1969 - Leavitt in Knoxville First

 

Eddie Leavitt earned his first career super-modified feature win at Knoxville Raceway. He’s joined by car owner Taylor “Pappy” Weld. – Jeffrey Wagner Collection

Knoxville, Iowa (August 9, 1969) – Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., tuned up for next week’s National Super Modified Championships by copping the 25-lap feature at Knoxville Raceway on Saturday night.

For Leavitt, it was his first career feature win at the Marion County Fairgrounds’ half-mile.

He jumped into the lead and stayed out front the entire way. Jan Opperman of Beaver Crossing, Neb., was second with Bob Williams of Kansas City in third.

The event was halted on the eighth lap when Burt Sonner of Des Moines and Norm Wadle of Milo tangled in the first turn. Wadle’

Wadle’s car tumbled end-over-end three times and crashed into the wall with such force the rear end and one wheel exploded over a 12-foot fence. The rearend rolled onto the highway and was hit by a passing car, cracking the windshield and damaging the passenger door.

Wadle was taken from the wreckage and rushed to the Knoxville hospital where he was reported in critical condition with head and internal injuries.

Earl Wagner flipped in the second turn of the trophy dash when he caught the rear wheel of Sonners’ car trying to pass on the outside. Neither driver was hurt but Wagner’s car was sidelined for the rest of the night.

Fast time for the night was shared by three drivers. Ken Gritz of Lincoln, Neb., Ken Weld of Thomasville, Penn., and Wagner all time in at 21 seconds flat.

Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., won the 10-lap consolation in the record time of 3 minutes and 38.75 seconds.


Results –


Trophy dash – Roger Rager, Lincoln, Neb.
Heat #1 – Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Ill.
Heat #2 – Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
Heat #3 – Ken Gritz, Lincoln, Neb.
Consolation – Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
Feature –
1. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
2. Jan Opperman, Beaver Crossing, Neb.
3. Bob Williams, Kansas City
4. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
5. Ken Gritz