1982 - Sauter Wins at Dells, Earns ARTGO Crown

 

Jim Sauter notched his second consecutive ARTGO Racing title after winning the Midwest Championships at Dells Motor Speedway. ARTGO president John McKarns congratulates Sauter on his achievement. – Don Thies Photo

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (September 19, 1982) – Dick Trickle and Jim Sauter each snared 75-lap feature victories at Dells Motor speedway on Sunday afternoon, with Sauter, who also won a 50-lap main on Saturday night, taking the overall title in the track’s two-day ARTGO-sanctioned 11th annual Midwest Championships.

The victory in the Sunday’s 75-lap nightcap enabled Sauter to clinch his second straight ARTGO Racing season title as he bested his nearest rival, Joe Shear, by 755 markers in the point standings.

Trickle, a three-time ARTGO champion and winningest driver of all-time on the tour, scored his first main event win of the season on the circuit in the first 75-lapper on Sunday. Trickle wheeled his 1982 Camaro to a two-car-length margin of victory over Shear, who was trailed by Tom Reffner, Mike Miller, and Jim Back.

Sauter, whose point margin over Shear was cut to 255 markers as a result of his spinning and hitting the wall on lap 70 of the first 75, roared back to win the day’s second feature.

Pushing his battered 1982 Firebird, Sauter held off stiff challenges of Trickle to record his ninth ARTGO feature win of the season. Trailing Sauter at the checkers was Trickle, Reffner, Miller, and John Ziegler.

Sauter captured Saturday’s 50-lap contest over Dave Watson, fast qualifier Jim Back, Reffner, and Shear.

An all-time ARTGO record field of 68 entries were on hand for the event.


Results –

Friday - 

Feature #1 –

1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
2. Joe Shear, Beloit
3. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
4. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Jim Back, Vesper
6. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh
7. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire
8. Dick Stang, Prior Lake, Minn.
9. Tom Musgrave, Glenview, Ill.
10.Kevin Stepan, Mosinee


Feature #2 –

1. Jim Sauter, Necedah
2. Dick Trickle
3. Tom Reffner
4. Mike Miller
5. John Ziegler, Madison
6. Joe Shear
7. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
8. Jim Back
9. Kevin Stepan
10.Dick Stang


Saturday –

1. Jim Sauter
2. Dave Watson, Milton
3. Jim Back
4. Tom Reffner
5. Joe Shear
6. Mike Miller
7. Ted Musgrave
8. Dick Stang
9. Steve Moll, Wisconsin Rapids
10.Tom Musgrave