Joe Merryfield hoists his trophy after winning the World 100 for late
models at Eldora Speedway. – Dean Malone Photo
Rossburg, Ohio (September 21, 1975) – Joe Merryfield, who had little confidence in his chances of winning, raced to victory Sunday afternoon in the World 100 late model stock car race at Eldora Speedway.
“I really wasn’t too enthused about coming down here,” the 27-year-old Des Moines, Iowa, driver said. “I had won only one other feature this season.”
That first win netted him $500 but Sunday’s was worth more than $8,500, including lap money. But he didn’t gain it without a bit of controversy.
Merryfield, who moved into the lead on the 43rd lap, lost the hood off his 1974 Chevelle with just seven laps remaining to bring out the fifth - and final – yellow caution flag of the race.
A few laps earlier, a hood on Bill Beckman’s car had also flown off. To most observers, it appeared that track officials order Beckman to the rear of the field for the restart.
Merryfield, who kept his car under control, was allowed to stay in front, though, and held off a hard-charging Ed Sanger in the final laps.
Sanger, the 1974 World 100 winner from Waterloo, Iowa, said he wasn’t complaining about the decision but wasn’t pleased.
“They told us in the driver’s meeting what whoever is the cause of the yellow flag has to go to the rear of the field,” he said. “And they specifically said they wanted hoods and trunk lids fastened down. In fact, the promoter (Earl Baltes) said, “We will not tolerate it. We will black flag you.’
“The judges have to call ‘em. The right way out isn’t necessarily the easiest road.”
Merryfield said he was “glad the hood came off.”
“It had been flapping,” the full-time plumber said. “They would’ve black-flagged me the next lap.”
Baltes said, Beckaman, another Iowa who led the first 17 laps of the race, wasn’t black-flagged because of his hood.
“He came into the pits down by turn one, then left by the entrance on turn four. We can’t let him do that,” Baltes said. “If the scorer doesn’t see him do it he picks up a lap.”
“There’s a thin line on something like a hood coming off. That rule will be clarified for next year’s race, that’s for sure.”
Merryfield and Sanger were the only drivers on the same lap at the end of the race. Rounding out the top were Verlin Eaker, Danny Eichler, and Dave Yobe.
Beckman, who wound up ninth, battled Eaker and Georgia’s Doug Kenimer for the lead in the early going. Kenimer moved his Camaro into the lead on the 18th lap coming off of turn four.
But Merryfield soon began to make his charge, moving into second place on lap 25 and into the lead on the 43rd circuit when the track began to get dusty and rutty.
“My car was running really hot the first 10 or 15 laps,” said Merryfield, who started on the outside of the fifth row. “It was spitting water out. But I eased off a little and it cooled down.”
Results –
1. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines, Iowa
2. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
3. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Danny Eichler, Cincinnati
5. Dave Yobe, Hubbard
6. Don Gregory, Columbus
7. Don Hoffman, Des Moines, Iowa
8. Roger Regeth, Kimberly, Wis.
9. Bill Beckman, Lisbon, Iowa
10.Doug Kenimer, Dahlonega, Ga.
11.Chick Hale, Lewisburg
12.Jim Strube, Peoria, Ill.
13.Rodney Combs, Mason
14.Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
15.Vern LeFever, Deer Park
16.Neal Sceva, Urbana
17.Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
18.Billy Teegarden, Independence, Ky.
19.Jim Hurtubise, Indianapolis
20.Floyd Gilbert, Lockland
21.Jim Dunn, Roseville
22.Tom Helfrich, Haubstadt, Ind.
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