1978 – Hawkeye Downs’ Opener to Sanger

 

Ed Sanger receives congratulations from new Hawkeye Downs race promoter Al Frieden after Sanger won the late model season opener on Friday night. Flagman Engel DeKock presents the checkered flag to Sanger in victory lane.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 28, 1978) – Hawkeye Downs first race of the year went smoothly under the new direction of Al Frieden and Jim Brown.

The track and infield showed a fresh new look with the side walls painted white and grass on the infield. New scales were installed see that all cars met the 2,800-pound minimum requirement.

The Friday night opener hosted 24 late models, 19 sportsman, and 11 street stocks.

Ed Sanger of Waterloo won the late model feature, taking the lead on lap 18 when Don Hoffman of Des Moines lost his driveshaft and was forced to drop out of the race. Polesitter Lem Blankenship of Keokuk and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids were in close contention during the entire 25-lapper, and finished second and third, respectively.

It was Sanger’s second feature win of the week, having won at Oskaloosa on Wednesday night. Noticeably absent was defending point champion Curt Hansen of Dike, whose car was not yet ready for competition.

Late model heats were won by Blankenship, Hoffman, and Dr. A.E. Mayner of Winthrop. Fred Horn of Marion won the semi-main.

Jim Stodola of Shellsburg led the entire sportsman feature. Larry Schulte of Cedar Rapids was second followed by Bob Jaeger of Dubuque.

Jerry Naylor of Scotch Grove won the street stock feature with Duane White and Smoke Wilson close behind.

Promoter Al Frieden, when asked how he felt about the first night of racing said, “I feel fine now that it’s over.”


Results –


Late Model –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
4. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
5. Bill Rice, Des Moines
6. Gary Crawford, Independence
7. Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
8. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
9. Bill Beckman, Lisbon
10.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
11.Ken Walton, Viola
12.Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville


Sportsman –

1. Jim Stodola, Shellsburg
2. Larry Schulte, Cedar Rapids
3. Bob Jaeger, Dubuque
4. Mark Liebfried, Rickardsville
5. Greg Kastli, Waterloo


Street Stock –

1. Jerry Naylor, Scotch Grove
2. Duane White
3. Smoke Wilson, Cedar Rapids
4. Randy Mills
5. Dave Wilson