Lee Schuler won the 30-lap late model feature during the Grundy County Fair. - Ted Hanes Photo
Morris, Ill. (August 27, 1972) – Lee Schuler of Lockport won a close, hard-fought victory in the 30-lap late model feature Sunday afternoon to open the 68th annual Grundy County Fair after heavy rains delayed the scheduled events on Friday and Saturday.
Schuler’s win came with Dave Watson of Beloit, Wis., and Tom Jones of Northbrook on his back bumper in one of the closest races of the season. Ed Hoffman of Niles finished fourth with early leader Ray Young of Dolton taking fifth.
Young saw a big lead vanish on the 13th lap when John Kennedy of Villa Park spun, and Rich Kleich of Chicago, George Hill of Blue Island, and Tom Musgrave of Mundelein all collide in the second turn trying to miss Kennedy.
Schuler caught Young by lap 15, then took the lead for good on lap 17 with Watson and Jones delayed several laps before getting by Young as well.
Jones had fast time for the afternoon over the largest late model field of the year at the Morris track. Jones was just .01 seconds off the one-lap record with a 16.77 second lap while Hoffman and Watson tied for second fastest at 16.78 seconds.
The trophy dash saw all of the starters timing in the magic “16-second” bracket. Boyce Sparkman of Rockford passed Kleich in the final lap for an exciting win. Sparkman would be among the leaders in the feature until a water leak caused him to spin at the midway point.
Bob Wawak of Villa Park recorded two wins on Sunday, taking the third heat and the 12-lap semi-feature win. The latter gave him the right to start in the feature where he finished sixth.
The other heat winners were Schuler, Bob Meyers of Melrose Park, and Hoffman.
Results –
Time trials – Tom Jones, Northbrook (16.77)
Trophy dash – Boyce Sparkman, Rockford
Heat #1 – Lee Schuler, Lockport
Heat #2 – Bob Meyers, Melrose Park
Heat #3 – Bob Wawak, Villa Park
Heat #4 – Ed Hoffman, Niles
Semi-main – Bob Wawak
Feature –
1. Lee Schuler
2. Dave Watson, Beloit, Wis.
3. Tom Jones
4. Ed Hoffman
5. Ray Young, Dolton
6. Bob Wawak
7. Rich Kleich, Chicago
8. Tom Musgrave, Mundelein
9. Dennis Tjelle, Coal City
10.Bob Meyers
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