1988 - Miller's Grundy Triumph Ends ARTGO Dry Spell

 

Butch Miller is all smiles after winning the ARTGO-sanctioned Chicagoland Opening Day 100 at Grundy County Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

Morris, Ill. (April 23, 1988) – Butch Miller roared from his tenth starting position to beat Tracy Schuler and Joe Shear to the finish line and win the seventh annual ARTGO-sanctioned Chicagoland Opening Day 100 Saturday night at Grundy County Speedway.

Miller passed Schuler on the high side during lap 64 to take the lead for good in an action-packed event which needed a red flag on the opening circuit for a major mix-up and saw leader Rich Bickle Jr., and Joe Shear sent to the rear of the field after a lap 52 encounter. A final caution was needed with three laps remaining as Bob Senneker, Steve Carlson, and Bickle collided.

Shear shot back around most of the pack for third-place money followed by Dick Trickle and Ted Musgrave.

Each of the top 11 finished the entire 100-lap distance as the race was completed as scheduled on a windy, cloudy, threatening 40-degree night. A field of 48 late models competed. Two bonus events were added to accommodate the large field.

Miller jumped into the ARTGO point lead with the victory, which was his first on the circuit since July 4 of last year and the 24th win of his ARTGO career. During his eight-race winless streak, the crafty Michigan veteran had posted seven runner-up finishes.

A fourth turn spin by Tom Carlson triggered the big fender bender at the end of the opening lap which eliminated both Jim Weber and Rick Wateski. Ted Musgrave was also involved but returned minus most of his right-side body work.

The restart saw Rich Bickle Jr. jump into the lead with Carlson, Schuler, and Shear in hot pursuit. On the 28th lap, Schuler ducked inside of Carlson for second and nine laps later, raced inside of Bickle to take command.

A yellow appeared on the 40th circuit and on the restart, Bickle and Shear were able to pass Schuler as the see-saw battle continued.

At the halfway mark, the three leaders held a sizeable margin over the trio of Bob Senneker, Miller, and Trickle.

Bickle’s third turn spin two laps later after a bump by Shear led to a lengthy yellow as Shear disputed the official’s decision to send him to the rear of the field for the infraction. Shear eventually did restart at the back but quickly charged back to finish third.

Drivers shaved a full second off of last year’s qualifying times due, in part, to the resurfaced third-mile paved track. Many drivers discovered a second, higher groove, which formerly seemed reserved for brave drivers such as Miller, Trickle, and Holzhausen.


Results –

1. Butch Miller, Coopersville, Mich.
2. Tracy Schuler, Lockport
3. Joe Shear, Clinton, Wis.
4. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
5. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh, Wis.
6. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, Wis.
7. Terry Baldry, Omro, Wis.
8. Tom Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
9. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
10.Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
11.Steve Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
12.Burt Weitemeyer, Lansing
13.Craig Peterson, Minneapolis, Minn.
14.Jack Gritter, Wyoming, Mich.
15.Tom Jones, Northbrook