1978 – Crawford Wins Cornhusker-Hawkeye Trophy

 

Gary Crawford won the overall title at the seventh annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup. Shelby County Speedway promoter John Beaman makes the trophy presentation. – Bill Haglund Photo

By Mark Woods

Lincoln, Neb. (October 1, 1978) – Joe Merryfield of Des Moines, Iowa, and Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, won the headliners but it was Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa, walking away with the overall championship of the seventh annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup.

The two-day event presented programs at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa, on Saturday, and Midwest Speedway in Lincoln, Neb., on Sunday.

Saturday night’s 50-lap feature came down to a photo finish between Merryfield and Hansen. In the contest, Hansen took control of the race after getting by Crawford on lap 25 but Merryfield was soon nipping at Hansen’s heels.

And with two laps remaining, Merryfield pulled up alongside Hansen and as both cars zipped across the finish line, side-by-side, Merryfield apparently held a slight edge over Hansen.

But it was Hansen parading into victory lane, while Merryfield was coasting into the pits. “I didn’t know who won the race,” Merryfield said afterwards. “It looked like the flagman waved Curt over, so I though he had won.”

Joe Merryfield won the first feature of the Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup at Shelby County Speedway. He’s joined by Shelby County Speedway promoter John Beaman (left) and Midwest Speedway promoter Pete Litekam. – Bill Haglund Photo

The 2,000 plus fans in attendance were standing still, and silent, when the flagman called for Merryfield to re-enter the track. Then came the announcement, “Officials have ruled Joe Merryfield as the winner.”

“I’m glad I didn’t have to call this one,” a beaming Merryfield said.

Finishing behind Merryfield and Hansen were two other Iowans, Crawford and Bill Davis of Des Moines, Two Nebraskans, Dean Ward of Grand Island and Bob Kosiski of Omaha, were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Everyone would pack up and make their way 100 miles west to Lincoln, Neb., for the second day of competition. Those racing teams that were disappointed the night before with blown tires or mechanical problems, patched things together and swung into Midwest Speedway. Gary Crawford held a slight edge in points after the first night.

Rex Nun of Lincoln had the pole position and grabbed the initial lead but lost it quickly to Dean Ward on lap 5. Joe Merryfield, still red-hot from his feature win the night before, moved into second, then grabbed the lead on lap 15. It looked like Saturday night all over again with Curt Hansen getting by Nun, then Ward, and moving into second behind Merryfield.

Curt Hansen exits his late model after winning the second feature of the Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup at Midwest Speedway. – Bill Haglund Photo

On lap 36, Hansen would pull past Merryfield for the lead. But unlike the night before, Hansen pulled away from Merryfield and left no doubt when the checkers waved. Merryfield settled for second with Clayton Petersen Jr. of Grand Island third and Ward taking fourth.

And when the final points were tallied, it was Crawford winning the overall title by 10 markers over the three-time Challenge Cup winner Hansen.


Results –


Harlan –

Heat #1 – Gary Crawford, Independence
Heat #2 – Bill Moyer, Des Moines
Heat #3 – Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
Heat #4 – Clayton Petersen Jr., Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #5 – Dean Ward, Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #6 – Bill Davis, Des Moines
Trophy dash – Gary Crawford
Feature –
1. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Gary Crawford
4. Bill Davis
5. Dean Ward
6. Bob Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.


Lincoln –

Heat #1 – Billy Moyer
Heat #2 – Dan Nesteby
Heat #3 – Stan Stover, Reinbeck, Iowa
Heat #4 – Bill Wrich, Kennard
Heat #5 – Clayton Petersen Jr.
Trophy dash – Clayton Petersen
Consolation – Buddy Watkins
B-feature – Al Druesedow
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen
2. Joe Merryfield
3. Clayton Petersen Jr.
4. Dean Ward