Ernie
Derr is about to receive his “just desserts” from Kansas International Speed
Queen Joyce Wurtz, after the Keokuk, Iowa, ace won the 50-lap IMCA stock car
feature at the Mid-America Fairgrounds in Topeka. National Speedways’ Gene Van
Winkle looks on with envy.
Topeka, Kan. (May 30, 1971) – Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, added still another feature victory to his long list, but in doing so he wasn’t the most popular man around the Mid-America Fairgrounds at the conclusion of the 50-lap IMCA stock car race on Sunday night.
He edged Topekan Gerry Harrison for the win, and the 5,000 fans on hand wanted to see their guy win.
It was still a good night for the six local drivers in the race, especially for Harrison and Galen Schaefer, making his first IMCA start. Schaefer would impress the big boys with a fourth-place finish in the main event.
Schaefer led the feature for three laps, he passed Derr in his heat, then finished third, and claimed the fifth fastest qualifying lap.
But it was Harrison who seemed likely to carry the day. He took the lead on the fourth lap of the feature, put a lot of daylight between his 1968 Mustang and the rest of the leaders, headed by Ron Hutcherson of Keokuk, Iowa.
All was well with Harrison until lap 28 when Roy McClellan of Kansas City lost control and hit the wall in turn four. McClellan was okay, but the caution permitted Derr and his 1969 Dodge to close the gap on Harrison.
The green came out on the 32nd lap, and Derr needed only three more turns of the track to take the lead for good. Harrison would settle for second, Hutcherson would take third, Schaefer grabbed fourth and Alan Miles of Steelville, Mo., rounded out the top five.
Results –
1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Gerry Harrison, Topeka
3. Ron Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Galen Schaefer, Topeka
5. Alan Miles, Steelville, Mo.
6. Dale Roper, Fair Grove, Mo.
7. Jim Still, Topeka, Kan.
8. Gary Martin, California, Mo.
9. Donnie Cooper, Sedalia, Mo.
10.Vern Mondry, Lake Elmo, Minn.
11.Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
12.Butch Hall, Russell, Minn.
13.Bill Schwader, McCausland, Iowa
14.Joe Wallace, Leavenworth
15.Jerry Minor, Dallas, Tex.
16.Thurman Lovejoy, Kansas City
17.Paul Skidmore, Topeka
18.Vernie Covert, Topeka
19.Bud Wallis, Gardner
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