Keith Fleck
By Kyle Ealy
Cedar Rapids, Iowa – When local beer distributor Keith Fleck decided to promote a stock car race at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in 1973, little did he know, or expect, that the event would grow into one of the most prestigious dirt late model races not only in Iowa but the Midwest and possibly the nation.
It all started on September 29, 1973….
Sanctioned by the United States Auto Club, Larry “Butch” Hartman of South Zanesville, Ohio, would win the Falstaff 100 on a cold, damp night before 3,000 fans. Hartman would take the lead at the drop of the green and was never headed although he had all he could do to hold off the efforts of Ernie Derr of Keokuk for the final five tours on the half-mile dirt track.
Butch Hartman accepts his trophy for winning the Falstaff 100 at Hawkeye Downs. Presenting the award is Steve Tomasek (left) Falstaff marketing director, Miss Falstaff Peg McMenomy, and Cedar Rapids Falstaff distributor Keith Fleck.
The battle at the finish between Hartman and Derr gave them plenty to remember. They were all on their feet when Derr made a move to the outside coming out of turn two on the white flag lap. Derr kissed Butch’s bumper twice, but both managed to retain control of their machines and resume their bumper-to-bumper duel to the finish line.
Trophy dash winner Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, would finish third in the feature followed by Bay Darnell of Deerfield, Ill., and Steve Drake of Bloomington, Ill. Only seven of the 13 cars entered in the feature finished the race.
It was the case of “Who Won the Falstaff 50?” on Tuesday, July 16, 1974. An estimated crowd of 5,000 race fans wouldn’t learn the answer until 30 minutes after the checkered flag had waved.
After a lot of discussion, Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo, Iowa, would be declared the winner of the 50-lap feature after a major controversy halted the second annual event with five laps to go and confusion ran rampant.
Bill Zwanziger won the controversial Falstaff 100 in 1974. Keith Fleck presents the winner's cup. - B.E. Tappa Photo
The controversy involved Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa and Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa, who were running one-two and practically bumper-to-bumper throughout the race.
Hansen appeared to have the top prize of $1,000 wrapped up when he sent his 1974 Laguna into the 46th lap. But the Downs point leader spun in the third turn and Eaker, who was pressing hard, also spun.
However, as the yellow light flashed, Hansen continued to race, although he had lost three positions. Eaker required a push truck to get going again.
On the restart, though, as irate fans peppered the front straightaway with beer cans and angry pit crews flooded the same area in an apparent move to prevent the race from continuing, Hansen was back in the lead spot and Eaker went to the pits after being informed he would have to start in the rear.
Hansen would take up where he left off and was the apparent winner until a meeting followed involving Hansen, race organizer Dale Gegner, Eaker’s car owner Al Frieden, Zwanziger, and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids.
“The restart rule at this track is that any car that the race is STOPPED for goes to the rear of the field,” Gegner would explain. Gegner then admitted that officials erred in allowing Hansen the lead position on the restart. “Hansen should have been placed in fourth,” Gegner remarked.
Zwanziger, who was second behind Hansen at the checkers, would be awarded first while Dake would be elevated to second place. Bob Kosiski of Omaha would finish third followed by Hansen and Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa.
Hansen, who would still collect nearly $900 in lap money, readily accepted the ruling that he wasn’t the winner but added, “I figured I should be fourth.”
A frustrated Eaker added, “Hansen was about three car lengths ahead of me when he looped it and I spun to keep from hitting him. I had kept the pressure on and was just waiting for him to make a mistake. When he finally did, I was too close.”
Ed Sanger, the point leader at Hawkeye Downs, would come from his fifth row starting position to win the third annual Falstaff 50 on July 15, 1975. The Waterloo, Iowa, hotshoe would collect $1,400 for his efforts.
A crowd estimated at 5,500 watched the most exciting Falstaff race yet and in the process, witnessed some nifty driving by at least eight hard chargers who battled for the lead at various times.
Lisbon, Iowa’s Roger Dolan won the pole position in time trials, just missing the track record of 24.57 seconds. He would lead the first 32 circuits of the race.
But coming out of the fourth turn on the 33rd lap, Sanger would dip underneath Dolan and take the lead he would never relinquish.
Several pilots would give Sanger a run and the strongest of the challengers would be Curt Hansen, but the Dike, Iowa, speedster would lose his steering on lap 43 and tag the first turn wall.
Ed’s brother Karl Sanger, would put on a driving performance himself, charging thru the field from his 18th starting position to make it a 1-2 family affair. USAC star, Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, driving a Chrysler Kit Car, would finish third. Roger Dolan, after leading the race, would lose ground and finish fourth. Darrell Dake, who would challenge early in the contest, would settle for fifth.
Over 50 cars and 4,300 fans showed up at Hawkeye Downs on Monday, July 26, 1976, to watch Curt Hansen win the fourth annual Falstaff Classic. Net proceeds from the event went to the All-Iowa Fairboard to defray costs in building a new track. Less Hansen’s winnings of $1,300, of course.
Bill Beckman of Lisbon, Iowa, would break the one-lap track record in time trials, touring the half-mile in 24.06 seconds to top the old mark 24.10 seconds. Beckman would start on the pole and lead the opening laps before Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, would take over.
Hansen, who started in the second row, would pass Walton on lap 19 and never look back. Ed Sanger, the defending champion, would give chase but settle for second place.
Roger Dolan, who didn’t qualify well, would put on the driving clinic of the evening, starting 19th, and finishing third. Walton would finish fourth and Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa, would round out the top five. Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill., would also put on an impressive driving performance, driving from his 21st starting position to a sixth-place finish.
The 1977 edition of the Falstaff Classic, held on Tuesday, June 14, would be a case of dueling stock cars as ’74 winner Bill Zwanziger and Fred Horn of Marion, Iowa, would race side-by-side, bumper to bumper, for the last 30 laps of 100-lap main event with Horn steering his sleek 1977 Camaro to the checkers first by a car length.
“I just wanted to run flat out and the car performed,” breathed Horn after outlasting Zwanziger’s 1977 Nova. "This is probably my greatest racing win. I won the Iowa 300 IMCA race once, but this is probably the most prestigious.”
Kalona's Mike Niffenegger won the pole position with a 24.76 second lap in time trials, but Zwanziger moved to front on the second lap.
That changed one lap later when defending champion Curt Hansen took over and led until Zwanziger took over on the 35th tour. Hansen would regain the top spot one more time on the lap 43.
Then came Fred Horn. Having started on the outside of the fourth row, Horn moved steadily through the field and was racing with the front-runners and on lap 47 asserted himself, taking the lead from Hansen. He wouldn’t have any serious problems until Zwanziger started his challenge on lap 73.
“I have to pay the highest tribute to Bill Zwanziger. We were right together through those last laps and he didn’t touch me once,” Horn remarked afterwards.
Two drivers who started farther back, Roger Dolan (16th) and Bill Rice of Des Moines (19th) finished third and fourth while early leader Hansen settled for fifth.
Most observers were amazed that 10 cars all finished on the same lap, let alone go the entire 100 tours. "It was amazing,” said veteran race announcer Tony Dean of Huron, S.D., "that 24 of the 28 starters were still racing at the finish.”
“I just wanted to run flat out and the car performed,” breathed Horn after outlasting Zwanziger’s 1977 Nova. "This is probably my greatest racing win. I won the Iowa 300 IMCA race once, but this is probably the most prestigious.”
Kalona's Mike Niffenegger won the pole position with a 24.76 second lap in time trials, but Zwanziger moved to front on the second lap.
That changed one lap later when defending champion Curt Hansen took over and led until Zwanziger took over on the 35th tour. Hansen would regain the top spot one more time on the lap 43.
Then came Fred Horn. Having started on the outside of the fourth row, Horn moved steadily through the field and was racing with the front-runners and on lap 47 asserted himself, taking the lead from Hansen. He wouldn’t have any serious problems until Zwanziger started his challenge on lap 73.
“I have to pay the highest tribute to Bill Zwanziger. We were right together through those last laps and he didn’t touch me once,” Horn remarked afterwards.
Two drivers who started farther back, Roger Dolan (16th) and Bill Rice of Des Moines (19th) finished third and fourth while early leader Hansen settled for fifth.
Most observers were amazed that 10 cars all finished on the same lap, let alone go the entire 100 tours. "It was amazing,” said veteran race announcer Tony Dean of Huron, S.D., "that 24 of the 28 starters were still racing at the finish.”
Curt Hansen would become the event’s first two-time winner after leading start to finish on June 6, 1978. Hansen, who started on the outside of the first row, pocketed $1,600 for winning plus $700 in lap money. It was his biggest victory since winning the Knoxville Jamboree in September of 1977.
A sell-out crowd of 7,000 watched Hansen go unchallenged for all 100 laps. The battles were behind Hanson as Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa and Bill Martin of Council Bluffs, Iowa, fought tooth and nail for second place with Martin getting by Crawford on the last lap for runner-up honors. Hansen, Martin, and Crawford would finish all 100 circuits with defending champion Fred Horn and Roger Dolan finishing fourth and fifth respectively at 99 laps.
Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa, had won every big race that Hawkeye Downs had to offer over the years. Eaker’s first big win at the Downs’ oval would come in 1969, winning the Hawkeye 200 stock car race. Eaker would win the prestigious Iowa Challenge Cup a record three times from 1972 to 1974 and most recently Verlin had won the inaugural Yankee Dirt Track Classic towards the close of the 1978 season. The only race that had eluded him was Keith Fleck’s late model classic.
A sell-out crowd of 7,000 watched Hansen go unchallenged for all 100 laps. The battles were behind Hanson as Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa and Bill Martin of Council Bluffs, Iowa, fought tooth and nail for second place with Martin getting by Crawford on the last lap for runner-up honors. Hansen, Martin, and Crawford would finish all 100 circuits with defending champion Fred Horn and Roger Dolan finishing fourth and fifth respectively at 99 laps.
Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa, had won every big race that Hawkeye Downs had to offer over the years. Eaker’s first big win at the Downs’ oval would come in 1969, winning the Hawkeye 200 stock car race. Eaker would win the prestigious Iowa Challenge Cup a record three times from 1972 to 1974 and most recently Verlin had won the inaugural Yankee Dirt Track Classic towards the close of the 1978 season. The only race that had eluded him was Keith Fleck’s late model classic.
The 28-year racing veteran would scratch that off his list, winning the newly renamed Miller 100 on June 5, 1978. Eaker would battle Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa for much of the 100 laps, finally securing the top spot halfway through the race. Eaker would collect $2,300 of the $10,070 total purse.
Eaker would start on the outside of the fourth row but jockeyed his way to the front quickly and by lap 6 he was behind Niffenegger, Leon Plank of Mondovi. Wis., and fast qualifier Curt Hanson. On lap 10, Eaker passed Hanson and would settle behind Plank. But Plank would fall off the pace a few laps later and Eaker took off after Niffenegger who had built a comfortable lead.
Eaker eventually caught Niffenegger by lap 40 and grabbed the lead a lap later until “The Flying Dutchman” grabbed the top spot back on lap 42. Three circuits later, Eaker would slip past Niffenegger for good on lap 45 and despite several challenges from Niffenegger over the remaining 55 laps, would take the checkers by a couple of car lengths.
Third place would end with some controversy with Ed Sanger and Don Hoffman of Des Moines both involved. It all started with a lap 80 caution where Sanger spun coming out of turn four but claimed he was “bumped” by Hoffman. Race officials agreed, giving Sanger his spot back.
That decision seemed okay with race fans until Sanger spun again on lap 91, and this time, it appeared the Waterloo, Iowa, hotshoe had done himself in. Technically, he should have gone to the back of the pack and Hoffman should have been moved up to third place. Once again Sanger claimed he was the recipient of Hoffman’s aggressive driving and once again, he was given his spot back.
The decision to give Sanger his place back had many fans, and numerous drivers upset after the race. After much discussion, it was decided by officials to give Sanger and Hoffman both third place money.
A dirt late model legend in Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio but a relative unknown in the Midwest, Rodney Combs would make the long haul from Lost Creek, West Va., to win the Miller 100 on June 10, 1980, before a shocked crowd of 6,000.
Combs would show up at Davenport, Iowa, the previous Sunday and convincingly win the 101-lap feature in the four-race Iowa State Dirt Track Championships, leading start to finish and collecting a $1,000.
He would pull into Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and qualify his Howe Camaro on the front row alongside pole sitter Lance Matthees of Winona, Minn.
After a first lap pileup, that took out defending champion Verlin Eaker, crowd favorite Mike Niffenegger, Dan Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, and Larry Wasserfort of Waterloo, Iowa, Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, would jump from his second row outside starting spot into the lead with Matthees and Combs giving chase.
Combs would move past Matthees on lap 12 and after hugging Hearst’s bumper for a few laps, moved past the Downs’ point leader on lap 19. Combs would then stretch his lead to a wide margin, with leads of 10 seconds at some points in the race.
Even with a yellow flag bunching up the field late in the race didn’t faze Combs, who beat Hearst to the finish line by a staggering seven seconds.
“We weren’t going to run here after Davenport,” Combs said after becoming the seventh different winner. “Of course, we’re pretty happy we changed our minds.”
Hearst settle for second with Don Hoffman, who started 13th, taking third place. Dick Schiltz of Waterloo, Iowa, started third but ran the second half of the race on only seven cylinders took fourth and Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, rounded out the top five.
Wisconsin's Leon Plank won the 1981 Miller 100. Candi Niner joins Plank in victory lane. - Bill Haglund Photo
Ron Jackson of Burlington, Iowa, knew his luck was going to change for the 1982 season when he received a call from car owner Dwayne Schneider of Iowa City, Iowa, towards the end of May, asking him if he would replace Ken Walton behind the wheel.
That luck parlayed into the biggest win of his career after winning the rain-delayed Miller 100 on Wednesday, June 9. The race had been postponed to Wednesday because of heavy rains in Iowa on Tuesday.
For Jackson, the Miller 100 would be only his eighth ride in his new car, but it marked his third straight victory in it after weekend sweeps at Burlington and Donnellson, Iowa.
“I’ve said all along, this is the best ride in Iowa,” Jackson remarked. “I’ve won some big races through the years, but this was my first 100-lapper I’ve ever won. It’s a big thrill.”
Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, winner of four of five weekly features at the half-mile and the pre-race favorite, led the first 28 circuits but went to the pits with a blown piston. Jackson took the lead on lap 29 and was never headed, although another race veteran, Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, got close enough numerous times to keep the issue in doubt until the very end.
Four other drivers finished on the same lap as Jackson and Dake, but their fierce battle for third place took place nearly a half a lap behind the two veterans, who’ve raced in seven decades between them.
Defending Miller 100 champion Leon Plank finished third ahead of Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines, Dick Schiltz of Waterloo and Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa.
NASCAR star Bobby Allison poses next to his Ed Sanger-prepared car prior to the 1983 Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs. Allison would finish 20th. - Jim Hedlund Photo
Ken Walton toasts his victory in the 1984 Miller 100. Race sponsor Keith Fleck and Cindy Kettlekamp of Multiple Sclerosis makes the trophy presentation.
Tom Hearst would win the 13th annual Miller 100 in 1985. Keith Fleck makes the trophy presentation. - Dean Malone Photo
Roger Dolan became the second two-time winner of the Miller American 100 in 1986. LuAnn Fleck, daughter-in-law of race organizer Keith Fleck, makes the trophy presentation. - John Vass Photo
Combs would show up at Davenport, Iowa, the previous Sunday and convincingly win the 101-lap feature in the four-race Iowa State Dirt Track Championships, leading start to finish and collecting a $1,000.
He would pull into Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and qualify his Howe Camaro on the front row alongside pole sitter Lance Matthees of Winona, Minn.
After a first lap pileup, that took out defending champion Verlin Eaker, crowd favorite Mike Niffenegger, Dan Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, and Larry Wasserfort of Waterloo, Iowa, Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, would jump from his second row outside starting spot into the lead with Matthees and Combs giving chase.
Combs would move past Matthees on lap 12 and after hugging Hearst’s bumper for a few laps, moved past the Downs’ point leader on lap 19. Combs would then stretch his lead to a wide margin, with leads of 10 seconds at some points in the race.
Even with a yellow flag bunching up the field late in the race didn’t faze Combs, who beat Hearst to the finish line by a staggering seven seconds.
“We weren’t going to run here after Davenport,” Combs said after becoming the seventh different winner. “Of course, we’re pretty happy we changed our minds.”
Hearst settle for second with Don Hoffman, who started 13th, taking third place. Dick Schiltz of Waterloo, Iowa, started third but ran the second half of the race on only seven cylinders took fourth and Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Iowa, rounded out the top five.
Steve Kosiski’s misfortune would be Leon Plank’s luck as the Mondovi, Wis., late model pilot won the ninth annual Miller 100 on June 9, 1981.
The 21-year-old Kosiski, from Omaha, Neb., was leading the 100-lapper when flagman Ed Otten black flagged Kosiski for a piece of plastic flapping on his car. Kosiski would miss-read the flag for three laps and was not scored after that.
Plank, running second at the time, would take command on lap 78 and hold off a late charge by Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, to take home the top prize of $2,000.
“I sure feel lucky tonight,” remarked the popular Wisconsin driver. “But I know how Steve feels too. I remember what happened to me here last year.”
Plank was referring to last fall’s Yankee Dirt Track Classic, an event he was leading until the very last lap when he got behind a lapped car, allowing Rodney Combs to sneak by for the win.
Rain had left the half-mile in a quagmire early and things got rough when the race started – an hour late. Tom Hearst would lead in the early going until he was sidelined with a broken distributor. Joe Merryfield of Des Moines would take over on lap 28 and lead until lap 74 when he popped a tire, giving way to Kosiski.
Kosiski would lead the one lap – 74 – before being shown the black flag the next three laps. Even though he ran in front on laps 78 and 79, Plank would be scored as the leader on those laps.
When the race was finished, Kosiski would be scored in ninth, which paid $300 - $1,700 less than he winner’s share.
Only Plank, Walton and third place finisher Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Wis., finished the 100-lap distance. Mike Frieden of Cedar Rapids was fourth and Ron Schreiner of Eleva, Wis., finished fifth, both completing 99 laps.
The 21-year-old Kosiski, from Omaha, Neb., was leading the 100-lapper when flagman Ed Otten black flagged Kosiski for a piece of plastic flapping on his car. Kosiski would miss-read the flag for three laps and was not scored after that.
Plank, running second at the time, would take command on lap 78 and hold off a late charge by Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, to take home the top prize of $2,000.
“I sure feel lucky tonight,” remarked the popular Wisconsin driver. “But I know how Steve feels too. I remember what happened to me here last year.”
Plank was referring to last fall’s Yankee Dirt Track Classic, an event he was leading until the very last lap when he got behind a lapped car, allowing Rodney Combs to sneak by for the win.
Rain had left the half-mile in a quagmire early and things got rough when the race started – an hour late. Tom Hearst would lead in the early going until he was sidelined with a broken distributor. Joe Merryfield of Des Moines would take over on lap 28 and lead until lap 74 when he popped a tire, giving way to Kosiski.
Kosiski would lead the one lap – 74 – before being shown the black flag the next three laps. Even though he ran in front on laps 78 and 79, Plank would be scored as the leader on those laps.
When the race was finished, Kosiski would be scored in ninth, which paid $300 - $1,700 less than he winner’s share.
Only Plank, Walton and third place finisher Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Wis., finished the 100-lap distance. Mike Frieden of Cedar Rapids was fourth and Ron Schreiner of Eleva, Wis., finished fifth, both completing 99 laps.
Ron Jackson scored one of the biggest wins of his career when he won the 1982 Miller 100.
Ron Jackson of Burlington, Iowa, knew his luck was going to change for the 1982 season when he received a call from car owner Dwayne Schneider of Iowa City, Iowa, towards the end of May, asking him if he would replace Ken Walton behind the wheel.
That luck parlayed into the biggest win of his career after winning the rain-delayed Miller 100 on Wednesday, June 9. The race had been postponed to Wednesday because of heavy rains in Iowa on Tuesday.
For Jackson, the Miller 100 would be only his eighth ride in his new car, but it marked his third straight victory in it after weekend sweeps at Burlington and Donnellson, Iowa.
“I’ve said all along, this is the best ride in Iowa,” Jackson remarked. “I’ve won some big races through the years, but this was my first 100-lapper I’ve ever won. It’s a big thrill.”
Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, winner of four of five weekly features at the half-mile and the pre-race favorite, led the first 28 circuits but went to the pits with a blown piston. Jackson took the lead on lap 29 and was never headed, although another race veteran, Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, got close enough numerous times to keep the issue in doubt until the very end.
Four other drivers finished on the same lap as Jackson and Dake, but their fierce battle for third place took place nearly a half a lap behind the two veterans, who’ve raced in seven decades between them.
Defending Miller 100 champion Leon Plank finished third ahead of Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines, Dick Schiltz of Waterloo and Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa.
Veteran Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa, would play the waiting game at the Miller 100 on June 7, 1983. Dolan would start on the outside of the second row, stay near the front for the entire race, and then use a lap 93 pass of race-long leader Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, to annex the victory.
Walton started on the outside of the front row and led the first 92 circuits, including a number of laps run under caution for various spins and crashes.
Then, as the Walton and Dolan sliced and diced their way into turn two, Dolan took to the low side of the speedway while Walton drifted to the high side allowing Dolan to scoot by him into the lead and the eventual win.
“I was hoping the cushion would wear out soon,” Dolan said. “The only chance to pass was in the low grove in the first set of turns.”
Walton would hold on to second while polesitter Bill Rice of Des Moines finished third. Ed Sanger and Jim Burbridge of Delhi, Iowa, rounded out the top five. Another packed house was on hand for the 11th annual event with 45 late models participating.
A highlight of the event was a visit from NASCAR star Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala., Allison, driving a Miller High Life-sponsored car prepared by Ed Sanger, was involved in an early race crash and after losing a few laps making repairs, finished a creditable 20th.
Walton started on the outside of the front row and led the first 92 circuits, including a number of laps run under caution for various spins and crashes.
Then, as the Walton and Dolan sliced and diced their way into turn two, Dolan took to the low side of the speedway while Walton drifted to the high side allowing Dolan to scoot by him into the lead and the eventual win.
“I was hoping the cushion would wear out soon,” Dolan said. “The only chance to pass was in the low grove in the first set of turns.”
Walton would hold on to second while polesitter Bill Rice of Des Moines finished third. Ed Sanger and Jim Burbridge of Delhi, Iowa, rounded out the top five. Another packed house was on hand for the 11th annual event with 45 late models participating.
A highlight of the event was a visit from NASCAR star Bobby Allison of Hueytown, Ala., Allison, driving a Miller High Life-sponsored car prepared by Ed Sanger, was involved in an early race crash and after losing a few laps making repairs, finished a creditable 20th.
After coming “oh so close” in ’83, Ken Walton left little doubt who was the fastest late model driver at the Miller 100 on June 5, 1984, leading all 100 laps. It was Walton’s first Miller 100 win, and it was worth plenty - $2,100 for winning plus another $1,500 in lap money ($15 a lap).
Unlike the ’83 race when he had eventual winner Roger Dolan breathing down his neck for the entire race, he was in control the whole way. Scott Sells of Waverly, Iowa, who finished second, was a full seven seconds behind the winner when the checkers waved.
Although Walton noted afterwards how eerily close he came to a repeat of the ’83 race when he managed to scrape the wall on lap 93 – the same turn #2 wall he scraped on the very same lap – 93 – that lost him the race the year before.
“I was watching for that 92nd lap,” remarked Walton. “I couldn’t believe it when I hit that wall in the very same place on the 93rd.
Dolan started on the pole for the event and challenged Walton for the first couple of laps but fell behind Ed Sanger soon after. Sanger put some pressure on Walton as well but dropped out with mechanical woes early on.
Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo, Iowa, Dolan and Steve Fraise of Montrose, Iowa. They would finish in that order, but less than two seconds separated the four drivers at the end.
NASCAR star Bobby Allison would make a return appearance to the Miller, but this time bring along his 23-year-old son, Davey, with him. Unfortunately, once again, luck wasn’t with them as they were both involved in a fracas early on eliminating both drivers.
A record 63 late model drivers from Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Missouri would converge upon Hawkeye Downs on June 4, 1985, for the 12th running of the Miller American 100.
Unlike the ’83 race when he had eventual winner Roger Dolan breathing down his neck for the entire race, he was in control the whole way. Scott Sells of Waverly, Iowa, who finished second, was a full seven seconds behind the winner when the checkers waved.
Although Walton noted afterwards how eerily close he came to a repeat of the ’83 race when he managed to scrape the wall on lap 93 – the same turn #2 wall he scraped on the very same lap – 93 – that lost him the race the year before.
“I was watching for that 92nd lap,” remarked Walton. “I couldn’t believe it when I hit that wall in the very same place on the 93rd.
Dolan started on the pole for the event and challenged Walton for the first couple of laps but fell behind Ed Sanger soon after. Sanger put some pressure on Walton as well but dropped out with mechanical woes early on.
Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo, Iowa, Dolan and Steve Fraise of Montrose, Iowa. They would finish in that order, but less than two seconds separated the four drivers at the end.
NASCAR star Bobby Allison would make a return appearance to the Miller, but this time bring along his 23-year-old son, Davey, with him. Unfortunately, once again, luck wasn’t with them as they were both involved in a fracas early on eliminating both drivers.
A record 63 late model drivers from Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, Arkansas, Wisconsin and Missouri would converge upon Hawkeye Downs on June 4, 1985, for the 12th running of the Miller American 100.
What had now become billed as the “biggest day of racing in Iowa”, would live up to its hype as Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa and native Iowan Billy Moyer Jr., now of Batesville, Ark., would put on a driving clinic and thrill a capacity crowd despite 23 laps under caution and a 40-minute rain delay early on in the contest.
Dan Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, would take the lead at the drop of the green but it would be Moyer taking charge by lap 7 with Hearst right behind. A light rain would begin to fall beginning on lap 15 and by lap 23 the red flag waved as the rain began falling more heavily.
After the delay, Moyer would continue to set the pace with Hearst right on his bumper. The two would juke and jive until lap 52 when Hearst was finally able to power around Moyer and into the lead.
The two drivers would tangle in turns #1 and #2 with Moyer on the low side and Hearst cutting him off. In turns #3 and #4, Moyer would attempt the high side and again, Hearst would shut the door on him.
A yellow flag would halt activity from laps 60 to 73 but when the green flag waved again, Hearst would continue his “cat and mouse” tactics with Moyer for the remainder of the race.
Some lapped traffic on lap 94 would not slow Hearst down as he used a couple of slower cars to his advantage, which prevented Moyer from making any last lap passes. Hearst, the 1982 NASCAR national champion, pulled away in the final circuits to claim his first Miller 100 victory.
“Moyer had a lot more horsepower under the hood than we did,” Hearst said. “We just managed to hold him off.”
Former winner Roger Dolan would finish third while the drive of the evening belonged to Rick Wendling of Hazelton, Iowa.
Wendling, who failed to qualify for the feature during his heat race, finished second in the B feature and earned the 24th starting spot. By lap 15 he was in the top six and would finish a solid fourth. Joe Kosiski of Omaha would take fifth.
Dan Dickey of Packwood, Iowa, would take the lead at the drop of the green but it would be Moyer taking charge by lap 7 with Hearst right behind. A light rain would begin to fall beginning on lap 15 and by lap 23 the red flag waved as the rain began falling more heavily.
After the delay, Moyer would continue to set the pace with Hearst right on his bumper. The two would juke and jive until lap 52 when Hearst was finally able to power around Moyer and into the lead.
The two drivers would tangle in turns #1 and #2 with Moyer on the low side and Hearst cutting him off. In turns #3 and #4, Moyer would attempt the high side and again, Hearst would shut the door on him.
A yellow flag would halt activity from laps 60 to 73 but when the green flag waved again, Hearst would continue his “cat and mouse” tactics with Moyer for the remainder of the race.
Some lapped traffic on lap 94 would not slow Hearst down as he used a couple of slower cars to his advantage, which prevented Moyer from making any last lap passes. Hearst, the 1982 NASCAR national champion, pulled away in the final circuits to claim his first Miller 100 victory.
“Moyer had a lot more horsepower under the hood than we did,” Hearst said. “We just managed to hold him off.”
Former winner Roger Dolan would finish third while the drive of the evening belonged to Rick Wendling of Hazelton, Iowa.
Wendling, who failed to qualify for the feature during his heat race, finished second in the B feature and earned the 24th starting spot. By lap 15 he was in the top six and would finish a solid fourth. Joe Kosiski of Omaha would take fifth.
Roger Dolan would become a two-time winner of the Miller American 100 on June 12, 1986, a race which would be postponed twice because of wet grounds.
In front of a smaller than anticipated crowd, Dolan would duel with defending champion Tom Hearst for most of the race before securing his second win in the prestigious event. It was the second event of the 14-race Busch/Winston All-Star Tour and paid a $15,000 purse.
The race saw Hearst take the lead at the beginning with Dolan working into second place by lap 8. After several laps of challenging Hearst, Dolan would take the lead on lap 17, only to heave Hearst regain the top spot on lap 25.
Billy Moyer Jr., who put on a show the year before, would threaten Dolan’s spot by lap 33, then passed him on lap 34 and by lap 37, got around Hearst for take the point.
A red flag would come out on lap 39 and to everyone’s dismay, Moyer would limp his smoking, overheated car to the pits and retire it. At the halfway point of the race, Dolan, Dale Fischlein of Independence, Iowa, Hearst, and Rick Wendling were bumper-to-bumper.
Fischlein would take the lead from Dolan on lap 56 but Dolan would not give up and regained it once again on the 68th tour. Several laps later, Hearst would pass Fischlein for second.
Dolan would open a six-car length lead for 20 laps but that would start to disappear in the late stages and Hearst was on the leader’s bumper with only a few laps remaining. Despite a couple of charges, Dolan was able to hold off Hearst to seal the win. Joe Kosiski would make a late charge to take third followed by Ed Sanger and Fischlein.
In front of a smaller than anticipated crowd, Dolan would duel with defending champion Tom Hearst for most of the race before securing his second win in the prestigious event. It was the second event of the 14-race Busch/Winston All-Star Tour and paid a $15,000 purse.
The race saw Hearst take the lead at the beginning with Dolan working into second place by lap 8. After several laps of challenging Hearst, Dolan would take the lead on lap 17, only to heave Hearst regain the top spot on lap 25.
Billy Moyer Jr., who put on a show the year before, would threaten Dolan’s spot by lap 33, then passed him on lap 34 and by lap 37, got around Hearst for take the point.
A red flag would come out on lap 39 and to everyone’s dismay, Moyer would limp his smoking, overheated car to the pits and retire it. At the halfway point of the race, Dolan, Dale Fischlein of Independence, Iowa, Hearst, and Rick Wendling were bumper-to-bumper.
Fischlein would take the lead from Dolan on lap 56 but Dolan would not give up and regained it once again on the 68th tour. Several laps later, Hearst would pass Fischlein for second.
Dolan would open a six-car length lead for 20 laps but that would start to disappear in the late stages and Hearst was on the leader’s bumper with only a few laps remaining. Despite a couple of charges, Dolan was able to hold off Hearst to seal the win. Joe Kosiski would make a late charge to take third followed by Ed Sanger and Fischlein.
Billy Moyer (right) is about to enjoy an ice-cold Miller High Life with runner-up Dave Birkhofer (center) and third-place Steve Kosiski (left) after Moyer won the 1987 Miller 100. - Dennis Krieger Photo
For Billy Moyer Jr., “coming home” finally worked out as he added his name to the winner’s list of the Miller 100 on June 9, 1987. The former Des Moines resident pocketed $2,500 plus a $1,000 in lap money for his biggest win ever in his native Iowa.
“I have a lot of family that still lives here in Iowa, so I enjoy coming home to race but it seems we’ve been jinxed the last few times here. Moyer had led laps in the previous two Miller 100’s only to come up short in both. But the jinx was laid to rest as Moyer led 75 of the 100 laps in a dominating performance.
Roger Dolan earned the pole position and led the first five laps before Moyer took command. Dolan would stay in contention, however, and retake the top spot on lap 50. It would stay that way for 20 laps before Moyer went back on top for good.
Dolan, battling a ill-handling car, would fade to fifth, while Moyer would put his car on cruise control. He would win by a six-second margin over runner-up Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine. Steve Kosiski of Omaha would take third followed by ’84 winner Ken Walton and Dolan.
Billy Moyer came from the back of the pack twice, to win the 1988 Miller 100. Moyer also became the first driver to win back-to-back Miller races. Joining him on the podium is third-place finisher Ray Guss Jr. (left) and runner-up Steve Kosiski (right). Kari Spaw makes the trophy presentation to Moyer. - Jerry Mackey Photo
“I have a lot of family that still lives here in Iowa, so I enjoy coming home to race but it seems we’ve been jinxed the last few times here. Moyer had led laps in the previous two Miller 100’s only to come up short in both. But the jinx was laid to rest as Moyer led 75 of the 100 laps in a dominating performance.
Roger Dolan earned the pole position and led the first five laps before Moyer took command. Dolan would stay in contention, however, and retake the top spot on lap 50. It would stay that way for 20 laps before Moyer went back on top for good.
Dolan, battling a ill-handling car, would fade to fifth, while Moyer would put his car on cruise control. He would win by a six-second margin over runner-up Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine. Steve Kosiski of Omaha would take third followed by ’84 winner Ken Walton and Dolan.
Not only was the jinx over for Billy Moyer Jr., but he would become the first back-to-back winner of the Miller 100, when he successfully defended his title on June 7, 1988. But he would do it the hard way…
Moyer came from the rear of the pack not once, but twice in winning the 100-lap affair, which left the crowd of over 6,000 shaking their heads as they exited Hawkeye Downs later that evening.
Moyer led the race officially for four laps, the first time on lap 51, then again for the last three circuits. He took the lead for the final time after chasing down leader Steve Kosiski. He made the pass coming out of turn #2 and then winning the “drag race” down the long back chute.
Moyer began the evening with his transmission breaking during the first off two 20-lap qualifying races. “It just exploded when Billy hit the accelerator to warm up the tires,” according to a pit crew member.
That misfortune left Moyer in the consolation event, which he finished fourth, earning him the 22nd starting spot for the main event. Moyer would then set out to show why he was considered one of the best late model drivers in the America.
He would move into ninth by lap 18 and was all the way up to fourth by lap 30. He would move into third place four laps later. On lap 37 he would move into second place and was challenging Steve Kosiski by lap 37. Moyer and Kosiski raced side-by-side for several laps until the yellow flag waved for a car spun in turn #2 at the halfway point. Moyer would beat Kosiski back to the yellow flag to be scored in the lead on lap 51.
As the field came back around, 6,000 race fans were stunned to see Moyer pull into the pits. What they didn’t know was Moyer was running on alcohol, not gasoline like his fellow 27 competitors and alcohol gets half the mileage of gasoline.
Once again, Moyer would start at the rear of the pack as he would later say,” It was a gamble, but racing is a gamble.” It would be a gamble that would pay off…
Once again, Moyer methodically worked his way through the field, moving to fourth by lap 68, to third on lap 79 and to second on lap 81. However, he was well behind Steve Kosiski when he took over the second spot.
Moyer would chop into Kosiski’s advantage with each lap and finally got on the rear bumper with five laps to go. The expected shootout, however, never materialized as Moyer got around Kosiski on lap 97 and cruised home from there.
“We weren’t sure if we could go 100 laps on one tank of alcohol,” Moyer said from victory lane. “We had planned all along on stopping at about the halfway point to add some. I never doubted we couldn’t catch back up but that’s something you never know until it’s over.”
Kosiski would settle for second while Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill, who also qualified for the main event through the consolation, ran a steady race to finish third. Johnny Johnson of Wapello, Iowa, was fourth and Dale Fischlein (now of Asheville, N.C.) took fifth.
The 1988 Miller would be the last on dirt. During the off-season, the All-Iowa Fairboard would make the decision to pave the half-mile. The Miller 100 would continue to go on but that’ll be another story at another time…
I wouldn’t be able to end this story without mentioning why Keith Fleck hosted this spectacular race year after year. Keith Fleck shared his enthusiasm for racing by sponsoring and organizing the Falstaff/Miller race and then donating all proceeds to local community charities.
Moyer came from the rear of the pack not once, but twice in winning the 100-lap affair, which left the crowd of over 6,000 shaking their heads as they exited Hawkeye Downs later that evening.
Moyer led the race officially for four laps, the first time on lap 51, then again for the last three circuits. He took the lead for the final time after chasing down leader Steve Kosiski. He made the pass coming out of turn #2 and then winning the “drag race” down the long back chute.
Moyer began the evening with his transmission breaking during the first off two 20-lap qualifying races. “It just exploded when Billy hit the accelerator to warm up the tires,” according to a pit crew member.
That misfortune left Moyer in the consolation event, which he finished fourth, earning him the 22nd starting spot for the main event. Moyer would then set out to show why he was considered one of the best late model drivers in the America.
He would move into ninth by lap 18 and was all the way up to fourth by lap 30. He would move into third place four laps later. On lap 37 he would move into second place and was challenging Steve Kosiski by lap 37. Moyer and Kosiski raced side-by-side for several laps until the yellow flag waved for a car spun in turn #2 at the halfway point. Moyer would beat Kosiski back to the yellow flag to be scored in the lead on lap 51.
As the field came back around, 6,000 race fans were stunned to see Moyer pull into the pits. What they didn’t know was Moyer was running on alcohol, not gasoline like his fellow 27 competitors and alcohol gets half the mileage of gasoline.
Once again, Moyer would start at the rear of the pack as he would later say,” It was a gamble, but racing is a gamble.” It would be a gamble that would pay off…
Once again, Moyer methodically worked his way through the field, moving to fourth by lap 68, to third on lap 79 and to second on lap 81. However, he was well behind Steve Kosiski when he took over the second spot.
Moyer would chop into Kosiski’s advantage with each lap and finally got on the rear bumper with five laps to go. The expected shootout, however, never materialized as Moyer got around Kosiski on lap 97 and cruised home from there.
“We weren’t sure if we could go 100 laps on one tank of alcohol,” Moyer said from victory lane. “We had planned all along on stopping at about the halfway point to add some. I never doubted we couldn’t catch back up but that’s something you never know until it’s over.”
Kosiski would settle for second while Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill, who also qualified for the main event through the consolation, ran a steady race to finish third. Johnny Johnson of Wapello, Iowa, was fourth and Dale Fischlein (now of Asheville, N.C.) took fifth.
The 1988 Miller would be the last on dirt. During the off-season, the All-Iowa Fairboard would make the decision to pave the half-mile. The Miller 100 would continue to go on but that’ll be another story at another time…
I wouldn’t be able to end this story without mentioning why Keith Fleck hosted this spectacular race year after year. Keith Fleck shared his enthusiasm for racing by sponsoring and organizing the Falstaff/Miller race and then donating all proceeds to local community charities.
Listed below is a list of charities that benefitted from Fleck’s hard work and generosity.
1973 – Cancer Society
1974 – Heart Fund
1975 – Multiple Sclerosis
1976 – All-Iowa Fair
1977 – Kidney Foundation
1978 – United Cerebral Palsy
1979 – American Diabetes Association
1980 – Iowa Special Olympics
1981 – Camp Courageous
1982 – Cancer Society
1983 – United Cerebral Palsy
1984 – Multiple Sclerosis
1985 – Discovery Village
1986 – Muscular Dystrophy
1987 – March of Dimes
1988 – Variety Club
1973 – Cancer Society
1974 – Heart Fund
1975 – Multiple Sclerosis
1976 – All-Iowa Fair
1977 – Kidney Foundation
1978 – United Cerebral Palsy
1979 – American Diabetes Association
1980 – Iowa Special Olympics
1981 – Camp Courageous
1982 – Cancer Society
1983 – United Cerebral Palsy
1984 – Multiple Sclerosis
1985 – Discovery Village
1986 – Muscular Dystrophy
1987 – March of Dimes
1988 – Variety Club
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