1979 - Blankenship Wins Memphis Mountain Dew Special

 

By Ida May Van Genderen

Memphis, Mo. (August 31, 1979) – Lem Blankenship jumped into the lead at the start from his pole position and continued to put light between himself and the rest of the field en route to capturing the Mountain Dew Special Friday night at Scotland County Speedway.

Blankenship, of Keokuk, Iowa, really had the race in his hands as he lapped car after car during the 25-lap feature. By the time the checkers came out, Blankenship had lapped everyone except runner-up Steve Fraise of Montrose, Iowa.

Cautions plagued the opening laps of the race but after the third restart, the field ran clean the rest of the way. On the first start, a few cars tangled on the backstretch putting Bo Smith of Hunnewell and Randy Harrison of Memphis to the pit area via wreckers. On the next restart, Paul Carr of Ottumwa, Iowa, and Russ Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, tangled on the fourth turn.

Jerry Pilcher of Bloomfield, Iowa, moved from his 15th starting position to finish third behind Blankenship and Fraise. Johnny Babb of Ottumwa, Iowa, and John Miller of Keokuk, Iowa, rounded out the top-five.

Pilcher had qualified for the feature by winning the consolation ahead of Derr. Paul Carr, Randy Harrison, and George Koontz of Memphis also qualified by completing the top-five.

Heat winners were Blankenship, Fraise, and Babb.


Results –


1. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Steve Fraise, Montrose, Iowa
3. Jerry Pilcher, Bloomfield, Iowa
4. Johnny Babb, Ottumwa, Iowa
5. John Miller, Keokuk, Iowa
6. Mike Benjamin, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Paul Carr, Ottumwa, Iowa
8. Russ Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
9. Karl Hinton, Drakesville, Iowa
10.Carl Storms

1973 – Fabris Takes Davenport Title

 

Larry Fabris

Davenport, Iowa (August 31, 1973) – Nearly 3,000 stock car fans at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds Friday night watched Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley run into bad luck in his attempt to make a complete sweep of Mid-Continent Racing Association titles for the 1973 season.

With less than a half-mile to go and holding a lead of close to 300 yards, Weedon’s machine lost its power. Attempting to nurse his 1970 Camaro to the finish, Weedon was passed by Larry Fabris of Sycamore, Ill., and Lem Blankenship of Keokuk on the backstretch of the last lap.

Fabris took the checkered flag by less than a car length over Blankenship, who had started 20th in the 21-car field. Weedon limped home in third place.

For 33 of 35 laps, Weedon appeared to be on his way to an easy victory, adding to the numerous feature wins he had scored this season, including his mid-season championship win.

Until Weedon ran into trouble, the feature race had been uneventful, except for the battle for second place, between Fabris and Blankenship. John Connolly of Delhi chased Weedon for the first 10 laps before he ran into mechanical issues.

Ray Guss of Milan, Ill., who was scheduled to start on the front row for the feature alongside Weedon, was unable to take the green flag due to engine trouble. Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill., was moved from his third starting position into Guss’ starting spot and was an early challenger before fading.


Results –

1. Larry Fabris, Sycamore, Ill.
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
4. Steve Lance, Mapleton, Ill.
5. Lyle Gehn, Davenport

1958 – Rodger Ward Wins Du Quoin Midget Race

 

Rodger Ward won the 100-mile USAC midget race at the Du Quoin State Fair. 

Du Quoin, Ill. (August 31, 1958) – Rodger Ward of Los Angeles won the United States Auto Club’s 100-mile national championship midget auto race Sunday at the Du Quoin State Fair. Ward’s winning time was 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 18.25 seconds.

Bill Cheesbourg of Tucson, Ariz., finished second with Don Branson of Urbana taking third.

At least 23 miles of the race was run under caution for four different accidents. No drivers were injured and 15 of the 28 starters finished the contest.

Ward led for 46 of the first 47 laps before making a pit stop. Cheesbourg then took over the lead and held it for the next 37 laps on the 1-mile track before he was forced to make a pit stop. Ward regained lead and never relinquished thereafter.


Results –

1. Rodger Ward, Los Angeles
2. Bill Cheesbourg, Tucson, Ariz.
3. Don Branson, Urbana
4. Shorty Templeman, Seattle, Wash.
5. Bob Wente, St. Louis
6. Chuck Weyant, Springfield
7. Dempsey Wilson, Fort Hawthorne, Calif.
8. Bill Homeier, Pacoima, Calif.
9. Len Sutton, Portland, Ore.
10.Bill Chennault, Kansas City

1975 – Twin 50 Victories for Phillips at I-70

Larry Phillips 

Odessa, Mo. (August 30, 1975) – Larry Phillips of Springfield had it all together Saturday night at I-70 Speedway as he easily won the Dahmer Chevrolet Twin 50’s. In both events, Phillips lapped every car at least once but Terry Brumley, also from Springfield, who finished second in both races.

Phillips also set fast time of 18.84 seconds, won the trophy dash and the fast heat for his fourth clean sweep of the season. And he set a new track record of 16 minutes and 5.87 seconds in the first 50-lap feature.

Finishing third behind Phillps and Brumley in both 50-lappers was Wayne Woody of Marionville.

Randy Roberts of Independence won the slow heat. Vester Cates of Lawson won the first middle heat while Dave Klingsporn of Monett won the second middle heat.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Larry Phillips, Springfield
2. Terry Brumley, Springfield
3. Wayne Woody, Marionville
4. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
5. Bob Williams, Independence
6. Randy Roberts, Independence

Feature #2 –

1. Larry Phillips
2. Terry Brumley
3. Wayne Woody
4. Willie Crane, Springfield
5. Randy Roberts
6. Jerry Nussbaum, Oak Grove

1969 – Christen in Lancaster Win

 

Arnie Christen 

Lancaster, Wis. (August 30, 1969) – Arnie Christen of Mineral Point passed Tom Hughes of Monticello, Iowa, on the 17th lap and went to win the 25-lap feature at the Grant County Fairgrounds.

The third lap of the race needed three restarts but not before eliminating five cars from the 18-car field. Jim Wigman of New Diggings suffered the most damage when his car when airborne and over the guardrail between turns three and four. Wigman escaped with minor cuts and bruises, but his car as completely demolished.

Bill McDonough of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, won a hard-fought consolation over Jerry Cain of Platteville with Dan Stanton of Linden finishing third.

Dick Chapman of Dubuque was a double winner, taking the trophy dash and the third heat. Other heat winners included Wigman and Gene Chapman of Dubuque.

Thirty-seven cars signed in to compete for a $2,000 purse.


Results –


Time trials – Tom Stewart, Washington (27.39)
Trophy dash – Dick Chapman, Dubuque
Heat #1 – Jim Wigman, New Diggings
Heat #2 – Gene Chapman, Dubuque
Heat #3 – Dick Chapman
Consolation – Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Feature –
1. Arnie Christen, Mineral Point
2. Tom Hughes, Monticello, Iowa
3. Dick Chapman
4. Loras Ehrlich, Dubuque
5. Gene Chapman
6. Wahlee Brown, Rock Island, Ill.

1961 – 3,500 See Melius Cop Cedarburg ‘75’

 

Miles “Mouse” Melius accepts the Midwest Speedways trophy from promoter John Kashian for his record win. – Henry Vieth Photo

Cedarburg, Wis. (August 30, 1961) – Before the season’s largest crowd, Miles Melius, “The Flying Ace” from Slinger, captured the 75-lap modified feature, setting a new track record in the process. Melius’ speed of 50.22 miles per hour erased the former record, one he had set on September 9, 1959, when he had averaged 47.29 miles per hour in winning the first 75-lap race on record.

The top three finishers were a repeat of last week’s race, the 50-lap modified stock car championship, as two other Slinger aces, Billy Johnson and Fuzzy Fassbender, finished second and third.

The night’s action gave Melius his first clean sweep of the season at Cedarburg with 400 points to move him with 135 points of Billy Johnson, who still leads the standings with 3,060 to Melius’ 2,925.

The event was a real thriller from the drop of the green flag. Ron Luedtke of Lomira hopped into the lead, holding it for the first five laps. Pedro Roehl of Lake Mills, then took over for two laps before John Reimer of Caledonia took charge on the seventh circuit.

Reimer drove a steady race, fending off Fassbender’s challenges until the 35th. On the 39th, Melius jumped into the lead and by the 45th round, the top five positions were Melius, Johnson, Fassbender, Reimer, and Bill Goeden of West Bend were running in the same order as they would finish.

Johnson, “The Cat”, stayed on Melius in a torrid bumper-to-bumper battle. On the 58th lap, Johnson took the lead but could hold it for only three laps, as Melius regained it for good on lap 61 and finished with a half-straightaway advantage at the checkers. It was Melius’ sixth feature win of the season.


Results –

1. Miles Melius, Slinger
2. Billy Johnson, Slinger
3. Fuzzy Fassbender, Slinger
4. John Reimer, Caledonia
5. Bill Goeden, West Bend
6. Etchie Biertzer, West Bend

1976 – Rich Payday for Utz

 

Bill Utz

Sedalia, Mo. (August 29, 1976) – Bill Utz could probably be called the master of the Missouri State Fairground’s one-mile dirt track. A winner twice before in the Missouri Futurity for IMCA sprint cars, Utz, a Sedalia businessman, notched his third career victory in the prestigious race in the auto racing finale on Sunday afternoon.

Utz, who first won the Missouri Futurity in 1966, and then again in 1973, turned the track in record time despite four caution laps.

Utz, who came out of retirement about a month ago, showed no signs of rust in scoring the feature win Sunday afternoon before approximately 5,000 race fans.

“I may keep going for a hundred years,” Utz said after climbing out of his racer for the trophy presentation. But quizzed about whether he was going to Spencer, Iowa, for the IMCA sprint car season finale, the two-time IMCA champion said, “I don’t know. That’s a long way.”

The hometown favorite had a fat paycheck waiting for him after his victory. He collected a total of $2,300, nearly half of which - $1,000 – was for his feature victory. He collected an additional $500 from Firestone for winning the race on that company’s tires. Utz also set fast time ($100), won his heat ($100), and finished third in the match race ($30). The balance of the check ($200) was for appearance money he gets for being the defending point champion for IMCA.

His winning time of 30 minutes and 46.54 seconds in the feature broke the 1969 record set by Jerry Blundy. That new benchmark earned himself another $100.

Utz’s biggest challenge came from Doug Wolfgang of Des Moines, who survived a tangle with Gary Scott of Holts Summit, Mo., in the second heat and was forced to qualify through the consolation just to make the field for the 50-mile main event.

Wolfgang charged from his third row starting position and took over the lead from Gene Gennetten of Parkville, Mo., on lap 10. Wolfgang led for 12 circuits before Utz passed him on the backstretch. Utz led from the 22nd lap on, and the hot pursuit from Wolfgang ended on lap 39 when he pulled into the pit area with mechanical issues.

With Wolfgang out, that left only four cars on the same lap as Utz, who had a commanding half-mile lead over the second-place driver, Tom Corbin of Carrollton, Mo.

In addition to Utz, Corbin, and Gennetten on the same lap, was the IMCA point leader, Sonny Smyser of Glenwood, Mo. But he would eventually be lapped by Utz and finish sixth.

Corbin held on to second place until he started sputtering on lap 48. On lap 49, Corbin was out of fuel and Gennetten passed him on the backstretch of the last lap to secure runner-up money. Corbin coasted across the finish line in third place.

Gary Scott of Holts Summit, Mo., was fourth and Junior Parkinson of Kansas City rounded out the top five finishers.


Results –

Time trials – Bill Utz, Sedalia (36.62)
Heat #1 – Bill Utz
Heat #2 – Sonny Smyser, Glenwood
Heat #3 – Dale McCarty, Kearney
Match race – Junior Parkinson, Kansas City
Consolation – Doug Wolfgang, Des Moines
Feature –
1. Bill Utz
2. Gene Gennetten, Parkville
3. Tom Corbin, Carrollton
4. Gary Scott, Holts Summit
5. Junior Parkinson
6. Sonny Smyser
7. Steve Lewis, Kansas City
8. Bill Campbell, Russellville
9. Jim Braden, Kansas City
10.Cliff Woodward, Kearney

1970 - Goodwin Takes Knoxville Finale

The top-five drivers in points at Knoxville Raceway got together during the season finale. From left to right – Stacy Redmond of Mason City (fifth), Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill. (third), Dick Sutcliffe of Greenwood, Mo. (fourth), season championship winner Ray Lee Goodwin of Kansas City (second), promoter Marion Robinson, and Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., (champion).

Knoxville, Iowa (August 29, 1970) – Ray Lee Goodwin of Kansas City out charged Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., to win the 25-lap season championship Saturday night on the half-mile oval at the Marion County Fairgrounds. Goodwin won by six-car-lengths.

It was one of the most torrid races of the season with the lead changing hands seven different times which had four different leaders before the checkered flag brought the season to an end.

Roger Rager of Lincoln, Neb., who started on the pole position for the main event, went to the sidelines on lap 2 with a blown engine. Stacy Redmond of Mason City took over for a couple of laps but gave way to a hard-charging Dick Sutcliffe of Greenwood, Mo.

For the next 10 laps, Sutcliffe, Goodwin, and Saldana dueled under a blanket with Earl Wagner of Pleasantville closing in on them. On lap 14, Sutcliffe blew an oil line, sidelining him for the rest of the night.

Goodwin would take charge and go on to win despite several challenges from Saldana. Wagner would nail down the third spot with Stan Borofsky of Kansas City fourth and Curt Houge of Ames fifth.

Goodwin, who was second fastest behind Saldana in time trials, also won the trophy dash and the second heat race. Other heat winners were Saldana and Rager with Borofsky winning the consolation.

Following the night’s racing, Ellis Metcalf, President of the Marion County Fairboard, made trophy presentations to the top-five in points. Saldana was crowned points champion for 1970.


Results –


Time trials – Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb. (22.09)
Trophy dash – Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City
Heat #1 – Joe Saldana
Heat #2 – Ray Lee Goodwin
Heat #3 – Roger Rager, Lincoln, Neb.
Consolation – Stan Borofsky, Kansas City
Feature –
1. Ray Lee Goodwin
2. Joe Saldana
3. Earl Wagner, Pleasantville
4. Stan Borofsky
5. Curt Houge, Ames
6. Dale McCarty, Kansas City
7. Burt Sonners, Des Moines

 

1957 – Lap Check Gives Burdick Victory in Fair 100-Miler

 

Bob Burdick

St. Paul, Minn. (August 29, 1957) – Bobby Burdick won the ninth annual Minnesota State Fair 100-mile late model stock car race Thursday on a lap-count recheck after Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, had been declared the victor before a grandstand crowd of 24,315.

It wasn’t until White had already been presented the trophy and the grandstand had emptied that race director Frank Winkley completed a check of the finishing order and pronounced the 22-year-old Burdick of Omaha, Neb., the official winner.

Burdick’s winning time of 1 hour, 41 minutes, and 28.79 seconds eclipsed the old State Fair mark of 1 hour, 50 minutes, and 53.57 seconds, set last year by defending champion Johnny Beauchamp of Harlan, Iowa, who finished third.

The confusion resulted from a discrepancy between the lap record kept by the official scorers and check charts kept by the Boy Scouts on each car. The check charts showed Burdick, White, and fourth-place finisher Ernie Derr, also of Keokuk, Iowa, and White’s brother-in-law, all with the same number of laps.

Burdick protested that he had won, Winkley went through the official scorer’s chart, counting each of the 200 laps for the first three cars, and it proved Burdick to be the winner by about a lap.


Results –

1. Bob Burdick, Omaha
2. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan, Iowa
4. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
5. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
6. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
7. Bob Dugan, Waukegan, Ill.
8. Frank Richards, Marion, Iowa
9. Al Warrender, Harlan, Iowa
10.Dick Johnson, St. Paul
11.George Miller, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
12.Dick Pellow, Minneapolis
13.Milt Shave, Fond du Lac, Wis.
14.Larry Peterson, Oshkosh, Wis.
15.Chub Liebe, Oelwein, Iowa
16.Don Hoeg, Bloomington
17.Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
18.Joe Dolphy, New Brighton, Minn.
19.Bruce Norman, Minneapolis
20.Norman Morgan, Minneapolis
21.Bob Hardy, Beaumont, Tex.
22.Don Lewis, Fond du Lac, Wis.

1976 – ‘Super’ Joe Wallace Repeats at Sedalia

 

Sedalia, Mo. (August 28, 1976) - “Super” Joe Wallace doesn’t mind summer reruns — especially when they come in the form of back-to-back IMCA (International Motor Contest Association) late model stock car feature wins.

The 11-year veteran driver out of Kansas City returned to the Missouri State Fairgrounds at Sedalia on Saturday, fresh from an August 22 50-lap victory on the half-mile oval, to win the 100-lap event on the mile track.

But for Wallace, who took the lead in the 63rd lap, the race became reminiscent of the previous week when, two laps later, he again found Ferris Collier of Lampe, Mo., hugging his tailpipes and preparing for the opportunity to slip by and take the lead. It was Collier who had posted a strong second place finish behind Wallace on August 22.

Wallace was successful in holding off Collier for the entire race the previous week and it appeared he would do so again Saturday, until on the 90th lap, Wallace slid high into turn number two and was passed by Collier on the back straightaway.

The front-running Camaros dueled wheel to wheel through turns number three and four and down the grandstand straight-away, but it was Wallace edging out Collier as they went into the number one turn for the 91st time that afternoon, regaining a lead he would not again relinquish.

Wallace took the checkered victory flag nine laps later with Collier still glued to his rear bumper.

“The track was getting harder and slicker all the time,” Wallace said following the race, explaining the temporary lost lead. “The car hit a hump, the rear end of the car got up high, and Ferris (Collier) got by.”

Asked if he was confident he could regain the lead he had lost, Wallace said, “Oh no Ferris runs awfully strong I wasn't confident I could pass him until I did it.”

Mike Dibben of Kansas City, an early leader in the race, finished third in the grueling 100-miler that saw only 12 of the original 30 starting cars finish the race Mike Derr, a veteran driver out of Keokuk, Iowa, placed fourth, followed by Kansas City’s John Oswalt, fifth, and Eddie Gray of Jefferson City in the sixth spot.

An eight-car pileup in the first lap of the race was one of several accidents that resulted in injuries to three drivers.

Kansas City’s Ed Adkins and George Barton, Ankeny, Iowa, were treated and released at a local hospital, and Gary Truelove of Trimble, Mo., suffered a broken nose and was admitted to Bothwell Hospital in Sedalia for observation.


Results –


1. Joe Wallace, Kansas City
2. Ferris Collier, Lampe
3. Mike Dibben, Kansas City
4. Mike Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
5. John Oswalt, Kansas City
6. Eddie Gray, Jefferson City
7. Larry Ball, Springfield
8. Gary Jellison, Kansas City
9. Flea Atkins, Holts Summit
10.Bill Myers, Grand Island, Neb.
11.Kevin Gundaker, St. Louis
12.Vic Bentlage, Jefferson City
13.Jack Constable, Kansas City
14.Rick Kimberling, Slater
15.Jim Whisler, Kansas City
16.Bill Vaughn, Hartsburg
17.Vester Cates, Lawson
18.Steve Fraise, Montrose, Iowa
19.Ed Perry, Springfield
20.Roy McClellan, Riverside

1971 – Bohlander is Peoria Stock King

 

Don Bohlander won the season championship thus wrapping up the point title at Peoria Speedway. Starter Lloyd Caldwell joins the newly crowned champ in victory lane. – Ron Thruman Collection

By Paul King

Peoria, Ill. (August 28, 1971) – Had it been a football game it would have been what coaches refer to as a “laugher”. You know, one of those 46–0 romps that leaves the winning side relaxed and happy.

But inasmuch as this late model stock car duel for the season championship at Peoria Speedway, what it was at the finish was a cakewalk for Don Bohlander.

Entering the final night of the driver’s point competition, trailing Herb Shannon by four points, Bohlander led all the way to win the 50-lap title duel, thereby picking up 120 points and easily sweeping past Shannon for the 1971 track points title.

The final point standings showed Bohlander with 1,422 points, Shannon with 1,348, and Al Terrell with 1,252.

On the final night of battle Shannon had a six-point lead but in the 50-lap season championship. Bohlander, starting from the pole position, surged with power all the way while Shannon never got going and finished ninth.

“It was about time I had an easy race,” grinned Bohlander. I just raced the car and hoped everything would hold together.”

Shannon, who qualified third fastest, while Bohlander had to settle for ninth (although that put Bohlander on the pole with the invert) felt he wasn’t able to get his car going.

“It just started vibrating and I thought the engine was ready to blow at any time,” he said. “It had worked fine in time trials. It was just one of those things.”

Once the race became 10 laps old, it was apparent that if Bohlander’s car hung together, the rest of the field had an impossible task.

By the 22nd lap, he had opened up a quarter-lap lead over Gerry Reeder and those two ran that way for the remaining 28 laps to the checkered flag.

Fred Strube, passing brother Jim late in the race, finished third while Jim was fourth. Al Terrell rounded out the top-five.

Bohlander ended any doubts about the point race when he lapped Shannon on lap 34.

Duane Wirth of Sheffield won the 25-lap semi-final while Mapleton’s Steve Lance put on a driving exhibition to win the consolation.


Results –


1. Don Bohlander, Glasford
2. Gerry Reeder, Peoria
3. Fred Strube, Peoria
4. Jim Strube, Peoria
5. Al Terrell, Peoria
6. Jerry Peterson, Marseilles
7. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
8. Bill Munson, Peoria
9. Herb Shannon, Peoria
10.Steve Lance, Mapleton

1961 – Hutcherson Paces State Fair Stocks

 

St. Paul, Minn. (August 28, 1961) – Dick Hutcherson, a 29-year-old Keokuk, Iowa, construction company owner, edged Ernie Derr by 30 yards to capture the 100-lap late model stock car race before 11,712 spectators Monday at the Minnesota State Fair.

Hutcherson turned the 50 miles in 46 minutes and 44.99 seconds, a Minnesota State Fair track record. The old mark of 47 minutes and 44.96 seconds was set by Johnny Beauchamp of Harlan, Iowa, in 1956. Hutcherson drove a 1961 Ford while Derr wheeled a 1961 Pontiac.

Buzz McCann of St. Paul finished third, more than a lap behind the winner, while Beauchamp finished fourth.

McCann broke two State Fair records, crashing the half-mile standard in time trials with a clocking of 27.25 seconds, and also broke the 5-mile record, winning the first heat in the time of 4 minutes and 48.51 seconds.

Ramo Stott won a duel with Hutcherson to capture the second 10-lap heat while Chub Liebe of Oelwein, Iowa, outran Jerry McCredie of Keokuk in the 12-lap consolation.


Results –


Heat #1 – Buzz McCann, St. Paul
Heat #2 – Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
Consolation – Chub Liebe, Oelwein, Iowa
Feature –
1. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Buzz McCann
4. Johnny Beauchamp, Atlantic, Iowa
5. Chub Liebe
6. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
7. Johnny Jones, Russell
8. Ron Snow, Red Wing
9. Jim Anderson, Shakopee
10.Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.

1954 – Slater Sets World Marks at Sedalia

 

Bob Slater of Kansas City is joined by his wife Mary Lou, Governor LeRoy Collins, and Missouri State Fair Manager J.C. Huskisson in victory lane. – Bruce Craig Collection

Sedalia, Mo. (August 28, 1954) – Two IMCA world records were set for big car racing on one-mile dirt tracks here today at the Missouri State Fairgrounds.

Bob Slater of Kansas City ran the 20-mile race in 13 minutes and 5 seconds to break the old record of 14 minutes and 8 seconds, set on August 29, 1953, in Sedalia by Jimmy Campbell.

In the 3-mile event in which Bobby Grim of Indianapolis, Ind., was clocked in 1 minute and 55 seconds, bettering the time of 1 minute and 58 seconds by Jimmy Campbell on September 30, 1953 in Nashville, Tenn.

Both records also are all-time marks for the International Motor Contest Association, which sanctioned the race at the Missouri State Fair. The races were conducted by National Speedways, Inc., of Chicago.

Rain which fell Saturday morning made the track slow for time trials but as the racing continued, the racing surface became better and was in first class condition come feature time.


Results –

1. Bob Slater, Kansas City
2. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis, Ind.
3. Jud Larson, Kansas City
4. Jimmy Campbell, Bates City
5. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Mills
6. Jim Wegeschneider, St. Louis
7. Fritz Tegtmeier, Elgin, Ill.
8. Don Branson, Champaign, Ill.
9. Ed Loetscher, St. Louis
10.Keith Saylor, Macomb, Ill.

1978 - Mack Scores Wire-To-Wire Win

 

Don Mack is joined by the Minnesota Honey Queen after winning the 40-lap MSA sprint car feature at the Minnesota State Fair. – Armin Krueger Photo

Falcon Heights, Minn. (August 27, 1978) – Don Mack of East Grand Forks, survived seven early caution periods to record a wire-to-wire victory in the 40-lap Midwest Sprint Association feature at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday afternoon.

It was the 30th victory of the current campaign for the 38-year-old potato farmer, who was forced out of Saturday’s 40-lap main event here because of a flat tire suffered while leading the contest.

Mack, who earned $1,500 for his triumph, was followed to the finish line by Terry Nish of salt Lake city, Utah, Ken Hamilton of Boise, Idaho, Ron Semelka of Wauseon, Ohio, and Rich Leming of Topeka, Kan.

Curt Kelley of Union City, Mich., winner of Saturday's event, dropped out of Sunday’s headliner when his racer slammed the fourth turn wall on lap 5.

Misfortune also plagued Dean Best, who finished second to Kelley on Saturday. After winning the dash Sunday, Best was forced out of the main event after 23 circuits because of mechanical problems.

Morning rain resulted in cancellation of time trials and all of Sunday’s were started on the basis of Saturday’s qualifications.


Results -

Trophy dash – Dean Best, Eldon, Ohio
Heat #1 – Ed Lute, Columbus, Ohio
Heat #2- Tim Richmond, Ashland, Ohio
Heat #3 – Bob Leever, Anderson, Ind.
Semi-main – Bob Seelman, Lansing, Mich.
Feature –
1. Don Mack, East Grand Forks
2. Terry Nish, Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Ken Hamilton, Boise, Idaho
4. Ron Semelka, Wauseon, Ohio
5. Rich Leming, Topeka, Kan.

1972 – Schuler Wins Fair’s Opening Feature

 

Lee Schuler won the 30-lap late model feature during the Grundy County Fair. - Ted Hanes Photo

Morris, Ill. (August 27, 1972) – Lee Schuler of Lockport won a close, hard-fought victory in the 30-lap late model feature Sunday afternoon to open the 68th annual Grundy County Fair after heavy rains delayed the scheduled events on Friday and Saturday.

Schuler’s win came with Dave Watson of Beloit, Wis., and Tom Jones of Northbrook on his back bumper in one of the closest races of the season. Ed Hoffman of Niles finished fourth with early leader Ray Young of Dolton taking fifth.

Young saw a big lead vanish on the 13th lap when John Kennedy of Villa Park spun, and Rich Kleich of Chicago, George Hill of Blue Island, and Tom Musgrave of Mundelein all collide in the second turn trying to miss Kennedy.

Schuler caught Young by lap 15, then took the lead for good on lap 17 with Watson and Jones delayed several laps before getting by Young as well.

Jones had fast time for the afternoon over the largest late model field of the year at the Morris track. Jones was just .01 seconds off the one-lap record with a 16.77 second lap while Hoffman and Watson tied for second fastest at 16.78 seconds.

The trophy dash saw all of the starters timing in the magic “16-second” bracket. Boyce Sparkman of Rockford passed Kleich in the final lap for an exciting win. Sparkman would be among the leaders in the feature until a water leak caused him to spin at the midway point.

Bob Wawak of Villa Park recorded two wins on Sunday, taking the third heat and the 12-lap semi-feature win. The latter gave him the right to start in the feature where he finished sixth.

The other heat winners were Schuler, Bob Meyers of Melrose Park, and Hoffman.


Results –


Time trials – Tom Jones, Northbrook (16.77)
Trophy dash – Boyce Sparkman, Rockford
Heat #1 – Lee Schuler, Lockport
Heat #2 – Bob Meyers, Melrose Park
Heat #3 – Bob Wawak, Villa Park
Heat #4 – Ed Hoffman, Niles
Semi-main – Bob Wawak
Feature –
1. Lee Schuler
2. Dave Watson, Beloit, Wis.
3. Tom Jones
4. Ed Hoffman
5. Ray Young, Dolton
6. Bob Wawak
7. Rich Kleich, Chicago
8. Tom Musgrave, Mundelein
9. Dennis Tjelle, Coal City
10.Bob Meyers

1967 – Stott Banks $1,100 for New Model Win at State Fair

 

Ramo Stott won the 250-lap IMCA new model stock car race at the Iowa State Fair. 

Des Moines, Iowa (August 27, 1967) – Ramo Stott shot past fellow Keokuk driver Ernie Derr on lap 167 to win the 250-lap IMCA new model stock car race Sunday night at the Iowa State Fair.

It was a see-saw battle up until Stott took full command. Derr might have erased his chance at victory with three pit stops, instead of the normal two. He took on fuel on the 100th circuit, made his mandatory stop, then took another fuel top before it was over.

Stott, on the other hand, made his mandatory stop then one tank filling stop and coasted past Derr with extra time to his advantage.

A crowd of 9,000 saw the Iowa State Fair auto racing finale with 29 cars competing on the half-mile dirt oval. There was a lot of action and Jerry Trapp of Milwaukee was hospitalized with minor injuries after a four-car pileup at the halfway point of the race.

Hard-charging Ole Brua of Albert Lea, Minn., was a solid third, driving his 1964 Ford along with the front-runners all night. Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., was fourth and Norm Hall of Russell, Minn., finished fifth.

Stott pocketed $1,100 for his night’s work. Stott drove a 1967 Plymouth and Derr piloted a 1967 Dodge.

A new IMCA record was set for the 250-lap distance. Stott turned the distance in 1 hour, 50 minutes and 37 seconds, erasing his own previous mark of 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 39 seconds.


Results –

1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
3. Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
4. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
5. Norm Hall, Russell, Minn.
6. Dale Keeling, Dixon, Mo.
7. George Barton, Des Moines
8. Ken Campeau, New Richmond, Wis.
9. Roger Bloomquist, Minneapolis
10.Chuck Berg, Des Moines
11.Lewis Taylor, Shawnee, Kan.
12.Bob Perry, Springfield, Mo.
13.Chuck Nutzman, New Richmond, Wis.
14.Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.
15.Larry Piper, Columbus Junction

1986 – Egersdorf Tops ‘Silver 1,000’

 

Rick Egersdorf

Proctor, Minn. (August 26, 1986) – Rick Egersdorf of St. Paul, was the winner of the 14th annual Silver 1,000 at Proctor Speedway Tuesday night.

Ron Schreiner of Eleva, Wis., took the lead on the first lap after which Egersdorf took command on lap 2 and led the next 24 laps.

Rick Aukland of Fargo, N.D., also got by Schreiner and made his charge on Egersdorf. Racing bumper-to-bumper, Aukland then took over the top spot on lap 26 when Egersdorf got caught up in slower traffic. Aukland led until lap 38 when he too got caught up in lapped traffic, allowing Egersdorf to slip by. Egersdorf led the final two laps to take the victory.


Results –

1. Rick Egersdorf, St. Paul
2. Rick Aukland, Fargo, N.D.
3. Ron Schreiner, Eleva, Wis.
4. Steve Laursen, Comstock
5. Joe Cryderman, Thunder Bay, Ontario
6. Tim McMann, Duluth
7. Jeff Hinkemeyer, St. Cloud
8. Rick Popovich, Duluth
9. Red Steffen, Eau Claire, Wis.
10.Bill Nelson, Duluth

1977 – Dake Sidesteps Controversy in D’Port Win

 

Darrell Dake won the 50-lap feature for thee “Six-in-One Championships” At the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. Promoter Homer Melton, left, makes the trophy presentation. – Dick Kleindolph Photo

Davenport, Iowa (August 26, 1977) – Darrell Dake rolled into victory lane Friday night but only after confusion ruled supreme at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds at the conclusion of the $7,000 “Six-in-One” late model stock car special event.

The veteran Cedar Rapids driver who only two years ago seemed to be at the end of his career following a near-fatal racing accident, took the checkered flag with the remainder of the field nearly a dozen car lengths behind.

Despite the wide gap at the finish, it was not an easy victory for the driver of the 1976 Nova. For a few moments after a three-car pileup on lap 36 of the 50-lap contest, it looked like Dake was going to be shoved from the lead position to the rear of the field.

Following a long meeting of the minds among officials, with Mike Niffenegger voicing support of Dake, it was ruled that on judge had been too hasty when he decided that the Cedar Rapids competitor would have to go to the rear of the field for taking too long with repairs on his car.

Apparently, most of the 4,500 thought Dake had been involved in the three-car in the second turn and that was the reason for him being sent to the back of the field.

“Actually, we didn’t cover the ruling in our session with the drivers before the start of the program. We ruled that one pit member could help his driver during a restart. We did not stipulate the rule for the apron or pit area,” said an Iowa Auto Racing Association official.

Dake’s crew made a radiator hose change on his car, and he wasn’t ready when the field was ready to restart. But he did have his car on the track before they rolled away, so technically he was ready to go. One judge just got too hasty.”

If Dake had gone to the rear of the field, the front position would have gone to Mike Niffenegger. The Kalona competitor and a few other drivers sided with Dake in the argument and helped clear up the matter, although most of the fans voiced their disapproval with the decision.

Niffenegger was scheduled to restart alongside Dake, but his Camaro wouldn’t re-fire and he was pushed to the pts for the remainder of the night.

Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill., came on strong at the end of the race to overtake Tom Hearst of Wilton for the runner-up spot and Ray Guss of Milan, Ill., finished fourth. John Simenec of Rock Island, Ill., rounded out the top-five.

Beside the $1,000payoff for winning the race, Dake picked up nearly $800 in lap money, plus he won the night’s opening event, the trophy dash.

The semi-feature went to Steve Keppler of Burlington.


Results –

1. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
2. Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
3. Tom Hearst, Wilton
4. Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
5. John Simenec, Rock Island, Ill.
6. Ed Howe, Beaverton, Mich.
7. Jim Gerber, Davenport
8. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
9. Bobby Toland, Davenport
10.Steve Keppler, Burlington

1967 - Droste Great at Jones County Fair

 

Monticello, Iowa (August 26, 1967) – Red Droste of Waterloo won the modified stock car feature at the Great Jones County Fair on Saturday afternoon before a standing-room-only crowd.

Droste dominated the 20-lap feature on the half-mile dirt oval, picking up all the marbles over John Connolly of Delhi and Tom Hughes of Monticello.

Heat wins went to Ernie Cook of Goose Lake, Jerry Reinhart of Moline, Ill., and Ed Sanger of Waterloo. Reinhart collected his second victory of the afternoon with a checkered flag in the semi-main. Ora Pearson of Iowa City was the consolation winner.


Results –


Heat #1 – Ernie Cook, Goose Lake
Heat #2 – Jerry Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
Heat #3 – Ed Sanger, Waterloo
Semi-main – Jerry Reinhart
Consolation – Ora Pearson, Iowa City
Feature –
1. Red Droste, Waterloo
2. John Connolly, Delhi
3. Tom Hughes, Monticello
4. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
5. Paul Fitzpatrick, Rochester, Minn.
6. Jerry Reinhart
7. Curt Hansen, Dike
8. John Webb, Independence

1954 – Don White Speeds to Stock Car Victory

 

Don White racked up a victory in the 90-minute marathon at Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. He’s shown here in his 1954 Oldsmobile after receiving the checkered flag. – Tom Jellems Photo

Sioux Falls, S.D. (August 27, 1954) – Don White and Ernie Derr, the best double play combination in Midwest stock car racing, clipped off another twin killing Thursday afternoon as they took first and second in the 90-minute “marathon” at the Sioux Empire Fair.

White, the diminutive Keokuk, Iowa, driver took the lead away from Bill Harrison on the first lap, then held it the rest of the way, reeling off 168 laps in the time allotted to set a new International Motor Contest Association record.

Harrison, who hails from Topeka, Kan., had set the old record here last year with 165 laps. The balding Kansan set the afternoon’s fast time with a 32.22-second clocking on the slightly heavy racing surface,

But once the race was underway, White and Derr took over. Don moved into first place on the initial lap and his brother-in-law passed Harrison on the second circuit.

Derr is the IMCA point leader with White pressing him. A year ago, at the Sioux Empire Fair, Harrison won the 990-minute marathon but White took another 100-miler with Derr finishing second. Another 100-miler is set for this Sunday.

All three of the top finishers were behind the wheels of 1954 Oldsmobile’s. Fourth place went to 48-year-old Herschel Buchanan of Shreveport, La., tooling his ’54 Hudson Hornet. Fifth place went to Tubby Harrison of Topeka in a ’54 Dodge.


Results –

1. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
4. Herschel Buchanan, Shreveport, La.
5. Tubby Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
6. Gene Brown, Fort Worth, Tex.
7. Bob Potter, Duluth, Minn.
8.Verdeen Rath, Pipestone, Minn.
9. Dick Evans, Tulsa, Okla.
10.Robert Narber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
11.Lloyd McNeilly, Sioux Falls
12.Truman Hedwell, St. Louis Park, Mo.
13.Roger Issacson, Sister Bay, Wis.
14.Paul Newkirk, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
15.Al Roberg, Hopkins, Minn.
16.Tilman Huset, Brandon

1979 - Plum a First-Time Winner at Indy

 

Dave Plum receives congratulations from Grater Iowa Racing's Vern Weber after winning his first career late model feature.

By Jayne Chapman

Independence, Iowa (August 25, 1979) – Dave Plum of Waterloo anticipated a late model victory for a long time, 12 years to be exact, but how sweet it was Saturday night to carry off the feature trophy from the Buchanan County Fairgrounds.

Plum, starting on the outside of the front row, Plum led all, but the 13th and 14th lap. He held off the challenges of Dr. Al Mayner of Winthrop, survived six restarts, and managed to stay inches ahead of Gary Crawford of Independence, as the race went right down to the wire.

The finish read Plum, Crawford, Mayner, Glen Martin of Independence, and Red Dralle of Evansdale.

Heats were won by Plum, Mayner, and Crawford. Dick Chapman II of Dubuque and Glen Martin were semi-main winners.

Randy Frush of Jesup took the lead from Raymond’s Ben Schaefer on lap 8 of the 15-lap sportsman feature, held off all challengers, and sped to his first career feature win as well.

Following Frush to the finish line were Duane Bentley of Fairbanks, Schaefer, Roger Bucholz of Cedar Falls, and Duane White of Vinton.

Schaefer and Bob Fisher of Vinton were heat winners and Frush also won the semi-main.

Todd McCombs of Waterloo took advantage of LaVerne Lehman, also of Waterloo, going high in the fourth and final turn to snatch away the roadrunner feature.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Dave Plum, Waterloo
2. Gary Crawford, Independence
3. Dr. Al Mayner, Winthrop
4. Glen Martin, Independence
5. Red Dralle, Evansdale
6. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo


Sportsman –

1. Randy Frush, Jesup
2. Duane Bentley, Fairbanks
3. Ben Schaefer, Raymond
4. Roger Bucholz, Cedar Falls
5. Duane White, Vinton
6. Jim Reidl, Dubuque

1974 - IMCA Win, Point Lead to Kirkpatrick

 

Larry Kirkpatrick 

Des Moines, (August 25, 1974) - Larry Kirkpatrick of Wood River, Ill., battling for the International Motor Contest Association sprint car point title, borrowed an opponent's car and drove to the 40-lap feature title Sunday night at the Iowa State Fair auto races.

Kirkpatrick, whose own car went out on lap 16 with a broken ring and piston, took over the car usually driven by Bill Robison of Topeka, Kan., on lap 19 after the race was stopped because of an accident.

Ironically, one of the cars involved in the mishap was driven by the man Kirkpatrick was chasing, point leader Bill Utz of Sedalia, Mo. Utz himself had switched at the start of the race after his car was eliminated with mechanical problems.

“It’s one of those things you have to do when you’re going for points,” said Kirkpatrick. “There’s a lot of money involved at the end of the season.”

The car was running fifth when Kirkpatrick took over, but by lap 31 he was battling Roy Bryant of Wichita, Kan., for the lead.

But Bryant, who took the lead on the seventh lap, hit the wall on turn three of lap 35, leaving Kirkpatrick with the $800 top prize.

Lloyd Beckman of Lincoln, Neb., was second. Roger Rager of Mound, Minn., was third, and Ralph Parkinson, Sr. of Kansas City, Mo., finished fourth. Des Moines’ Ralph Blackett was fifth.

Two Fairground track records were broken - the 8-lap and 10-lap marks. In the second heat, Darryl Dawley of Sioux Falls, S.D., established a new 8-lap record of 3 minutes, 17.90 seconds, breaking the old mark of 3 minutes and 18 seconds set by Chuck Lynch in 1969.

In the consolation, Bryant recorded a 10-lap record time of 4 minutes and 6.55 seconds. Four-time IMCA champ Jerry Richert held the old mark of 4 minutes and 7.90 seconds set in 1970.

Bob Geldner of St. Peter, Minn., who was the fastest qualifier at 24:13 seconds, was second in the consolation and Kirkpatrick third. Utz, who won the 50-lap feature at Sedalia, Mo., Sunday afternoon and flew to Des Moines for last night's races, recorded a victory in the first heat.


Results –


Heat #1 - Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo.
Heat #2 - Darryl Dawley, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Heat #3 - Jim McVey, Independence, Mo.
Feature -
1. Larry Kirkpatrick, Wood River, Ill.
2. Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
3. Roger Rager, Mound, Minn.
4. Ralph Parkinson Sr., Kansas City, Mo.
5. Ralph Blackett, Des Moines
6. Gary Johnson, Newton
7. Bill Hudson, New Sharon
8. Wayne Holz, Lincoln, Neb.
9. Jim McVey, Independence, Mo.
10.Gene Gennetten, Gladstone, Mo.

1963 – Turner Wins Allen Crowe Memorial

 

Curtis Turner 

Springfield, Ill. (August 25, 1963) – Curtis Turner had two big surprises Sunday when he won the 100-mile Allen Crowe Memorial stock car race at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

The Indianapolis driver was surprised when A.J. Foyt, who had led from the first lap, was forced to refuel his 1963 Plymouth on the 96th lap. Foyt led by three-quarters of a mile at this point, but his pit stop allowed Turner to take the lead.

Turner’s second surprise came when his own 1963 Ford ran out of fuel as he came down the front straightaway on the final lap. Turner actually coasted across the finish line to win the first prize of $2,054.

Foyt, of Houston, Tex., settled for second with Jim Hurtubise of North Tonawanda, N.Y., third behind the wheel of a 1963 Ford. Fourth, in a 1962 Ford, was Whitey Gerken of Villa Park and Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., driving a 1963 Plymouth, was fifth.


Results –

1. Curtis Turner
2. A.J. Foyt
3. Jim Hurtubise
4. Whitey Gerken
5. Norm Nelson
6. Herb Shannon
7. Len Sutton
8. Arnie Gardner
9. Sal Tovella
10.John Kilbourn
11.Gary Bettenhausen
12.Elmer Musgrave
13.Al Shear
14.Roger Regeth
15.Parnelli Jones

1950 - 18,000 See Wilburn Triumph

 

Jimmy Wilburn

By Brad Wilson

Des Moines, Iowa (August 25, 1950) – Jimmy Wilburn, a guy who many thought would never race again a couple of seasons ago, started what promises to be one of the best feuds in dirt track racing here on Friday.

Entered under the banner of an organization which permits greater horsepower that that sanctioned by National Speedways, Wilburn made the cream of the Midwest’s talent eat his dust in winning the Iowa State Fair’s Midwest Open Championship before an estimated 18,000 spectators.

Before the race there was a report that Wilburn was driving his big horsepower job of 290 cubic-inch piston displacement, but the Indianapolis, Ind., driver was only driving his 276 cubic-inch power plant.

The State Fair program, however, had no restrictions, a fact bemoaned by rival drivers of the National Speedways, which limits it’s race plants to 270 cubic-inch piston displacement.

But it was obvious that Wilburn had more power on the straightaways that Frank Luptow, the International Motor Contest Association’s point leader who trailed by nearly 100 yards in the early stages of the 15-lap feature.

Luptow made a game try to catch Wilburn, closing the gap to approximately 10 yards before starter Al Sweeney’s checkered flag fell to end the race.

On the final turn, Wilburn swung wide and kept Luptow from passing him on the homestretch to thunder across the finish line in 6 minutes and 34.32 seconds, fairly close to the 6 minute and 24..84 second mark set by Emory Collins at Cedar Rapids in 1949 for the same distance.

The victory gave Wilburn a big boost in the point standings and is one of the rare defeats suffered by Luptow this season. Deb Snyder, Luptow’s rival within the National Speedways circuit, was ill with a virus infection and was unable to race.

Wilburn, who raced here several years ago before he was sidelined by serious crackup at Oskaloosa two seasons ago, hauled away most of the prize money. He turned a fast 24.68 second time in trials among 33 entries, then won the fast heat in the preliminaries.

The tense rivalry between Wilburn and Luptow was furthered evidenced when race officials kept the two rivals far apart until the final feature.

It is generally custom to put the four fastest cars in the Handicap Dash, but officials chose to select the next four fastest cars to compete below Wilburn and Luptow. Leon DeRock of Mason City won 4-lap race over Phil Rocca of St. Louis, Mo., in 1 minute and 26.73 seconds.


Results –


Heat #1 – Jimmy Wilburn, Indianapolis, Ind.
Heat #2 – Frank Luptow, Tampa, Fla.
Heat #3 – Bert Hellmueller, Louisville, Ky.
Consolation – Herchel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
Handicap Dash – Leon DeRock, Mason City
Feature –
1. Jimmy Wilburn
2. Frank Luptow
3. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
4. Bert Hellmueller
5. Phil Mocca, St. Louis, Mo.
6. Pancho Alvarez, Havana, Cuba
7. Wayne Snyder, Perry
8. Keith Sapp, Macomb, Ill.

1986 – Miller Nets ASA Kalamazoo Victory

 

Butch Miller is joined by his daughter Kasey, his son Henry, and the rest of this crew after winning the ASA Miller 400 at Kalamazoo Speedway. – Tom DeVette Photo

Kalamazoo, Mich. (August 24, 1986) – At first glance, Butch Miller’s victory in Sunday’s ASA Racing Series Miller 400 at Kalamazoo Speedway would appear to have been a runaway.

Miller led 344 of the event’s 400 trips around the .375-mile oval and he lapped all but one of the 23 opponents at least once sometime during the course of the battle.

But in reality, the event was anything but easy pickings for Miller. He never could lap Bobby Dotter, and both Dick Trickle and Mie Eddy were able to unlap themselves, with Eddy doing so in spectacular fashion, outrunning Miller under the green.

However, Edy had incurred a two-lap deficit before he rallied, and Trickle was still 6.55 seconds behind the victor at the checkers.

“I have a hard time getting around here,” said Miller. “At this track, you can’t put your foot to the floor and go.”

Even though he couldn’t run all-out, Miller was fast enough to dominate the field.

Polesitter Mark Martin, fresh from a record 13.189 second qualifying run, led the way for the first 53 circuits, while Miller and Dotter moved into position to challenge for the top spot. Dotter took over on lap 54 but he yield the lead to Miller two laps later.

Miller had already put the likes of Kenny Wallace, Harold Fair, NASCAR standout Bobby Allison, and former ASA champ Bob Senneker one lap down when a flat tire sent Eddy to the pits, where he surrendered two laps while the field was under green.

Miller went on to lap Trickle moments before the event’s first caution came out on lap 153. With the field under yellow, Miller made the first of three pit stops. He returned in time to retain the lead with Dotter and Tom Jones on the lead lap.

Trickle got back on the same circuit as the frontrunner when Miller pitted a second time on lap 266 and Eddy regained a lap the 274th time around.

Under the green, Trickle eased through traffic to take over second place. He stayed on the lead lap and in second the rest of the way to record his fifth runner-up finish of the season. Dotter placed third, with Eddy and Jones completing 399 laps to nail down fourth and fifth, respectively.

As a result of the finish, Trickle moved to the top of the point standings for the first time this season, increasing his total to 1,475, six more than Martin and seven more than Miller.


Results –


1. Butch Miller
2. Dick Trickle
3. Bobby Dotter
4. Mike Eddy
5. Tom Jones
6. Mark Martin
7. Ed Cooper
8. Kenny Wallace
9. Russ Urlin
10.Harold Fair
11.Bob Senneker
12.Ken Lund
13.Kent Stauffer
14.Gary St. Amant
15.John Wilson

1975 – Opperman Claims IMCA Missouri Futurity

 

Jan Opperman added another trophy to his vast collection after winning the Missouri Futurity at Sedalia. Announcer Jimmy Glenn, chief mechanic Gary Swenson and IMCA’s Woody Brinkman complete the foursome.

Sedalia, Mo. (August 24, 1975) – One of the most nationally known sprint car drivers in the country, Jan Opperman, who now reside in Noxon, Mont., was the victor of the 1975 Missouri Futurity, which climaxed six racing events sanctioned by National Speedways, Inc. and the International Motor Contests Association.

Opperman started on the inside of the fifth row. He took over the lead on lap 16 and was never headed thereafter.

Roger Rager of Mound, Minn., the sprint car champion from Knoxville, Iowa, was runner-up to Opperman in the afternoon program which was delayed an hour and half because of overlapping of the motorcycle racing that morning. The two-and-a-half-hour auto racing program was over in time so the motorcycles could take to the track again for their evening program.

A couple of pre-race favorites, Sedalia’s Bill Utz and Gene Gennetten of Gladstone were among those who took to the pits when their fuel consumption was too great, and they were unable to stay with the lead pack.

Utz, Eddie Leavitt of Kearney – the 1975 Futurity winner, Opperman and Phil Howe of Jacksonville, Ill., were heat winners while Roy Comstock of Versailles won the Australian Pursuit.


Results –

1. Jan Opperman, Noxon, Mont. 
2. Roger Rager, Mound, Minn. 
3. Junior Parkinson, Wichita Falls, Tex. 
4. Ralph Parkinson Sr., Wichita Falls, Tex. 
5. Sonny Smyser, Lancaster 
6. Phil Howe, Jacksonville, Ill. 
7. Doug Wolfgang, Lincoln, Neb. 
8. Gary Johnson, Colfax, Iowa
9. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney 
10.Dale McCarty, Kanas City 

1969 - Ryan Tops East Moline Late Models

 

Terry Ryan carries the checkered flag after winning the late model feature at Quad City Raceway.

By Charlotte Reinhart

East Moline, Ill. (August 24, 1969) – Terry Ryan of Davenport, Iowa, took his first late model feature win of the season Sunday night at Quad City Raceway,

The lead in the 25-lapper changed several times between Ryan, Floyd Strube of Peoria, and Lloyd Ewing of Kewanee, before Ryan was able to gain control and take the checkered flag.

Strube would grab runner-up honors while Ewing settled for third. Another couple of Davenport drivers, Ernie Speth and Wendell Essex, came in fourth and fifth, respectively.

Heat winners were Doug Crawford of Geneseo, Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley, Iowa, and Essex. Ray Guss of Milan was the semi-main winner.

In the novice division, Webb Duncan of Milan made it two feature wins in a row.


Results –


1. Terry Ryan, Davenport, Iowa
2. Floyd Strube, Peoria
3. Lloyd Ewing, Kewanee
4. Ernie Speth, Davenport, Iowa
5. Wendell Essex, Davenport, Iowa
6. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
7. Jerry Reinhart, Moline
8. Ed Bolen, Peoria

1986 - Allen Takes Jackson Nationals

 

Bobby Allen came away the winner of the eighth annual Jackson Nationals in Jackson, Minn. – Phil Dullinger Photo

Jackson, Minn. (August 23, 1986) – In track announcer Tom Savage’s words, the eighth annual Jackson Nationals will be remembered as “the most closely-contested Nationals so far.”

Bobby Allen of Hanover, Penn., survived a number of lead changes and challenges en route to the title of the 410-cubic inch division of the Jackson Nationals Saturday night at Jackson Speedway. The win was worth $7,500 but lap money and qualifying night money may have pushed Allen’s weekend winnings to over $9,000.

After the second attempt to start the main event, Allen and Danny Lasoski of Dover, Mo., excited the near-capacity crowd by trading the lead several times in the first six laps. Each lap, Allen would take the lead coming out of turn two only to lose it to Lasoski coming out of turn four. Allen hugged the bottom of the track while Lasoski let it all hang out on the high side.

Within two car lengths of the two frontrunners were the charging Jimmy Sills of Sacramento, Calif., and Dave Blaney of Hartford, Ohio, who made it a four-car race for the top spot. On the seventh lap, the four leaders entered lap traffic, where Allen would take control.

Two laps later, Sills and Lasoski made contact, resulting in a race-ending crash for Sills into the front stretch wall.

Blaney slipped by Lasoski on the restart and took over the chase for the lead. By lap 15, Blaney and Allen were side-by-side. Again, Allen was glued to the bottom while his new challenger, Blaney, stayed on the high side.

Blaney took the lead on lap 16 and lost it back to Allen on lap 17. Blaney took the lead on lap 18 but once again lost it to Allen on lap 19. Blaney appeared to have the lead for good on lap 20. He lost it, however, on lap 24 when he became trapped in lapped traffic.

Allen got by Blaney and led the final six circuits, closely pursued by Blaney, Brad Doty of Fredericksburg, Ohio, who moved by Lasoski halfway through the race to garner third. Lasoski hung on to finish fourth and Rodney Duncan of Columbus, Ohio, rounded out the top-five.

The initial attempt to start the 30-lap feature was marred by a nasty flip off turn one by Rick Ferkel of Tiffin, Ohio. The accident eliminated both Ferkel and Jerry Richert Jr. of Forest Lake, Minn.

Bobby Houseman of Estherville, Iowa, shot by John Sernett of Minneapolis and Roger Rager of Mound on the 19th lap to win the 20-lap B-feature.

Bill Rook of Sioux Falls, S.D., led all 25 laps of the limited sprint car feature and captured the $1,000 first prize. Rook, who won Thursday night’s qualifier, had to fight off the late race advances of fellow Sioux Falls driver Kevin McIntyre.


Results –


Unlimited –

1. Bobby Allen, Hanover, Penn.
2. Dave Blaney, Hartford, Ohio
3. Brad Doty, Fredericksburg, Ohio
4. Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.
5. Rodney Duncan, Columbus, Ohio
6. Marlon Jones, Sioux Falls, S.D.
7. Kelly Kinser, Bloomington, Ind.
8. John Stevenson, St. Paul
9. John Sernett, Minneapolis
10.Gordy Vogelaar, Worthington
11.Jim Lindberg, Sioux Falls, S.D.
12.Bobby Houseman, Estherville, Iowa
13.Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
14.Bob Hop, Mendota
15.Todd Mack, East Grand Forks


Limited –

1. Bill Rooks, Sioux Falls, S.D.
2. Kevin McIntyre, Sioux Falls, S.D.
3. John Gerloff, Lincoln, Neb.
4. Charlie Taylor, Sioux Falls, S.D.
5. Doug Navara, Windom
6. Russell Kuhnau, Lakefield
7. Glen Berkner, Sleepy Eye
8. Randy Rosenboom, Edna, Iowa
9. Gary Zitterich, Sioux Falls, S.D.
10. Dick VonHeeder, Ainsworth, Iowa

1974 – Sanger is Biggest Winner at Cresco

 

By Bruce Lindquist

Cresco, Iowa (August 23, 1974) – Karl Sanger captured his fourth Inside Pole Racing Association late model feature of the season Friday night at the Howard County Fairgrounds.

Dave Bjorge and Ron Kester, both of Austin, Minn., each won a pair of features in the late model division at Cresco this summer.

“When the track is like what it was tonight, I feel like it’s up to me to take advantage of the opportunity,” said Sanger, referring to the hard-slick conditions of the 4/10-mile track.

“It’s really just a matter of learning how to ride with the track,” said Sanger, almost surprised that more drivers haven’t picked up on his cornering methods for negotiating on fast dirt.

“If it’s not raining here in Northern Iowa on Labor Day, I’ll be here,” he said.

The Labor Day race program is the season finale at Cresco.

Starting in the third row of the 15-car field, Sanger quickly advanced into second place after one lap behind IRPA late model point leader Willy Richardson of Hayfield, who began in the second row.

On the second turn, Sanger pushed his 1968 Chevelle into the top spot and built up a healthy margin over the rest of the field, despite four restarts, which chipped into his lead during the course of the 25-lap main event.

Sanger gained $300 out of the $2,500 total purse.

Floyd Lenoch, the IRPA promoter, succeeded in kicking a 25-yard field goal at intermission, gaining $500 extra for the Labor Day race card purse from Dale Schissel, owner of the Tower Supper Club in in Cresco, and Jerry Henderson, owner of the Stoplight Café in Cresco.

Ron Mayer of Riceville won the wreck-marred street stock feature.


Results -

Heat #1 – Ron Roed
Heat #2 – Jack Mitchell, New Hampton
Heat #3 – Wayne Peters, Rochester, Minn.
Semi-main – Dave Bjorge, Austin, Minn.
Feature –
1. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
2. Willy Richardson, Hayfield
3. Dave Bjorge
4. Ron Kester, Austin, Minn.
5. Red Dralle, Waterloo

1969 – Arv Miller Scores at Boone

 

Arvid Miller won the super stock feature at Boone Speedway. 

By Denny Sills

Boone, Iowa (August 23, 1969) – Arvid Miller of Odgen worked his way through heavy traffic Saturday night at Boone Speedway and drove his 1965 Chevrolet to victory in the 25-lap super stock feature.

Miller, who started 19th in the 22-car field, took over the lead when Del McDowell of Ames spun out of control on lap 20. Miller slipped into the lead but still had to fight off challenges from Del Stokke of Ames to score the biggest win of his career to date.

Miller, interviewed in victory lane, said, “Del Stokke said last week after he won the feature that he couldn’t be beat here. I just wanted to prove him wrong, and I did.”

George Barton of Des Moines finished third with McDowell, who led the first 20 laps, settling for fourth. John Carlson of Ankeny rounded out the top-five finishers.

Stokke may have been beaten by Miller in the feature, but his runner-up finish closed the gap in the point standings between he and point leader Gene Schattschneider of Algona. Schattschneider tangled with Don “Shiny” Hilbert, also of Algona, on lap 3 of the feature, sending both drivers to the pits.

Greg Davis of Boone had a set of hot wheels as he drove his 1956 Ford to victory in the trophy dash, the third heat, and the 15-lap handicap.


Results –


Trophy dash – Greg Davis, Boone
Heat #1 – Gene Schattschneider, Algona
Heat #2 – Del Stokke, Ames
Heat #3 – Greg Davis
Handicap – Greg Davis
B-main – Bob Luke, Perry
A-main –
1. Arv Miller, Ogden
2. Del Stokke
3. George Barton, Des Moines
4. Del McDowell, Ames
5. John Carlson, Ankeny
6. Arnie Braland, Boone