1964 – Bristol 500 to Lorenzen

 

Fred Lorenzen is surrounded by a bevy of beauties after dominating the Southeastern 500 at Bristol International Speedway. Joining the winner are, from left to right, Miss Southeastern 500, Linda Sue Osborne, Miss Bristol International Speedway, Phillis Sue Shipley, and Miss Firebird, Linda Vaughn. 

Bristol, Tenn. (March 22, 1964) – Fred Lorenzen’s heady and lucky driving – he made two of his four pit stops under caution – and the beautiful handling of his 1964 Ford won the Southeastern 500 stock car race for the Charlotte, N.C., driver on Sunday afternoon.

Lorenzen led 494 of 500 laps on the half-mile high-banked asphalt oval in becoming the first driver to win two races of the seven 500-lap grinds at Bristol International Speedway since 1960.

Lorenzen was never in real trouble, but his pit crew became worried when his car began smoking with 24 circuits to go. At the time, he was one lap ahead of Fireball Roberts and lost only half a lap to Roberts who finished second in a 1964 Ford.

Paul Goldsmith, who was running second late in the race and gaining on Lorenzen, ran into tire trouble and had to give up the runner-up spot to Roberts. Goldsmith finished third in a 1964 Plymouth.

Lorenzen averaged 72.196 miles per hour and won $3,900 out of $32,000 purse.

Buck Baker was fourth in a 1964 Plymouth and Marvin Panch was fifth in a 1964 Ford.

The race was slowed by two caution flags, which were for a total of 53 laps.

Two of the pre-race favorites, Richard Petty and Junior Johnson, both lost valuable time in the pits and were never contenders.

Johnson’s pit crew broke an automatic wrench when changing tires and had to use a time-consuming manual wrench.


Results –


1. Fred Lorenzen, Charlotte, N.C.
2. Glenn “Fireball” Roberts, Daytona, Fla.
3. Paul Goldsmith, Mexico City, Mex.
4. Buck Baker, Charlotte, N.C.
5. Marvin Panch, Daytona, Fla.
6. Ned Jarrett, Camden, S.C.
7. Jim Paschal, High Point, N.C.
8. Richard Petty, Randleman, N.C.
9. Rex White, Atlanta, Ga.
10.Bill Wade, Spartanburg, S.C.
11.Cale Yarborough, Timmonsville, S.C.
12.Leroy Yarbrough, Jacksonville, Fla.
13.Bud Harless, Gilbert, W.Va.
14.Curtis Crider, Charleston, S.C.
15.Junior Johnson, Ronda, N.C.
16.John Sears, Ellerbe, N.C.
17.Jack Anderson, Pearisburg, Va.
18.Dewayne “Tiny” Lund, Cross, S.C.
19.Jimmy Pardue, North Wilkesboro, N.C.
20.Bob Cooper, Gastonia, N.C.
21.Darel Dieringer, Charlotte, N.C.
22.Ralph Earnhardt, Kannapolis, N.C.
23.Bill McMahon, Dandridge
24.Buddy Arrington, Martinsville, Va.
25.Larry Thomas, Trinity, N.C.
26.Bobby Isaacs, Catawba, N.C.
27.David Pearson, Spartanburg, S.C. 
28.Buddy Baker, Charlotte, N.C.
29.G.C. Spencer, Inman, S.C.
30.E.J. Trivette, Deep Gap, N.C.

1974 – Phillips Posts Easy Win in Pepsi 200

Larry Phillips clutches his Pepsi 200 trophy as flagman Bob Nelson holds aloft the checkered flag. Trophy girl Linda Kitchens later supplied the victory kiss to Phillips, who collected the $2,000 first prize. – Bill Milstead Photo

Jackson, Miss. (March 17, 1974) – Star attraction Pete Hamilton and his brand-new Dodge Challenger bombed out about halfway through the Pepsi 200 stock car race here Sunday, enabling Larry Phillips to get the checkered flag at the Jackson International Speedway.

Phillips, driving a blue and white Camaro, had a big two-lap lead with 50 laps to go and coasted in a winner with the runner-up finisher nearly a full turn behind around the half-mile paved oval.

Phillips, from Springfield, Mo., collected $2,000 for his St. Patrick’s Day ride which was witnessed by an estimated 3,000 race fans.

The race was a smooth-running event with few caution flags and no injuries but one hairy moment when one car spun, got whacked, and then burst into flames.

Doug Robinson of Marshal, Tex., was inside the car which was completely engulfed in flames but got out with no burns and unscathed.

The crash and burn scene, just 21 laps into the 200-lap race, was just about the most exciting occurrence on the bright and sunny afternoon as Phillips made it a ho-hummer.

It settled down to that after Hamilton suffered rear-end trouble in his pole-sitting Dodge and retired on lap 120.

Before that, Hamilton had been out front in his record-setting and unique Chrysler kit car, leading from the start until making a pit stop for a tire change on lap 60.

Phillips, a 30-year-old bachelor who has won the MASCAR title for the last two years, took the lead then and never let it go.

The only challenge came when Hamilton, then a lap behind from his pit stop, pulled up alongside Phillips on the 100th lap and made it a one-on-one show.

The two cars battled fender to fender until Hamilton nosed ahead to cut Phillips’ lead to less than a lap. That was all for the two-car duel, however, as Hamilton’s Challenger - making its racing debut – developed mechanical issues and was through.

It was a fortunate break to say the least for Phillips who had qualified third behind Hamilton and Tom Maier of Midland, Mich., during Saturday’s qualifying. Both Hamilton and Maier had set track records in the qualifying sessions.

Phillips, who looks more like a football player than a racing driver, said after the race, “I found out Pete could run a lot faster.” Unfortunately for Hamilton, he became one of the numbers as the attrition rate was high on Sunday afternoon. Twenty-five cars started the race but only 13 were still running at the finish.

Placing second and taking home $1,200 of the $11,000 purse was David Goldsberry of Bolivar, Mo., also in a Camaro. Jody Ridley of Chatsworth, Ga., driving a Ford Falcon, got third and Marv Roberts of Denver, Colo., was fourth. Harlan Beene of Bossier City, La., rounded out the top five.

Freddy Fryar of Chattanooga, Tenn., last year’s Pepsi 200 winner, had ignition problems and dropped out early in the race. He was credited with 22nd place. Mechanical issues also got to Maier, one of the pre-race favorites.


Results –

1. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. David Goldsberry, Bolivar, Mo.
3. Jody Ridley, Chatsworth, Ga.
4. Marv Roberts, Denver, Colo
5. Harlan Beene, Bossier City, La.
6. Ray Putnam, Birmingham, Ala.
7. Chuck Arnold, Baker, La.
8. Tommy Martin, Bogalusa, La.
9. Denver Hirst, Gonzales, La.
10.Dave Swan, Denver, Colo.
11.Willie Crane, Springfield, Mo.
12.Ron Todd, Springfield, Mo.
13.Fritz Wilson, Arvada, Colo.
14.Darrel Carpenter, Rogers, Ark.
15.Pete Hamilton, Atlanta, Ga.
16.Dickie Davis, Pensacola, Fla.
17.Wayne Niedecken, Pensacola, Fla.
18.Tom Maier, Midland, Mich.
19.Jerry Lawley, Birmingham, Ala.
20.Frank McMorris, Baton Rouge, La.
21.Phil Wendt, Mobile, Ala.
22.Freddy Fryar, Chattanooga, Tenn.
23.Doug Robinson, Marshal, Tex.
24.Vance Cook, Jonesboro, Ark.
25.Lionel Rowland, Memphis, Tenn.

The USRA Late Models in 2007

By Lee Ackerman

Omaha, Neb. - The United States Racing Association (USRA) was formed in 2002 with a mission of -

· Fostering a robust level of participation by competitors wanting smart, cost-effective rules that do not hinder creativity but allow for close competition.

· Increased fan attendance at USRA-sanctioned racetracks.

· Increased marketing and sponsorship dollars for each USRA-sanctioned racetrack.

Over the years the USRA has sanctioned a number of different classes of race cars but in 2007 they decided to create a late model class. Although a good number of races were scheduled only seven were actually completed in a touring-type environment.

Tommy Elston won the USRA late model series opener at Memphis, Mo. - Mike Reufer Photo

The first event was held on April 28 at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, Mo. The 30-lap feature saw Tommy Elston of Keokuk, Iowa, and Gary Wilson of Frankford, Mo., drawing front row starting positions. When the green waved it was Elston taking the point with Wilson and Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa, battling side-by-side for second. Elston led the entire race to take home the $3,000 first prize with Wilson holding off Simpson for second. Chris Smyser of Lancaster finished fourth and Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., fifth.

In heat race action, Ricky Frankel of Quincy, Ill., took the first heat with Gary Wilson second and Justin Reed of Quincy, Ill., third. Tommy Elston won the second heat followed by Mark Burgtorf and Chad Simpson off Mt. Vernon, Iowa.

The second stop for the series was on May 16 at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, Iowa. Chris Smyser won the first heat followed by Chad Simpson and Chris Spieker of Massena. Heat two went to Todd Shute of Des Moines with Tommy Elston second and Jacob Murray of Hartford third. The final heat saw Dave Eckrich of Oxford take home the win with Jason Utter of Columbus Junction second and Denny Woodworth of Mendon, Ill., third.

Dave Eckrich grabbed top honors on the half mile at Oskaloosa. - Mike Ruefer Photo

Chris Smyser started on the pole of the feature as a result of having the most passing points, but it was Dave Eckrich going to the front and he battled with the challenges of Chad Simpson who made several attempts to pass on the low side, but Eckrich was able to hold Simpson off and take the win and the $3,000 first place money. Behind Eckrich and Simpson were, Jason Utter, Chris Smyser and Todd Shute.

On May 25 at the Bloomfield Speedway in Bloomfield, Iowa, it was the battle of the brothers with Chris Simpson of Oxford holding off brother Chad Simpson to take home the win. Chris Smyser finished third, Nick Marolf of Moscow was fourth and Denny Woodworth rounded out the top five.

In heat race action Nick Marolf took the first heat with Tommy Elston and Chris Smyser following. Jeff Gingerich of Washington, Iowa, took the second heat with Chad Simpson second and Todd McKee of Massena in third. The final heat went to Chris Simpson over Justin Reed and Todd Shute.

On June 5, the series headed west to the Adams County Speedway in Corning, Iowa, with local favorite Chris Spieker of nearby Massena picking up the win in an exciting 30-lap feature. Chris Smyser of Lancaster, Mo., jumped out front as the green waved with Bryant Goldsmith of Corning, Chris Spieker and Chad Simpson in a battle right behind the leader.

Spieker used all his knowledge of the Adams County Speedway to use the low side of the track to take second then caught Smyser and took the lead of the race by the midway point in the race. With 10 laps to go Corning’s Trent Jackson grabbed second and closed quickly on Spieker. With just two laps to go, Jackson took the lead but going into turn one slid over the embankment and out of the battle for the win. Smyser then launched a last-ditch effort to overtake Spieker but came out a car length short.

At the checkers it was Chris Spieker, Chris Smyser, Bryant Goldsmith, Chad Simpson and Paul Glendenning of Mt. Ayr. The second five were Corey Zeitner of Bellevue, Neb., Trent Jackson, Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., Todd McKee and Travis Roth of Bancroft, Neb.

Jeremiah Hurst led from start to finish at Dubuque. - Mike Reufer Photo

Two days later and the series was on the eastern edge of the Hawkeye State at the Dubuque Speedway in Dubuque, Iowa, where Jeremiah Hurst of Dubuque led all the 30 laps to claim the win. The action however was intense throughout the field with Chris Smyser grabbing his second straight second place finish followed by Andy Eckrich of Iowa City, Russ Scheffler of Pewaukee, Wis., and Jason Rauen of Farley. At this point Chris Smyser was the USRA late model series points leader.

Chad Simpson won the series finale at the Howard County Fairgrounds. - Mike Ruefer Photo

On August 10, the series made what was to be its final stop when it visited the Cresco Speedway on the Howard County Fairgrounds in Cresco, Iowa, and it was Chad Simpson taking home the win followed by Ace Ihm of Hazel Green, Wis., Chris Simpson, Brian Harris of Davenport and Mark Teske of Spring Valley, Minn. Sixth through tenth were Chris Smyser, Jeff Bair of Solon, Cam Granger of West Union, Jill George of Cedar Falls, and Rick Dralle of Waterloo.

The win by Chad Simpson was enough for him to take the points lead by a single point. When other series events were cancelled Simpson would claim the series championship with 1,399 points to Smyser’s 1,398. Third through fifth in final points were Tommy Elston, Todd McKee, and Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls.

In 2008, the USRA dropped late models and in later years brought the class back as a weekly racing series class.

Chris Simpson would grab a USRA late model win at Bloomfield. - Mike Ruefer Photo