Darryl Dawley
By Ken Sargeant
Knoxville, Iowa (June 30, 1979) – Darryl Dawley ended a four-year drought at Knoxville Raceway by winning the mid-season championship Saturday night.
Dawley started in the second row and chased polesitter John Stevenson for the first eight laps before Stevenson dropped out with a broken ring gear and pinion. Dawley inherited the lead but had it for only one lap before a yellow flew for a Bobby Brutto spinout in turn four.
On the restart, Dawley rebuild his lead over Tim Green and led the rest of the way, holding off a late charge by Green on the final two circuits. Fast timer, Roger Larson, was third followed by Gary Scott and Randy Smith in the top-five.
Heat races went to Mark Shaffer, Steve Hainline, Eddie Leavitt, Ralph Blackett, and Gary Scott. Blackett’s win was the only thing keeping Dawley from a clean sweep as he ran second to in the heat race after leading the 5-lap trophy dash green to checkered. Larson’s quick time during time trials was 20.630 seconds.
The 12-lap B-main went to Brutto with a late pass of Terry Taggart.
In addition to watching 41 sprint cars compete, the large crowd on hand also got to see many former drivers who were on hand for “Old Timers” night and the induction of the first 18 members of the Hall of Fame.
Those drivers inducted represented 158 feature victories at Knoxville and included Greg and Ken Weld, Kenny Crook, Dean Sylvester, Danny Richardson, Bud McCune, Gordon Woolley, Earl Wagner, Ken Gritz, Dick Sutcliffe, and Thad Dosher. Alson inducted were mechanics, Taylor “Pappy” Weld, Bob Trostle, Fred Kain, Wayne House, John Leverenz, and former promoter Marion Robinson.
Results –
Time trials – Roger Larson, Madison, S.D.
Trophy dash – Darryl Dawley, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Heat #1 – Mark Shaffer, Newton
Heat #2 – Steve Hainline, Bonaparte
Heat #3 – Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
Heat #4 – Ralph Blackett, Des Moines
Heat #5 – Gary Scott, Holts Summit, Mo.
B-main – Bobby Brutto, San Jose, Calif.
Feature –
1. Darryl Dawley
2. Tim Green, Des Moines
3. Roger Larson
4. Gary Scott
5. Randy Smith, Norwalk
6. Eddie Leavitt
7. Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.
8. Mackie Heimbaugh, Des Moines
9. Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
10.Johnny Anderson, Sacramento, Calif.
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