Bob Wawak lapped the entire field en route to winning the late model
season championship at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo
By Stan Kalwasinski
Schererville, Ind. (September 14, 1974) – Bobby Wawak of Lake Villa, Ill., driving a 1971 Ford Torino, overwhelmed the competition Saturday night as he lapped the entire starting field of 20 cars to capture the 75-lap season championship late model race at Illiana Motor Speedway.
It was Wawak’s fifth late model feature win of the year, and it clinched the point championship for the 35-year-old car wash operator.
Dave Clower of Channahon, Ill., grabbed the lead at the start in his Chevelle convertible. Clower stayed in front for the first five laps before Ray Para of East Hazelcrest, Ill., took over.
Para and his Camaro held the top spot for only one lap, with Bob Roper of Lombard, Ill., taking over first place on lap 7. Roper, driving a 1974 Monte Carlo, and winner of last week’s feature, led the next three circuits.
On lap 10, defending champion Ed Hoffman of Niles, Ill., put his Chevelle into the lead. Hoffman held on for two laps before a hard-charging Wawak took control on lap 12.
Wawak, driving the only Ford in the field, literally walked away from the rest of the competition. He took starter Art Kelly’s checkered flag well ahead of Hoffman, Dave Evans of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Roper.
The event saw only two cautions as Wawak set a record for 75 laps, covering the distance in 27 minutes and 59.46 seconds.
Results –
1. Bobby Wawak, Lake Villa, Ill.
2. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
3. Dave Evans, Crystal Lake, Ill.
4. Bob Roper, Lombard, Ill.
5. Bob McKay, Morton Grove, Ill.
6. Ray Para, East Hazelcrest, Ill.
7. Rich Sundling, Addison, Ill.
8. John Buzinee, Alsip, Ill.
9. Dennis Fritz, LaGrange, Ill.
10.Denny Mac, Harvey, Ill.
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