1987 - Fischlein Takes 'Stroh's Nationals' at Marshalltown

 

Dale Fischlein hoists his trophy high after winning the “Stroh’s Nationals” at Marshalltown Speedway. The race, which was part of the IMCA Late Model Summer Series, was Fischlein’s second win in as many years. – Jerry Mackey Photo

Marshalltown, Iowa (June 17, 1987) – Dale Fischlein of Independence won his second straight Stroh’s Nationals in as many years Wednesday night at Marshalltown Speedway.

Fischlein took the lead from Darrel DeFrance on lap 31 of the 50-lap feature, which was part of the IMCA Late Model Summer Series.

The win was worth $2,400 to the young Fischlein.

It was evident early on that it was going to be a duel between Fischlein and the hometown favorite DeFrance. DeFrance had bested Fischlein in Tuesday night’s Race of Champions, Wednesday night’s trophy dash, and was sitting on the pole for the 50-lap feature.

Fischlein, on the other hand, had set fast time on Tuesday and was the defending champion of the event.

DeFrance took the lead from his front row starting position and fought off challenges from several different drivers. On about the 20th circuit around the quarter-mile oval, Fischlein really began putting pressure on DeFrance. He tried DeFrance several times on the low side but could do no better than pull even with him.

Then, coming out of turn four on the 30th lap, much to everyone’s surprise, Fischlein went high on the still tacky track and passed DeFrance in front of the grandstand. DeFrance would challenge several more times but would eventually fade back to third.

In one of the finest drives of the night, Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls would come all the way from the back to within a couple of car lengths of Fischlein at the finish. Aikey, winner of numerous features at Marshalltown this season, and the point leader of the Summer Series, finished second as the yellow flag he was waiting for never came out.

Another Marshalltown regular, Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, drove a smooth race to finish fourth while Bob Hill of Story City worked his way from an early-race mishap to finish fifth in his first appearance at the track.

Other Stroh’s Nationals champions were Greg Kastli of Waterloo in the IMCA modifieds, Tommy Thompson of Marshalltown in the IMCA stock cars, and Ron Fenton of Des Moines in the thunder cars.


Results –

1. Dale Fischlein, Independence
2. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls
3. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown
4. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
5. Bob Hill, Story City
6. Curt Martin, Independence
7. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
8. Johnny Johnson, Wapello
9. Craig Jacobs, Des Moines
10.Rick Wendling, Hazelton
11.Scott Sells, Waverly
12.Steve Watts, Jimtown
13.Red Dralle, Evansdale
14.Ted Pallister, Wapello
15.Danny Breuer, Wapello

1981 - Sauter, Martin Win 75s in ARTGO Raceway Card

 

Mark Martin is joined by ARTGO promoter John McKarns and announcer Wayne Adams after Martin won the overall championship in the twin 75’s at Raceway Park. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Blue Island, Ill. (June 16, 1981) – Finishing eighth and first in the twin 75-lap features and setting fast time during time trials gave Mark Martin of Batesville, Ark., the overall championship in the ARTGO Racing late model special at Raceway Park on Tuesday night.

Sharing feature wins honors with Jim Sauter of Necedah, Wis., Martin’s victory was his first in ARTGO competition this year and his first win since last October for the 22-year-old speedster.

A starting field of 20 pounded the asphalt at the drop of the green flag in the first feature race. Coming from his outside front row starting position, Tom Jones moved his Camaro into the lead.

Jones set sail, building a healthy margin between himself and his nearest competitor, Frank Gawlinski. Sauter, meanwhile, began slicing through traffic, taking over the third spot on lap 15, and quickly moving into second place on the 24th lap.

Lap after lap, Sauter cut down the distance between himself and Jones, with Sauter slipping past Jones on lap 42 for the lead. On the next circuit, Jones pulled out of the action, his mount suffering a broken water pump pulley.

With Sauter driving a seemingly effortless race, a real battle developed for positions three through seven between Leo Mens, Jerry Kemperman, Burt Weitemeyer, Larry Schuler, and Dick Trickle, with the five jockeys battling bumper-to-bumper.

With nine laps to go and Sauter about to lap Trickle, Mens’ mount suddenly lost all power coming off the second turn due to a spark plug short, causing a chain reaction crash involving Kemperman, Schuler, Weitemeyer, Trickle and Sauter, which brought out the red flag. All drivers escaped injury, with Kemperman and Schuler unable to continue.

On the restart, Sauter set the pace, with Mens dropping out of the race on lap 67 and second place Gawlinski losing two spots because of a bad right front tire.

Sauter’s win was his second in ARTGO action this season. Following were Weitemeyer, Trickle, Gawlinski and Woody Church.

The second 75-lapper saw Mens guide his Camaro into the lead at the start of the race. Mens, who started on the pole position, was in command on lap 8, when the yellow flag flew, as Bob Weltmeyer, current ARTGO point leader Larry Detjens, and Jim Weber tangled in turn one, putting all three out of the race. As the pack circled the quarter mile under yellow, Mens suddenly pulled into the pit area with ignition ills.

Inheriting the top spot, Martin quickly began to pull away from the rest of the field, with Gawlinski, Schuler, Sauter and Jones in pursuit. Schuler, with Sauter right behind him, moved into second place on lap 18. Sauter battled a stubborn Schuler for second place as Martin maintained his lead. Sauter finally rolled past Schuler on lap 34and began setting his sights on the leader.

Lap 58 saw the race’s second yellow as Trickle did a quick spin in turn three and was joined by Wayne Kullman and Dave Weitemeyer, with Sauter slamming into the tail of Martin’s car as the leading duo braked hard to avoid a clogged turn three. The accident Sauter, whose mount received differential damage to the pits.

Two additional caution flags slowed the action, as Trickle once again looped his Camaro in turn three on lap 61, and Ray Young came to a halt in turn two on the 66th circuit.

The final laps to starter Bill Gronley’s checkered flag saw Schuler put heat on Martin for the lead, with Jones riding in third place right behind the leaders. Following were Gawlinski, Weitemeyer and Trickle.


Results –

Feature #1 –

1. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
2. Burt Weitemeyer, Lansing
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
4. Frank Gawlinski, Lynwood
5. Woody Church, Palos Park
6. Pat Echlin, Calumet Park
7. Ray Young, Dolton
8. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
9. Wayne Kullman, Calumet City
10.Leo Mens, Chicago


Feature #2 –

1. Mark Martin
2. Larry Schuler, New Lenox
3. Tom Jones, Northbrook
4. Frank Gawlinski
5. Dave Weitemeyer, Harvey
6. Dick Trickle
7. Pat Echlin
8. Joe Shear, South Beloit
9. Woody Church
10.Wayne Kullman

1968 - Forbes Outduels Eaker at Speedbowl Park

 

Bill Forbes powered his Pontiac GTO to victory at Sterling Speedbowl Park. – Roger Meier Photo

Sterling, Ill. (June 16, 1968) – Bill Forbes of Rock Falls beat the best the Midwest had to offer Sunday at Speedbowl Park.

Forbes won his heat over Jim Baker of Peoria and Lloyd Ewing of Kewanee, then showed Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the fast way around the 1/3-mile track in the feature race.

Forbes, after a season in the cadet class in 1967, has demonstrated his skills in the late model division this season but Sunday night was his night. Following Forbes and Eaker to the finish line was Alan May of Peoria, Tom Hughes of Monticello, Iowa, and John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa.

Heat races were won by B.J. Higley of Sterling, Forbes, Dick Nesteby of Dubuque, Iowa, and Jerry Roedell of Peoria. Ewing took the trophy dash while Daehle Reitzel of Sterling took home the semi-feature win.


Results –

1. Bill Forbes, Rock Falls
2. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. Alan May, Peoria
4. Tom Hughes, Monticello, Iowa
5. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
6. Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
7. Jim Baker, Peoria
8. Lloyd Ewing, Kewanee
9. Biil McDonough, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 
10.Dick Nesteby, Dubuque, Iowa

1988 - Hood Tops Kokomo Klassic

 

Rick Hood receives congratulations from promoter Bill Lipkey after winning the 40-lap Kokomo Klassic sprint car race at Kokomo Speedway. – Jack Gladback Photo

Kokomo, Ind. (June 15, 1988) – Rick Hood became the first repeat winner in the 14-year history of the Kokomo Klassic sprint car event, Wednesday night at Kokomo Speedway.

Hood trailed 1987 winner Dave Darland throughout the 40-lap main event’s first 14 circuits before taking charge on the 15th time around.

Darland fell from contention on lap 29 when he slammed into the third turn wall after tangling with Terry Shepherd.

Steve Butler took over second place after all-out racing resumed, but Hood led the rest of the way despite a late spin. Butler came in second with Jack Hewitt, who had started 15th, finishing third to complete a clean sweep of former Klassic winners. Tony Elliott was fourth followed by Jeff Donelson.


Results –


1. Rick Hood
2. Steve Butler
3. Jack Hewitt
4. Tony Elliott
5. Jeff Donelson
6. Kurt Hawkins
7. Randy Woodling
8. Bob Kinser
9. Tim Bookmiller
10.Ray Kenes

1968 - Columbus Junction Honors to Prymek

 

Ron Prymek, driving John Mullink’s 1956 Mercury, won the Mississippi Valley Speed Club feature at Columbus Junction.

By Mary Ann Harris

Columbus Junction, Iowa (June 15, 1968) – Ron Prymek of Iowa City held off Mark Mosier of Washington for the last nine laps of the feature here Saturday night to score his first Mississippi Valley Speed Club victory of the season.

Stan Crooks of Muscatine had led the 20-lap feature for the first 11 circuits until a blown engine sent him to the sidelines. On the restart, Prymek jumped into the lead and was able to hold it the remainder of the way.

Mel Morris of West Liberty took fast time in time trials, circling the big half-mile in 27.40 seconds. Dan Robertson of Muscatine had second fastest time with 27.75 seconds.

The first event of the evening, the trophy dash, was won by Bob Helms of Rochester. Morris won the first heat while Mosier took honor in the second heat. John Moss of Iowa City was the third heat winner and Tom Harris of Iowa City picked up the checkered in the fourth heat.

On the 11th lap of the 15-lap B-main, Bill Douglas of West Liberty took a nasty tumble in the third and fourth turns. He wasn’t hurt but the top of his car was peeled back to look like a convertible. Byron Buchele of Muscatine was the winner of the event.


Results –

1. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
2. Mark Mosier, Washington
3. John Moss, Iowa City
4. Dan Robertson, Muscatine
5. Bud Darting, Wilton Junction
6. Byron Buchele, Muscatine
7. Bill Newman, Burlington
8. Larry Jenkins, Wilton Junction
9. Roy Stutzman, Lockridge
10.Richard Hamilton, Muscatine

1977 - Horn Outduels Zwanziger for Falstaff 100 Victory

 

Fred Horn won the annual Falstaff 100 late model stock car race at Hawkeye Downs. Joining Horn in victory lane is trophy girl Loydene Short, promoter Al Miller, and race sponsor Keith Fleck. – Earl Schwartz Photo

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 14, 1977) - Dueling Stock Cars. An old tune put to different lyrics.

And to say that the 28 cars that started the fifth annual Falstaff 100 Tuesday night at Hawkeye Downs dueled furiously and intensely is a vast understatement.

Marion's Fred Horn steered his sleek 1977 Camaro to the checkers abut a car length in front of Waterloo's Bill Zwanziger to put the finishing touches on a dazzling stock car program that delighted 6,500 race fans.

“I just wanted to run flat out and the car performed,” breathed Horn after outlasting Zwanziger's 1977 Nova in a heated battle that went bumper-to-bumper and side-by-side for the final 30 laps of the 100-lapper.

“This is probably my greatest racing win. I won the Iowa 300 IMCA race once, but this is probably the most prestigious, the top short track drivers in the Midwest, maybe the whole country, were here tonight.”

“I sure feels good to win and I'm telling you; I have to pay the highest tribute to Bill Zwanziger. We were right together through those last laps, and he didn't touch me once.”

Kalona's Mike Niffenegger won the pole position with a 24.76 lap in time trials, but Zwanziger, a former Falstaff winner, moved to front on the second lap.

That changed one lap later when defending champion Curt Hansen of Dike took over and led until Zwanziger took over on the 35th tour. And while the record crowd feasted on the front-running action, Roger Dolan of Lisbon and Bill Rice of Des Moines were steaming like there was no tomorrow.

Dolan started 16th but was running fifth on the 35th lap. That was just one lap before Waterloo's Ed Sanger, another former winner, went to the pits with engine problems. Sanger was driving his backup car.

Rice started even farther back, 19th on the grid, and he maneuvered relentlessly until finally moving into his eventual fourth-place finishing spot on the 94th lap.

Dolan opted for tile high groove from the beginning and had pedal to the metal until he went around Zwanziger on the 60th lap. The Lisbon veteran was making a run at Horn going into the second turn on the 69th lap when he spun out and lost six positions. He came back to finish sixth.

Horn picked up $1,600 for the win and confided later he loves longer races. “I've like to go 100 laps or more, it’s more appealing racing. It gives you a chance to really see what your car can do.”

“I’m driving a lighter car this year, but tonight I think we were about 2, 850 pounds because we added some weight. It was a good test for the Camaro. I want to give my brother Ed some hard-earned credit. He maintains the car and really had it set up right tonight.”

Rice was racing for the fifth straight day and arrived late Tuesday night after pulling almost 500 miles from Fargo, N.D., where he won $1,100 for winning a special Monday night.

“After we timed and had to run that heat race we seriously thought about loading up and heading for Des Moines,” said Rice. “We've been on the road constantly all weekend and everybody in the crew/w is really tired.”

Bill can temper his worn-out feeling when he totals up his earnings since last Friday night. In the money at Boone, Mason City, Des Moines, and Fargo and then in the Falstaff, his earnings total $2,930.

Mike Frieden won the 20-lap consolation and picked up $200.

Pit Stops: Lisbon's Roger Dolan wowed the crowd of course, with his brilliant drive from 16th and after cooling off with a beverage after the 100-lapper mused, facetiously, “That's what I get for driving so conservatively.” On the 59th lap, Dolan scraped the wall in the back stretch and sparks flew, but in the process passed Curt Hanson into second place behind Horn . . . Most observers were amazed that 10 cars all finished on the same lap, let alone go the entire 100 tours. “It was amazing,” said veteran race announcer Tony Dean, now of Huron, S.D., “that 21 of the 28 starters were still racing at the finish.” Dean got his start announcing races at various Eastern Iowa tracks.


Results -

1. Fred Horn, Marion
2. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
3. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
4. Bill Rice, Des Moines
5. Curt Hansen, Dike
6. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
7. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
8. Ken Walton, Viola
9. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
10. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
11. Gary Crawford, Independence
12. Red Dralle, Evansdale
13. Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville
14. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
15. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
16. Tom Hearst, Wilton
17. Dan Dickey, Packwood
18. Gail Brenner, Wilton Junction
19. Steve Keppler, Marion
20. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs
21. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
22. Larry Schulte, Delhi
23. Gary Webb, Davenport
24. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
25. John Engelkens, Morrison, Ill.

1989 - Slinger National 100's to Bickle and Hansen

 

Winners of the two 100-lap late model features that comprised the first leg of the Slinger Nationals celebrated at Slinger Speedway. From left are Ms. Slinger Speedway Beth Maaske, the first winner Rich Bickle Jr., Pabst representative Bob Milkovich, second feature winner Scott Hansen, and Pabst representative John Laimon. – Al Fortner Photo

Slinger, Wis. (June 13, 1989) – A pair of dramatic finishes highlighted the first round of the Slinger Nationals as Rich Bickle Jr. and Scott Hansen each captured 100-lap late model features at Slinger Speedway on Tuesday night.

Bickle, established as the favorite in the two-round event by virtue of four consecutive regular season feature wins here, wasted little time justifying the pit talk as he cranked out a world record in qualifying, turning a lap of 11.456 seconds on the high-banked quarter-mile.

By virtue of his qualifying lap, Bickle was gridded far back in the 24-car field for the start of the first 100-lapper. NASCAR Winston Cup regular Dick Trickle started from the pole and dominated most of the first half of the race.

After running away from the field, Trickle had leads wiped out by cautions for spins by Conrad Morgan and Al Laufer on laps 16 and 47, respectively.

By the second caution, Bickle, the only driver effectively using the outer groove on the misty, foggy evening, was up to third behind Trickle and Joe Shear.

“I was running better on the outside but with all of the fog and grease on my windshield, I could hardly see anything,” Bickle said.

Despite the tough conditions, Bickle wasted little time driving around Shear, then dropping Trickle to the runner-up spot on lap 57. From there, it looked like clear sailing to the checkered, until Butch Miller worked his way into second place and began closing in on Bickle, who suddenly started having issues getting through the corners. On several occasions over the last 15 circuits, Miller pulled inside the leader only to fall back as Bickle used lapped traffic to perfection in holding off his pursuer.

At the wire, it was Bickle by less than one-car-length over Miller with Trickle, Shear, and Al Schill rounding out the top-five.

However, Bickle’s luck soured in the opening stages of the second 100-lap headliner as a broken right rear hub forced him to retire on lap 12.

Meanwhile, Dennis Lampman, a Slinger regular, was enjoying the ride of his life, running away from the field after starting on the outside of the front row. After a caution for a minor tangle, Lampman had opened up a 20-car-length lead with 25 laps remaining.

At that point, Hansen, who was hampered by mechanical and tire problems in the first race, took second place from Shear and set his sights on Lampman.

“We had to drop out of the first race with a pair of flat right-side tires, but we didn’t use up the left-side rubber,” said Hansen. “We had pretty good tires all around for the second race and that made a huge difference.”

With 15 circuits remaining, Hansen began diving under Lampman on each lap, but it took until the pair exited turn four coming down for the white flag before Hansen finally muscled his way into the lead.

Hansen led the rest of the way to score the victory with Lampman fending off Trickle, Miller and Shear to secure runner-up honors.

Seconds after the event, Trickle crashed hard into the back end of Hansen’s car, inflicting heavy damage.

“I couldn’t see the flagman because of the heavy fog,” Trickle explained. My crew was on the radio telling me what flag he was holding. They were yelling ‘white, white’ when the checkered actually fell. When I finally realized what was going on, it was too late.”


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton
2. Butch Miller, Coopersville, Mich.
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
4. Joe Shear, Clinton
5. Al Schill, Franklin
6. Al Laufer, Hartford
7. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
8. Dennis Lampman, Racine
9. Lowell Bennett, Neenah
10.John Ziegler, Madison


Feature #2 –

1. Scott Hansen, Green Bay
2. Dennis Lampman
3. Dick Trickle
4. Butch Miller
5. Joe Shear
6. Al Schill
7. Conrad Morgan, Dousman
8. Al Laufer
9. John Ziegler
10.Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.

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

1982 – Birkhofer Wins West Liberty ‘Winston 50’

 

Dave Birkhofer

West Liberty, Iowa (June 12, 1982) – Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine took the lead away from Tony Stewart of Washington after 28 laps Saturday night and went on to win the “Winston 50” at the West Liberty Fairgrounds.

Stewart led the first 16 laps before giving way to Tom Hearst of Wilton, who later lost a tire and was hit by another car. Stewart regained the lead on the 19th circuit and held it until Birkhofer passed him and went on to win.

Stewart started up front in the 50-lap main event and sped into the lead at the onset. Hearst, however, began applying pressure after a few laps and final took the lead on lap 16.

A couple of laps later, Hearst had a tire go flat and he stopped his car near the outside wall on the front straight. A car driven by Brad Dubil of Davenport slammed into the rear of Hearst’s car, disabling both for the remainder of the event.

At that point, Stewart inherited the top spot, but Birkhofer got by 10 laps later for the victory. Rollie Frink of Davenport got past Stewart in the late laps to claim the runner-up position while Stewart hung on to finish third. Rounding out the top five were Ken Walton of Viola and Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill.

In other racing action, Tom Christensen of West Liberty won his second straight sportsman feature and Max Leonard of Atkins won his first IMCA modified feature of the season. Chopper Safley of Marion won the street stock feature.


Results –

Heat #1 – Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
Heat #3 – Tony Stewart, Washington
Feature –
1. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
2. Rollie Frink, Davenport
3. Tony Stewart
4. Ken Walton, Viola
5. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
6. Mike Frieden, Swisher
7. Kenny Fenn, Washington
8. Jim Thruman, Freeport, Ill.
9. Hal Russell, Blue Grass
10.Ron Pallister, Wapello
11.Ken DeGood, Hills
12.Tom Hearst
13.Brad Dubil, Davenport
14.Dick Schiltz
15.Johnny Johnson, Morning Sun

1988 – Egersdorf Wins Cedar Lake Outlaws

 

Rick Egersdorf upset a stellar late model field in the World of Outlaws/ALMA 50-lap feature at Cedar Lake Speedway. - Chris Loberg Photo

Somerset, Wis. (June 11, 1988) – Rick Egersdorf, who finished Friday night’s preliminary feature, passed World of Outlaws/American Late Model Association kingpin Billy Moyer Jr., on lap 30, then took the checkered flag 20 circuits later to win the late model main event Saturday night at Cedar Lake Speedway.

Egersdorf, who qualified second and started on the third row outside, blew by Moyer on the back straightaway and beat polesitter Tom Nesbitt to the finish line for the $7,000 first prize.

Nesbitt, who finished fourth in Friday’s preliminary feature, led the first lap before surrendering the lead to Willy Kraft. Kraft was ahead of the pack for 21 laps before being passed by Moyer on the 23rd lap.

Egersdorf took the lead eight laps later and never looked back. Following Egersdorf and Nesbitt across the finish line were Moyer, Rick Aukland, and Terry Phillips.


Results –

1. Rick Egersdorf
2. Tom Nesbitt
3. Billy Moyer Jr.
4. Rick Aukland
5. Terry Phillips
6. Charlie Swartz
7. Tommy Joe Pauschert
8. Joe Kosiski
9. Jeff Hinkemeyer
10.Steve Kosiski

1972 – Jusola Wins First Leg of Challenge Series

 

Bob Jusola

By Dave Anderson

Owatonna, Minn. (June 11, 1972) – Burnsville’s Bob Jusola, a 40-year-old mechanic who makes auto racing a full-time vocation during the summer months, won the 50-lap feature event on the Steele County Fairground’s half-mile clay track on Sunday afternoon.

Jusola, driving a 1970 Chevelle, started on the pole position of the 30-car field, claiming the top spot by winning an 8-lap heat race in the preliminary dueling. The Metro Tri-Circuit champion of 1970 led start to finish, lapping the entire field at least once.

The first Midwest Auto Racing Conference-sanctioned program attracted a crowd of 3,127 spectators.

Wendell Kuehn, driving a 1970 Mustang, and Paul Fitzpatrick, piloting the Dave Noble-owned 1971 Monte Carlo, finished second and third. Both drivers hail from Rochester. Along with Blooming Prairie’s Joe Wurst, who finished tenth, they were southeastern Minnesota’s only representatives in the top-10.

The initial field was quickly peeled to 25 after two “false” starts, precipitated by clouds of dust. Rochester’s Dale Bakeer and Minneapolis’ Billy Oas were among the five drivers who failed to complete a single lap due to varying reasons.

Roger Schurr of Fridley, Jusola, Fitzpatrick, and Kuehn were heat winners. The 10-lap consolation was won by Jack McCorkell of Redwood Falls, who moved from his 24th starting position in the main event to an impressive fifth-place finish.


Results –

1. Bob Jusola, Burnsville
2. Wendell Kuehn, Rochester
3. Paul Fitzpatrick, Rochester
4. Darrell Heuer, Chokio
5. Jack McCorkell, Redwood Falls
6. Norm Setran, Bloomington
7. John Boegeman, Shakopee
8. Vern Mondry, Lake Elmo
9. Dick Collins, St. Louis Park
10.Joe Wurst, Blooming Prairie

1984 – Trickle Adds RWB Main to Kaukauna Win Skein

 

Dick Trickle (left) and Roger Regeth won their respective late model and sportsman features Sunday afternoon in the Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series at Wisconsin International Raceway. Miss Debbie Ashauer made the trophy presentations. - Russ Lake Photo

By Gary Vercauteren

Kaukauna, Wis. (June 10, 1984) – Dick Trickle beat Joe Shear to the finish line by three-car-lengths to the win the 60-lap feature in the first race of the Red, White, and Blue State Championship Series at Wisconsin International Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

Trickle, a six-time point champion in the 13-years the series has been held on the Kaukauna half-mile paved oval, won his tenth feature in the last 11 special events.

High winds seemed to bother most of the drivers but not Trickle. “The wind actually felt pretty good,” Trickle joked.

Several major wrecks marred the afternoon’s contest, although there were no serious injuries.

Al Schill came off the front row to set the pace in the 20-car field for the first 27 laps. Trickle moved into third place on the 13th lap when he roared by Bob Iverson.

On the 18th round he got around Gordie Sannes Jr., for the second position. A yellow flag flew on lap 26 just as Trickle was closing in on Schill for the lead.

Trickle would go to the outside on the restart and had command by the time the crossed the start/finish line for lap 27.

Shear, in perhaps his finest performance of the season, shot past Schill on lap 28 and stayed right on Trickle. Tom Reffner, who would finish third, got around Schill on lap 36 and then battled wheel-to-wheel with Shear for the runner-up spot.

With nine laps to go, another caution flag flew when Mike Kelly spun in the fourth turn. That bunched up the field for the restart, but Trickle was ready for the challenge from Shear and Reffner and he pulled away to the three-car-length win.

Only three of the 16 cars still on the track at the end were lapped as the entire pack remained in tight formation throughout the contest.

The crowd of 4,329 was treated to an excellent race in the 25-lap semi-feature as sensational rookie Doug Herbst of Wausau slipped by Rich Bickle Sr. on the final lap and won by less than a car-length.

Roger “The Bear” Regeth won the 20-lap sportsman feature by two-car-lengths over Rod Wheeler with Dennis Dietzen third and Fred Gignac fourth.


Results –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
2. Joe Shear, Beloit
3. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
4. Al Schill, Franklin
5. Tony Strupp, Slinger
6. Bob Iverson, Hyde, Mich.
7. Gordie Sannes Jr., De Pere
8. J.J. Smith, Appleton
9. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
10.Scott Hansen, Green Bay
11.Dave Valentyne, Appleton
12.Lowell Bennett, Neenah
13.Mike Kelly, Vulcan, Mich.
14.Thom Lamon, Hales Corner
15.Robbie Reiser, Allenton

1956 – Flaherty Wins Rex Mays Classic

 

Milwaukee winner Pat Flaherty and announcer Ed “Twenty-Grand” Steinbock share a laugh after the Chicago tavern owner won the 100-mile USAC national championship race. – Steve Noffke Collection

Milwaukee, Wis. (June 10, 1956) – Pat Flaherty of Chicago, winner of the Indianapolis 500, roared to his second victory in a row Sunday when he won the 100-mile Rex Mays Classic at a record 98.958 miles per hour.

The red-haired tavern keeper raced from his 11th starting post to win before 22,564 fans on the one-mile asphalt State Fair track and collect $5,488 of the $22,540 purse.

Flaherty finished about two-thirds of a mile ahead of Johnny Thomson of Springfield, Mass., last year’s winner, and his time of 1 hour and 37.884 seconds beat Thomson’s 1955 track record by more than four seconds.

The veteran started out in 11th and moved up to sixth after just 10 miles. He passed two more cars to reach fourth in the second 10 miles, after 25 miles he was third, and after 27 miles, he was running in second.

For the next 22 miles he ran behind leader Troy Ruttman of Indianapolis. At the halfway point of the race, Ruttman was running a blistering pace, with a record time of 30 minutes and 30.618 seconds.

But then Lady Luck frowned on Ruttman. His clutch went out and on the 52nd circuit, Flaherty got around the 1952 Indianapolis 500 winner on the backstretch and Ruttman was forced to drop out a lap later.

Flaherty was never seriously threatened for the remainder of the race, taking the checkered flag 20 seconds ahead of Thomson, almost the identical lead he had on Sam Hanks in the “500”.

Actually, the best racing – After Ruttman dropped out – was between Bob Sweikert, the 1955 “500” champion, and Jimmy Bryan, his long-time rival who was the 1954 driving champion. Sweikert and Bryan raced neck-and-neck almost the entire way. Sweikert finished third with Bryan a car-length behind in fourth.

Flaherty earned $5,448 for his victory, a popular win for the Irishman. Milwaukeeans feel he’s almost a hometown boy, owning a tavern less than a 100 miles away.


Results –

1. Pat Flaherty
2. Johnny Thomson
3. Bob Sweikert
4. Jimmy Bryan
5. Johnny Boyd
6. Don Freeland
7. Jimmy Reece
8. Gene Hartley
9. Al Keller
10.Bob Veith
11.Pat O’Conner
12.Keith Andrews
13.Jack Turner
14.Bill Garrett
15.Rex Easton
16.Shorty Templeman
17.Johnnie Parsons
18.Elmer George
19.Jim Rathmann
20.Troy Ruttman
21.Dick Rathmann
22.Danny Kladis

1989 - Schwartz IMCA Modified Winner at Santa Fe

 

Denny Schwartz

Hinsdale, Ill. (June 9, 1989) – Denny Schwartz of Ashmore won the IMCA Modified National Series feature race Friday night on the half-mile track at Santa Fe Speedway.

Schwartz, who came within a single win of a complete sweep, took the lead from Joe Beaver of Noblesville, Ind., on lap 15 of the 25-lap contest and coasted from there.

Schwartz started ninth in the inverted field but was fifth by lap 2. He jumped to fourth a lap later, third another lap later, and took over second on lap 6.

Beaver had taken the lead on lap 5 from National Series point leader Merv Chandler of Seagoville, Tex.

Following Schwartz and Beaver at the finish were Lennie Allen of Danville, Rick Cox of Davenport, and Chandler.

Schwartz set fast time at 20.10 seconds and also won his heat. However, he finished second to Cox in the trophy dash.

Also winning heats were Mike Garland of Morrison and Beaver while Jack Taylor on Monrovia, Ind., won the non-qualifiers heat.


Results –

1. Denny Schwartz, Ashmore
2. Joe Beaver, Noblesville, Ind.
3. Lennie Allen, Danville
4. Rick Cox, Davenport
5. Merv Chandler, Seagoville, Tex.
6. Jeff Martin, Kansas
7. Dale Dubois, Poland, Ind.
8. Wayne Brau, Guernsey, Iowa
9. Bill Gray, Germantown
10.Eric Gaffney, Bartonsville

1979 – Stott Sails to Memphis Win

 

By Ida May Van Genderen

Memphis, Mo. (June 8, 1979) – Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, captured the late model feature Friday night at Scotland County Speedway.

Stott took the lead away from Johnny Babb of Ottumwa, Iowa, at the end of the second lap and was never headed. Babb held onto second place with three Keokuk drivers, Mike Benjamin, John Miller, and Gordy Blankenship, following.

A real duel in the back of the pack between Larry “PeeVine” Pipes and Bo Smith had the crowd on its feet. They battled wheel-to-wheel for fifth place for 20 laps before Pipes dropped out. Smith would follow him to the pits on lap 22.

The first heat was an all Keokuk with Stott, Miller, and Blankenship – 1,2,3. Babb won the second heat, edging out Bejamin and Pipes. Bo Smith won the third heat by a good-sized margin over Dave Marks of Ottumwa.


Results –


Heat #1 – Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
Heat #2 – Johnny Babb, Ottumwa
Heat #3 – Bo Smith, Hunnewell
Feature –
1. Ramo Stott
2. Johnny Babb
3. Mike Benjamin, Keokuk, Iowa
4. John Miller, Keokuk, Iowa
5. Gordy Blankenship. Keokuk, Iowa
6. Karl Hinton, Drakesville, Iowa
7. Dave Marks, Ottumwa, Iowa

1969 - Point Leader Hansen Tops Waterloo Field

Curt Hansen of Dike maintained his point lead after winning the late model feature at Tunis Speedway.

By Bob Dixon

Waterloo, Iowa (June 8, 1969) – After getting rained out last week, Curt Hansen of Dike didn’t lose his touch, and returned Sunday night to take the late model feature at Tunis Speedway.

Hansen, starting last in the 16-car field, worked his way up to the front quickly and took the lead from Gale Card of Waterloo before the midpoint of the race. From then on, it was smooth sailing for the current point leader, as he found the low groove to his liking, and whipped his Torino to victory, nearly a half-lap ahead of second place.

Ed Sanger of Waterloo would finish second with Lurton Grummitt of Fredericksburg taking third.

One of the best displays of driving came from Lynn Idler of Ionia in the B-main. While running towards the front, he was accidently spun out on the second lap and the entire field sped by him. Restarting dead last, Idler picked ‘em off one by one in his Olds 442 until he grabbed the lead from Stan Stover of Reinbeck and easily coasted to the win. Idler had earlier won the first heat as well as the trophy dash, picking up a good chunk of the $1,600 purse.

In the novice division, Larry Palmer of Waterloo won the feature, making him the third different winner in as many weeks. He, along with Dan Nesteby and Chuck Larson are in a tight race for the points lead. Larsen would finish second while Nesteby was forced from the race after losing a wheel.


Results –


Heat #1 – Lynn Idler, Ionia
Heat #2 – Stan Stover, Reinbeck
Heat #3 – Cur Hansen, Dike
Trophy dash – Lynn Idler
B-main – Lynn Idler
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen
2. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
3. Lurton Grummit, Fredericksburg
4. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
5. Dave Bedard, La Porte City
6. Chub Liebe, Oelwein
7. Ty Burger, Waterloo
8. Claus Stricker, Waterloo
9. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills
10.Bob Hesse, Waterloo

1986 – Melius Finally Captures Wally Jors 50 at Hales

 

Mike Melius won the 10th annual Wally Jors Classic at Hales Corner Speedway. Andrea Jerstad, representing Wisconsin Fans for Auto Racing, makes the trophy presentation. – Weber Brothers Photo

Franklin, Wis. (Jun 7, 1986) – Mike Melius of Adell scored his first win in the 10th annual Wally Jors Classic late model feature and his first main event win of the season Saturday night at Hales Corner Speedway.

The 50-laap classic is named for the late Wally Jors, who died of a heart attack after competing in an event, then named the Milwaukee Classic in 1976.

“I raced modifieds with Wally at Plymouth, so it was nice to win this race named in his memory,” Melius said from victory lane. “I’ve always run into bad luck in this event in past years.”

Front row starter Jack Aschenbrenner led the early laps of the race with Ted Dolhun in hot pursuit. Dolhun led briefly on lap 7 but Aschenbrenner came right back to pace lap 8.

Dolhun got the top spot back on lap 9 but Aschenbrenner never let up the pressure. Whitey Harris, the defending and two-time winner of the event, ran third.

Meanwhile, back in traffic, Melius, after starting 18th, was rapidly advancing to the front of the field. He took fourth on lap 18 and was there on lap 20 when a caution flag flew.

Dolhun chose to start on the outside of the front row and Aschenbrenner took the lead back on the restart. Melius took second from Dolhun on lap 23, only to lose it back to him on the next lap.

Using the outside, Dolhun surged back into the lead on lap 25, with Melius and Aschenbrenner close behind. On lap 31, Dolhun’s engine soured and Melius inherited the lead, which he never gave up.

“I could hear him (Dolhun) missing as I went by,” Melius said. “He would’ve been tough if it weren’t for that.”

LeRoy Schneiderman caught Dolhun for second on lap 48. Dolhun, Aschenbrenner and Harris followed at the completion of 50 laps.


Results –

1. Mike Melius, Adell
2. LeRoy Schneiderman, Woodstock, Ill.
3. Ted Dolhun, Menomonie Falls
4. Jack Aschenbrenner, Hales Corner
5. Whitey Harris, Lake Villa, Ill.
6. Frank Smith, Milwaukee
7. Geroge Scheffler, Pewaukee
8. Gregg Carlson, South Milwaukee
9. Larry Richards, Montello
10.Tom Hayburn, Milwaukee

1954 – Slater Wins 25-Mile Race, Sets Two Records

 

Bob Slater gets a hug from his wife, Mary Lou, after winning the 25-mile Al Speth Memorial race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 

Des Moines, Iowa (June 6, 1954) – Two records, one an International Motor Contest Association world mark, were bettered Sunday afternoon as Bob Slater of Kansas City captured the National Speedway’s Al Speth Memorial 25-mile race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Slater, who led the 16 qualifiers from start to finish, wheeled the 50-lapper 22 minutes and 9.96 seconds to erase the IMCA mark of 22 minutes and 13.89 seconds set by Bobby Grim on the same oval on June 8, 1952.

Jimmy Campbell, the Bates City, Mo., farmer, who worked his way out of a traffic jam late in the race, finished second after Vito Calia, the Italian newcomer, blew a piston one lap away from the finish and only 25 yards behind Slater.

Herschel Wagner of Hickman Hills, Mo., was third followed by Homer Claytor of Tampa, Fla. Calia managed to hang on to take fifth in the field of 10 sharing distribution of the $3,000 purse.

Earlier in the program of seven races, the track mark for the 3.5-mile distance set by the late Frank Luptow during the 1950 Iowa State Fair race was twice broken in the first two heat races.

Campbell, winner of the opening race, hit the clock at 3 minutes and 2.68 seconds, to beat Luptow’s old mark of 3 minutes and 59.75 seconds. But in the second heat Slater was even faster, throttling his Offenhauser over the course in 2 minutes and 59.73 seconds.


Results –

1. Bob Slater, Kansas City
2. Jimmy Campbell, Bates City, Mo.
3. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
4. Homer Claytor, Tampa, Fla.
5. Vito Calia, Kansas City
6. Stan Callaway, Tampa, Fla.
7. Andy Anderson, Hastings, Neb.
8. Don Branson, Champaign, Ill.
9. Eddie Loetscher, St. Louis
10.Cotton Musick, Hutchinson, Kan.

1971 – Tobias Bests USAC Sprints at Knoxville

 

Dick Tobias grabbed the 40-lap USAC sprint car feature at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Joining him victory lane is USAC sprint car supervisor Russ Clendenen (left) and Knoxville promoter Marion Robinson. – Beetle Bailey Photo

Knoxville, Iowa (June 5, 1971) – Dick Tobias of Lebanon, Penn., overcame mechanical problems and a $18 cab fare to win the United States Auto Club 40-lap sprint car feature before 8,000 fans at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

Tobias went through two fuel pumps and spun out during time trials before finding the right combination to tie Joe Saldana of Brownsburg, Ind., for the evenings’ fastest qualification run.

The 38-year-old open wheel veteran earlier in the day had missed a connection at the Des Moines airport and had to travel to the track in a taxicab. With adversity out of the way, Tobias quickly turned the tables on a stable full of USAC standouts.

He started in the third row in the feature, moved into second behind Sam Sessions of Nashville, Mich., on lap 10 and then overtook thee Indianapolis 500 veteran on lap 21.

Only Sessions and Knoxville regular Ray Lee Goodwin of Kansas City challenged seriously after that, with Sessions taking second and Lee Kunzman of Guttenberg, Iowa, in third. Goodwin would take fourth and Tom Bigelow of Whitewater, Wis., rounded out the top five.

Two minor accidents delayed the feature with Jim Malloy of Denver, Colo., involved both. Malloy, Merle Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, Ill., and Bill Puterbaugh of Speedway, Ind., got tangled up on the third lap with Puterbaugh hitting the turn three wall an being forced out of action.

Then, on lap 29, Malloy and Saldana spun coming out of turn three and both went to the sidelines.

Greg Weld of Kansas City, a popular Knoxville super modified star of several seasons ago, had engine trouble and complete only eight laps of the feature.


Results –

1. Dick Tobias, Lebanon, Penn.
2. Sam Sessions, Nashville, Mich.
3. Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City
4. Lee Kunzman, Guttenberg
5. Tom Bigelow, Whitewater, Wis.
6. Rollie Beale, Toledo, Ohio
7. Gary Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, Ill.
8. Johnnie Parsons Jr., Reseda, Calif.
9. Karl Busson, Toledo, Ohio
10.Don Nordhorn, Woodsville, Ind.
11.Darl Harrison, Tiffin, Ohio
12.Jimmy Oskie, Maywood, Calif.
13.Larry Rice, Linden, Ind.
14.Merle Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, Ill.
15.Joe Saldana, Brownsburg, Ind.
16.Jim Malloy, Denver, Colo.
17.Larry Cannon, Fort Worth, Tex.
18.Doc Dawson, Lima, Ohio
19.Greg Weld, Kansas City
20.Bill Puterbaugh, Speedway, Ind.

1960 – White Takes All, From Flag to Flag

 

Don White collected a lot of loot after dominating the 150-mile stock car race at Lakewood Speedway. – Guy Hayes Photo

Atlanta, Ga. (June 5, 1960) – Slender Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, who had won nothing but sympathy in four races last year, picked up something more substantial at Lakewood Speedway on Sunday.

The “Keokuk Kid” won everything in sight, starting with the pole position and ending with first place in the 150-mile MARC-sanctioned race and a check for $1,500.

An estimated 5,000 fans turned out to watch White lead flag to flag, green to checkered, and lap the entire field of 20 cars by the 46th lap.

A three-time champion of the International Motor Contest Association, White wheeled his 1960 Ford as a champion should.

He was so far ahead of the field by the 82nd lap, he made a 33-second pit stop for fuel and got back on the track well ahead of everyone else.

Elmer Musgrave of Des Plaines, Ill., winner of the first MARC race here in April, finished second in White’s old car, a ’59 Ford, one lap behind the leader.

Paul Parks of Columbus, Ohio, another ’59 Ford driver, was third, ahead of Roy Robbins of Louisville, Ky., in a ’60 Pontiac, and Jay Wyatt of Covington, Ky., in a ’59 Chevrolet.

Atlantan James Norton was running a strong third in his ’58 Mercury until his engine went sour on lap 138.

Jack Bowsher of Springfield, Ohio, rode the guardrail on the 98th lap, losing his left front wheel. After driving his fume-filled machine to the pit area, he collapsed in the infield and had to be revived by the emergency crew. The Ohioan was back running at the end of the race.

Only 21 cars started the race, 13 under the number announced by promoter John Marcum. Among the absent was Nelson Stacy, the MARC point leader.

The real race was for second place between Musgrave and Iggy Katona of Milan, Mich., in a ’60 Ford. They jockeyed back and forth all afternoon, even after quick and simultaneous pit stops, but the duel ended when Katona dropped out on the 110th lap with rear end troubles.


Results –

1. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Elmer Musgrave, Des Plaines, Ill.
3. Paul Parks, Columbus, Ohio
4. Roy Robbins, Louisville, Ky.
5. Jay Wyatt, Covington, Ky.
6. James Norton, Atlanta
7. Paul Wensink, Deshler, Ohio
8. Roy Atkinson, Indianapolis, Ind.
9. Roscoe Thompson, Atlanta
10.Ralph Carr, College Park
11.Jack Bowsher, Springfield, Ohio
12.Iggy Katona, Milan, Mich.
13.Clyde Parker, Detroit
14.Harold Smith, Dayton, Ohio
15.Bob Bowers, Columbus, Ohio
16.Tiny Shilts, Dayton, Ohio
17.J.C. Hendrix, Griffin
18.Earl Balmer, Louisville, Ky.
19.Dave Hirschfield, Chicago
20.Les Snow, Bloomington, Ill.
21.Bob Ferguson, Detroit

1976 – Schuler Snaps Record, Win Double Features

 

Larry Schuler

Morris, Ill. (June 4, 1976) – Larry Schuler shattered the one-lap late model record Friday night at the Grundy County Speedway, then went on to win both ends of the twin 25-lap features.

Schuler’s sizzling time of 15.95 seconds in time trials was nearly a half-second faster than the next fastest qualifier. That lap erased Bob Senneker’s one-month-old mark of 16 seconds flat around Grundy’s 1/3-mile paved oval.

Schuler took the feature lead from Tom Musgrave on lap 15 of the first feature and raced home to the victory. Musgrave finished second followed by Jerry Kemperman, Tom Jones, and Ray Young.

Jones spoiled Schuler’s chances for a complete clean sweep by winning the 6-lap trophy dash and then nearly took the second 25-lapper as the Northbrook driver took the lead on the outside from Dave Evans on the 11th circuit.

Jones held a commanding lead on the 16th lap of the second feature when the yellow waved for Al Weinreich. Schuler was third on the restart and passed Jones with six laps to go to score the win.

Jones finished second followed by Kemperman, Musgrave, and Young.

Tony Hertko, last season’s hobby stock champion, carried his first late model checkered flag by winning the 15-lap B-main.

Kirk Fure won the 15-lap hobby stock main after taking the lead from Jerry Tondini in the closing laps.


Results –


Time trials – Larry Schuler, Lockport (15.95)
Trophy dash – Tom Jones, Northbrook
Heat #1 – Butch Ledy, Matheson
Heat #2 – Bob Dotter, Chicago
Heat #3 – Larry Schuler
B-main – Tony Hertko, Joliet

Feature #1 –
1. Larry Schuler
2. Tom Musgrave, Friendship, Wis.
3. Jerry Kemperman, Blue Island
4. Tom Jones
5. Ray Young, Dolton
6. Bob Strait, Flossmoor
7. Bob Dotter
8. Al Weinreich, Seneca

Feature #2 –
1. Larry Schuler
2. Tom Jones
3. Jerry Kemperman
4. Tom Musgrave
5. Ray Young
6. Bob Dotter
7. Dave Evans, Crystal Lake
8. Bob Weltmeyer, Harvey

1975 – Challenge Cup V to Sanger

 

Ed Sanger won the coveted Iowa Challenge Cup V at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. He’s joined by promoter Homer Melton, flagman Engel DeKock, and the Pepsi trophy girls. – Earl Schwartz Photo

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 3, 1975) – Ed Sanger stopped one very cold streak and kept another one very hot in the Cedar Rapids Jaycees-sponsored Iowa Challenge Cup late model stock car race at Hawkeye Downs on Tuesday night.

The Waterloo, Iowa, driver wheeled his 1975 Camaro to victory in the 50-lap feature, taking the lead from Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, at the midway point and never relinquishing it the rest of the way.

It was Sanger’s ninth win in his last 11 starts this season. Eaker, who was forced out of the race on lap 26 with a blown head gasket, was a three-time and defending champion of the prestigious race.

Tom Steuding of Altoona, Wis., who recorded fast time for the evening with a 25.13 second clocking on the half-mile dirt oval, started on the pole and eventually finished second to Sanger.

Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, finished third followed by Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa, Steve Keppler of Marion, Iowa, and Don Hoffman of Des Moines.

Veteran USAC driver Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, finished in 10th in his low-slung Chrysler kit car.

The card, run in memory of Bill McDonough of Cedar Rapids, who died last fall of a heart failure, attracted 70 cars and some 6,000 spectators. Only 24 cars started the feature.

As a tribute to McDonough, who won the first Iowa Challenge Cup in 1971, the parade lap of the cars was run with the pole position vacant.

Eaker, in his first start of the season, started the feature on the outside of the front row and shot his Nova past Steuding to assume the lead in the first set of turns. Eaker would lead the first 25 circuits and collect some $500 in lap money before dropping out.

Sanger, who started on the outside of the fourth row, collected $1,200 for the victory and another $500 in lap money. The total purse for the card which attracted drivers from six states, was $6,500.


Results –


Trophy Dash – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Heat #1 – Joe Lowder, Stockton
Heat #2 – Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center
Heat #3 – Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
Heat #4 – Karl Sanger, Waterloo
Consolation – Jim Gerber, Mt. Joy
Feature –
1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Tom Steuding, Altoona, Wis.
3. Curt Hansen, Dike
4. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
5. Steve Keppler, Marion
6. Don Hoffman
7. Bill Wrich, Kennard, Neb.
8. Earl Tice, Ames
9. Fred Horn, Marion
10.Don White, Keokuk

1967 - Stott Outlasts Derr and Funk at Donnellson

 

Ramo Stott 

By Mel Jeffries

Donnellson, Iowa (June 3, 1967) – Ramo Stott of Keokuk won the 50-lap IMCA late model stock car race at the Lee County Fairgrounds on Saturday night. He was the third fastest qualifier of the 19-car field, won the STP dash and the first heat.

A capacity crowd watched Ernie Derr, also of Keokuk, lead the first 16 laps of the main event until the front suspension broke on his ’66 Dodge.

Stott, in close pursuit, inherited the lead with Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., not far behind. Stott increased his lead over Funk as he led the final 34 laps on the half-mile dirt oval.

Bobby Mausgrove of Keokuk retired on the 30th lap with a broken drive shaft and Paul Feldner of Colgate, Wis., blew his engine on lap 35 while running in fifth place.

The thrill of the evening was in the third heat when Ken Christie of Springfield, Mo., held off the challenges of Ernie Derr for eight of the 10 laps. They ran wheel-to-wheel down the front and back straightaways, bringing the fans to their feet. Only on the last lap did Derr get by Christie to take the hard-fought win.

Other heat winners were Stott, Thurman Lovejoy of Kansas City, and Lewis Taylor of Shawnee, Kan.

Derr set fast time of 27.63 seconds in time trials.


Results –

1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
2. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
3. Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
4. Emory Fretheim, Decorah
5. Ken Christie, Springfield, Mo.
6. Jerry Wolland, Peoria, Ill.
7. Lewis Taylor, Shawnee, Kan.
8. Bob Perry, Springfield, Mo.
9. Chuck Janey, Cedar Rapids
10.Thurman Lovejoy, Kansas City

1979 - Miller Cops Main Event in Geneva ARTGO Go

 

Mike Miller won the ARTGO Racing 100-lapper at Lake Geneva Raceway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Lake Geneva, Wis. (June 2, 1979) – Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids, captured the 100-lap ARTGO Racing-sanctioned late model stock car feature race at the Lake Geneva Raceway on Saturday night, Miller, third in ARTGO points going into the evening’s action, drove his 1978 Cutlass to the victory.

A field of 20 cars blistered the pavement at the drop of the green flag for the25-mile contest with Tom Reffner and Larry Hicks battling for the top spot. Reffner led the first circuit, with Hicks coming back to lead laps 2 through 7. Reffner, in his 1978 AMX, then charged back to the front to lead lap 8, leaving Hicks, Dick Trickle, Miller, and Tom Jones to battle for positions two through five.

The yellow flag flew on lap 10, as the rear bumper on Dave Watson’s Camaro dragged dangerously on the racetrack. Watson, who was charging hard through the field from his ninth-starting position, was sent to the back of the field, making his run for the checkered flag even more difficult.

A few laps later, Dave Evans lost control of his 1979 Firebird, sliding into the infield just past the start/finish line and bringing out the yellow flag once again.

When green flag racing resumed, Reffner stayed on top with Miller, Trickle, and Jones in hot pursuit. The caution light flashed again just before the halfway point, as Jerry Eckhardt spun his Camaro between turns three and four.

Miller, who pressed Reffner for most of the first half of the race, moved to the outside of Reffner and charged into the lead on lap 55.

On lap 63, the red flag appeared as Reffner and Jones tangled coming off of turn two, sending Jones’ Firebird off the backstretch, with the popular Illinois chauffeur flipping after hitting a dirt mound. Jones escaped injury.

When the green flag came out again, Miller maintained command with a quick recovering Watson moving in on the leader. Watson, a former Lake Geneva track champion, tried numerous times to get by Miller on the outside, but it was to no avail.

Lap 81 saw Larry Detjens, who was running fifth, loop his Camaro in turn four. With less than 10 laps to go, it was Miller and Watson, with Trickle just a car-length away. Trickle made his move on lap 85, getting by Watson for second place.

At the checkered flag, it was Miller, Trickle, and Watson, with Larry Schuler and Mark Martin rounding out the top-five finishers.

Watson set a new one-lap track record during time trials with a lap of 15.80 seconds around the flat, quarter-mile paved oval, besting the 45 entries.


Results –


1. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
2. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
3. Dave Watson, Milton
4. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
5. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
6. Conrad Morgan, Dousman
7. Larry Detjens, Wausau
8. Jerry Eckhardt, Watertown
9. Larry Hicks, Geneva
10.Leonard Reimer, Janesville
11.Dave Evans, Crystal Lake, Ill.
12.Willie Goeden, Kewaskum
13.Bob Strait, Flossmoor, Ill.
14.Vern Brown, Wauconda, Ill.
15.Tom Reffner, Rudolph
16.Tom Jones, Northbrook, Ill.
17.John Holdorf, Janesville
18.Ron Schuyler, Dousman
19.John Knaus, Rockford, Ill.
20.Bill McDonald, Crystal Lake, Ill.

1978 – Racing Doctor Risks Wrath of Family, Wins

 

Al "Doc" Mayner 

By Bob Dyer

Independence, Iowa (June 2, 1978) – There are race car drivers and there is Dr. Al Mayner.

Mayner, a general practitioner from Winthrop, may have set an unofficial record for dedication to his spot last Saturday night.

What Mayner risked at Independence Motor Speedway was much more than his life. He risked the wrath of family.

Mayner’s daughter, Alexa, married Mark Hunt of Winthrop Saturday night. The wedding, in Oelwein, started at 7:00. By 7:15, dear old Dad was on his way to the track for the 7:30 start.

“The service was pretty short and simple, really,” recalled Mayner. “Independence is 14 miles away and I was able to get there on time. And I even obeyed the speed limit.”

In his haste, Mayner didn’t tell his wife, Linda, that he was planning such a quick exit.

“My wife didn’t know I was leaving until after I left,” he related. “The word got to me at the track I’d better win. I called back home to tell them I won and to calm the waters.”

The story apparently has a happy ending, for Mayner was not skulled by his wife or daughter when he arrived home. And he did have quite the night, winning the late model heat and feature.

Upon his return, a somewhat soiled Mayner had to slip back into his suit because, “I had forgotten about the wedding pictures.”

Mayner, 40, drives a 1977 Camaro. He got into racing at a relatively young age.

“About 10 years ago, some friends of our took Linda and I to the races,” he said. “I thought to myself, ‘I can do that.’ It wasn’t quite as easy as I thought it would be.”

Mayner’s best year was 1973, when he won $14,000. He has yet to make his expenses for a season.

“I’m a little limited,” he explained. “I don’t get to all of the tracks because my work keeps me close to home.”

Many fathers are more nervous at weddings than their daughters and Mayner said he was no exception.

“Racing that night calmed me down,” he remarked.

1968 – Bud Burdick Wins Denison Opener

 

Bud Burdick stands beside the car he drove to victory in the A-main during the Denison Speedway season opener.

Denison, Iowa (June 1, 1968) – A yellow 1957 Chevrolet, familiar to racing fans during the latter part of last year’s stock car racing program here, took the checkered flag in two events Saturday night in the season opener at Denison Speedway. The car, 2X, is driven by Bud Burdick of Ute and owned by Wayne Mason, also of Ute.

Starting at the back of the pack in the first heat, Burdick easily worked his way through traffic to pick up the win. n the A-main, it was much the same story as he started on the inside of the last row and at the end of the 12 laps, he was first to take the checkers.

Finishing second in the A-main was another familiar car, following the same pattern he set last year. It was the car “X”, owned and driven by Mike Chapman of Whiting. Last year, he was second in total points, although he won three races. But he was there every night and finished in the money in his 1955 Chevrolet.

Saturday night it was the same – fourth in the heat and second in the feature.

Finishing third in the feature was Randy Sterner of Blair, Neb., driving a 1961 Chevrolet. Sterner finished second in his heat race.

Winning the B-main was a new face and new car – 1955 Ford driven by Dyle Downing of Storm Lake. The C-main went to Bob Matson of Omaha.

Heat winners were Burdick, Everett Hutchinson of Sac City, Dennis Hovinga of Laurens, and Leo Corn of Onawa.

Fifty-four cars toured the track before a stellar crowd of 5,000 spectators.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bud Burdick, Ute
Heat #2 – Ev Hutchinson, Sac City
Heat #3 – Dennis Hovinga, Laurens
Heat #4 – Leo Corn, Onawa
C-main – Bob Matson, Omaha
B-main – Dyle Downing, Storm Lake
A-main –
1. Bud Burdick
2. Mike Chapman, Whiting
3. Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
4. Butch Householder, Algona
5. Dennis Hovinga
6. Leo Corn
7. Greg White, Spencer
8. Ev Hutchinson

In his first-ever appearance at Denison, Dyle Downing of Storm Lake (left) won the B-main. Red Rollins of Carson, who assisted Downing with the setup of the car, joins the winner in victory lane.