1967 – Derr’s Four Wins Pace Action at Wausau

 

Ernie Derr receives congratulations from Daune Moen, Miss Wausau, after winning the 100-lap late model stock car feature Sunday afternoon at the Wisconsin Valley Fair. Derr also won the 50-lap evening feature in the doubleheader.

Wausau, Wis. (August 13, 1967) – Record-setting Ernie Derr, already stamped as one of the best late model drivers of all-time, moved closer to an unprecedented eighth International Motor Contest Association championship here Sunday by posting four victories at the Wisconsin Valley Fair.

The 46-year-old Derr completely dominated the doubleheader at the Marathon Park track by winning two events in the afternoon program and two more in the nightly racing sessions.

He piloted his finely-tuned Dodge Charger to victory in two 25-lap dashes and then captured both the 100-lap afternoon feature and the 50-lap evening feature.

Der also set a one-lap track record in the afternoon’s time trials as he circled the half-mile track in 26.59 seconds. The old record was 27.36 seconds set by Ramo Stott in 1966. Stott, who like Derr is from Keokuk, Iowa, tied his old record in Sunday’s trials, while John Mickey of Columbus Junction, Iowa, also broke it with a clocking of 27.16 seconds.

Thirty-one cars, the largest field ever to compete in the Fair’s late model events, competed Sunday and area racing fans responded with a capacity crowd in the afternoon and 3,000 for the nightcap.

The weather for both programs was perfect, and the track was in excellent condition, resulting in some of the best action in the program’s history.

Derr came from last place to win the afternoon’s dash and then displayed some fine driving talent in the feature by slipping by Stott on the 59th circuit and holding on for another victory.

Derr also won the dash in the evening program and then again, outdueled Stott in the feature, slipping by Stott on the last lap to score the victory.

Stott won the second dash in the afternoon and finished second to Derr three times. Mickey won the second dash in the evening program.


Results –


Afternoon –

Dash #1 – Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
Dash #2 – Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ernie Derr
2. Ramo Stott
3. Chuck Nutzman, New Richmond
4. Don Knutson, Rib Lake
5. Dale Keeling, Dixon, Mo.


Evening –

Dash #1 – Ernie Derr
Dash #2 – John Mickey, Columbus Junction, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ernie Derr
2. Ramo Stott
3. Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
4. Wally Christensen, Minneapolis
5. Ken Pankratz, Mosinee