1985 – Steve Kosiski Wins Busch/Winston Opener

 

Steve Kosiski won the inaugural Winston/Busch All-Star Tour feature at Adams County Speedway. – Jerry Adams Photo

By Jim Brennan

Corning, Iowa (July 31, 1985) – After a one-day postponement due to rain, the 1985 Busch/Winston All-Star Tour got underway at Adams County Speedway on Wednesday night.

Winning the first race on the tour was Steve Kosiski of Omaha over Roger Dolan of Lisbon, with Tom Hearst of Wilton finishing third. Ironically, these are the top three drivers in the NASCAR Winston Racing Series Central Region point standing.

A red flag on the opening lap set the tone for the evening as several yellow flags were displayed as well as one more red flag late in the race.

When the green flag waved dropped for the second time, Ken Walton of Viola shot into the lead, followed by Hearst, Steve Kosiski, and Dale Fischlein of Davenport. Walton maintained the lead until lap 4 when Kosiski took over the top spot.

Dolan, who started in the seventh row, made his way quickly through the field and into second place on lap 10. He hounded Kosiski through several more restarts but just didn’t have the power to get by him.

All the time, it appeared that the fastest car on the track belonged to Joe Kosiski of Omaha, who started in the eleventh row after winning the second B-main, as he moved all the way up to third by lap 26.

Trouble struck Joe on lap 30 when he tangled with a slower car sending him int the guardrail and causing a flat tire. He was able to change the tire, rejoin the field in 17th position, and finish eighth in the race.


Results –

Heat #1 – Roger Dolan, Lisbon
Heat #2 – Ken Walton, Viola
Heat #3 – Larry Harvey Jr., Kansas City
Heat #4 – Steve Fraise, Montrose
Heat #5 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
B-main #1 – John Chapin, Nebraska City, Neb.
B-main #2 – Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
Feature –
1. Steve Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
2. Roger Dolan
3. Tom Hearst
4. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs
5. Ken Walton
6. Steve Fraise
7. Gene Claxton, Kansas City
8. Joe Kosiski
9. Dale Fischlein, Davenport
10.John Chapin
11.Tom Svoboda, David City, Neb.
12.Keith Leithoff, Omaha, Neb.
13.Jeff French, Mt. Ayr
14.Larry Harvey Jr.
15.Jamie Hager, Kansas City

1987 – Moyer Tops USAC Field at Santa Fe

 

Billy Moyer Jr. won the USAC dirt late model feature at Santa Fe Speedway. - Darrel Kennedy Photo

Hinsdale, Ill. (July 30, 1987) – Billy Moyer Jr., of Batesville, Ark., took the lead on the 26th lap and led the final 14 to capture the 40-lap USAC dirt late model feature win Thursday night at Santa Fe Speedway.

Moyer collected $3,000 for the win that was nationally televised on ESPN.

Ray Godsey drove a strong race to finish second, Dick Taylor was third, Ed Bauman fourth, and Jerry Inmon was fifth.

Inmon led the first 21 laps before slowing his pace. Godsey led the next five before Moyer took over for good.

A total of 57 late models were on hand.

Inmon, Moyer Jr., Johnny Johnson, and Bill Bottoms won heat races, while non-qualifiers were won by Santa Fe regulars Larry Jackson and Ken Pohlman. The semi-main was won by Parker.


Results –


1. Billy Moyer Jr.
2. Ray Godsey
3. Dick Taylor
4. Ed Bauman
5. Jerry Inmon
6. Gibby Steinhaus
7. Pete Parker
8. Charlie Sentman
9. Gary Webb
10.Rick Standridge

1978 - Hearst Returns to Winner's Circle

 

Tom Hearst won the late model feature at the West Liberty Fair. Joining him is flagman Ed Otten. – Dick Kleindolph Photo

By Ruthann Smith

West Liberty, Iowa (July 29, 1978) – West Liberty Fair fans were treated to an action-packed evening of racing Saturday evening with some keen competition, several close finishes, a couple of spectacular spinouts, and wild and wooly action all night.

Defending track champion Tom Hearst of Wilton returned to the winner’s circle for the second time this season by copping the late model feature.

Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Wis., had the pole position and grabbed the lead early on. Hearst made hiss first big move on lap 10 when he edged into third place behind Parker and Johnny Johnson of Morning Sun.

After riding their bumpers and then getting alongside them, Hearst bounded into the lead a couple of laps later.

On the 17th lap, the action changed rapidly when Larry Jenkins of Wilton Junction and Johnny Johnson, battling for second place, got tangled up on the front straightaway with both cars badly damaged and scratched for the rest of the evening.

John Simenec of Rock Island, Ill., the “Flyin’ Fireman,” climbed into second and took up the challenge on Hearst, and although he made several good attempts, he couldn’t catch him.

At the checkers it was Hearst, Simenec, Phil Larson of Iowa City, Gary Webb of Davenport, and Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine.

Kenny Fenn of Washington continued his domination of the sportsman division, picking up his fourth feature win in a row. Rounding out the top-five was Ron Pallister of Wapello, Ron Becker of Norway, Denny Walker of Riverside, and Charlie Brockert of Muscatine.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Johnny Johnson, Morning Sun
Heat #2 – Dave Dodder, Letts
Heat #3 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
Heat #4 – Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
Semi-main – Ken Walton, Viola
Feature –
1. Tom Hearst
2. John Simenec, Rock Island, Ill.
3. Phil Larson, Iowa City
4. Gary Webb, Davenport
5. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
6. Dave Dodder
7. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
8. Duane Steffe, East Moline, Ill.
9. Ken Walton
10.Steve Keppler, Marion


Sportsman –

1. Kenny Fenn, Washington
2. Ron Pallister, Wapello
3. Ron Becker, Norway
4. Denny Walker, Riverside
5. Charlie Brockert, Muscatine
6. Mark Keltner, Morning Sun
7. Mike Phillips, Columbus Junction
8. Ron Boyse, Kalona

1988 – Hodges Wins, Crashes Dot ‘Illinois Swing’

 

Rocky Hodges

White City, Ill. July 28, 1988) – Current All Star Circuit of Champions point leader, Rocky Hodges of Des Moines, picked up his eighth win of the season as he led green to checkered in the crash-filled 30-lap main event at Mid-State Raceway’s half-mile dirt oval.

It was the opening night of the fourth annual “Illinois Swing” for the outlaw winged sprints.

Hodges, who vacated the Stan Schoff ride recently, held off the early race challenges om his new ride, the Jasper Pettite owned #3. Jack Hewitt of Troy, Ohio, who had left the Bob Hampshire ride as well, challenged for the lead several times in the Stan Schoff #23S until he tangled with a back marker, flattening his left rear tire, and bringing out the yellow flag as Frank Filsko of Des Plaines spun as a result of the altercation. Hewitt was forced to restart at the rear of the field but dropped out altogether a few laps later with mechanical problems.

Kenny Jacobs gave chase but was unable to match the power of Hodge’s car.

Following Hodges and Jacobs at the checkered were Rodney Duncan, Rod George, and Joe Gaerte.

The 30-lap main was dedicated to Brad Doty, who had been critically injured in the recent King’s Royal event at Eldora. During intermission, drivers went through the grandstands and collected $1,300 for the family of Doty.

The excitement on the opening laps brought out the first of two red flags. Terry McCarl of Des Moines crashed head on into the concrete barrier at the foot of the judge’s stand, causing his sprinter to flip numerous times and landing in the middle of the front straightaway at the start/finish line. McCarl was taken to a local hospital for observation.

The second red flag was also because of aa violent crash on the front straightaway. Fred Rahmer Ardsley Park, Penn., who had been plagued with problems since hot laps, flipped violently after making contact with the outside concrete retaining wall. He barrel rolled twice, with several end-over-end flips before landing right side up. He walked away shaken but uninjured.


Results –

Time Trials – Kenny Jacobs (18.840)
Heat #1 – Kenny Jacobs
Heat #2 – Ron Milton
Heat #3 – Todd Bishop
Fast Dash – Kenny Jacobs
B-Main – Rodney Duncan
Feature –
1. Rocky Hodges
2. Kenny Jacobs
3. Rodney Duncan
4. Rod George
5. Joe Gaerte
6. Larry Hillerud
7. Ron Milton
8. Todd Bishop

1979 - Tigges Scores First Late Model Win

 

Gary Tigges won the first late model feature of his career at Independence Motor Speedway. – Kris Chapman Photo

By Jayne Chapman

Independence, Iowa (July 28, 1979) – Rookie driver Gary Tigges of Durango outdrove and outdistanced the field here Saturday to win his first career late model feature.

Joining the late model ranks just six weeks ago, it didn’t take Tigges long to run with the very best.

Starting in the fifth row, Tigges took the top slot from Red Dralle of Evansdale on lap 10. Surviving five caution periods, the young man kept his cool as Waterloo drivers Greg Kastli and Bill Zwanziger continuously pressured him on the hard-slick 3/8-mile track.

Staying calm and keeping his car in the low groove, Tigges would emerge the winner with Kastli and Zwanziger following. Rick Wendling of Hazelton was fourth and Tom Fitzpatrick of Gilbertville took fifth.

Duane Bentley of Fairbanks scored his fourth sportsman feature win of the season after coming from his 11th starting position to first in just two laps. Taking the lead from Ben Schaefer of Raymond, Bentley put a good distance between himself and the rest of the competitors behind him.

Mike Grapp of Cedar Falls continues to dominate the roadrunner class, as he grabbed his sixth feature win of the season.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Dave Plum, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Dave Merfeld, Dubuque
Heat #3 – Glen Martin, Independence
Semi-main – Tom Fitzpatrick, Gilbertville
Consolation – Jim Patterson, Waterloo
Feature –
1. Gary Tigges, Durango
2. Greg Kastli, Waterloo
3. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
4. Rick Wendling, Hazelton
5. Tom Fitzpatrick
6. Bill Bartelmes, Troy Mills
7. Gary Henderson, Independence
8. Glen Martin
9. Red Dralle, Evansdale
10.Jim Decker, Winthrop


Sportsman –

Heat #1 – Ben Schaefer, Raymond
Heat #2 – Duane Bentley, Fairbanks
Semi-main – Craig Haupt, Sumner
Feature –
1. Duane Bentley
2. Scott Braun, Cedar Falls
3. Bob Fisher, Vinton
4. Dave Gerner, Garber
5. Roger Bucholz, Cedar Falls
6. Jim Reidl, Dubuque
7. Craig Haupt
8. Duane White, Vinton
9. Ken VandeVoorde, Aurora
10.Ben Schaefer

1973 - Last-Lap Victory for Sauter in Dells’ 50-Lapper

 

Jim Sauter 

By Ken Snyder

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (July 28, 1973) – Despite a poorly-running engine, Jim Sauter overhauled Jim Pierson with one lap to go to win the 50-lap mid-season championship feature for late models Saturday night at Dells Motor Speedway.

Pierson had taken the lead early in the race and built up a half-lap lead by the time Sauter had broken from the field. Slowly but surely, the Necedah pilot’s Nova inched it’s way closer and closer until pulling out front on the 49th lap of the 1/3-mile paved oval. Pierson held on to finish second with Marv Marzofka taking third.

Forty-two cars were on hand for the evening’s racing, thus making both a semi-feature and consolation race necessary. Harold Bahr of Minneapolis captured the 20-lap semi ahead of rookie Bill Gerritts, while Larry Anderson of La Crosse won the 12-lap consolation. Sauter also picked up the win in the trophy dash while Homer Spink, Ron Waite, Bob Agenau and John Rank accounted for heat victories.

Larry Detjens powered his own Dodge Challenger around the banked oval in 14.733 seconds for fast time honors.


Results –


Tiime trials – Larry Detjens, Wausau
Trophy dash – Jim Sauter, Necedah
Heat #1 – Homer Spink, Baraboo
Heat #2 – Ron Waite, Adams
Heat #3 – Bob Agenau, New Lisbon
Heat #4 – John Rank, Milwaukee
Semi – Harold Bahr, Minneapolis
Consolation - Larry Anderson, La Crosse
Feature –
1. Jim Sauter
2. Jim Pierson, Milton
3. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
4. Jim Back, Vesper
5. John Rank

1967 – Mosier Way Out in Front at Mt. Pleasant

 

Mark Mosier accepts his trophy from promoter Dale Gegner after winning the Mississippi Valley Speed Club feature at Mt. Pleasant.

Mt. Pleasant, Iowa (July 28, 1967) – Mark Mosier was way out front to take the checkered flag at the Henry County Fairgrounds on Friday night. The Mississippi Valley Speed Club points leader led all 20 laps.

Ron Hemsted of Lone Tree finished second with Stan Crooks of Muscatine. John Moss of Iowa City grabbed fourth and Ralph Ericson of Lockridge was fifth.

Heat wins went to Hemsted, Ericson, John Mullink of West Liberty, and Crooks. Doak Allen of Muscatine won the semi-main.


Results –

1. Mark Mosier, Washington
2. Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree
3. Stan Crooks, Muscatine
4. John Moss, Iowa City
5. Ralph Ericson, Lockridge
6. Bill Newman, Burlington

1974 – Persistent Lindley Wins STP 200

 

Butch Lindley

Nashville, Tenn. (July 27, 1974) – Young Butch Lindley of Greenville, S.C., who at one point seemed to be out of the race, came on strong at the end to win the STP 200 at Nashville Speedway Saturday night.

On the 33rd lap, Lindley’s car came to a stop on the backstretch. But before a wrecker could be dispatched, Lindley was back underway, his ignition problem solved.

By 110 laps, it looked as though NASCAR late model sportsman national champion Jack Ingram of Asheville, N.C., would win in a cakewalk. He was enjoying a solid straightaway lead over Lindley, who had used caution flag to move this way through the pack.

A caution flag on lap 145 put Lindley close enough to challenge Ingram. On the 165th circuit, the two drivers were side-by-side. On the very next lap, Lindley shot by in turn two and began to move out to a comfortable lead.

With five laps left, it was Ingram’s turn to get his chance by way of a yellow flag. However, Lindley’s Chevrolet had too much on the restart.

Nashville’s James Ham, who enjoyed his best race of the year, did benefit from the late-race caution. He ran out of gas under the yellow and coasted to the pits. He was able to refuel without losing a lap and finished a solid third.

Fourth went to Neil Bonnett, who may have been the fastest driver on the track. The Hueytown, Ala. driver used his speed and caution flag to make up two laps he lost at the beginning of the race after a spinout.

Chet Williams of Morristown, Tenn., finished fifth.

Mechanical problems took out some of the top contenders early in the race. Darrell Waltrip, the polesitter, blew an engine after only four laps. Jerry Lawley lasted only 21 circuits and Flookie Buford lasted only 68 laps.


Results –


1. Butch Lindley
2. Jack Ingram
3. James Ham
4. Neil Bonnett
5. Chet Williams
6. Paul Lewis
7. Rod Stillings
8. Clyde Peoples
9. Bosco Lowe
10.Charlie Binkley
11.Dorris Vaughn
12.Chuck Arnold
13.Bobby Hargrove
14.Robert Wells
15.Donnie Kaylor

1968 – Gerke Grabs Rockford 75-Lapper

 

Rockford, Ill. (July 27, 1968) – Vaughn Gerke of Beloit, Wis. Has proven himself to be the man to beat in long distance races at Rockford Speedway this season.

Gerke’s two victories this year have been in the 76-lap July 4th race and the 75-lap mid-season championship he won Saturday night.

Gerke started eighth in the field of 18 late models and did a great job of working his way to the front where he passed early leader Tom Greenlee of Rockford on lap 16. However, it was far from being a run-away for Gerke because right behind him was current point leader Joe Shear of South Beloit.

From the time that Gerke took the lead until lap 41, the two drivers were bumper-to-bumper, and at times, side-by-side, but Shear could never get out front. It was then that Shear’s 1967 Chevelle began to overheat and by lap 45 found himself dropping back to fourth place.

On lap 49, Jerry Smith of Janesville hit the guardrail, bringing out the yellow flag and allowing Shear’s car to cool down.

When the green flag reappeared, shear made his move. He took third on lap 64, moved into second place on lap 73, but ran out of time and laps, and Gerke took the checkers with a straightaway advantage.


Results –

Time trials – Joe Shear, South Beloit (15.13)
Trophy dash – Ron Wishard, Rockford
Heat #1 – Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
Heat #2 – Dave Cox, Loves Park
Heat #3 – Tom Greenlee, Rockford
Semi-main – Dave Cox
Feature –
1. Vaughn Gerke, Beloit, Wis.
2. Joe Shear
3. Boyce Sparkman, Rockford
4. Larry Gates, Harvard
5. Tom Greenlee
6. Larry O’Brien, Harvard
7. Dave Cox
8. Norm Meinert, Davis
9. Dick Lundquist, Loves Park
10.Don Leach

1970 - Matter is Mason City Winner

 

The “Flying Frenchman” Floyd Matter (far right) of Glenville, Minn., won the stock car feature at the North Iowa Fairgrounds. Crouching next to him is car owner Bob Brunner of Lime Springs, Iowa.

Mason City, Iowa (July 26, 1970) – Bobby Matter of Glenville, Minn., has been competing at the North Iowa Fairgrounds Speedway much of the season without too much success, but Sunday night was a different Matter.

Like, 18 years of racing experience. Floyd Matter, the head of the Minnesota Matter clan, hasn’t raced on the Fairgrounds track since it was rebuilt but had great success on his first attempt.

Matter was behind the wheel of Bob Brunner’s Flaming Zero. Greg Robinson of Cresco, who has been driving the car, left for military service.

“I’ve known Bobby for a long time,” Matter replied in answer to how he happened to be driving the car. “I saw him a couple of weeks ago and told him I was looking for a ride. He told to hold tight as his driver was leaving for the service.”

The track and competition were exactly what the “Flying Frenchman” had been anticipating, “Beautiful.”

Point leader Jon Hiscocks was blanked as he lost his clutch coming out of turn four on the final lap of the third heat. A broken oil line sprayed oil over the car but no serious injuries resulted.

The point race will tighten as Roger Carmody, second in points before Sunday’s competition, won his heat race and finished third in the feature behind Dave Bjorge, who is also one of the top three in points.

Don Reimers, with a little smaller engine in his 1956 Chevrolet, led the first heat all the way and was second to Terry Messersmith in the special 8-lap race.

The B-main went to Ron Schafenbuel, with a little help from a restart. Willy Wilcox took the lead on the seventh lap, but a late restart put the Waterloo driver behind Schafenbuel.

Decorah’s Emory Fretheim also got some help in the third heat. Ken Farrell of Charles City led the first six laps but coming out of turn four, he got boxed behind a slower car. Fretheim shot by on the outside to win his first Fairgrounds race.


Results –


Heat #1 – Don Reimers, Rockwell
Heat #2 – Roger Carmody, Osage
Heat #3 – Emory Fretheim, Decorah
Special race – Terry Messersmith, New Hampton
B-main – Ron Schafenbuel, New Hampton
Feature –
1. Floyd Matters, Glenville, Minn.
2. Dave Bjorge, Austin, Minn.
3. Roger Carmody
4. Jerry Hejna, Ventura
5. Don Reimers
6. Bill Eastman, Riceville
7. Ken Farrell, Charles City
8. Lynn Idler, Ionia

1986 – Birkhofer Takes ‘Winston 50’ Win

 

Dave Birkhofer captured the Winston 50 for NASCAR late models at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. Promoter Al Frieden presents the trophy, while flagman Johnny Oberthien holds the checkers. – Debbie Bohr Photo

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (July 25, 1986) – Dave Birkhofer, Gus Hughes, Chopper Safley, and Robert Christen were winners in their respective feature races at Hawkeye Downs Speedway on Friday night.

Birkhofer, of Muscatine, took the lead away from Ken Walton of Viola on the second lap and was never seriously challenged as he sailed to victory in the Winston 50 late model feature. Fellow competitor Roger Dolan of Lisbon slipped into second place on lap 43 and was slowly closing the gap on Birkhofer when the race ended. Dolan was hoping for a yellow flag in the late going which would have put him on Birkhofer’s back bumper for a restart, but the contest went non-stop.

Gary Crawford of Independence, who finished third, chased Birkhofer until he as passed by Dolan. Ed Sanger of Waterloo and Curt Martin of Independence rounded out the top five finishers. The victory was Birkhofer’s third in a little over a month at the Cedar Rapids half-mile track.

Gus Hughes of Monticello captured hiss heat race and feature in IMCA modified action. He had wondered earlier if his new red fire suit would make him go faster and apparently it did. Hughes took the lead on lap 4 and had to fight off Steve Stinger of Hiawatha for most of the race to earn his first feature win since early May.

Chopper Safley of Marion, driving Robin Leonard’s car, earned the street stock win. Leonard, of Cedar Rapids, is sidelined with a wrist injury.

Robert Christen of Cedar Rapids survived a last lap battle with Randy Coghlan of Toddville to win the bomber feature.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
2. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
3. Gary Crawford, Independence
4. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
5. Curt Martin, Independence
6. Rick Wendling, Hazelton
7. Johnny Johnson, Wapello
8. Rollie Frink, Davenport
9. Jay Johnson, Wapello
10.Bob Hill, Story City


IMCA Modified –

1. Gus Hughes, Monticello
2. Steve Stinger, Hiawatha
3. Mike Schulte, Norway
4. Brad Dubil, Davenport
5. Bobby Sexton, West Branch
6. Harold O’Deen, Ely
7. John Brumley, Riverside
8. Mike Hackbarth, Marion
9. Mike Frieden, Fairfax
10.Rich Smith, Davenport


Street Stock –

1. Chopper Safley, Marion
2. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids
3. Rick Hurst, Dubuque
4. Brad Huff, Toddville
5. Dave Warth, Danville
6. Joe Kaiser, Cedar Rapids
7. Dave Ballstaedt, Mount Vernon
8. Jeff Engelbart, Anamosa
9. Ron Fare, Cedar Rapids
10.Jay Hanken, Monticello


Bombers –

1. Robert Christen, Cedar Rapids
2. Randy Coghlan, Toddville
3. Will Bedall
4. Lyle Pearson, Martelle
5. Bob Gase, Cedar Rapids
6. Alan Safley, Springville
7. Mike Offerman, Marion
8. Darryl Jones, Cedar Rapids
9. Dave Coghlan, Cedar Rapids
10.John Ness, Cedar Rapids

1968 – Shelby County Fair Race to Jorgenson

 

Lloyd Jorgenson takes the checkered flag to win the A-main at the Shelby County Fair before a crowd of 1,900. 

Harlan, Iowa (July 25, 1968) – Harlan drivers failed to dominate the Shelby County Fairgrounds Thursday as they had done last Sunday when Harland cars topped the field in each of the three features.

A Harlan car, owned by Dale Swanson and driven by Bill Wrich of Blair, Neb., won the first heat, then the out-of-towners took over in the winner’s circle.

Topping the A-main was Lloyd Jorgenson of Audubon, followed by Randy Sterner of Blair, Neb., and Dennis Hovinga of Laurens. A Harlan car, driven by Andy Rasmussen, and owned by Marvin Schramm of Harlan finished fourth

The A-main on Thursday was the first time that Wrich had not placed first at the new Harlan track. Since it opened on July 14, Wrich has won three heat races and two A-mains. Control problems dropped him to a fifth-place finish Thursday after he spun out twice.

At the start of the race, it was Wrich out front but on the first restart, it was Butch Householder of Algona getting the quick lead. Wrich’s two spinouts dropped him back and Householder later pulled out with mechanical issues.

Frank Jorgenson, son of the first-place finisher, was sixth in the same race.

Another Blair, Neb., driver, Randy Sterner, was a front-runner in the B-main, driving a 1961 Chevy. Finishing behind Sterner were four Harlan drivers – Paul Scott, Don Christensen, Dale Larsen, and Dave Stanley.

A late arrival and a quick change was the order of the day for the winner of the C-main, a car owned by Lanny Dvorak of Carroll, and driven by Bob Matson of Omaha.

Next came the quick change. Dvorak is in the process of switching the fuel from gas to alcohol but hasn’t gotten all of the bugs out of it yet. Arriving in Harlan with alcohol in the tank, Dvorak found after two-lap trial run, there was more work to be done. So, off came the alcohol carburetor, and it was replaced with one already track-tested and set for gas.

Because the car didn’t compete in a heat race, Matson’s starting position was at the back of the pack, but when it came time to win the money, he was first to the checkered flag.

Wrich, Householder, Sterner, and Bill Martin of Council Bluffs were heat winners.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bill Wrich, Blair, Neb.
Heat #2 – Butch Householder, Algona
Heat #3 – Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
Heat #4 – Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
C-main – Bob Matson, Omaha
B-main – Randy Sterner
A-main –
1. Lloyd Jorgenson, Audubon
2. Randy Sterner
3. Dennis Hovinga, Laurens
4. Andy Rasmussen, Harlan
5. Bill Wrich
6. Frank Jorgenson, Audubon

1984 - Trickle's 47th ARTGO Win Comes at Illiana

 

Dick Trickle won the Molenaar Classic 100-lapper at Illiana Motor Speedway. Congratulating the winner is promotor Harry Molenaar and his wife Signe. – Bob Elman Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Schererville, Ind. (July 24, 1984) – Back on the winning track in the ASA-ARTGO Challenge Series competition, Dick Trickle captured the second annual Molenaar Classic 100 at Illiana Motor speedway on Tuesday night. The victory was the sixth Challenge Series win of the season for the Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., resident, who is the series’ current point leader.

The four-time ARTGO champion wheeled his Firebird to the 100-lap victory after taking the lead on lap 47. Ironically, it was Trickle’s 47th career series win. Trickle finished a quarter of a lap ahead of runner-up Larry Schuler.

Trailing that duo after 100 laps on the slightly-banked, half-mile paved oval was NASCAR star Bobby Allison, Al Schill, and Challenge Series rookie Scott Hansen. Only 10 cars of the starting 20-car field were running at the finish.

Utilizing a two-barrel carburetor on his 9:1 compression engine in his winning effort. Aske why he used the two-barrel carb, Trickle answered, “To take advantage of the 50 pound weight break.”

Rich Bickle Jr., led the led the first lap of the 100-lap grind which saw polesitter Bobby Dotter blow his engine, bringing out the first yellow of the race. When the green flag reappeared, Bickle continued to set the pace until lap 19 when Hansen drove underneath as the pair entered turns one and two.

Hansen was on top on lap 20 when Mel Walen spun in turn three, bringing out the event’s third and final caution. When the green light came back on, Hansen was the leader until lap 25 when Schuler ducked to the inside and took over first place as they battled through turns three and four.

Schuler quickly pulled away from the rest of the field, build up almost a half straightaway lead. Making his way to the front, Trickle moved into third place on lap 29 and took over second place from Hansen on lap 32.

Trickle then began to close the gap on Schuler, tracking down the leader and moving in for the lead, Lap 447 saw Trickle make his move for the front, moving alongside Schuler down the backstretch and taking the lead as the pair entered turn three.

From there on, it was all Trickle as he quickly established a comfortable lead. With Schuler not too far behind, Trickle built up almost a half lap margin over the rest of the field which included Hansen, Schill, Allison, fastest qualifier Mark Martin, and Dave Weltmeyer.

Lapping cars easily, Trickle eventually put the whole field down at least one la with the exception of Schuler and Allison. Allison battled with Martin, Schill, and Hansen and finally broke out into a clear third place on lap 60.

With the race winding down, Trickle, with Schuler a half lap behind, had better than a three-quarter lap lead over third running Allison. Running fourth and a lap down, Martin dropped out with mechanical issues on lap 93.

Martin’s lap time of 19.845 seconds was good enough for fast time honors.

A crowd of 4,460 fans witnessed the event, named in honor of longtime owner Harry Molenaar and his wife, Signe.


Results –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Larry Schuler,, New Lenox, Ill.
3. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
4. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
5. Scott Hansen, Green Bay, Wis.
6. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey, Ill.
7. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
8. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
9. Mel Walen, Shakopee, Minn.
10.Robert Hixson, Highland
11.Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
12.Jack Carey, Orland Park, Ill.
13.Joe Shear, Beloit, Wis.
14.Steve Burgess, Eau Claire, Wis.
15.Curt Cheshire, Hickory Hills, Ill.

1970 – Weedon Wins Davenport Title

 

Ron Weedon, the defending champion, won the mid-season championship for late models at Davenport. Promoter Homer Melton makes the trophy presentation, and starter Gus Heinrichs holds the checkers. – Roger Meier Photo

Davenport, Iowa (July 24, 1970) – Ron Weedon and Dean Montgomery played bumper tag for some 40 laps before Weedon, the track’s point leader, slowly pulled away to claim the late model mid-season championship at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night.

The Pleasant Valley driving ace, in capturing the 50-lap contest on the quarter-mile, not only carted home another trophy to his collection, but pocketed $500 first-place money.

In the sportsman division, Duane Steffe of Moline, Ill., was the winner of the 30-lap mid-season title race, beating point leader Gary Kerres of Aledo, Ill., for the championship.

Although Weedon had the pole position for the feature, it was Al Terrell of Peoria, Ill., who jumped to the early lead with Weedon and Montgomery close behind.

On the fifth lap, Weedon charged into first place and there was no budging him from that spot although Montgomery never strayed far from his rear bumper for the next 40 circuits.

With no mishaps in the race, the pair kept the largest crowd of the season - 7,000, - right on the edge of their seats with tight driving.

With five laps remaining, Montgomery seem to momentarily “fish-tail” on the backstretch and that was all Weedon needed to open up an eight to ten-car-length lead. From there, Weedon guided his blue ’69 Ford across the finish line with room to spare.


Results –

Heat #1 – Gerry Reeder, Peoria, Ill.
Heat #2 – Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
Semi-main – Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
Feature –
1. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
2. Dean Montgomery
3. Herb Shannon
4. Jerry Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
5. Jim Gerber, Long Grove

1977 – Hansen Zips to Late Model Win

 

Curt Hansen won the late model feature at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. Promoter George Barton joins Hansen. 

Des Moines, Iowa (July 23, 1977) - Iowa late model drivers had better beware because Dike's Curt Hansen his almost come up with the perfect car.

"It's just a pinch from being perfect," Hansen said after breezing in the late model feature at the Fairgrounds on Saturday night before 5,200 fans. "We did a lot of work on it last week and it came out almost perfect"

Not many drivers will dispute Hansen's claim. Curt started out fourth behind Bill Kirk of Salix winner of the first heat. But Hansen didn't waste any time jumping into the lead. After an early red flag, he moved past Bill Rice of Des Moines into second place and then cut to the inside of Kirk on the first turn of the third lap to take the lead for good.

Hansen almost immediately opened a quarter-lap lead, but that was short-lived because of numerous yellow and red flags.

"The yellow flags didn't hurt me much because I had a good lead, so they just gave me a chance to rest," said Hansen, who retained a comfortable margin the rest of the way.

Ron Tilley of Council Bluffs, who edged Hansen in the second heat, took over second as Kirk and Rice fell back in the pack, but was no match for Hansen, leader of the season points standings.

"I was really surprised at the big lead over Tilley," said Hansen, who said his changing tires between races may have been the winning difference.

"I guess Tilley had more problems with the dry track."

The slick, dry surface also helped in causing the abundance of yellow flags throughout the program.

It was the fifth Fairgrounds feature win for Hansen, who has captured 11 of his last 15 feature races at Iowa tracks and won the Grand National championship at Boone earlier this week.

Rocky Hodges of Des Moines didn't have as easy a time but led all the way to take his third sportsman feature of the season. Hodges turned back Denny Rosenberg of Grimes in the race, also slowed by caution flags.

Rosenberg's final burst at the end came too late to catch Hodges. Bill Davis of Des Moines, last week's winner, wound up third.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bill Kirk, Salix
Heat #2 – Ron Tilley, Council Bluffs
Semi-main – Lefty Robinson, Des Moines
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen, Dike
2. Ron Tilley
3. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
4. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
5. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
6. Bill Kirk
7. Dave Chase
8. Tim McDonough, Cedar Rapids
9. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
10.Ken Davidson, Indianola

1988 – Cox Takes Donnellson ‘National’

 

Donnellson, Iowa (July 22, 1988) – Rick Cox of Davenport took advantage of his pole position start and captured the 25-lap IMCA Modified National Series race Friday night before a big crowd at the Lee County Fair.

Cox, who currently ranks third in the National Series point standings, held off repeated challenges from Bruce Hanford for the victory. Rick Wages finished third, making it a 1-2-3 Davenport sweep. Rounding out the top-five were Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids and Shane Davis of Rock Island, Ill.

National Series point leader Ron Becker of Tama lost an engine in a heat race, then barely made it to the track as the green flag waved for the start of the feature race. He lasted only a couple of laps, then pulled in for the evening.

That allowed Danny Wallace of Des Moines to trim Becker’s lead considerably. Becker entered the event with a 24-point lead – 1,892 to 1,868 – over Wallace, but Danny finished sixth Friday night and now trails by only four markers – 2,022 to 2, 018.

Heat winners were Harry Walker of Washington, Wages, Cox, and John Durbin of Silvis, Ill. Terry Pichon of Danville, Ill., won the B-main.

Chandler made the best of the night. He arrived late and missed his heat race. He started at the rear of the B-main and finished third to earn a starting spot in the main event, then came from a 22nd starting position to finish fourth.


Results –

1. Ray Cox, Davenport
2. Bruce Hanford, Davenport
3. Rick Wages, Davenport
4. Merv Chandler, Cedar Rapids
5. Shane Davis, Rock Island, Ill.
6. Danny Wallace, Des Moines
7. Darryl Turner, Columbia, Mo.
8. Sonny Smyser, Lancaster, Mo.
9. Herb Shannon, Hanna City, Ill.
10.Jerry Pilcher, Bloomfield
11.Hank DeLonjay, Quincy, Ill.
12.Terry Ryan, Davenport
13.Steve Hennies, Donnellson
14.Don Benge, Eldon
15.Dan Briggs, Ottumwa

1978 – Dolan Changes Scenery, Still Wins

 

Roger Dolan 

By Jeanne Niner

Eldon, Iowa (July 22, 1978) – Roger Dolan of Lisbon decided to change the scenery Saturday night, from racing at West Liberty to competing at Eldon.

A former track champion at the Wapello County Fairgrounds, Dolan proved he hadn’t lost his touch on the big half-mile, winning the late model feature.

Until this season, Dolan had been a regular at the Eldon track, but his car owner complained of the 12-place inverted start being too rough on the machinery and tearing up equipment coming through heavy traffic, and so they decided to race weekly at the West Liberty half-mile instead.

With West Liberty rained out, Dolan and crew came back to his old stomping grounds, and once again, had to work his way through the talented field to score the victory.

There were four leaders prior to Dolan taking over on lap 19. Bill Earley of Edina, Mo., led the longest but he would eventually finish fourth. Bill Rice of Des Moines would finish second with Lem Blankenship of Keokuk taking third.

Steve Fraise of Montrose, Dolan, and Pokey West of West Chester were heat winners and Jim Swank of Hamilton, Ill., won the consolation.

Tony Stewart of Washington won his second sportsman feature of the season, holding off current point leader Mike Benjamin of Keokuk. Benjamin came on strong in the second half of the race and on a couple of occasions, the two were side-by-side but the rear end of Benjamin’s car had been slightly damaged in his heat race and wasn’t handling well. Ed Pilcher of Bloomfield, who won the third heat, finished third in the feature.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
2. Bill Rice, Des Moines
3. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
4. Bill Earley, Edina, Mo.
5. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
6. Jerry Pilcher, Ottumwa

Sportsman –

1. Tony Stewart, Washington
2. Mike Benjamin, Keokuk
3. Ed Pilcher, Bloomfield
4. John Miller, Keokuk
5. Jim Dorothy, Keosauqua



6. Dave Marks, Ottumwa

1969 - LeCroy Tops Marshalltown Field

 

Jerry LeCroy 

By Dennis Carter

Marshalltown, Iowa (July 22, 1969) – Jerry LeCroy of Marshalltown stretched out nearly a quarter-lap lead to nab the late model feature at Marshalltown on Tuesday night.

The lead changed hand several times between LeCroy and Larry DeFrance from Marshalltown also trying to make his bid for the top money. LeCroy’s victory put him two feature wins ahead of Joel Rasmussen for the season.

Dominating the late model racing card was LeCroy, Dale DeFrance, and Mike Keen of Marshalltown – all three drivers were double winners.

Joel Rasmussen of Gilbert, who had to settle for fourth in the feature, came through with a win in the second heat.

In the sportsman division, John Clark of Marshalltown won his heat and thee feature race. Carroll Menter of Marshalltown and Jon Schroyer of Laurels were the other heat winners.

Tuesday was special in some respects. It was the first race of the second half of the season. It’s also the first race held on the new racing date for Marshalltown Speedway.


Results –

Heat #1 – Dale DeFrance, Marshalltown
Heat #2 – Joel Rasmussen, Gilbert
Heat #3 – Mike Keen, Marshalltown
B-semi – Mike Keen
A-semi – Jerry LeCroy
Feature –
1. Jerry LeCroy
2. Dale DeFrance
3. Del Stokke, Ames
4. Joel Rasmussen
5. Lynn Ilder, Ionia
6. Bob Bonzer, Liscomb
7. Paul Uhlenberg, Garwin

1967 - Chub Liebe Cops Indy Mid-Season

 

Chub Liebe holds his trophy after winning the 50-lap mid-season championship at Independence. Starter Vern Weber (left) and Jack Cornelius join the winner in victory lane. – Beetle Bailey Photo

By Carol Krafka

Independence, Iowa (July 22, 1967) – Chub Liebe of Oelwein took the lead with three laps to go to win the mid-season championship at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds.

Red Droste of Waterloo had led all the way up to the 47th circuit when he was forced to slow due to a broken rear axle. He limped to an eighth-place finish.

Bob Hilmer of Dysart finished second, followed closely by Paul Fitzpatrick of Rochester, Minn. Dave Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., last week’s winner, was fourth and Tom Hughes of Monticello finished fifth.

Dave Maxson of Cedar Falls, an 18-year-old driver in his first year of racing, was the consolation winner.


Results –


Feature –

1. Chub Liebe, Independence
2. Bob Hilmer, Dysart
3. Paul Fitzpatrick, Rochester, Minn.
4. Dave Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
5. Tom Hughes, Monticello
6. John Webb, Independence
7. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
8. Red Droste, Waterloo
9. John Hill, Cedar Falls
10.Rich Krafka, Dysart

Consolation –

1. Dave Maxson, Cedar Falls
2. Gale Card, Waterloo
3. Willy Klingfus, Cedar Falls
4. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
5. Al Iben, Monticello

1978 – Reffner Wins Missouri Championship

 

Tom Reffner made the trip from Wisconsin worthwhile, winning the Missouri Asphalt Championship at Fairgrounds Speedway. - Dennis Slane Collection 

Springfield, Mo. (July 21, 1978) – Tom Reffner, Rudolph, Wis., passed Mike Eddy on the backstretch of the 30th lap, then pulled away from the rest of the field to win the 75-lap Missouri Asphalt Championship late model stock car special Friday night at Fairgrounds Speedway.

Reffner won the race by more than half a lap.

Eddy, from Kawkawlin, Mich., had led the race after passing Reffner on lap 4, but seemed to be slowing when Reffner regained the top spot.

Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., passed Larry Schuler of Lockport, Ill., on lap 66, to take over third place. Schuler settled for fourth while Joplin’s Bob Johnson rounded out the top five.

After the race, Reffner said he didn’t expect to take the lead so early. “At first, it was I could do to keep up with Mike.”

I honestly didn’t figure on getting past him until he slowed, or it got down to the last five or ten laps,” he added.

The victory was Reffner’s first at Fairgrounds since 1976. He was driving his backup car, an American Motors AMX.

“We just got this thing running correctly on Wednesday,” he said. We had a crack-up with the other car.”

Eddy, who had the fastest lap in qualifying with a one-lap time of 20.591 seconds, said his car was slowing down at the end while Reffner’s was getting faster.

“It was a case of both,” he remarked. “I know I was slowing because my left front tire was about to go.”

Pre-race favorite Mark Martin of Batesville, Ark., smashed his car up in a practice run accident and although his crew worked frantically, it was to no avail because of a severely bent axle.

The winner of the past two Missouri Asphalt Championships, Dave Watson of Milton, Wis., was not entered in the race.


Results –

1. Tom Reffner
2. Mike Eddy
3. Dick Trickle
4. Larry Schuler
5. Bob Johnson
6. Wayne Woody
7. Jim Campbell
8. Fred Whisler
9. Tim Thompson
10.Dennis Franks
11.Dave Chase
12.Larry Phillips
13.Gregory Webb
14.Dale Roper
15.John Cornelius

1968 - Connolly Cops Sterling Mid-Season Crown

 

John Connolly accepts his trophy from a couple of young fans after winning the mid-season championship race at Sterling Speedbowl Park. Starter Buzz Reed presents the checkers. – Roger Meier Photo

Sterling, Ill. (July 21, 1968) – Competition was the name of the game at Speedbowl Park’s mid-season championship. John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, came from his fourth row starting position to win the 50-lap feature.

The near-capacity crowd was on their feet for most of the contest as Connolly made his way through traffic early on, then began a battle with race leader Darrell Dake and second place Bill McDonough, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

At one time, Dake, McDonough, and Connolly ran together as if they were driving the same car. Finally, on lap 35 Connolly got around the outside of Dake for the lead he wouldn’t relinquish.

At the finish, it was Connolly, Dake, McDonough, Tom Hughes of Monticello, Iowa, and Bill Forbes of Rock Falls.

Heat wins were won by B.J. Higley of Sterling, John Engelkens of Morris, Forbes, and Fred Strube. The trophy dash was won by Tom Hughes, and the consolation went to B.J. Higley.


Results –

1. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
2. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Tom Hughes, Monticello, Iowa
5. Bill Forbes, Rock Falls
6. Jim Baker, Peoria
7. Jerry Wolland, Peoria
8. John Engelkens, Morris
9. Larry McHenry
10.Fred Strube, Peoria

1981 – Gamble Works for Swindell in Eagle Victory

 

Sammy Swindell drove LaVern Nance’s sprinter to victory at the World of Outlaws race at Eagle Raceway.

Eagle, Neb. (July 20, 1981) – Sammy Swindell wasn’t even worried that he wasn’t among the top-10 during time trials Monday night at Eagle Raceway.

Swindell flew past Steve Kinser on the 15th lap of the 35-lap World of Outlaws sprint car feature and steadily pulled away to his 26th feature win of the season.

“I was sure about our gamble, but I had my moments of doubt,” Swindell said after his win before 2,300 race fans.

Even though Swindell experienced problems during his heat race, he still felt his gamble would pay off.

“I was sure I was right about choosing the extra-dry tires, but I started to think we made a mistake after we couldn’t make up the speed in the early going of the feature.”

“Then, all of the restarts and all the extra laps made my prediction come true, and the track got super dry.”

“That’s when we started moving.”

The feature race, carrying a purse of $12,500 according to a National Speedways Contest Association spokesman, was slowed by seven restarts.

Swindell caused one of the restarts when he stalled his engine on the second lap after skidding to a stop to avoid a stalled car in front of him.

Five laps later, former Lincoln resident Doug Wolfgang, who had worked his way up to second-place, was out of the race after flipping on its side when a slower car pulled in front of him on the third turn.

On the next lap, Swindell, who was in seventh, stalled again. He was penalized and sent to the rear of the 18-car field for the restart.

Four more restarts later, Swindell had improved to second place and finally, on the 15th lap, passed Kinser on the inside of the fourth turn.

“We were running fine but those restarts just gave trouble time enough to catch up to us,” Kinser explained. “My car started getting loose and we just couldn’t run as fast as Swindell.”

The victory for Swindell moved him within a win of three-time defending points champion Kinser and this year’s point leader, Wolfgang.

Cliff Woodward finished third in the feature followed by Bob Hop in fourth and Sammy’s younger brother Jeff Swindell in fifth.


Results –


Heat #1 – Glen Hughes Jr., Denver, Colo.
Heat #2 – Sammy Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn.
Heat #3 – Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
Feature –
1. Sammy Swindell
2. Steve Kinser
3. Cliff Woodward, Kearney, Mo.
4. Bob Hop, Mendota, Minn.
5. Jeff Swindell, Memphis, Tenn.

1962 – Ernie Derr Wins 72-Lapper at Fargo

 

Ernie Derr 

Fargo, N.D. (July 20, 1962) – Daring Ernie Derr, flashing the form which carried him to four IMCA national championships, captured the 72-lap late model stock car feature Friday afternoon at the Red River Valley Fair.

The 40-year-old pilot of the 1962 Pontiac turned back the determined challenge of fellow townsman Dick Hutcherson and Chub Liebe of Oelwein, Iowa.

Derr, who hails from Keokuk, Iowa, is the current leader of the International Motor Contest Association season point standings.

The scheduled 100-lap event was shortened to 72 laps by racing officials after four cars were forced out on the track which became extremely rough and dangerous.

Buzz McCann of St. Paul, Minn., rolled his car on the 50th lap while driving in eighth place.

Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., spun his car on the 63rd circuit and was hit head on by Ernie McMahan of Keokuk, Iowa.

Bob Reynolds of Edmond, Okla., spun out on the back straightaway on the 72nd lap. None were injured.

Hutcherson finished in the runner-up spot followed by Liebe, Reynolds, and Johnny Beauchamp of Atlantic, Iowa. Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, who won Thursday’s 25-lap feature, finished sixth.

Williams won the first 10-lap preliminary race in 4 minutes and 58.62 seconds. Reynolds took the second prelim in 5 minutes and 9.19 seconds.


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Chub Liebe, Oelwein, Iowa
4. Bob Reynolds, Edmond Okla.
5. Johnny Beauchamp, Atlantic, Iowa
6. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
8. Jerry McCredie, Keokuk, Iowa
9. Gary Sheldon, Detroit, Mich.
10.Bob Dugan, Waukegan, Ill.
11.Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
12.Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.

1969 - Lem Blankenship Tops Freeport

 

Lem Blankenship takes a victory lap after winning the late model feature at Freeport. – Ron Thruman Collection

By Dennis Piefer

Freeport, Ill. (July 19, 1969) – Lem Blankenship of Keokuk, Iowa, got by early leader Joe Shear and was out front to stay.

Lem had another Keokuk Komet on his rear bumper, Ramo Stott, for the rest of the way. But Stott couldn’t find the right groove to get around Blankenship, who was hugging the lower groove.

Lem started the night off by setting fast time of 26.26 seconds on the big half-mile, then coming back and getting third in the trophy dash.

Shear, of South Beloit, won the trophy dash in a 1969 Chevelle with Ramo Stott finishing third in his 1968 Roadrunner.

Dave Etheridge of Freeport won the first heat and Jack Goryon of Peoria winning his first race of the season in the second heat. Joe Shear, driving the last five laps without brakes, won the third heat.

Bill Mammosher of Stockton took home $150 for his victory in the semi-main. Bill, driving a Mustang, held of strong bids by Bob Strange of Rockford and Jim Jeffries of Freeport.

Joe shear would jump to an early lead in the 25-lap feature but wouldn’t hold it for long as both Blankenship and Stott, as well as Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, got by the former point champion as he got a little wild in the turns.

Lem held off Ramo and Dake to claim the $600 top prize. Dake was driving Tom Stewart’s 1967 Chevelle as his Fairlane was having mechanical issues.

The drivers competed for a purse of $3,325, the largest total so far this season.


Results –


1. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Joe Shear, South Beloit
5. Gordon Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
6. Norm Meinert, Davis
7. Jack Goryon, Peoria
8. Bob Grenoble, Nora

1987 - Easy Trans Am Victory for Izzo at Santa Fe

 

Tony Izzo won the Pontiac Trans Am 50 Stock Car Classic at Santa Fe Speedway. Joining him on the podium are runner-up Larry Jackson (left) and third-place finisher Ken Pohlman. – SJ Photo

Hinsdale, Ill. (July 18, 1987) – Seven-time track late model champion Tony Izzo conducted a seminar Saturday night, or so it seemed, as he breezed to an easy win in the Pontiac Trans Am Stock Classic at Santa Fe Speedway.

Veteran driver Bill Bottoms took the lead at the outset but couldn’t hold on to it for long as Izzo quickly shot from his second row starting position and was out front before the first lap was completed. After two laps, Izzo started to put daylight between himself and the rest of the field.

On lap 4, “Little John” Provenzano had the engine blow on his car, leaving a trail of smoke and oil on the track and bringing out the yellow flag. Provenzano, currently third in the point standings, hopped into his brother Tony’s car and joined the back of the pack. It was to no avail, though, as he was unable to work himself into contention.

The only other thing to slow down the red-hot Izzo as he blazed around the slick larger oval was one more yellow flag. That was on the fifth lap as Bottoms and Jim O’Conner tangled.

Once the green was back out, Izzo ran away from the field and lapped every car except second place finisher Larry Jackson.

Ken Pohlman edged O’Conner for third with Jim Partipilo rounding out the top-five.

In other action, Jeff Kuhn found the groove and won the 30-lap sportsman feature.


Results –

1. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
2. Larry Jackson, Lyons
3. Ken Pohlman, Worth
4. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee
5. Jim Partipilo, Villa Park
6. Tom Pauley, Justice

1977 - North Starr Main to Stevenson

 

John Stevenson poses after his feature victory at North Starr Speedway. Joining him in victory lane, from left to right, Miss Amy Gladfelter, his daughter Jill, and starter Marv O’Dell. - Mark Jones Photo

By Donna Schweitzberger

Blaine, Minn. (July 17, 1977) – John Stevesnon slipped by Butch Bahr on the final turn to win the 30-lap Midwest Sprint Association feature Sunday night at North Starr Speedway.

Bahr, the polesitter, led all the way but got a little high up in the fourth turn of the last lap and Stevenson, following closely behind, took advantage and went by on the inside.

Bob Geldner followed Stevenson to take second while Bahr had to be content with third place.

The race was slowed when Dan Sharon drove over the front wheel of Ron Wiuff’s sprinter, sending Sharon’s car airborne and causing it to flip several times. The car suffered severe damage, but Sharon only received cuts and bruises.

Buzz Cripe, the current point leader, led the 20-lap hobby stock feature until the last two laps, when his car lost power. That gave Joe Salner the lead and his second victory of the season at the track. Jack Harder was second and Steve Egersdorf was third.


Results –


Sprints –

1. John Stevenson, St. Paul
2. Bob Geldner, St. Peter
3. Butch Bahr, Grand Island, Neb.
4. Bob Hop, Mendota
5. Mike Enter, Cleveland
6. Bill Dollansky, Elk River


Hobby Stock –

1. Joe Slaner, Clear Lake
2. Jack Harder, St. Paul
3. Steve Egersdorf, St. Paul
4. Bill Stahl, Hudson
5. Gary Schaefer, Princeton
6. Dave Sternquist, Zimmerman

1989 - Gennetten Wins Topeka 'Hill Memorial'

 

Gene Gennetten 

Topeka, Kan. (July 16, 1989) – Steve Knepper may be the defending Belleville Midget Nationals champion, but Gene Gennetten proved Sunday he’s still king of Topeka Raceway when it comes to racing a midget.

Gennetten held off Knepper to win the 15th annual Mike Hill Memorial race in front of a capacity crowd at the quarter-mile dirt track. It marked the first time in the history of the event that it had been held in Topeka after making Riverside Stadium it’s home the last 11 years.

The race is held in honor of Mark Hill – a promising 21-year-old Kansas City driver killed in a USAC midget race at Charleston Speedway in Illinois – and was sanctioned by the Midwest Auto Racing Association.

The race was originally schedule for Saturday, but an early afternoon rain shower postponed it until the next night. It was the only appearance for the one of the oldest forms of auto racing in the Topeka area.

For Gennetten, it was his seventh Hill victory and third in a row on Topeka soil. The Gravois, Mo., driver, who moved to the Ozarks from Parkville this spring, won the 1987 Hill Memorial and the 1983 Jayhawk Midget Classic, the last two Topeka midget races prior to Sunday.

It was Gennetten’s first start since a mid-February Florida race while Knepper has racked up a comfortable lead as the MARA circuit points leader.

The 46-year-old driver was given an unplanned layoff last season after being banned for using physical force on two MARA officials during a race at Central Missouri Speedway in Warrensburg.


Results –


1. Gene Gennetten, Gravois Mills, Mo.
2. Steve Knepper, Belleville, Ill.
3. Bob Thoman, Higginsville, Mo.
4. Scott Frew, Columbia, Mo.
5. Tim McVay, Blue Springs, Mo.
6. Terry Holderfield, Mattoon, Ill.
7. Matt Berryhill, Tulsa, Okla.
8. Steve Gennetten, Parkville, Mo.
9. Don Lehman, Springfield, Ill.
10.Mike Wente, Florissant, Mo.
11.Aaron Berryhill, Tulsa, Okla.
12.Johnny Yonke III, Alma
13.Jim McVay, Blue Springs, Mo.
14.Dan Ford, St. Peters, Mo.

1978 - Crawford Takes Dubuque Title

 

Gary Crawford proudly poses with his trophy after winning the late model mid-season championship at Dubuque Speedway.

By Jayne Chapman

Dubuque, Iowa (July 16, 1978) – Gary Crawford of Independence took his second mid-season championship in as many days at Dubuque Speedway on Sunday night.

Working up to and getting by fellow Independence driver Glen Martin on the 44th lap of the 50-lap event, Crawford crossed the finish line ahead of Martin and Joe Schaefer of Waterloo. Crawford had won the mid-season title at his hometown track of Independence the night before.

It was Duane Bentley of Fairbanks all the way in the sportsman title run. Chuck Martelle of Dubuque was a distant second with Joe Churchill of Peosta third.

Bill Murray of Hopkinton recovered from his rollover of a week ago to win the fun car mid-season title. Don Bahl of Asbury and Randy Frush of Jesup were second and third, respectively.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Gary Crawford
2. Glen Martin
3. Joe Schaefer
4. Jim Burbridge
5. Mark Liebfried
6. Roger Bruggeman
7. Skip Kennedy
8. Bob Schulte
9. Jim Decker
10.Carl Severson

Sportsman –

1. Duane Bentley
2. Chuck Martelle
3. Joe Churchill
4. Greg Hunter
5. Gary Henderson
6. Jim Reidl
7. Rick Mills
8. Ron Warthen

1986 – Trickle’s Rockford Triumph Nets ARTGO Point Lead

 

Dick Trickle won the All-Star 100 at Rockford Speedway. It was his third ARTGO Challenge Series win of the season. – Russ Lake Photo

Rockford, Ill. (July 15, 1986) – Dick Trickle raced to his third ARTGO feature win of the season Tuesday night at Rockford Speedway and jumped into the series point lead as Joe Shear was forced to pit for a flat tire in the late stages of the ninth annual All-Star 100.

Trickle drove through a lap 52 tangle involving leader Jim Weber and runner-up Terry Baldry to grab the lead and then hold off the stiff challenges of Shear and eventual runner-up Dave Watson.

“Sometimes you get a win when you least expect it,” said Trickle, who had suffered through a series of misfortunes in the past few weeks.

Shear’s luck was all bad Tuesday as he competed both in the ARTGO events and the inaugural All-Star Shootout for weekly Rockford Rules late model competitors who had won a feature at the quarter-mile oval in the past year and a half.

The luck of the draw for the added event saw Shear gain the number one starting berth and many observers forecasted a Shear runaway in the 50-lap, $1,000-to-win contest.

Shear’s first 10 laps went according to forecast as he powered away from the field but on lap 11 a puff of smoke came from his engine, and he coasted to the pit area with John Knaus grabbing the lead.

Knaus, an ARTGO regular who now limits himself to weekly racing at Rockford, was immediately challenged by Bobby Hacker and the duo raced side-by-side for the last 35 laps.

On the 37th circuit, the top two bumped with Hacker scooting in front only to have Knaus use the outside lane to pull even. The two bumped again on lap 43 and 45, but Knaus held on the for the victory, Al Papini III came from the back of the pack to earn third place.

The 100-lap ARTGO feature almost fell victim to severe storms. However, officials outwaited the weather, canceled time trials, and lined up the feature according to the average points of the series’ top dozen drivers.

Rookie Bobby McDonald was on the pole of the 22-car field, and he promptly got crossed up and went airborne going into the first turn. McDonald was eliminated and George Prziborowski and Doug Herbst needed pit repairs before returning.

The restart saw Tracy Schuler grab the lead but an eighth lap tangle with Jim Weber knocked Schuler into the infield as Weber took over the top spot. By lap 20 it was Weber, Baldry, Trickle, Butch Miller, and Shear.

Miller, in his first-ever stat at Rockford, passed Trickle for third place on lap 44, but dropped back to fourth a few laps later. Weber and Baldry ran side-by-side for six rounds before their tangle with Trickle somehow slipping through and Miller plowing into Baldry.

Baldry and Miller did not return and were scored with 15th and 16th, respectively. Earlier, Mark Martin had lost an engine in hot laps and did not compete in the 100-lapper.

Trickle led the 14 survivors back to the green flag with Shear, Al Schill, Rich Bickle Jr., and Dave Watson right behind. Watson banged past Bickle five laps later, then slipped by Schill on lap 61 to set up a classic shootout to the finish.

On lap 65, Shear moved inside of Trickle as Watson closed in on the leaders.

But Shear couldn’t hold onto the lead and finally ducked into the pits on lap 82 to replace the left front tire on his car. Watson, who started 16th, shadowed Trickle for the final 10 circuits but had to settle for second. Bickle took third with Larry Schuler and Scott Hansen darting past Schill on a wild pair of final laps to take fourth and fifth, respectively.


Results –


ARTGO Late Models - 

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Dave Watson, Milton, Wis.
3. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
4. Larry Schuler, Lockport
5. Scott Hansen, Green Bay, Wis.
6. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
7. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey
8. Bobby Gill, Venice, Fla.
9. Steve Holzhausen, Bangor, Wis.
10.Doug Herbst, Wausau, Wis.
11.Joe Shear, Clinton, Wis.
12.George Prziborowski, Apple Valley, Minn.
13.Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
14.Tracy Schuler, Lockport
15.Terry Baldry, Omro, Wis.



Rockford Rules –

1. John Knaus, Rockford
2. Bobby Hacker. Loves Park
3. Al Papini II, Machesney Park
4. Randy Sargent, Beloit, Wis.
5. Dennis Miller, South Beloit
6. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park