1978 - Mack Scores Wire-To-Wire Win

 

Don Mack is joined by the Minnesota Honey Queen after winning the 40-lap MSA sprint car feature at the Minnesota State Fair. – Armin Krueger Photo

Falcon Heights, Minn. (August 27, 1978) – Don Mack of East Grand Forks, survived seven early caution periods to record a wire-to-wire victory in the 40-lap Midwest Sprint Association feature at the Minnesota State Fair on Sunday afternoon.

It was the 30th victory of the current campaign for the 38-year-old potato farmer, who was forced out of Saturday’s 40-lap main event here because of a flat tire suffered while leading the contest.

Mack, who earned $1,500 for his triumph, was followed to the finish line by Terry Nish of salt Lake city, Utah, Ken Hamilton of Boise, Idaho, Ron Semelka of Wauseon, Ohio, and Rich Leming of Topeka, Kan.

Curt Kelley of Union City, Mich., winner of Saturday's event, dropped out of Sunday’s headliner when his racer slammed the fourth turn wall on lap 5.

Misfortune also plagued Dean Best, who finished second to Kelley on Saturday. After winning the dash Sunday, Best was forced out of the main event after 23 circuits because of mechanical problems.

Morning rain resulted in cancellation of time trials and all of Sunday’s were started on the basis of Saturday’s qualifications.


Results -

Trophy dash – Dean Best, Eldon, Ohio
Heat #1 – Ed Lute, Columbus, Ohio
Heat #2- Tim Richmond, Ashland, Ohio
Heat #3 – Bob Leever, Anderson, Ind.
Semi-main – Bob Seelman, Lansing, Mich.
Feature –
1. Don Mack, East Grand Forks
2. Terry Nish, Salt Lake City, Utah
3. Ken Hamilton, Boise, Idaho
4. Ron Semelka, Wauseon, Ohio
5. Rich Leming, Topeka, Kan.