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