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
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