Bob Kosiskie
La Crosse, Wis. (August 9, 1959) – Bob Kosiskie of Omaha, Neb., broke his string of hard luck Sunday night to win the late model stock car 100-lap feature race at the La Crosse Inter-State Fair.
Kosiskie, driving a 1959 Thunderbird, regained the lead from Jerry Draper of Moline, Ill., on lap 99 after pacing the race for the first 86 circuits.
An estimated 3,400 watched the thrilling night feature. Another 3,000 witnessed the afternoon program, highlighted by Ernie Derr’s 25-lap feature win. Derr, from Keokuk, Iowa, drove a 1957 Pontiac.
In the afternoon feature, Kosiskie had led the first 19 laps and was well on his way to victory before being black-flagged because of a badly shredded tire.
Kosiskie led the first 86 laps of the nightcap with Draper, Derr, Dick Hutcherson of Keokuk, Iowa, and Bruce Nystrom of Oshkosh following in that order for the first 14. Derr then dropped behind Hutcherson and Nystrom.
The caution flag waved from lap 27 to 34 for Sonny Morgan of Beaumont, Tex., who had spun.
Draper nearly took the lead from Kosiskie on the lap 34 restart but settled in behind him and tailed him until he made his move on lap 87.
Right before Draper took over, Nystrom would retire on lap 82 after hitting a rock and puncturing his distributor, dropping him from fourth to eleventh. The caution flag was out for laps 82 – 86.
The field of leaders tightened for the restart and as the green flag waved, Draper bolted ahead of Kosiskie on the backstretch as the fans roared. Stock car fans were then treated to 12 laps of exciting, tight racing.
Draper – Kosiskie – Hutcherson – Derr, in that order, were separated by no more than a car length. The excitement even reached the IMCA officials.
On lap 99, Kosiskie would make his final bid on the back straightaway to take the lead. He would power past Draper just as the field entered the final turns and with every fan on their feet cheering, would take the checkered flag.
Hutcherson would also pass Draper to take second with Draper settling for third.
Ken Schultz of Wisconsin Rapids, driving a 1958 Ford, won the 16-lap consolation while Dick Hutcherson, in a 1957 Pontiac, would win the 4-lap trophy dash.
Results –
1. Bob Kosiskie, Omaha, Neb.
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.
4. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
5. Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
6. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
7. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
8. Ken Schultz, Wisconsin Rapids
9. Ralph Wilhelm, Milwaukee
10.Milo Van Oudenhoven, Appleton
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