1979 - Hansen Wins Hamilton County Futurity

 

Winners in the Hamilton County Futurity are shown in the winner’s circle. From left to right – Steve Shannon, Norwalk (sportsman), Dennis Pittman, Jefferson (street stock), and Curt Hansen, Dike (late model). – Margaret Gardner Photo

Webster City, Iowa (June 13, 1979) – Curt Hansen of Dike captured the fourth annual Hamilton County Futurity held Wednesday night at the Hamilton County Speedway.

Hansen had not been in the limelight the previous years, stating “This track has not been my best friend.” But every jinx can be broken, and Hansen proved it could be by winning the 50-lap main event.

At the beginning it was anyone’s race as Denny Hovinga of Pocahontas kept the lead for 32 laps. For a while, he looked like a sure winner, but he developed mechanical issues and had to pull into the pits.

Bill Davis of Des Moines took over the lead, thereafter, having run second behind Hovinga for those 32 laps. Davis led for the next seven laps until he drifted high, allowing Hansen to slide under him and take over on the 33rd lap as Davis settled into second.

During this time, Bob Shryock of Estherville had worked his way from his 23rd starting position, and on the 35th circuit, went to the high side to get by Davis. Heading down the backstretch on lap 36, Shryock appeared to pull ahead of Hansen only to lose momentum on the third and fourth turns.

Unable to hold his position on the outside, Shryock tried a few more times to the inside and it looked as though he may succeed, but on lap 39, Shryock suddenly slowed when something in his engine gave way and he limped to the pit area.

Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls was another driver who worked his way through the field from his 18th starting position. He was on Davis’s bumper for the remaining laps but settled for a third-place finish.

Arnie Braland of Boone was fourth and Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines finished fifth.

Ramo Stott of Keokuk drove Bob Harris’ car and sat back, holding the fourth spot for the first 23 laps before a rear shock gave way and the car began running hot. Ramo cooled it down and finished in ninth.

Steve Shannon of Norwalk copped the 30-lap sportsman main event. Shannon took the lead from Chuck Anderson of LeGrand on lap 13 and held on to score the victory. Wayne Larson of Ames was third.

Dennis Pittman of Jefferson took the street stock feature win easily over Dave Jones of Des Moines and Barry Nuese of Marshalltown.


Results –


Late Model -

1. Curt Hansen, Dike
2. Bill Davis, Des Moines
3. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
4. Arnie Braland, Boone
5. Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
6. Willy Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.
7. Jerry Holtkamp, Williams
8. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
9. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
10.Greg Davis, Boone
11.Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
12.Don Hoyle, Bagley
13.Bob Hill, Randall
14.Dick Schiltz, Waterloo


Sportsman –

1. Steve Shannon, Norwalk
2. Chuck Anderson, LeGrand
3. Wayne Larson, Ames
4. Mike Carlburg, Iowa Falls
5. Ray Kinnetz, Webster City


Street Stock –

1. Dennis Pittman, Jefferson
2. Dave Jones, Des Moines
3. Barry Nuese, Marshalltown
4. Veryle Gregerson, Fort Dodge