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
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