Rockford, Ill. (April 9, 1989) – Veteran Joe Shear drove to victory in the ARTGO Challenge Series season-opening 89-lap "Spring Classic" feature, which was contested in bitterly cold conditions Sunday afternoon at Rockford Speedway.
An undistinguished time trial landed Shear, a six-time Rockford champion, a front row starting berth in the 22-car field, for which the fastest 11 qualifiers were gridded at the front of the pack in inverted order.
It was like old times at the high-banked quarter mile oval when the green flag dropped as two-time Rockford champion Don Leach and Shear led the field into the first turn with Leach gaining the advantage. Leach remained on top until lap 7 when Shear took over.
An early charge carried fast qualifier Scott Hansen past rookie Tim Fedewa for third on lap 15. However, by the time Hansen took over second from Leach on the 26th circuit, Shear was already enjoying a half-lap lead.
A minor collision on lap 56 involving Fedewa and Steve Carlson was Shear’s closest call all day long, but the incident failed to slow Shear and the caution flag, which Hansen needed to close in on the frontrunner, never appeared.
Leach took third in the non-stop battle followed by Steve Holzhausen and Conrad Morgan.
“The new car is the best I’ve ever driven,” said Shear after his 21st career ARTGO victory.
The Rockford event, which was squeezed in between snow showers, was the first ever to require ATGO competitors to use mufflers.
Results –
1. Joe Shear, Clinton, Wis.
2. Scott Hansen, Green Bay, Wis.
3. Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
4. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, Wis.
5. Conrad Morgan, Dousman, Wis.
6. Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee, Wis.
7. Steve Carlson, La Crosse, Wis.
8. Tim Fedewa, Holt, Mich.
9. Terry Baldry, Omro, Wis.
10.Dennis Lampman, Racine, Wis.
11.Jeff Finley, Lansing, Mich.
12.Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
13.George Prizborowski, Apple Valley, Minn.
14.Randy Merriam, Rockton
15.Jerry Wood, Sun Prairie, Wis.
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