1979 – Wallace Has Winning Day

 

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

1978 - Shryock Repeats at Black Hills Championships

 

Bob Shryock

By Pat Seyler

Rapid City, S.D. (September 9, 1978) – Bob Shryock of Estherville, Iowa, continued his domination of the late model field at the National Championship Races at Black Hills Speedway. John Stevenson of St. Paul, Minn., notched his first win here in the sprint class during the running of the sixth annual event.

Shryock and Stevenson both picked up $1,500 for their respective wins as they claimed their share of the $20,000 total purse that was up for grabs during the three days of racing.

Shryock took the lead away from Clayton Peterson Jr. of Grand Island, Neb., early on and then led the rest of the 50-lap race.

But for the first time, Shryock’s strongest competition came from a local racer as Les Staedel of Rapid City came from the back row, after winning the consolation to even make the field, and was on Shryock’s bumper for the rest of the race. Although Staedel pulled alongside Shryock on several occasions, he could not get around the elusive driver.

Trailing these two drivers across the finish line were Lynn Franz of Sturgis, Dan Nesteby of Waterloo, Iowa, and Ted Zieman of Mason City, Iowa.

Bill Liebig of Rapid City started on the pole alongside Peterson but cut a tire on the first lap and was forced to pit to change tires. Down two laps, Liebig charged through the field, passing all but Stadel and Shryock before the checkered flag fell.

Shryock has now won the Black Hills National Championship four times in the last six years, along with a second-place finish and a fifth-place finish.

Steven had little trouble picking up the sprint car victory as he easily won his heat race then led start-to-finish in the 40-lap feature.

Some of his major competition went out early as Bill Mellenberndt crashed into the wall on the third lap then bounced into traffic, with several cars tangling but everyone staying on their wheels. Mellenberndt, Darl Ellis, and Mike Foley were all knocked out of the race.

Jack McCorkell of Redwood Falls, Minn., ran second for a while but midway through the race his motor let go and put him out of action.

Don Reiners of Sioux Falls finished second with Jack Tennyson and Sam Liebig, both of Rapid City, and Marv DeWall of Jackson, Minn., rounding out the top-five.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Bill Liebig, Rapid City
Heat #2 – Clayton Peterson Jr., Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #3 – Dennis Selting, Huron
Heat #4 – Bob Shryock, Estherville, Iowa
Consolation – Les Stadel, Rapid City
Feature –
1. Bob Shryock
2. Les Stadel
3. Lynn Franz, Rapid City
4. Dan Nesteby, Waterloo, Iowa
5. Ted Zieman, Mason City, Iowa

Sprint Car –

Heat #1 – Bill Mellenberndt, Sioux Falls
Heat #2 – John Stevenson, St. Paul, Minn.
Heat #3 – Jack McCorkell, Redwood Falls, Minn.
Consolation – Jack Tennyson, Rapid City
Feature –
1. John Stevenson
2. Don Reiners, Sioux Falls
3. Jack Tennyson
4. Sam Liebig, Rapid City
5. Marv DeWall, Jackson, Minn.

1967 – Householder Captures Three Wins in Denison Finale

 

The top-five in points are lined up after the season finale at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. From left to right – Andy Rasmussen, Harlan (fifth place), Greg White, Spencer (fourth place), car owner Dale Swanson and Junior Brunick, Vermillion, S.D. (third place), Mike Chapman, Whiting (second place), and Butch Householder, Algona and car owner Wayne Meyer (champion).

By Jerry Dickinson

Denison, Iowa (September 9, 1967) - Butch Householder of Algona powered his way to three wins Saturday evening as the final night of stock car racing here closed out with cars able to run unlimited carburetion and tires.

Householder grabbed the top spots in the second heat, handicap, and the “A” feature.

The handicap race was a new race to the fans this year, taking the top two cars from each heat and matching them together.

Since the races did not follow the rules used during the year, drivers drew for their heat race positions and their finish in those heats determined which feature race they ran.

Householder easily won his heat and the handicap but was trailing Junior Brunick of Vermillion, S.D., by a good distance in the “A” feature. Brunick, however, got tangled up with Don Wood of Ida Grove. Householder also got into the fender-bending as well, bouncing off Brunick, but somehow ending up in the lead. He held it to the finish with Brunick a couple of car lengths behind.

Tully Carlson of Onawa won the “C” feature and Mike Schaben of Defiance grabbed top honors in the “B” feature. Other heat winners were Lloyd Jorgenson of Carroll and Jim Pester of Denison.


Results –

Heat #1 – Lloyd Jorgenson, Carroll
Heat #2 – Butch Householder, Algona
Heat #3 – Jim Pester, Denison
Handicap – Butch Householder
C-feature – Tully Carlson, Onawa
B-feature – Mike Schaben, Defiance
A-feature –
1. Butch Householder
2. Junior Brunick, Vermillion, S.D.
3. Mike Chapman, Whiting
4. Lloyd Jorgenson
5. Leo Corn, Onawa
6. Loren Theis, Arthur
7. Jim Pester
8. Don Wood, Ida Grove

1979 - Nesbitt, Christman, Hop Win Laursen Memorial

 

By Jamie Thomas

Superior, Wis. (September 8-9, 1979) – Tom Nesbitt, Dick Christman, and Bob Hop took top honors in the ninth annual Russ Laursen Classic at Tri-State Speedway. Over 97 cars were on hand to compete for the top prizes in each class.

Tom Nesbitt held on to the lead for the last five laps over Red Steffen to win his 26th feature of the year.

The feature was a battle for the lead between Nesbitt, Phil Prusak, and Steffen. Prusak went by Nesbit to take the lead. Steffen then raced by Prusak to take over the top spot and held it until the last five laps when Nesbitt went by and held it to the checkers.

Steffen settled for second with Prusak in third. Brent Laursen was fourth followed by John Jones, who drove an impressive race after starting 23rd.

Dick Christman led the super stock feature from start to finish with Ron Jones finishing a car-length behind. Don Roseen and Rick Popovich finished third and fourth, respectively.

Bob Hop outdistanced Gordy Lamb on a very dry-slick racetrack to capture the sprint car main event.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay, Ont.
2. Red Steffen, Eau Claire
3. Phil Prusak, Eau Claire
4. Brent Laursen, Cameron
5. John Jones, Thunder Bay, Ont.
6. Tom Steuding, Altoona
7. Punky Manor, Altoona
8. Jim Bruggeman White Bear Lake, Minn.
9. Rick Schutte, Thunder Bay, Ont.
10.Bob Gherardi, Kelly Lake, Minn.


Super Stock –

1. Dick Christman, Superior
2. Ron Jones, Zimmerman, Minn.
3. Don Roseem Duluth, Minn.
4. Rick Popovich, Duluth, Minn.
5. Steve Rudiger, Menomonie, Wis.
6. Jim Miller, Thunder Bay, Ont.
7. Bill Nelson, Duluth, Minn.
8. Rick Gulbranson, Hermantown, Minn.
9. Dave Gillette, Esko, Minn.
10.Gary Grierson, Virginia, Minn.


Sprint Car –

1. Bob Hop, Mendota, Minn.
2. Gordy Lamb, Fargo, N.D.
3. Dan Shearer, White Bear, Minn.
4. Greg Cole, Grand Rapids, Minn.
5. Dave Heskin, Monticello, Minn.
6. Lyn McIntosh, Thunder Bay, Ont.
7. Al Hargrave, Oakdale, Minn.
8. John Sernett, Minneapolis, Minn.
9. Harry Johnson, Oakdale, Minn.
10.Lynn Franklin, Little Canada, Minn.

1974 – Sanger Edges Hansen for Dubuque Title

 

Ed Sanger won the late model season championship at the Dubuque Speedway. Co-promoter Jack Hunt makes the trophy presentation while flagman Roger Beck presents the checkers. – Mike Chapman Photo

By Jayne Chapman

Dubuque, Iowa (September 8, 1974) – Waterloo’s Ed Sanger carried home his third season championship trophy from the Dubuque Speedway on Sunday night.

One might say the race began the way it finished. Sanger took the lead at the drop of the green flag and held it for three laps, at which time point leader Curt Hansen of Dike snatched it away and did a spectacular job of holding the top spot for the next 43 circuits.

But on lap 47, Hansen drifted too high in the second turn and Sanger, on Hansen’s rear bumper the entire time, took advantage of the opportunity to take over the lead.

A bumper-to-bumper battle in the final few laps kept the fans on their feet but Sanger prevailed with Hansen settling for runner-up honors. Following the two top runners were Glen Martin of Independence, Bill McArdle of Shullsburg, Wis., and Bill Barthelmes of Troy Mills.

Roger Bruggeman of Dubuque scored his first season championship win in the 25-lap sportsman feature. Denny Pickel of Dubuque did his best to stay out front but an overheated engine late in the race ended his bid.

Pickel held on to finish second with Bob Schulte of Delhi taking third. John Weers of Readlyn and Don Mayner of Winthrop rounded out the top-five.

Greg Murray of Hopkinton won the fun car feature after leader Dave Beidler of Dubuque lost a wheel with only a few laps remaining.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – John Curwen, Hazel Green, Wis.
Heat #2 – Glen Martin, Independence
Feature –
1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Glen Martin
4. Bill McArdle, Shullsburg, Wis.
5. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills


Sportsman –

Heat #1 – Tim Swope, Raymond
Heat #2 – Keith Braun, Cedar Falls
Feature –
1. Roger Bruggeman, Dubuque
2. Denny Pickel, Dubuque
3. Bob Schulte, Delhi
4. John Weers, Readlyn
5. Don Mayner, Winthrop

1987 – Trickle Edges Musgrave in ASA Minnesota 300

 

Dick Trickle rings the victory bell after winning the ASA Racing Series Miller 300 at the Minnesota State Fair. Starter Dennis Decheine holds the checkers. – Don Thies Photo

Falcon Heights, Minn. (September 7, 1987) – Dick Trickle edged Ted Musgrave by .28 of a second to nab top honors in the ASA Racing Series Miller High Life 300 Monday afternoon at the Minnesota State Fair Speedway.

Trickle grabbed the lead on the opening circuit and paced the field through the first 104 laps before Joe Shear inherited the top spot. Current ASA point leader Butch Miller dropped out of the race with a sour engine on lap 110.

Shear appeared to be in control of the race as he led through the middle portion of the event but was eliminated when he tangled with Kenny Wallace in the first turn of lap 163. Wallace had his engine blown leaving shear with no place to go, hitting the wall and rolling over. Neither driver was injured.

Russ Urlin took over the lead and stayed on top from lap 164 to 174 before Trickle regained the lead for good in the first turn. Trickle remained on top for the duration of the contest despite constant pressure from Musgrave and Harold Fair.

“My car kept getting looser and looser,” Trickle said. “I couldn’t get enough bite in the car, so about every ten laps or so, I was getting a tenth of a second slower. I really had to do some driving there at the end to win it.”

Trickle took the checkered by a slim margin over Musgrave, with Fair, Bob Senneker, and NASCAR’s Bobby Allison close behind as the top-five finished under a blanket.

The victory was Trickle’s 26th in ASA competition, second only to Senneker’s total of 58. The pole position he earned with a time of 19.065 seconds, was his career-leading 40th with ASA.


Results –

1. Dick Trickle
2. Ted Musgrave
3. Harold Fair
4. Bob Senneker
5. Bobby Allison
6. Dave Watson
7. Mike Eddy
8. Russ Urlin
9. Tom Jones
10.Kent Stauffer
11.Gary St. Amant
12.Dennis Vogel
13.Buddy Schrock
14.Doug Mayr
15.Peter Gibbons

1975 - Wallace, Collier Happy with 1-2 Fair Finish

 

"Super" Joe Wallace 

Lincoln, Neb. (September 7, 1975) - Joe Wallace and Ferris Collier were both happy with their one-two finish in the 50-lap International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) race at the Nebraska State Fair Sunday afternoon.

But the two drivers had widely varied reasons for being satisfied.

Wallace, of Peyton, Colo., took the lead from Collier on the 20th lap, led Collier for the final 30 laps, without making a mistake or having to work very hard at all.

Collier, in the meantime, smacked the wall head on during one of the three attempts to start the feature race and was also involved in two other accidents during the heat races, and one in the consolation race.

Pointing with a badly swollen wrist, Collier noted that the frame on his car was bent and the body received severe damage.

“This car hadn't been touched all year,” the Lampe, Mo., driver said. “I didn't even know if I should run in the feature, but I did, and the car ran fairly well.”

“The only problem was that I couldn't hold the car low in the turns and couldn't hold off Wallace,” Collier said.

Wallace said that due to track conditions on the half mile dirt oval the only place to pass was on the inside.

“He (Collier) was getting on the accelerator too hard on the turns and slipping high. And it allowed me to pass him. I just eased by him and had no trouble after that.”

Wallace and Collier had no challengers for the top two spots as both of them lapped almost every other car on the track.

Em Fretheim of Decorah, Iowa, who challenged for the early lead with Collier, finished third about one-quarter lap ahead of Dave Chase of Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Kent Tucker of Aurora, Neb.

Tucker won the consolation race finishing in front of Randy Sterner of Blair, Neb., Dick Jensen of Aurora, Neb., and Lincolnite Joe Wade.


Results –


Time trials – Joe Wallace, Peyton, Colo. (26.53)
Heat #1 – Joe Wallace
Heat #2 – Larry Stromer, Grand Island
Heat #3 – Thurman Lovejoy, Kansas City
Consolation – Kent Tucker, Aurora, Neb.
Feature –
1. Joe Wallace
2. Ferris Collier, Lampe, Mo.
3. Em Fretheim, Decorah, Iowa
4. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs, Iowa
5. Kent Tucker
6. Gary Lindgren, Ogden, Iowa
7. Dick Jensen, Aurora
8. Roy McClellan, Riverside, Mo.
9. Jim Hager, Liberty, Mo.
10.Con Edwards, Oklahoma City, Okla.

1974 - Independence Championship to Dralle

 

Red Dralle won the late model season championship at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds. Presenting the trophy is Kathy Peterson, a Coca-Cola representative, sponsor of the event. Flagman Roger Beck and co-promoter Vern Weber joins the winner in victory lane.

Independence, Iowa (September 7, 1974) – Red Dralle accomplished what he had in mind, Saturday, at the Independence Motor Speedway, as he nabbed the late model season championship.

As the green dropped, point leader Bill Barthelmes of Troy Mills accelerated into lead with 22 competitors hot on his trail. Dralle overtook Dan Nesteby of Waterloo for second place on lap 7, then set out for Barthelmes.

For the next 33 laps around the 3/8-mile, Barthelmes and Dralle raced bumper-to-bumper, side-by-side. An outstanding duel, Dralle sneaked under Barthelmes on the 40th lap and drove the final 10 laps to grab the win.

Barthelmes settled for runner-up honors. Gary Crawford of Independence snuck by Nesteby on the last lap to finish third. Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo finished fifth.

Keith Braun of Cedar Falls, after a few weeks absence due to no engine, came back with a rebuilt engine that won him the sportsman season championship. Bob Schulte of Delhi finished second, Jim Buhlman of Cedar Falls was third, John Weers of Readlyn took fourth, and Jim Stodola of Shellsburg rounded out the top-five.

Mike Krall of Waterloo led start to finish in the 15-lap roadrunner season championship feature.


Results –

Late Model –

1. Red Dralle, Evansdale
2. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills
3. Gary Crawford, Independence
4. Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
5. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
6. Glen Martin, Independence


Sportsman –

1. Keith Braun, Cedar Falls
2. Bob Schulte, Delhi
3. Jim Buhlman, Cedar Falls
4. John Weers, Readlyn
5. Jim Stodola, Shellsburg
6. Tim Swope, Waterloo

1969 – Perkins Tops Mid-America Sprints

Ron Perkins

Topeka, Kan. (September 7, 1969) – Jan Opperman of Hayward, Calif., seemed to be on his way to a sweep of IMCA sprint car races at the Mid-America Fair on Sunday. He jumped out front on the first lap, just as he did on Saturday, and set sail.

For 22 laps, all went well for Opperman, and the 5,305 fans watched with interest.

Suddenly, Ron Perkins of Wood River, Ill., got a hold of a piece of racetrack coming out of the fourth corner, flashed past Opperman, and was on his way to his second feature win of the season.

Once he was in the lead, the 22-year-old carpenter put good distance between himself and second place during the remainder of the 30-lap event.

Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., who started 12th in the 18-car field, worked his way up to fourth after 27 laps and on the 28th go-round, first passed Darl Harrison of Fremont, Ohio, then got around Opperman for second, and easily held his position for the remaining few laps.


Results –


Heat #1 – Stan Borofsky, Raymore, Mo.
Heat #2 – Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
Heat #3 – Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
Trophy dash – Jan Opperman
Consolation - Ron Perkins, Wood River, Ill.
Feature –
1. Ron Perkins
2. Joe Saldana
3. Jan Opperman, Hayward, Calif.
4. Darl Harrison, Fremont, Ohio
5. Don Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn.
6. Ralph Parkinson, Wichita Falls, Tex.
7. Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City
8. Dave Ross, Jetmore
9. Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Ill.
10. Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo.

1953 – Grim a Winner as Fair Ends

 

Bobby Grim, Bob Slater, and Dick Ferguson indicate how they finished in the closing feature event of the 1953 Iowa State Fair. Hector Honore joins the celebration. - Dirt Track Legends Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (September 7, 1953) – Bobby Grim, the Indianapolis speedster, breezed to an easy victory Monday night in the 25-lap feature in the revival of night racing at the Iowa State Fair.

The 27-year-old driver was so far ahead of his International Motor Contest Association rivals that the dust, if there had been any, would have settled by the time second-place Bob Slater and third-place Dick Ferguson crossed the finish line.

Grim’s margin was about a quarter of a mile.

It was strictly a battle between Kansas City’s Slater, the number two driver in the current IMCA point standings, and Ferguson, the west coast star who beat Grim here last week.

Slater, who is only 600 points behind leader Deb Snyder, took Ferguson’s measure on the 22nd lap and held a car-length’s edge to the end of the race, which Grim finished in 14 minutes and 51.55 seconds.

Finishing behind Ferguson by several additional car lengths was Wayne Selzer, the Sioux Citian, while Jimmy Campbell of Bates City, Mo., was fifth.

Selzer, Campbell, and newcomer, Roy Blindstrup of Rock Island, Ill., were the respective heat winners with Campbell also winning the special 3-lap trophy dash.


Results –

1. Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
2. Bob Slater, Kansas City
3. Dick Ferguson, Los Angeles
4. Wayne Selzer, Sioux City
5. Jimmy Campbell, Bates City, Mo.
6. Andy Anderson, Belleville, Ill.
7. Roy Blindstrup, Rock Island, Ill.
8. Billy Jim, Kansas City
9. Fritz Tegtmeier, Elgin, Ill.
10.Cecil Burnaugh, Burbank, Calif.

1986 – Farren Scores Controversial Win at West Liberty

 

Dave Farren of Des Moines won the controversial IMCA Modified National Series race at West Liberty Raceway. – Larry Bettis Photo

By Phil Roberts

West Liberty, Iowa (September 6, 1986) – Dave Farren of Des Moines drove to an impressive win in the IMCA Modified National Series race Saturday night at West Liberty Raceway but created controversy by his apparent actions as soon as the checkered flag fell.

When Farren took the checkered flag, a cloud of smoke billowed from the engine compartment, and it coasted to a stop on the backstretch. Many people had thought it had blown an engine on the final lap, but officials soon discovered an oil line going to the carburetor which, according to IMCA secretary Bill Haglund, was to “give the appearance that the engine had blown.”

Promoter Al Frieden had his technical inspector look at the car after it a push truck pushed it to the straightaway where Farren would collect his trophy. When the inspector discovered the device, the car’s engine builder denied its purpose at first but later verified it what it was, according to Frieden.

Top finishers in modified feature races are subject to a $300 engine claim by those who did not finish near the front.

Frieden, who later called use of such a device “poor sportsmanship”, favored disqualification of Farren but went along with Haglund’s decision to let the victory stand. Haglund cited rules, which he said have to provision for such devices.

“We have nothing in the rules to cover that,” Haglund stated later. He noted that provision regarding sabotage deal with an attempt to ruin an engine after its claimed and do not apply to the situation here.

Many drivers grumbled about the device and the ruling. Some of the drivers, along with Frieden, mentioned the hazard caused by the cloud of smoke needlessly put in front of a speeding pack of cars by such a device and that a few drivers were suspicious of the timing of the “blown engine” from the start.

The post-race controversy over-shadowed an otherwise classy race, begun by driver introductions and a parade lap of 29 starters in four abreast formations, waving to the crowd.

Mel Bates of Eldridge, who earned the pole position for the 30-lapper, led the first 12 laps. Farren passed Bruce Hanford of Davenport for second place on the ninth circuit and then passed Bates for the lead on lap 13.

Farren never relinquished the top spot after that, although he was chased by Gus Hughes of Monticello, who earned runner-up honors after getting around Bates on lap 19. Ken DeGood of Hills, Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids, and Bobby Layne of Kansas City rounded out the top-five finishers.

Farren’s victory was worth $1,000 plus IMCA points and a large trophy.

In street stock action, Rick Hurst of Dubuque started on the pole and led all 20 laps to score the victory. Bruce Current of Maquoketa finished second followed by Chopper Safley of Marion. Dave Johnson of West Liberty won the 15-lap bomber feature.


Editor’s Note – On Monday, September 8, International Motor Contest Association Executive Secretary Bill Haglund announced that Dave Farren had been fined $1,000 for use of a “oiling device” during an IMCA Modified National Series event at West Liberty.


Results –

1. Dave Farren, Des Moines
2. Gus Hughes, Monticello
3. Ken DeGood, Hills
4. Merv Chandler, Cedar Rapids
5. Bobby Layne, Kansas City
6. Brad Dubil, Davenport
7. Mike Gritton, Clarence
8. Mel Bates, Eldridge
9. Dave Hammond, Camanche
10.Kent Kaplan, West Liberty
11.Scott Smith, Davenport
12.Rich Smith, Davenport
13.Darrall Brick, West Branch
14.Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
15.Terry Ryan, Davenport

1976 - $6,000 St. Paul Win to Detjens

 

Larry Detjens needed oxygen after he won the Minnesota 400 late model stock car race at the Minnesota State Fair. NASCAR race official Roger Bear holds the mask for the exhausted winner. – John Croft Photo

St. Paul, Minn. (September 6, 1976) – Crawling out of his car, climbing the steps to the winner’s stand, and being able to remain upright while collecting his trophy and $6,000 first prize proved to be the toughest act for Larry Detjens on Monday afternoon at State Fair Speedway.

Negotiating the 400 laps around the half-mile paved oval to win the Minnesota 400 for late model sportsman was the easy part – almost – for the Wausau, Wis., driver. But he was nearly numbed into exhaustion in the process.

“I really started feeling the heat and the exhaustion about 250 to 300 laps into the race,” said Detjens, after winning the State Fair finale. “I started to get leg cramps and I tried shifting myself around in the car. But I found out that wasn’t doing anything for me.”

“I started feeling good again when my pit crew kept signaling me to take it easy. Once I knew they felt that way, then I felt a lot better.”

The NASCAR finale had a field loaded with speed and talent. The season point leader and defending Minnesota 400 champion, L.D. Ottinger of Newport, Tenn., was present. So was Harry Gant of Taylorsville, N.C., who is second in season’s points. Ed Howe of Beaverton, Mich., who set a time trials lap record, and Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., the Speedway’s all-time money winner.

Yet, it was Detjens, driving a 1974 Camaro he’s owned just a few months, taking the lead on lap 124 and keeping it through the checkered flag 276 laps later.

“There’s really no time when you feel like you’ve got a race won, at least until you get the checkered flag,” said Detjens. “If I start thinking I got a race won before it’s over, I get myself too psyched up. So, I try to fight that idea that I might be leading.”

But lead he did. Until he had to be led to the prize money where there was an oxygen mask as well as cash. “This is the biggest race I’ve ever won and the biggest purse too,” Detjens said, as he sagged to rest. “In 1973 I drove here and hit the wall. Got a little shook up. We didn’t race here two years ago but last year we came in third. Right now, I can’t believe we won, especially against this kind of field.”

Tom Reffner who came with one-hundredth of a second of owning the time trial record Saturday, led for the first 124 laps before experiencing tire trouble. Still running in second on the 366th lap, Reffner’s car blew a radiator and he wound up finishing 13th. Harry Gant, won a 75-lap race on Saturday, was charging among the leaders until his car’s drive shaft broke on the 197th circuit, putting him out of the race.


Results –


1. Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
2. Ed Howe, Beaverton, Mich.
3. L.D. Ottinger, Newport, Tenn.
4. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
5. John Ziegler, Madison, Wis.
6. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa, Wis.
7. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
8. Doug Strasburg, Johnson Creek, Wis.
9. Larry Smith, Shakopee
10.Mike Murgic, Rosemount
11.Rich Somers, Stevens Point, Wis.
12.Dave Palmquist, Rice Lake, Wis.
13.Tom Reffner, Rudolph, Wis.
14.Pat Riley, Maple Grove.
15.Gary Hemmerling, Beloit, Wis.

1969 - Hutch Wins Denison Championship

 

Everett Hutchinson shows off the huge trophy he earned for winning the season championship at Denison. – Bruce Binning Photo

By Jackie Pester

Denison, Iowa (September 6, 1969) – Everett Hutchinson of Sac City won the season championship and clinched the point championship Saturday night at Denison Speedway. Hutchinson almost scored the clean sweep, winning the second heat but could only manage a runner-up finish in the trophy dash.

The B-feature, which turned out to be a demolition derby, was won by Paul Scott of Harlan with Wayne Kirk of Blair, Neb., coming in second. There were four restarts in this feature with 14 cars starting the race and only five left on the track when the checkered flag waved.

Mike Chapman of Whiting was the trophy dash winner over Hutchinson with Jim Pester of Charter Oak finishing third.


Results –


Heat #1 – Everett Hutchinson, Sac City
Heat #2 – Mike Chapman, Whiting
Heat #3 – Dyle Downing, Storm Lake
Trophy dash – Mike Whiting
B-feature – Paul Scott, Harlan
Feature –
1. Everett Hutchinson
2. Mike Chapman
3. Dyle Downing
4. Dennis Hovinga, Laurens
5. Jim Pester, Charter Oak
6. Harold Sliefert, Storm Lake

1964 – Richert Beats Nebraska Fair Sprinters

 

Jerry Richert won the 20-lap IMCA sprint car feature at the Nebraska State Fair. 

Lincoln, Neb. (September 6, 1964) – After a one-day rainout, the International Motor Contest Association sprint cars finally got underway on Sunday afternoon with a huge show at the Nebraska State Fair much to the delight of Jerry Richert.

Richert, the current IMCA point leader, drove like a demon possessed to set fast time, win the first heat, and then sweep the 20-lap main event by 15 car lengths over Don Brown.

Richert, driving the WJW Chevy, leaped into the lead at the drop of the green flag and was never tested. Without three laps under caution when Roger Lane spun, Richert would have surely set a new record for the distance.

Jerry Daniels finished third after a head up charge from his seventh starting position. Greg Weld was fourth and Dale Reed rounded out the top five finishers.

Roy Walker suffered rib injuries when he took out a section of fence during warmups and Harold Leep was uninjured in a similar mishap during his second qualification race.


Results –

Time trials – Jerry Richert (29.03)
Heat #1 – Jerry Richert
Heat #2 – Don Brown
Heat #3 – Shorty Burkholder
Consolation – Herschel Wagner
Feature –
1. Jerry Richert
2. Don Brown
3. Jerry Daniels
4. Greg Weld
5. Dale Reed
6. Don Melton
7. Harvey Shane
8. Jerry Weld
9. Jay Woodside
10.Grady Wade
11.Roger Lane
12.Kenny Higginson

1988 – Main Win Nets Title for Schill at Slinger

 

Al Schill won his fifth driving title at Slinger Speedway. He’s joined by Ms. Slinger Beth Maaske and promoter Wayne Erickson in victory lane. – Al Fortner Photo

Slinger, Wis. (September 5, 1988) – It was a record setting night for Al Schill at Slinger Speedway.

Schill led off the regular season finale by turning a record qualifying lap of 11.479 seconds, then later won the 88-lap late model feature to wrap up an unprecedented fifth driving championship in that division.

The show was held on Monday night after being rained out 24 hours earlier.

The main event had to be a complete restart thanks to a first turn spin by Rich Somers. When things finally got underway, Mike Reichenberger led the first 20 circuits which included a yellow when Tony Strupp and Bob Brownell spun on lap 18.

Dennis Lampman gained the upper hand on lap 21, moments before Robbie Reiser spun, triggering another caution. After taking second from Reichenberger on lap 29, Schill, who had started 16th, was able to close up on Lampman during a yellow flag necessitated by a Ken Reiser spin on the 31st circuit. Two laps later, Schill moved into the top spot.

Schill slowed briefly, allowing Lampman to regain first place on lap 35, but 11 circuits later, Schill moved back on top to stay. He finished three-car-lengths ahead of Lampman at the checkers, with Conrad Morgan, Brownell, and Reichenberger rounding out the top-five.

Lampman earlier had won the $1,000 Challenge of Champions race. Rich Bickle Jr. had led the first 23 of the event’s 40 laps before Lampman took over on the 33rd round.


Results –

1. Al Schill, Franklin
2. Dennis Lampman, Racine
3. Conrad Morgan, Dousman
4. Bob Brownell, Cary, Ill.
5. Mike Reichenberger, Oshkosh
6. Robbie Reiser, Allenton
7. Andy Wendt, Watertown
8. Tom Litchfield, Pardeeville
9. Scott Weiss, Adell
10.John Mueller, Hubertus

1981 – Walton Still the Fastest ‘Outlaw’

 

Ken Walton

By Jeff Tecklenburg

Mason City, Iowa (September 5-6, 1981) – National Outlaw Stock Car Association racing made its debut at the Mason City Speedway this past weekend and it’s hard to say if it was successful.

Although the crowd didn’t respond very positive to the lengthy program, preliminary indications are that NOSCA promoters will bring their show back to Mason City again, perhaps as early as next May.

While an estimated 700 fans turned out for time trials and heat races on Saturday, there were mor than 2,000 enthusiasts in the stands on Sunday to watch a card of winged outlaw late models plus sportsman and street stocks.

NOSCA has been running a regular circuit of races around the Midwest since January. The promoters hype the extra speed and action provided by the winged, open-class cars, and their drivers.

The program started late, much to the disgust of more than a few of the fans. The outlaw late model main event didn’t commence until a few minutes before midnight. Earlier in the evening, the street stocks, and to a lesser extent, the sportsman features were bogged down by numerous spinouts that required multiple restarts.

Finally, Ken Walton of Viola showed his stuff in the 50-lap winged outlaw late model headliner, ripping off basically an unchallenged triumph worth $2,200. He did it in less than 20 minutes as the race went green to checkered.

Walton, who ranks first in NOSCA points this season, also picked up $200 earlier for winning the “outlaw shootout,” a one-on-one elimination pairing off the top eight cars from Saturday night’s time trials. One of his laps took 21.24 seconds around the big half-mile, the best of the weekend, according to NOSCA officials.

Dave Bjorge of Austin, Minn., the local track champion, challenged Walton for a while but gradually faded from contention, still finishing second. Walton and Bjorge were heat winners on Saturday and also finished 1-2 in time trials.

The biggest battle was for third place as Waterloo’s Dick Schiltz slipped past Des Moines’ Don Hoffman on lap 21 and maintained a slim margin for the remainder of the race.

Decorah’s Em Fretheim, normally a late model driver here, didn’t win any heat races while competing in the sportsman division and started at the rear of the field for their 30-lap feature. But, by the 10th lap he was in second place; seven laps farther and he snatched the lead, never to surrender it.

A father-son act took top honors in the street stock feature with Dave Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., getting the nod over his son, Mark.


Results –


Winged Outlaw Late Model –

1. Ken Walton, Viola
2. Dave Bjorge, Austin, Minn.
3. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
4. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
5. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
6. Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
7. Bob Hill, Randall
8. Lynn Idler, Ionia
9. Andy Claiborne, Stanley, Kan.
10.Joe Merryfield, Des Moines


Sportsman –

1. Em Fretheim, Decorah
2. Darrell DeFrance, Marshalltown
3. Mike Mauer, Janesville
4. Fuzzy Liddell, Waterloo
5. Scott Sells, Waverly
6. Rusty Hilderman, Topeka, Kan.
7. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
8. Scott Braun, Cedar Falls


Street Stock –

1. Dave Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
2. Mark Noble, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
3. Al Thoms, Fairmont, Minn.
4. Lee DeVries, Hollandale, Minn.
5. Dave Doughty, Fort Dodge

1969 – Blankenship Tops Davenport Stocks

 

Davenport promoter Homer Melton presents season championship winner Lem Blankenship his trophy. Flagman Buzz Reed presents the checkered. - - Roger Meier Photo

Davenport, Iowa (September 5, 1969) – A funny thing happened twice on the outside of the fourth turn during season championship night at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night. Two championships were won there.

Lem Blankenship of Keokuk claimed the late model modified title and Duane Steffe of Moline, Ill., won the novice's division championship by way of an incident on the same turn.

The season’s regular racing finale, witnesses by close to 4,000 fans, saw a night of wild but generally aggressive driving, with numerous spinouts, some collisions, and a one-car roll-over, that happening in the novice semi-main.

A car driven by Jim Jaeger did the rolling. Jaeger was in the second turn when his right rear wheel came off, sending him into a double roll. Jaeger walked away dazed but unhurt.

That same race, won by Gerry Kerres, saw five different spins by different cars, and also a fire in one, driven by Ken Archer. The fire was quickly extinguished.

The 25-lap novice feature saw Wayne Settles move into the early lead and it appeared he was headed for victory lane when Terry Hurst, who had won the novice first heat, charged up next to him.

As they came to the fourth turn, Settles was riding high, near the edge of the banking. Hurst crowded him off the track and was disqualified by officials for rough driving. Settles’ damaged car was unable to continue.

The incident, which happened at the end of the 23rd lap, gave the lead and the victory to Steffe with Lloyd Nabb taking second and Bob Currant finishing third.

Then the 50-lap late model championship got underway, and the popular Ron Weedon elected to start his Ford on the outside of the front row, as was his option due to being the points leader. Dean Montgomery, second in points, was moved to the inside.

Weedon immediately jumped into the lead, and in a short time, was lapping cars. However, on lap 30, he came up behind Lloyd Ewing, who was riding near the top of the banking, and the rest of the pack slowly began to close up on Weedon as he found it difficult to get around Ewing.

Weedon still held the lead, and he kept it through 47 laps around the quarter-mile oval. But in the meantime, Blankenship had passed Montgomery for second place, and he had climbed on top of Weedon’s rear bumper.

Weedon, keeping to the far outside, was still leading when, coming into the fourth turn of the 48th lap, Blankenship pulled alongside him, and with Weedon appearing to go higher on the banking, raced past him into the lead.

Don Bohlander, who had a first-hand view of the Blankenship-Weedon duel while running third, also took advantage of Weedon’s slip and moved past him for the runner-up spot. A disappoint Weedon settled for third with Dean Montgomery in fourth and Herb Shannon in fifth.


Results -

1. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
2. Don Bohlander, Glasford, Ill.
3. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
4. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
5. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
6. Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
7. Ernie Speth, Blue Grass
8. Terry Ryan, Davenport
9. Wendell Essex, Davenport
10.Lloyd Ewing, Kewanee, Ill.

1964 – Bell Outraces Good to Win Fair Duel

 

Gene Bell

St. Paul, Minn. (September 5, 1964) – Gene Bell of Schoolcraft, Mich., and Dick Good of Mishawaka, Ind., racing buddies and competitors for many years, waged one of the best two-car duels ever seen at the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday afternoon.

Bell roared home the winner of the 30-lap feature at 19,783 cheered him on. He drove a Buick conversion.

Both newcomers to the International Motor Contest Association circuit, Bell and Good rode bumper-to-bumper much of the way around the half-mile asphalt track.

Good, piloting a Chevy-powered car, took the lead on the first lap and held tight for 28 circuits. Several times, Bell almost got his front tires inside of Good’s racer, but each time Good managed to stay in front.

As the two drivers entered the first turn on the 29th lap, Bell came up on the outside and poured on the speed. He overtook Good, who won this year’s Little 500 in Anderson, Ind., and extended his lead to nine car lengths at the checkered flag. Time of the race was 10 minutes and 41.25 seconds.

Bell, 38, gained his feature win after two months on the IMCA tour. He previously had competed in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio, driving all types of cars on both dirt and asphalt.


Results –


Trophy dash – Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
Heat #1 – Leo Caldwell, Perrysburg, Ohio
Heat #2 – Keith Thomas, Madison, Wis.
Heat #3 – Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
Semi-main – Shady McWhorter, Fort Worth, Tex.
Feature –
1. Gene Bell, Schoolcraft, Mich.
2. Dick Good, Mishawaka, Ind.
3. Jim McCune, Toledo, Ohio
4. Leo Caldwell
5. Bob Coulter, Long Beach, Calif.
6. Keith Thomas
7. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
8. Wally Talbot, Burlingame, Calif.
9. Cy Fairchild, Saginaw, Mich.
10.Buzz Barton

1989 – Gurney’s Du Quoin Win Nets SC Point Lead

 

Chuck Gurney continued his domination of Illinois one-mile dirt ovals with a victory at Du Quoin. 

Du Quoin, Ill. (September 4, 1989) – There’s something about Illinois one-mile fairground ovals that brings out the best in Chuck Gurney.

On August 19, Gurney used a victory in the Tony Bettenhausen 100 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds to take the lead in the USAC Silver Crown point standings. Eight days later, an early withdrawal from a series event at Indianapolis resulted in Gurney relinquishing the top spot in the standings to Johnny Parsons.

Monday afternoon, Gurney moved back on top of the point list by capturing the circuit’s annual 100-mile contest at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds in record-setting fashion.

Gurney led all but the first five trips around the one-mile oval after passing early leader George Snider. Rich Vogler came on to finish second, ahead of fast qualifier Jimmy Sills, Tony Elliott, and Jim Mahoney.

Gurney completed the 100-mile distance in 57 minutes and 29.03 seconds, to erase Rick Hood’s four-year-old standard of 58 minutes and 58.93 seconds from the record books.

While Gurney was dominating the Labor Day contest, Parsons was struggling. Parsons, who entered the show with a 504-367 lead over Gurney in the point standings, had problems all day long. After timing in only 25th fastest among the 39 competitors, Parsons had to earn his feature spot with a second-place finish in one of two qualifying races. However, Parsons’ woes continued in the feature as he managed only a 13th place finish.

As a result, Gurney now leads Parsons 567-509 in their battle for the USAC Silver Crown championship.


Results –

1. Chuck Gurney
2. Rich Vogler
3. Jimmy Sills
4. Tony Elliott
5. Jim Mahoney
6. Mark Alderson
7. Andy Hillenburg
8. Danny Smith
9. Jim McElreath
10.Walt Kennedy
11.Dave Feese
12.Greg Staab
13.Johnny Parsons
14.Larry Rice
15.Steve Butler

1976 – Sanger is Eldon Champ

 

Ed Sanger won the season championship and the point title at Eldon Raceway. Flagman Cy Bohr is joined by trophy girls Candi Niner and Barb Cox. Sanger gives a little shove to promoter Ron Stockstell. - Ken Starkweather Photo

By Jeanne Niner

Eldon, Iowa (September 4, 1976) – The season championship and point title went to Ed Sanger Saturday night at Eldon Raceway. It was feature win #40 for the Waterloo hotshoe in what has been a phenomenal season.

In the sportsman division, Jerry Pilcher of Ottumwa won the season championship race, but Kenny Fenn of Washington clinched the point crown.

Sanger and Roger Dolan of Lisbon started side-by-side on the front row with Sanger shooting out front at the drop of the green flag and never looking back, leading all 20 laps.

Curt Hansen of Dike, Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo, and Fred Horn of Marion, all jockeyed back and forth challenging Dolan until the ninth lap when Dolan retired with a mechanical issue. This put Hansen in second place on the restart where he remained, with Zwanziger third and Horn fourth.

The sportsman finale turned into quite a fender bender. Kenny Fenn, driving Dan Beaver’s car because of mechanical trouble on his own, had the pole position but couldn’t keep the lead for one lap.

Jerry Pilcher forged in front and was able to remain there only to blow his motor on the backstretch of the final lap. He was far enough ahead of second place Gary Thomas to coast across the finish line and take the checkered flag.

In that race, Jim Dorothy of Keosauqua got cross-wise coming out of turn four and was hit by Rodney Wilcoxsen of Fairfield and Bill Pumphrey of Batavia. On lap 7, Marion Sherman of Tracy got a little too close to the wall, bounced off and into the path of Wilcoxsen who hit the front end, making it look like an accordion. Luckily, none of the drivers were hurt.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Curt Hansen
3. Bill Zwanziger
4. Fred Horn
5. Dan Dickey
6. Mike Frieden
7. Dick Lewis
8. Lem Blankenship
9. Pokey West
10.Dan Beaver


Sportsman –

1. Jerry Pilcher
2. Gary Thomas
3. Doug Schmuecker
4. Bernie Frieden
5. Denny Banks
6. Tom Essary
7. Paul Lanphier
8. Bill Pumphrey
9. Dick Allen
10.Kenny Fenn

1967 – Dake Wins 50-Lap Labor Day Special at Speedbowl

 

Darrell Dake receives his trophy from starter Buzz Reed’s two boys after winning the Labor Day Invitational 50-lap feature at Sterling Speedbowl Park. Buzz Reed looks on proudly as he holds the checkers. – Roger Meier Photo

Sterling, Ill. (September 4, 1967) – Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, took the special 50-lap Labor Day Invitational on Monday afternoon at Sterling Speedbowl Park. Dake took the lead on lap 33 from early leader Ben Hofer of Rock Island and ran unchallenged the remainder of the way.

Verlin Eaker, the speed merchant from Cedar Rapids, and Lloyd Ewing, the fast qualifier from Kewanee, also got by Hofer and finished second and third, respectively. Hofer settled for fourth followed by Jim Gerber of Mt. Joy. Thirty-seven cars were on hand for the holiday championship.

The afternoon sunshine made the show a wild affair as the hard, dry track made spinouts the order of the day. Several top drivers, including Bill McDonough and John Schlemmer, both of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and former IMCA champion Johnny Beauchamp of Atlantic, Iowa, were involved in mishaps in the headliner.

Heat winners were Jim Kaehler, Bruce Haack, Gerber and McDonough. Bill Hunter won the consolation.

Results –

1. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. Lloyd Ewing, Kewanee
4. Ben Hofer, Rock Island
5. Jim Gerber, Mt. Joy, Iowa
6. Don Bohlander, Glasford
7. Bill Wirges, Princeton
8. Dean Montgomery, Moline
9. Allan May, Peoria
10.Del Williams, Aledo

1960 – Jones Nails Down USAC Midwest Title

 

Drivers wave to the fans prior to the start of the “Joe James 100” at Salem Speedway. Parnelli Jones (51) and Don Branson (1) lead the field to green. – Ken Coles Photo

By Wayne Fuson

Salem, Ind. (September 4, 1960) – That fellow Noah Webster must have been a real square…about auto racing, that is.

In his perennial best seller, Noah says a rookie is “a raw recruit…a novice…a beginner.”

Rufus Parnelli Jones, a young man from Torrance, Calif., proved Noah wrong again on Sunday afternoon. This “rookie” on the United States Auto Club sprint car circuit won another race, his fifth of the season, to clinch the coveted Midwest championship.

Jones is anything but a novice. But poor old Noah didn’t know there are rookies and then there are other rookies. A race driver must prove himself elsewhere before he can get a license to compete with the USAC sprints.

There is one thing for sure…Jones is the hottest “rookies” ever to hit the famed high banks. He has had his Chevrolet-powered racer singing a merry tune all season long. He and his running mate, Jim Hurtubise, another California youngster who set the racing world on its ear last May by setting qualification records at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at a hair under 150 miles per hour.

These graduates of the IMCA short track league, both driving Chevies, have proved that the old reliable Offenhauser engine is not invincible as most people thought.

Don Branson, one of the Offy clan, was hot on Parnelli’s tail for the first 70 laps of the grueling 100-lap race under a hot blistering sun on Salem’s high-banked asphalt.

Branson, the 1959 Midwest champion, led Parnelli in the Midwest standings 378 to 366 at the start of Sunday’s race.

Branson had to pit for a tire on lap 40 but was quickly back charging. He had almost picked up the lap he had lost when his engine went sour (valve trouble) and he was finished after 70 laps.

Jones now has 466 points to Branson’s 398. With only one race left, there was no chance of Branson catching Jones.

Jones set a new track record of 96.8 miles per hour to win the pole position. His speed for 50 miles was 87.249 miles per hour, another track record.

Jones got the lion’s share of the $7,800 purse which contributed to the season’s biggest crowd - 6,981.


Results –


1. Parnelli Jones
2. Roger McCluskey
3. Ronnie Duman
4. Al Miller
5. Bud Tingelstad
6. Chuck Hulse
7. Wayne Welker
8. Jim Hurtubise
9. Don Branson
10.Jim Packard
11.A.J. Foyt
12.Leon Clum

1950 – Mantz Wins Inaugural 500-Miler at Darlington

 

Johnny Mantz receives congratulations from Cannonball Baker after winning the inaugural Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. – Marty Littles Collection

Darlington, S.C. (September 4, 1950) – Thirty-one-year-old Johnny Mantz of Long Beach, Calif., grabbed the lead early on and sped to a six-lap victory in the inaugural $25,000 Southern 500-mile race for stock cars.

Mantz earned $7,000 and added another $3,520 in lap money for a total pickup of $10,520 before a crowd estimated at over 35,000 by Darlington International Raceway officials.

Red Byron of Atlanta, Ga., finished second and took home the runner-up prize of $3,500 while Glenn “Fireball” Roberts of Daytona Beach, Fla., finished third and collected $2,000.

Mantz, who finished seventh in last year’s Indianapolis 500 classic, took over the top spot on lap 49 and held it the rest of the way over the 400-lap route of the 1.25-mile track. He made only three pit stops and averaged just over 75 miles per hour. His elapsed time was 6 hours, 38 minutes, and 40 seconds.

Mantz started from the 35th position after qualifying with one of the slowest time trial runs. He drove a 1950 Oldsmobile 88.

One of his most serious challengers, Curtis Turner of Roanoke, Va., was forced out of the race because of mechanical trouble shortly after the 350-mile mark. Prior to that, Turner had won $40 in lap prizes.

Aside from Mantz and Turner, only Gober Sosebee of Atlanta picked up lap money, earning $40 for the first four laps of the race he led.

With Mantz the apparent winner, chief interest settled on the duel for second place between Byron and Roberts. Byron secured the runner-up spot at the 450-mile spot and held on.

Fifty of the 75 starters finished. A half-dozen accidents occurred during the race, but no serious injuries were reported. The race was run in hot, humid weather under slightly cloudy skies.


Results –

1. Johnny Mantz, Long Beach, Calif.
2. Red Byron, Atlanta, Ga.
3. Glenn Roberts, Daytona Beach, Fla.
4. Bill Rexford, North Tonawanda, N.Y.
5. Herschel McGriff, Portland, Ore.
6. Chuck Mahoney, Rockport, N.Y.
7. Lee Petty, Randleman, N.C.
8. Cotton Owens, Spartanburg, S.C.
9. Bill Blair, High Point, N.C.
10.George Hartley, Erie, Penn.
11.Tim Flock, Winston-Salem, N.C.
12.Johnny Grubb, Greensboro, N.C.
13.Dick Linder, Pittsburgh, Penn.
14.Johnny Dubois, Paterson, N.J
15.Weldon Adams, Augusta, Ga.
16.Barney Smith, Macon, Ga.
17.George Jackson, Toledo, Ohio
18.Gober Sosebee, Atlanta, Ga.

1988 – Steve Carlson Captures Dells ARTGO Headliner

 

Steve Carlson collected his first career ARTGO Challenge Series win as he topped the Summer Nationals at Dells Motor Speedway. – Bob Cruse Photo

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (September 3, 1988) – Steve Carlson pulled one of the biggest upsets of the year Saturday night at Dells Motor Speedway as the rookie topped a star-studded field of ARTGO Challenge Series stars to win the 12th annual Summer Nationals 100-lap feature.

The win was the first-ever for Carlson on the tour and he became the eighth different ARTGO winner of the year.

A spectacular finish saw Tom Carlson squeeze past Kevin Cywinski at the finish line for runner-up money. This also marks the first time brothers have finished one and two in an ARTGO main event.

Saturday’s card attracted 45 entrees from six states, but a late afternoon rainstorm forced officials to cancel time trials and use a combination of point standings and a draw to line up the events.

Cywinski bolted into the lead with Tom and Steve Carlson in hot pursuit. Steve moved into second and then caught Cywinski, also a rookie on the tour, in heavy traffic, on the 34th lap to gather the lead. He would survive the only caution of the race four laps later to score the victory.

Following the two Carlsons and Cywinski across the finish line were ARTGO point leader Butch Miller and Rich Bickle Jr.


Results –


1. Steve Carlson, La Crosse
2. Tom Carlson, La Crosse
3. Kevin Cywinski, Mosinee
4. Butch Miller, Coopersville, Mich.
5. Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton
6. Joe Shear, Clinton
7. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
8. Doug Herbst, Wausau
9. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
10.Dennis Lampman, Racine
11.Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh
12.Terry Baldry, Omro
13.Scott Hansen, Green Bay
14.Pete Moore, McFarland
15.Bobby Weiss, Montello

1981 - Hinkemeyer Wins 'Thunderbird Open'

 

A happy Jeff Hinkemeyer holds his trophy and champagne after winning the Thunderbird Open at Dodge County Speedway. – Kathy Hinrichs Photo

Kasson, Minn. (September 3, 1981) – For the third year in a row, Jeff Hinkemeyer surprised his fellow competitors in Minnesota late model invitationals when he won it all in Dodge County Speedway’s Thunderbird Open.

Hinkemeyer goes into a lot of races battling the odds when he shows up in his Mustang and lines up besides Camaros. He chose the unlikely number “13” for his race car and he lacks the years of experience that most of the other drivers have, but none of these things has stopped the St. Cloud pilot.

So far this season, he has won the three “big ones” in Minnesota this year – at Hibbing, Proctor, and now at Kasson on Wednesday night.

Dave Bjorge never threatened to take the lead and as for others, they remained a good half-lap to a full lap behind in the 40-lapper.

In the first three laps of the event, there were three red flags and when the race finally did get underway, such notables as Phil Prusak, Joe Merryfield, and Don Zweifel had been eliminated.

From there on, though, it was clear sailing. While Hinkemeyer and Bjorge raced smoothly around the 3/8-mile track, the rest of the field had their own personal battles for position.

Tom Nesbitt of Thunder Bay, Ont., finished third while Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines was fourth. Leon Plank of Mondovi, Wis., round out the top five finishers.

Bjorge, Hinkemeyer, Ron Schreiner of Eleva, Wis., and Rick Egersdorf of St. Paul were heat winners. Bruce Busho Owatonna won the consolation.


Results –

1. Jeff Hinkemeyer, St. Cloud
2. Dave Bjorge, Sergeant
3. Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay, Ont.
4. Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
5. Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.
6. Ron Schreiner, Eleva, Wis.
7. Jim Bruggeman, White Bear Lake
8. Les Duellman, Fountain City, Wis.
9. Rick Egersdorf, St. Paul
10.Dick Sorenson, Rochester
11.Bruce Busho, Owatonna
12.Jack Harder, St. Paul
13.Vic Kelin, St. Paul
14.Mike Jasperson, Somerset, Wis.
15.Rich Olson, Rochester
16.Wendell Kuehn, Rochester
17.Em Fretheim, Decorah
18.Ed Sanger, Waterloo

1972 – Shear Edges Trickle in ‘Blue’ Race

 

Joe Shear

Kaukauna, Wis. (September 3, 1972) – Joe Shear proved once and for all that Dick Trickle can be beaten.

The Illinois driver bested Trickle in qualifying, the heat race and the 100-lap feature during the “Blue” portion of the annual Red, White and Blue State Championship Series at Wisconsin International Raceway on Sunday afternoon.

Shear, who has won five track championships at Rockford Speedway, paced the 33-car field all afternoon long and then brought the 5,881 in attendance to their feet as he nipped Trickle at the finish by one car length.

Trickle managed to hold on to his point’s lead for the three-race series and became the official champion with a total of 2,440 points. Shear compiled 2,110 points, good for second place in the series.

Larry Behrens of Northfield, Minn., paced the field for one lap before Lyle Nabbefeldt took over. The Nekoosa veteran set the pace until the seventh lap when Tom Reffner of Rudolph roared past in his 1970 Mustang. Reffner held off Shear until lap 22.

Shear proceeded to build up a quarter of a lap lead until that was chopped in half on lap 87 when starter Bob Frank waved the yellow flag for debris on the track. On the restart, Trickle started to whittle down Shear’s lead and by the 97th round was breathing down the leader’s tailpipes. Trickle would make a last-ditch effort to get by Shear on the final lap but didn’t have to power to do so.

Shear’s win was worth $1,000 while Trickle picked up $700 for placing second. Larry Detjens, driving a 1972 Dodge Challenger, took third with Tom Reffner placing fourth and Jim Sauter in fifth. Jim Back, Marlin Walbeck, Rich Davis, Behrens and John Scott rounded out the top 10.

The third heat was halted on the 14th lap when Boyce Sparkman from Loves Park, Ill., spun and rammed into the third turn wall. Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa piled his 1972 Camaro into the rear of Sparkman's 1972 Chevelle and was rapped from the rear by Dennis Burgan of Wadsworth, Ill.

Sparkman's car was damaged too heavily to continue, but Marzofka and Burgan returned to compete in the feature event.


Results –

1. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
2. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
3. Larry Detjens, Wausau
4. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
5. Jim Sauter, Necedah
6. Jim Back, Vesper
7. Marlin Walbeck, Rib Lake
8. Rick Davis, Highwood, Ill.
9. Larry Behrens, Northfield, Minn.
10. John Scott, La Crosse
11. Bob Brevak, Ashland
12. Rich Somers, Stevens Point
13. Lyle Nabbefeldt, Nekoosa
14. Tom Jensen, New Lisbon
15. Greg DeLapp, Mauston
16. Roger Regeth, Kimberly

1967 - Busson Captures Golden 200 at Minnesota State Fair

 

Karl Busson

St. Paul, Minn. (September 3, 1967) – Karl Busson of Toledo, Ohio, the IMCA point leader, inherited the top spot with 19 laps to go when race leader Bill Koepler of Fostoria, Ore., blew an engine on his Chevy conversion roadster and won the Golden 200 at the Minnesota State Fair before 21,576 fans.

Koepler took the lead from Busson on lap 147 when the Busson pitted for fuel. Three laps before Koepler’s roadster conked out, it began spilling oil. Koepler did not make a pit stop before bowing out for good.

Busson started 16th in the 24-car field in sweeping to his second IMCA victory of the season.

Bob Davis of Dayton, Ohio, was second and Russ Laursen of Cumberland, Wis, finished third.

Defending IMCA national champion Jerry Richert of Forest Lake finished sixth. He had earned the pole position with a qualifying time of 20.46 seconds around the paved half-mile oval.

The winner of the 20-lap consolation, to determine the last six starters, was Don Mack of East Grand Forks.


Results –

1. Karl Busson, Toledo, Ohio
2. Bob Davis, Dayton, Ohio
3. Russ Laursen, Cumberland, Wis.
4. Dean Mast, Dover, Ohio
5. Harry Kern, St. Paul
6. Jerry Richert, Forest Lake
7. Barry Kettering, Minneapolis
8. John Backlund, Kansas City
9. Bob King, Muncie, Ind.
10.Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
11.Joe Demko, Coon Rapids
12.Bill Koepler, Fostoria, Ohio
13.Luke Easter, West Lafayette, Ohio
14.Ray Wright, Elkhart, Ind.

1961 – Stott Wins Third Straight at Fair

 

Ramo Stott

Des Moines, Iowa (September3, 1961) – Ramo Stott of Keokuk won the 250-lap late model stock car feature Sunday night before a crowd of 11,000.

Driving a 1961 Ford, Stott covered the distance in 2 hours, 7 minutes, and 2.89 seconds for his third straight victory at the Iowa state Fairgrounds.

Keokuk drivers took the top four positions, Trailing Stott at the checkered flag was Dick Hutcherson, Ernie Derr, and Jerry McCredie.

The lead changed hands five times among the three leaders, with pit stops playing an important part. Stott went ahead for good on the 198th lap when Dick Hutcherson made his second stop for gas.

Hutcherson had led for 138 laps before stopping to refuel. Stott took over and led until he pitted for more gas. Derr went into the lead then and completed seven trips until he took a gas stop on lap 154.

Hutcherson went back out in front at that point and led until lap 198, when he had to stop for gas again.

Stott, who won the 200-lapper on the opening day of the Iowa State Fair, was a half-lap ahead of Hutcherson at the finish. Stott also captured the Iowa International 300 back in July.


Results –

1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk
3. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
4. Jerry McCredie, Keokuk
5. Bob Reynolds, Edmond, Okla.
6. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
7. Art Brady, Peoria, Ill.
8. Roland Wilson, Bedford
9. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
10.Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.
11.Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
12.John Jones, Marshall, Minn.
13.Chub Liebe, Oelwein
14.Sonny Morgan, Beaumont, Tex.
15.Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.