Rusty Wallace celebrates after winning the 250-mile Governor's Cup at the Milwaukee Mile.
West Allis, Wis. (September 9, 1979) - Rookie Rusty Wallace whose driving has drawn complaints from the regulars, overcame such veterans as Joe Ruttman and A.J. Foyt to win the Governor's Cup 250-mile United States Auto Club stock car race Sunday.
Wallace, 23, said the victory on the State Fair Park mile oval, his third in his first USAC season had a lot to do with ignoring a near-empty fuel tank.
“I don’t think there is more than a couple of quarts of fuel left in that car,’’ he said after his Firebird finished three seconds ahead of Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, who drove a Camaro.
“The last time here, I went 99 miles on the 22 gallons," he said " I was skeptical about making it this time. I was really worried, but the car was running consistently, and I decided to stay with it."
There was some question about how the more experienced drivers might treat the kid from Arnold. Mo.
Ruttman was deprived of an apparent victory in a 150-mile race at the park in August when Wallace rammed him into a spin. Milton's Dave Watson, who eventually won that race, finished 23rd Sunday, dropping out on the 139th lap with a blown engine. Watson, who qualified third for the race, earned $468.
Wallace took the lead to stay at the 199th lap after Ruttman blew an engine and hit the wall at the 106th lap
Foyt left at the 221st mile with engine trouble. He finished 14th and retained his circuit point lead with 1,640 Wallace is second with 1,190, followed by Bay Darnell 1,120, Ruttman, 1,050, Terry Ryan, 935 and Bob Brevak, 905.
Results –
1. Rusty Wallace
2. Ramo Stott
3. Bob Brevak
4. Sal Tovella
5. Ken Rowley
6. Rich Clement
7. Dick Trickle
8. John Prior
9. Clyde Dagit
10.Russ Peterson
11.Larry Nau
12.Tom Schley
13.Gordon Blankenship
14.A.J. Foyt
15.Rick O’Brien
16.Fred Zack
17.Rich Sundling
18.Bay Darnell
19.Frank Freda
20.Bill Venturini
21.Dean Roper
22.Tom Meinberg
23.Dave Watson
24.Randy Ogden
25.Bob Schacht
26.Joe Ruttman
27.Allan Shepherd
28.Danny Darnell
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