1958 – 5,000 Watch Burdick Win – But Which Burdick?

 

Des Moines, Iowa (July 4, 1958) – Who drove the 1957 Ford #99 which ran away from the field of 20 starters in the 25-lap feature before more than 5,000 fans at Pioneer Raceway on Friday night?

An International Motor Contest Association representative, Wilbur Clark – who handles publicity for IMCA promoter Al Sweeney – said it was Bob Burdick of Omaha, who is currently third in points in the IMCA stock car division standings.

The car was officially entered under the name of Roy Burdick, father of Bob, and a part-owner who stepped up to the microphone to accept the trophy after the opening 5-laap trophy dash.

However, the elder Burdick was attired in a quartered-length t-shirt whereas the driver of the #99 wore a shirt without sleeves.

“I drove it,” the senior Burdick tartly replied to Clark, who said, “I thought Bob promised (Al) Sweeney he wasn’t going to drive tonight!”

Earlier in the day, Sweeney announced through Clark that both Burdick and Johnny Beauchamp of Harlan, who raced under assumed names in two meets earlier, had promised to abide by IMCA rules.

The two drivers faced possible $100 fines for alleged violation of a rule forbidding competition in races not sanctioned by the IMCA.

“A second violation results in a year’s suspension,” Clark revealed as he watched Friday’s races, which attracted an overflow throng.

Four other drivers in the field were using assumed names as well, according to Pioneer Raceway officials.

The “Jimmy Hughes of Des Moines,” who placed second in the A feature was identified as Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle, Iowa.

“Curly McCord of Detroit, Mich.,” officially listed as finishing fourth in the feature was Lloyd Jorgenson of Anita, Iowa.

Sixth place “Jerry Rogers of St. Paul, Minn.,” was Bob Short of Des Moines.

The fourth, Kenny Schultz of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., compete under the name “John Lutz” of the same town. He won the second heat and placed sixth in the B feature.

Burdick was easily the star of the night, winning the time trials and the pole position in the feature, plus the trophy dash and one of the 7-lap heat races.

“There wasn’t much doubt as to who the ‘local boys’ were when the big circuit boys started rolling,” said one observer.


Results –

Time trials – Bob Burdick, Omaha
Trophy dash – Bob Burdick
Heat #1 – Bob Livingston, Des Moines
Heat #2 – Ken Schultz, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
Heat #3 – Lloyd Jorgenson, Anita
Heat #4 – Bob Burdick

Class B feature –
1. Burt Spain, Des Moines
2. Chuck Hollingsworth, Des Moines
3. Jim Williams, Des Moines
4. Jack Carnes, De Moines
5. Bob Merkel, Madrid
6. Ken Schultz
7. Ted Shaffer, Des Moines
8. Jerry Barnes, Des Moines
9. Bill Lemon, Des Moines
10.Ray Dishman, Des Moines

Class A feature –

1. Bob Burdick
2. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle
3. Al Warrender, Harlan
4. Lloyd Jorgenson
5. Kenny Lee, Des Moines
6. Bob Short, Des Moines
7. Sonny Helms, Avon Lake
8. Lee Pinckney, Des Moines
9. Gene Hockensmith, Des Moines
10.Shorty Selsor, Des Moines