1978 - Kastli is Midway Downs Season Champ

 

Greg Kastli won the sportsman season championship at Midway Downs near Charles City. Merlin Benning holds the checkered flag. – Earl Schwartz Photo

By Norma Benning

Charles City, Iowa (September 2, 1978) – Racing fans saw plenty of action Saturday night at Midway Downs with 11 races run.

The two features that were rained out last week had to be completed first so that points could be added up to determine the lineups for the championship features.

Dave Swartz of Cedar Falls won his first feature of the season in the street stock class. The makeup sportsman feature started with a lot of action when Kenneth Kent of Cedar Falls hit the fence. By the time he came to a stop, he was sitting on top of the dirt that is piled behind the fence. Dave Maxson was the winner of the makeup feature.

Frank Crotts of Stanley won the street stock season championship. Wencie Baker of Shell Rock was leading the race when she collided with a slower car that had been given the “lap flag” but didn’t get out of the way in time. An electrical problem caused by the impact prevented her from finishing the race.

Wencie did not go home empty-handed as she clinched the point title and was presented a plaque afterwards for her accomplishments.

The sportsman season championship went to Greg Kastli of Waterloo. Kastli passed Mike Krall of Waterloo on the 18th lap and held on to grab the victory. With his runner-up finish, Krall clinched the sportsman point title and was also awarded a plaque for being the only driver to have competed every week of the season.


Results –


Sportsman –

Make-up Feature –

1. Dave Maxson
2. Duane VanDeest
3. Mike Krall
4. Mike Mauer
5. James Kisling
6. Steve Weber

Championship Feature –

1. Greg Kastli
2. Mike Krall
3. Duane VanDeest
4. Craig Haupt
5. Dave Maxson
6. Bob Hesse
7. Fuzzy Liddell
8. Mike Mauer
9. John Brustkern
10.Chuck Roberts


Street Stock –

Make-up Feature –

1. Dave Swarts
2. LaVerne Hawn
3. Gary Kaune
4. Laverne Lehman
5. Wencie Baker
6. Casey Tucker
7. Kenny Murray

Championship Feature –

1. Frank Crotts
2. Gary Kaune
3. LaVerne Hawn
4. Dwight Harlan
5. Harlan Heins
6. Cassey Tucker
7. Walter Hirsh