Eric Johnson takes a victory lap after winning the feature at Rockford
Speedway. – Vince Mayer Photo
Rockford, Ill. (June 28, 1969) – Erik Johnson of Mundelein missed only fast time in what could have been a clean sweep of events in his first appearance at Rockford Speedway in the 1969 season.
Johnson, normally a Chicagoland competitor, won the trophy dash, his heat, and the 30-lap late model feature in his Chevrolet late model stock car.
Rockford Speedway champion Joe Shear of South Beloit was making a fast drive to catch Johnson when his 1969 Chevelle blew a tire and sent him skidding into the infield. Shear had set fast time in qualifying and started 14th in the 16-car field. Johnson had started ninth.
In the trophy dash, Rich Kleich of Chicago, a builder of limousines, realized good efforts from his work when his ’68 Oldsmobile spun out of control and hit the concrete wall in front of the grandstand with such force that it broke out a section measuring four feet. The wall is 10 inches thick. Kleich was not injured, which was a surprise to everyone who witnessed the accident. But the bigger surprise was he continued on in the race and came bac to finish fourth in the feature.
The great weather brought out one of the best crowds of the season at Rockford. Everyone enjoyed the close competition.
Results –
Time trials – Joe Shear, South Beloit (15.25)
Trophy dash – Erik Johnson, Mundelein
Heat #1 – Bob Zimmerman, Alden
Heat #2 – Gary Wroan, Bloomington
Heat #3 – Erik Johnson
Semi-main – Russ Love, Loves Park
Feature –
1. Erik Johnson
2. Jim Birks, Rockford
3. Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
4. Rich Kleich, Chicago
5. Larry O’Brien, Harvard
6. Ron Wishard, Rockford
7. Danny Bellard, Beloit, Wis.
8. Paul Heitz, Chicago
9. Red Gates, Harvard
10.Lloyd Swartout, Janesville, Wis.
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