberty was the top man in town Saturday night as he led all 18 laps to win the Mississippi Valley Speed Club feature at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds before 3,000.

And, for his efforts, Mullink also earned a free trip for two to Florida courtesy of Wynn’s Friction Proofing.

“I was pretty happy tonight," Mullink said from victory lane. “The track was awful hard and slick tonight. Eighteen laps tonight seemed a lot longer.”

John Moss of Iowa City was a close second tonight with Mark Mosier an even closer third, right on Moss’s rear bumper the entire time. Bud Darting of Wilton Junction was fourth and Tom Stewart of Washington finished fifth.

Heat winners were Mark Mosier, John Moss, Bob Smith of Mt. Pleasant, and Bud Darting. The semi-main Tom Harris of Iowa City.

All winners received a jacket from Wynn’s Friction Proofing.


Results –

1. John Mullink, West Liberty
2. John Moss, Iowa City
3. Mark Mosier, Washinton
4. Bud Darting, Wilton Junction
5. Tom Stewart, Washington
6. Stan Crooks, Muscatine
7. Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree
8. Larry Jenkins, Wilton Junction
9. Leroy Stutzman, Lockridge
10.Bob Smith, Mt. Pleasant

1989 – Blaney USA Winner at Moberly

 

Dave Blaney won the USA sprint car feature at the Moberly Motorsports Park. - Bill Haglund Photo. 

Moberly, Mo. (August 4, 1989) – For the second time in as many weeks, the United Sprint Association packed the house at the all-new Moberly Motorsports Park. The star-studded sprint car event produced a record crowd, and a first-time series win for former NCRA driving star, Dave Blaney.

Blaney grabbed the $5,250 first prize in a thrilling drive from his sixth starting position. Steve Kinser took second from his seventh starting position while Mark Kinser took placed third. Sammy Swindell and Danny Lasoski took fourth and fifth, respectively.

Lasoski took the early lead when a yellow flew on lap 3. On the restart, Lasoski continued to lead followed by Mark Kinser, Blaney, Steve Kinser, and Swindell. Popular Jac Haudenschild saw his chance for victory evaporate along with the water coming out of his exhaust.

While the Missouri-bred Lasoski desperately wanted his first USA victory, it was Blaney who had the right setup and used the dangerous but less crowded high line to take the lead on lap 9.

Despite another caution on lap 11, Blaney had the right stuff and cruised to a well-deserved victory ahead of Steve Kinser, Mark Kinser, Swindell and Lasoski.

The last 10 laps provided plenty of excitement as Randy Smith charged from his 14th starting position to finish sixth at the stripe.


Results –

1. Dave Blaney
2. Steve Kinser
3. Mark Kinser
4. Sammy Swindell
5. Danny Lasoski
6. Randy Smith
7. Donnie Beechler
8. Terry Gray
9. Craig Keel
10.Tommie Estes Jr.

1981 - Kosiski Takes Grand National XV

 

Joe Kosiski of Omaha won the Grand National XV 50-lap late model feature at Boone Speedway. Joining Kosiski in victory lane is Stacy McDowell, daughter of driver Del McDowell.

Boone, Iowa (August 4, 1981) – Joe Kosiski of Omaha added his name to the winner’s list of the Boone Grand Nationals when he won the rain-delayed 50-lap late model championship Tuesday on the quarter-mile Boone Speedway.

Kosiski was pushed hard the entire way by Al Urhammer of Radcliffe while Randall’s Bob Hill stayed in contention for most of the race and finish third.

Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines was fourth and Jerry Holtkamp of Williams rounded out the top five finishers.

The event had been rained out on its original date of July 21, and was again rained out the following night and a second time was rescheduled.

Most of the cars that were qualified to run in the 50-lap open late model competition returned to compete.

In addition to the headliner, a regular program was run as well. The 25-lap late model feature was won by Ray Kinnetz of Webster City while Greg Roorda of Mitchellville won the sportsman main. Larry Embrey of Granger was the thunder car winner.


Results –

1. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
2. Al Urhammer, Radcliffe
3. Bob Hill, Randall
4. Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
5. Jerry Holtkamp, Williams
6. Bill Rice, Des Moines
7. Gary Webb, Davenport
8. Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
9. Ken Davidson, Indianola
10.Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
11.Bill Kirk, Salix
12.Tim Murray, Des Moines
13.Rick Wendling, Hazelton
14.Craig Spetman, Council Bluffs
15.Steve Kosiski, Omaha
16.Jerry Parker, Clearfield
17.Gary Pederson, Rutland

1962 – Nelson Wins USAC Race at Illiana

 

Norm Nelson accepts his trophy after winning the 100-lap USAC stock car race at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Wayne Bryant Photo/Stan Kalwasinski Collection

Schererville, Ind. (August 4, 1962) – Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., had his 1962 Ford in tune Saturday night when Illiana Speedway hosted the USAC late model stock cars.

Nelson led all qualifiers with a time of 24.36 seconds and wound up first in the 100-lap feature over the half-mile track with a time of 37 minutes and 57.41 seconds. He lapped 990 percent of the field.

Elmer Musgrave of Niles, Ill., finished second in a 1961 Mercury followed by Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, in a 1962 Ford. Whitey Gerken of Schiller Park, Ill., in a 1962 Chevrolet, and Troy Ruttman of Dearborn, Mich., in a 1962 Mercury, rounded out the top-five finishers.

Heat winners were White, Whitey Johnson of Hammond in a 1961 Pontiac, and Rich Stukus of Oak Lawn, Ill., in a 1961 Ford.


Results –

1. Norm Nelson, Racine, Wis.
2. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
3. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Whitey Gerken, Melrose Park, Ill.
5. Troy Ruttman, Dearborn, Mich.
6. Whitey Johnson, Hammond
7. Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
8. Gene Marmor, Schiller Park, Ill.

1988 - Moyer Takes Wilmot NASCAR 'Tour' Win

 

Billy Moyer Jr. won the NASCAR Busch All-Star Tour feature at Wilmot Speedway. It was Moyer’s second “Tour” win of the season. – Mike Napierala Photo

By Pete Pistone

Wilmot, Wis. (August 3, 1988) – Billy Moyer Jr. set a new track record in qualifying, then went on to win Wednesday’s 50-lap NASCAR Busch All-Star Tour feature at Wilmot Speedway.

Moyer’s 16.86-second tour of the flat, 1/3-mile dirt oval set the new mark, easily besting the field of 39 late models who gathered for the Tour’s first-ever visit to the state of Wisconsin.

A field of 26 answered the bell for the 50-lap headliner with Dick Taylor of Springfield, Ill., jumping into the lead. Terry Liebentritt’s spin on lap 2 slowed the pace but Moyer, who started in the fifth row on the inverted lineup, was already on the move.

When the green flag reappeared, Taylor maintained the top spot until the ninth circuit when Moyer took command. A Tom Hearst – Tony Izzo tangle in turn two brought out the yellow once more, and the field, including hard-charging Jim O’Conner, and Minnesota pilot Rick Egersdorf, closed in behind the leader.

Moyer had his hands full on the restart, as O’Conner, who won one of the twin 20-lap qualifiers, kept his car on the Batesville, Ark., speedster’s rear bumper. A red flag appeared on lap 24 as the track’s emergency vehicle attended to a corner worker who was not seriously injured by a flying rock.

The final 25 laps saw Moyer and O’Conner put on a ferocious duel, weaving through lapped traffic in their battle for the lead. O’Conner tried several times to pass on the low side, pulling even with Moyer on numerous attempts, but Moyer’s car performed perfectly on the high groove, and he held on for the win.

The win, worth $3,000, was Moyer’s second of the season on the All-Star Tour. He had won the Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in June.

At the finish, Moyer and O’Conner were followed by Taylor, Egersdorf, and Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill.

Omaha’s Joe Kosiski won the other 20-lap qualifier while Lake Villa, Ill., star and former Wilmot weekly competitor Whitey Harris won the 10-lap consolation.

NASCAR Busch All-Star Tour point leader Steve Kosiski of Omaha broke an axle during the 50-lpper, relegating him to a 21st place finish. His brother Joe took over the series’ point lead.


Results –

1. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
2. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee, Ill.
3. Dick Taylor, Springfield, Ill.
4. Rick Egersdorf, St. Paul, Minn.
5. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.
6. John Provenzano, Elk Grove, Ill.
7. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
8. Jeff Hinkemeyer, St. Cloud, Minn.
9. Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
10.Al Atkinson
11.Tony Izzo, Bridgeview, Ill.
12.Charlie Sentman, Waveland, Ind.
13.Dennis Erb, Carpentersville, Ill.
14.Whitey Harris, Lake Villa, Ill.
15.Tim Routson, West Chicago, Ill.

1980 - Two Triumphs for Sanger in East Moline Twin 50s

 

Ed Sanger

East Moline, Ill. (August 7, 1980) – Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, drove his Camaro to two feature wins and a $1,200 first place prize Sunday night in East Moline Speedway’s Twin 50s.

Sanger’s 469-cubic0inch powered Camaro left both 20-car fields behind as he grabbed the checkered flags at the popular high-banked quarter mile.

The first 50-lap feature went 19 laps without interruption before Jerry Wolland hit the wall on the grandstand straightaway.

Once restarted, the race continued accident-free and by lap 26, Steve Fraise of Montrose, Iowa, had snuck by Sanger to grab the lead.

Sanger came on strong a lap later to work his way back to the head of the pack and never relinquished it thereafter.

Fraise settled for second while Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, was third, Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo, Iowa, was fourth and Herb Shannon of Hanna City rounded out the top five finishers.

The first race’s order of finish was inverted to determine starting positions for the second 50-lapper and Sanger found himself starting in the 19th position.

Keith Remley of Blue Grass, Iowa, had the pole but it was Denny Miller of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, grabbing the lead at the wave of the green flag. He would lead until lap 9 when Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Wis., took over.

The red flag stopped the race on lap 16, and again on lap 17 when a massive pile-up occurred in the fourth turn.

Three laps later, Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley, Iowa, tagged the wall in the fourth turn.

Parker’s Camaro maintained a healthy lead throughout the mishaps until lap 29 when Sanger, who had made his way steadily through the field, crept up on Parker and started challenging on the inside grooves of the corners.

Sanger lost little ground on the straights and once switched to an outside groove attack before finally pulling ahead of Parker on lap 39 with a move to the inside of the second turn.

From there, Sanger distanced himself and won handily over Steve Fraise, who had passed Parker on the white flag lap. Parker settled for third, Bartholomew was fourth and Johnny Johnson of Morning Sun, Iowa, was fifth.

Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
2. Steve Fraise, Montrose, Iowa
3. Tom Hearst, Wilton, Iowa
4. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo, Iowa
5. Herb Shannon, Hanna City

Feature #2 –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Steve Fraise
3. Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
4. Tom Bartholomew
5. Johnny Johnson, Morning Sun, Iowa

1986 – Keselowski Scores First in Berlin ARCA

 

Bob Keselowski scored his first career ARCA Supercar Series victory, winning the Berlin 100 at Berlin Raceway.

Marne, Mich. (August 2, 1986) – Bob Keselowski scored the first ARCA Supercar Series win of his career as he topped the Berlin 100 Saturday night at Berlin Raceway.

Bob Strait took the early lead from polesitter Keselowski, but Keselowski charged back in front on lap 7. Keselowski maintained a sloid cushion over the remainder of the field for the balance of the race to become the ninth different driver to win on the ARCA circuit this season.

Bill Venturini worked his way up to gain second at the wire followed by Strait, defending ARCA series champion Lee Raymond, and Bob Brevak.

“This really gives us a lift,” said Keselowski, who turned 35-years-old the day before the race. “We’ve been fast a lot of times but just couldn’t get the win. The first win is the hardest.”

Keselowski collected $3,605 in prize and contingency money plus $2,100 in bonus awards.

Raymond continues to lead the series’ point standings with 2,175 markers while Bob Schact, who finished sixth after a late race spin, is second with 1,770 points.


Results –

1. Bob Keselowski
2. Bill Venturini
3. Bob Strait
4. Lee Raymond
5. Bob Brevak
6. Bob Schact
7. Scott Stovall
8. Dave Simko
9. Bruce Vanderlaan
10.Mark Gibson
11.Roger Blackstock
12.Rick Jeffrey
13.Jack Wallace
14.Dennis Meldpennigen
15.Don Marmor