1979 - Plum a First-Time Winner at Indy

 

Dave Plum receives congratulations from Grater Iowa Racing's Vern Weber after winning his first career late model feature.

By Jayne Chapman

Independence, Iowa (August 25, 1979) – Dave Plum of Waterloo anticipated a late model victory for a long time, 12 years to be exact, but how sweet it was Saturday night to carry off the feature trophy from the Buchanan County Fairgrounds.

Plum, starting on the outside of the front row, Plum led all, but the 13th and 14th lap. He held off the challenges of Dr. Al Mayner of Winthrop, survived six restarts, and managed to stay inches ahead of Gary Crawford of Independence, as the race went right down to the wire.

The finish read Plum, Crawford, Mayner, Glen Martin of Independence, and Red Dralle of Evansdale.

Heats were won by Plum, Mayner, and Crawford. Dick Chapman II of Dubuque and Glen Martin were semi-main winners.

Randy Frush of Jesup took the lead from Raymond’s Ben Schaefer on lap 8 of the 15-lap sportsman feature, held off all challengers, and sped to his first career feature win as well.

Following Frush to the finish line were Duane Bentley of Fairbanks, Schaefer, Roger Bucholz of Cedar Falls, and Duane White of Vinton.

Schaefer and Bob Fisher of Vinton were heat winners and Frush also won the semi-main.

Todd McCombs of Waterloo took advantage of LaVerne Lehman, also of Waterloo, going high in the fourth and final turn to snatch away the roadrunner feature.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Dave Plum, Waterloo
2. Gary Crawford, Independence
3. Dr. Al Mayner, Winthrop
4. Glen Martin, Independence
5. Red Dralle, Evansdale
6. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo


Sportsman –

1. Randy Frush, Jesup
2. Duane Bentley, Fairbanks
3. Ben Schaefer, Raymond
4. Roger Bucholz, Cedar Falls
5. Duane White, Vinton
6. Jim Reidl, Dubuque