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