1962 – Nelson Wins USAC Race at Illiana

 

Norm Nelson accepts his trophy after winning the 100-lap USAC stock car race at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Wayne Bryant Photo/Stan Kalwasinski Collection

Schererville, Ind. (August 4, 1962) – Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., had his 1962 Ford in tune Saturday night when Illiana Speedway hosted the USAC late model stock cars.

Nelson led all qualifiers with a time of 24.36 seconds and wound up first in the 100-lap feature over the half-mile track with a time of 37 minutes and 57.41 seconds. He lapped 990 percent of the field.

Elmer Musgrave of Niles, Ill., finished second in a 1961 Mercury followed by Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, in a 1962 Ford. Whitey Gerken of Schiller Park, Ill., in a 1962 Chevrolet, and Troy Ruttman of Dearborn, Mich., in a 1962 Mercury, rounded out the top-five finishers.

Heat winners were White, Whitey Johnson of Hammond in a 1961 Pontiac, and Rich Stukus of Oak Lawn, Ill., in a 1961 Ford.


Results –

1. Norm Nelson, Racine, Wis.
2. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
3. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Whitey Gerken, Melrose Park, Ill.
5. Troy Ruttman, Dearborn, Mich.
6. Whitey Johnson, Hammond
7. Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
8. Gene Marmor, Schiller Park, Ill.