Bob Lane, driving his famous “Schiltz Wagon” takes a victory lap after
winning the semi-super modified feature at 34 Race Ways Park. – Roger Meier
Photo
Burlington, Iowa (May 11, 1968) – Bob Lane, seeking revenge from having his track record broken earlier in the evening, edged Mike Niffenegger of Kalona to cop the semi-super modified feature at 34 Race Ways Park on Saturday night.
Despite leading start to finish, Lane never had the feature event cinched, with the “Flying Dutchman” nipping at the heels the entire way.
“I could feel him right behind me,” said the popular Lane, “all I could do was hold on.”
Niffenegger started the program by breaking the track record on the 3/8-mile dirt oval. Niffenegger, whose car has been troubled the past few weeks with drive line issues, putting his semi-super on the lightning-fast track and touring the course in 17.48 seconds. That surpassed the old mark of 17.57 seconds set by Lane in June of 1967.
Niffenegger went on to win his heat race, starting at the rear of the pack, moving to third by lap 5, then getting by Gene Williamson and Jim Ball to grab the victory. Lane easily won the second heat with Bob Ensminger winning the match race. Allen Tee won the consolation.
George Fielty scored his second straight feature win in the cadet division. Wayne Hummer, last year’s cadet champion, set the pace in the early going with Larry Reighard and Fielty in tow. Hummer would collide with Gary Miller on the backstretch of lap 8, losing a wheel and eliminating himself from competition.
Reighard would inherit the top spot but unfortunately, would only hold on to that spot for one lap when he spun off of turn four, giving Fielty the lead. Fielty expertly guided his car through lap traffic for the remainder of the race to earn a hard-fought win.
Results –
Semi-Super –
1. Bob Lane
2. Mike Niffenegger
3. Bob Ensminger
4. Duane Stoneking
5. Dick McClure
Cadet –
1. George Fielty
2. Bill Carder
3. Ken Reighard
4. Ralph Parish
5. Ed Haaman
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