1989 – Miller Avoids Accident, Wins All-American 400

 

Henry “Butch” Miller became the first repeat winner of the All-American 400 stock car classic at Nashville Motor Raceway. – Robert Turner Photo

Nashville, Tenn. (October 15, 1989) – After avoiding a collision involving frontrunners Jody Ridley and Bobby Dotter five laps away from the finish, Butch Miller became the first repeat winner in the nine-year history of the All-American 400 Sunday afternoon.

The evening’s dramatic conclusion was set up by a restart with 12 laps remaining. Dotter led the field to green, but Ridley passed him in the first turn. The pair then diced side-by-side, with Ridley credited with leading laps 389-393, Dotter 394, and Ridley 395.

Going into the third turn of lap 396, Ridley and Dotter made contact, sending Ridley spinning and Dotter into the wall. Seconds later, Kenny Wallace and Harold Fair were caught up in the chin-reaction pileup.

However, Miller found a safe route through the melee and emerged with the lead, ahead of Glenn Allen Jr.

“I saw a couple of puffs of smoke, and I saw three cars coming together,” Miller recalled, “I immediately thought about going to the top, but I drove towards where the mess started. I closed my eyes and came out in front. I was really looking at fourth place before everything happened.”

Miller went on to score the win by finishing 4.26 seconds ahead of runner-up Allen. Scott Hansen grabbed third and Ridley recovered to finish fourth. Rich Bickle Jr., finished fifth, two laps behind the leader.

As Miller and Allen celebrated their one-two finish, fisticuffs broke out between Dotter and Ridley’s crews as Ridley’s team moved across pit wall to congratulate their driver on finishing the race.

Afterwards, Dotter and Ridley expressed different views of the controversial accident.

“He (Dotter) wanted the whole track,” Ridley explained. “And he shoved me into the wall. I hate it because of all the other guys who got involved in a crash.”

According to Dotter, “We were running even down the backstretch and as soon as I entered turn three, he (Ridley) turned into me. There is no doubt in my mind that Jody intentionally tried to wreck me.”

Ridley was the early leader, but Junior Hanley came on to dominate the first third of the battle, pacing 88 of the first 132 laps. Fair ruled circuits 133-148 after which polesitter Steve Burgess set the pace through 207.

Hanley spent the next 47 circuits as the leader before Burges regained the number one position. Hanely would drop out on lap 257 with a bad clutch and Burgess would head to the sidelines after striking fourth turn wall while in the lead on lap 276.

Jay Sauter replaced Burgess at the point and remained on top until Dotter took over on lap 326.

Miller spun in the second corner with 64 laps left but continued to the pits for fresh tires and returned in time to remain in the hunt. Sauter was the next frontrunner to encounter issues, bowing out as a result of a bout with the wall on lap 371.

Meanwhile, Dotter continued to lead the way until the late restart that triggered the chain of events which eventually put Miller in victory lane.


Results –

1. Butch Miller
2. Glenn Allen Jr.
3. Scott Hansen
4. Jody Ridley
5. Rich Bickle Jr.
6. Kent Stauffer
7. Mike Alexander
8. Randy Couch
9. Kenny Wallace
10.Harold Fair
11.Bobby Dotter
12.Dennis Vogel
13.Russ Urlin
14.Derek Lynch
15.Clay Brown
16.Ted Musgrave
17.Kevin LePage
18.Jay Sauter
19.Lonnie Rush Jr.
20.Scott Lovelady

1962 – Derr a Winner in Lakewood 100-Miler

 

It was a happy day for Ernie Derr as he blazed to victory at Lakewood Speedway near Atlanta. – Bill Young Photo

Atlanta, Ga. (October 14, 1962) – An old ghost – and Ernie Derr – returned to haunt Iggy Katona on the 1-mile dirt track at Lakewood Speedway on Sunday.

Derr, the 40-year-old father of six from Keokuk, Iowa, drove the 100 miles in 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 42 seconds to record another Pontiac victory and add to Katona’s misery at Lakewood before an estimated 3,000 spectators.

The 220-pound Katona, the MARC racing champion from Willis, Mich., has never been able to run his usual race over the Atlanta track. First one thing and then another, from bent A-frames to empty gas tanks, have managed to cast a voodoo spell over his attempts for victory here.

This time it was a combination of circumstances.

Derr, winner of 28 features and champion of the International Motor Contest Association, led the first 50 laps of the race. Then he pulled into the pits for a few gallons of fuel, and Katona roared to the front of the field in his sleek 1962 Ford.

Dick Hutcherson of Keokuk, Iowa, another Ford driver, made the race a three-car affair all afternoon. He never had the lead but stayed close the entire distance.

Knowing he needed fuel – MARC allows 15 gallons at the start of the race – Katona postponed his stop until a lap too late in the race. This, it turned out, was a mistake.

Homer Newland of Detroit slammed into the fourth turn wall on the 68th lap and the yellow flag came out for the first and only time.

Since MARC regulations prohibit pit stops on cautions, Katona found Derr uncomfortably close when the cars bunched for the restart. His 36-second lead was no more, and clearly, he was in a dilemma with little likelihood of escape.

Now he could not hope to stop and still maintain his lead. His decision was to pull in the pits on the green flag after the restart. This he did – and, of course, he lost too much time to overtake Derr, who breezed home for his second straight first-place payoff at Lakewood, $750.

Hutcherson would finish second and Katona, later experiencing difficulty due to a broken A-frame, wheeled home in third.

“Those guys really put the pressure on me,” smiled Derr after the race. “And the track was so hard I decided not to hit it flat out early.”


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Iggy Katona, Willis, Mich.
4. Jack Bowsher, Springfield, Ohio
5. Keith Ploughe, Indianapolis
6. Danny Byrd, Detroit
7. Dick Freeman, Dayton, Ohio
8. Em Ruebush, Dayton, Ohio
9. Jack Shanklin, Indianapolis
10.Tony Lavati, Cleveland, Ohio
11.Charlie Glotzbach, Louisville, Ky.
12.Neil Castles, Charlotte, N.C.
13.Bob Bachelor, Washington
14.Jim Cushman, Detroit
15.Charles Mincey, Atlanta

1961 – Sutton, Goldsmith 1-2 in IRP Traffic Jam

 

Len Sutton (11) and Don White (4) lead the field to green in the 100-lap USAC late model stock car race at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Sutton would go on to score the victory. 

Clermont, Ind. (October 8, 1961) – If you can imagine rush hour with everyone going as fast as possible and nary a traffic cop in sight, then you might get a picture of what happened Sunday afternoon in the late model stock car race at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

It was a great show, at the best race staged all summer at IRP. Len Sutton of Portland, Ore., and Paul Goldsmith of St. Clair Shores, Mich., ran one-two in the 100-lap feature. Both drove 1961 Pontiacs owned and groomed by Ray Nichels of Highland, a top mechanic at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Although Sutton led most of the way, except for a brief instant early in the race when Whitey Gerken of Melrose Park, Ill., passed him only to spin out just as he took the #1 spot, he was challenged on every turn.

As of the 80th lap, eight front-runners were in the same turn. Until the 95th circuit, five cars were bumper-to-bumper.

Goldsmith, by finishing second, picked up 104 points towards the United States Auto Club’s national late model stock car point standings and his total is now 1,642.

Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., the 1960 USAC stock car champion, finished third in a ’61 Ford and still ranks second behind Goldsmith in the standings with 1,606. Dick Rathmann, another Indianapolis 500 race veteran, fell out early but still remains in third place with 1,490.

Rodger Ward of Indianapolis, the 1959 national big car champion experienced more than his fair share of trouble. He blew a tire which was cut in the early going and then brushed the wall on lap 85. He returned to action and finished 11th.

Bill Cheesbourg of Tucson, Ariz., was challenging Goldsmith for second place but lost out in a mix-up when Don White spun out. Nelson, who ran second to Sutton for quite a while, got lost in traffic when someone bobbled in front of him. He lost four positions in the lap 75 mishap but picked up the lost time to challenge the two front-runners late in the race. Nelson regained third when White spun out.

Sutton and Goldsmith had the race all to themselves for the last five laps; so much, in fact, that Nichels kept showing them the “EZ” sign.

The time of the 100-lap race on the 5/8-mile asphalt oval was 48 minutes and 31.60 seconds, a new record. A crowd of approximately 2,000 watched the action.


Results –

1. Len Sutton
2. Paul Goldsmith
3. Norm Nelson
4. Don White
5. Les Snow
6. Elmer Musgrave
7. Bill Cheesbourg
8. Whitey Johnson
9. Bob Chapman
10.Gordon Gorman

1973 – Fatals Mar Jones’ Win at Bettenhausen

 

Tom Jones won the 12th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial race at Illiana Motor Speedway. The race was marred by the deaths of Whitey Gerken and Dennis Shelton. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Schererville, Ind. (October 7, 1973) – Tom Jones of Northbrook, Ill., captured the 12th running of the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial race Sunday afternoon at Illiana Motor Speedway. It was Jones’ first feature win of the season at Illiana and perhaps the biggest win of his career.

But the 30-year-old driver’s victory was marred by the deaths of driver Whitey Gerken and pitman Dennis Shelton.

During qualifications, the throttle on Gerken’s 1972 Camaro stuck, sending the car crashing into the third turn guardrail at more than 100 miles per hour and flipping into an auxiliary pit area. In the process, the flipping car struck Shelton and ended up on its wheels.

Both Gerken and Shelton were rushed to Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in Dyer. Shelton was pronounced dead of massive head injuries while Gerken passed away the next day from extensive spinal, back, and neck injuries.

Jones, an airplane mechanic by trade, grabbed the lead in his 1969 Camaro on the 22nd of the 100 laps, after Rich Sundling, Bud Koehler, and Bill Davis had led in the early going. Jones led the rest of the way, although he was seriously challenged during part of the race by Don Axtmann, who eventually dropped out of the contest while running second.

Jones collected $1,200 of the $8,500 purse for his afternoon’s work. Finishing behind him were Ed Hoffman of Niles, Ill., Dave Evans of Crystal Lake, Ill., Moose Myers of Fort Wayne, Tom Musgrave of Mundelein, Ill., and Bob Dotter of Chicago.

Hoffman drove Ray Young’s 1971 Torino in the main event after blowing the engine in his Camaro during time trials.

Three-time Bettenhausen winner Myers paced aa large field of 60 entries in time trials, as he and his Camaro toured the half-mile paved oval in 22.10 seconds.

Bobby Wawak of Villa Park, Ill., captured the trophy dash with consolation heat races going to Ted Janecyk of Calumet Park, Ill., Dick Potts of Morocco, and Ed Kilpatrick of Blue Island, Ill.

1985 - Dickey Takes Missouri Nationals Crown

 

Dan Dickey, second from left, won the Winston/Busch All-Star Tour at Capital Speedway. Left is third place finisher Dave Chase and right is runner-up Steve Fraise. – Debbie Bohr Photo

Holts Summit, Mo. (October 5, 1985) – It might have been a cold weekend in central Missouri but 112 race teams from five states provided plenty of heat during the Missouri Nationals at Capital Speedway Friday and Saturday.

Friday night saw Dale Fischlein, a two-time winner at Capital during the regular season, set fast time – 20.80 seconds – assuring him a front row starting position for the 50-lap Busch All-Star Tour late model main event on Saturday.

Late model qualifying heats went to Rick Beebe, Steve Fraise, Roger Dolan, Dan Dickey, and Fischlein.

Roger Dolan would win Friday’s 25-lap late model feature with Jim O’Conner, Fischlein, Donnie Cooper, and Steve Fraise rounding out the top-five.

Saturday night’s action got underway with consolation races in the late model division. Kevin Gundaker took the first consolation win while Donnie Cooper won the second.

Fischlein may have set fast time on Friday night, but it was Steve Fraise who found the quick way around the 3/8-mile dirt oval as he posted a flag-to-flag win in the fifth race of the Busch All-Star Tour series.

Dickey took home the top prize of $2,000, qualifying and driving Ken Walton’s car. Dickey was followed across the finish line by Steve Fraise, Dave Chase, Jim O’Conner, and Steve Kosiski.

In other action, Howard Hall capitalized on a late race spin by Larry Prior to win the 25-lap modified feature and the $500 first prize. Bruce Cox won the 25-lap bomber feature.


Results –

1. Dan Dickey, Packwood, Iowa
2. Steve Fraise, Montrose, Iowa
3. Dave Chase, Omaha, Neb.
4. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee, Ill.
5. Steve Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
6. Curt Martin, Independence, Iowa
7. Gene Claxton, Kansas City
8. Rollie Frink, Davenport, Iowa
9. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
10.Sonny Findling, Kirksville

1987 – Keselowski Notches Win in Salem Fall 200

Bob Keselowski

 

Salem, Ind. (October 4, 1987) – Bob Keselowski gained the lead on lap 172 and went on to claim the checkered flag by a 12-second margin Sunday afternoon in the ARCA Supercar Series Fall 200 at Salem Speedway.

The event was the first race held at the Salem track in over six years.

Keselowski charged into second by lap 20 and then hounded early leader and polesitter Marvin Smith for 50 laps before taking over the lead on lap 74. Keselowski continued to set the pace until lap 124 when he slowed, allowing Bob Schacht to gain the top spot.

Lee Raymond would gain the lead from Schacht on lap 131 and pace the field until a flat tire forced him to pit on round 158. Schacht then inherited the lead, but bad tires forced him to pit on lap 172.

Keselowski then powered in front and pulled away to a comfortable cushion which he maintained to the wire. Bill Venturini placed second ahead of Schacht, Smith, and Raymond.

Keselowski banked $5,390 for his third win of the year and fourth of his ARCA career. Venturini’s runner-up finish combined with Raymond’s fifth place finish virtually assures Venturini of the 1987 driving title.

Results –


1. Bob Keselowski
2. Bill Venturini
3. Bob Schacht
4. Marvin Smith
5. Lee Raymond
6. Bob Strait
7. Bob Dotter
8. Jerry Churchill
9. Don Marmor
10.Dennis Meldpennigen
11.Patty Simko
12.Ralph Jones
13.Dave Weltmeyer
14.Jack Wallace
15.Eric Smith

1969 - Minnesotan is Tri-State 100 Winner

 

Bob Jusola nabbed the first Tri-State 100 at Boone. Joining the winner is, left to right, Phil Stewart, promoter of the Tri-Circuit which includes Elko, Raceway Park, and Twin Cities, Jim Daley of Minneapolis, second-place finisher Jerry LeCroy, and flagman Floyd Mitchell. 

By Denny Sills

Boone, Iowa (October 4, 1969) – Bob Jusola drove over 250 miles from Minneapolis to Boone to compete in the Tri-State 100 at Boone Speedway on Saturday – and in his own words, “the trip was well worth it.”

Jusola, representing Elko Speedway, won the 100-lap Tri-State Championship feature worth $500. That made his trip to Boone about $2 per mile. Jusola picked up even more cash by sharing fast time honors with Mike Keen of Marshalltown at 18.87 seconds.

As the night ended on a happy note for Jusola, it was a different story for George Barton, the veteran driver from Des Moines.

Barton, winner of the three Grand National titles at Boone and the 1968-point champion at the Speedway, was driving one of his better races and had held down the lead for 70 laps but lost the race and the championship on the 99th go-round due to a mechanical problem.

The quick-change rear end on his Chevrolet went sour just as the white flag came out. As Barton started to slow, Jusola took advantage, quickly passing him and taking the checkered flag as Barton coasted to the finish line behind runner-up Jerry LeCroy of Des Moines.

Ame's driver Curt Houge finished fourth with Bob Bonzer of Liscomb taking fifth.

The race was slowed only twice. On the fourth lap, Larry Berrett of Boone went off the track and over the west wall, rolling end-over-end four times. He was taken to a local hospital where he was found to have a fractured wrist.

Four heat events during preliminaries were won by Don Hoffman of Des Moines, John Carlson of Ankeny, Curt Houge of Ames, and Larry McGee of Boone. Del Stokke of Ames, the season champion at Boone this year, won the 25-lap B-main.


Results –

1. Bob Jusola, Mound, Minn.
2. Jerry LeCroy, Des Moines
3. George Barton, Des Moines
4. Curt Houge, Ames
5. Bob Bonzer, Liscomb

1976 – Young Scores Illiana Victory

 

Veteran Ray Young won the 15th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Schererville, Ind. (October 3, 1976) – Ray Young of Dolton, Ill., a veteran of more than 20 years, wheeled his 1976 Camaro to victory in Sunday afternoon’s 15th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 late model stock car classic at Illiana Motor Speedway.

The 44-year-old Young, a truck driver when he’s not racing, led 74 of 100 laps on the half-mile paved oval.

Grabbing the lead for good on lap 49, Young sailed to victory ahead of Jerry Kemperman of Blue Island, Ill., Dave Roahrig of Burbon, Bob Schippers of Kalamazoo, Mich., Larry Knowles of Kalamazoo, and Tom Musgrave of Friendship, Wis.

The afternoon’s heat races went to Dick Aissen of McHenry, Ill., Lee Schuler of Lockport, Ill., Al Schill of Franklin, Wis., and Larry Schuler of Lockport.

Young, who became the 12th different winner in the history of the Bettenhausen Memorial 100, also took top honors in the trophy dash for the six fastest qualifiers.

This year’s Illiana point champion, Larry Schuler, paced a field of 50 entries during time trials with a fast lap of 21.06 seconds.


Results –


1. Ray Young
2. Jerry Kemperman
3. Dave Roahrig
4. Bob Schippers
5. Larry Knowles
6. Tom Musgrave
7. Al Schill
8. Bob Dotter
9. Larry Schuler
10.Dave Evans
11.Larry Middleton
12.Woody Church
13.Johnny McPartlin
14.Bob Theriault
15.Chuck Merrill

1965 – Wichita Driver Snares OKC Feature

 

Dale Reed, driving the Forshee Chevy, won the sprint car feature during the Oklahoma State Fair. – L.A. Ward Photo

Oklahoma City, Okla. (October 3, 1965) – Dale Reed of Wichita, Kan., drove his sprint car to victory in Sunday's race program at the Oklahoma State Fair.

Gordon Woolley of Waco, Tex., finished second in the 20-lap feature with Chickasaw-born Buzz Barton of Tampa, Fla., taking third.

Saturday’s feature winner, Harold Leep of Wichita, Kan., turned in the fastest qualifying lap, touring the half-mile in 23.17 seconds. He won the trophy dash but finished sixth in the feature.


Results -


Time trials – Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan. (23.17)
Heat #1 – Roger Lane, Blue Springs, Mo.
Heat #2- Grady Wade, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 – Ed McVay, Independence, Mo.
Heat #4 – Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
Feature –
1. Dale Reed, Wichita, Kan.
2. Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
3. Buzz Barton
4. Grady Wade
5. Shady McWhorter, Fort Worth, Tex.
6. Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan.
7. Roger Lane
8. Wayne Hardin, Little Rock, Ark.
9. Bernie Shires, El Paso, Tex.
10.Steve Ball, Albuquerque, N.M.

1977 – Senneker Scores Fourth Straight Dri-Powr 400 Win

 

Bob Senneker celebrates his fourth straight Dri-POWR 400 victory at Winchester. 

Winchester, Ind. (October 2, 1977) – The “King” is still unbeatable at Winchester Speedway and still wears his crown, thank you.

For those race fans who have not heard the news as yet, that means Bob Senneker, the handsome smoothie from Dorr, Mich., won the American Speed Association’s Dri-Powr 400 late model classic for an unbelievable fourth straight time Sunday afternoon at Roger Holdeman’s high-banked, half-mile asphalt oval.

Coming off a world record-setting qualification run during time trials on Friday, Senneker grabbed the lead at the green, paced the field for 39 laps, fell back and faded as much as five laps behind the leader at one point, began his charge with 100 laps to go, grabbed the lead again on the 393rd lap and finished nearly a full-lap advantage over Dave Roahrig of Plymouth, at the checkered.

The performance in the Baker Engineering Camaro, which took him 2 hours, 22 minutes and 48 seconds to complete, earned Senneker $6,835 out of a $50,000-plus purse.

Roahrig seemingly had Senneker’s believe-it-or-not victory string on this track snapped with only 25 laps to go when two bolts snapped on the upper left A-frame of his car and he had to slow down considerably; finally limping around the track the last two laps with that wheel titled at a near-30-degree angle.

Defending ASA champion Mike Eddy of Kawkawlin, Mich., was third, fourth went to Bob Sensiba of Middleville, Mich., and Jerry “The Bear” Makara of Pinckney, Mich., was fifth.

Mark Martin, the 18-year-old sensation from Batesville, Ark., led the race for 12 laps but dropped out on lap 374 when the motor in his car went sour, settling for 11th place money.


Results –

1. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
2. Dave Roahrig, Plymouth, Ind.
3. Mike Eddy, Kawkawlin, Mich.
4. Bob Sensiba, Middleville, Mich.
5. Jerry Makara, Pinckney, Mich.
6. Bruce Gould, Milford, Ohio
7. Don Seaborn Dayton, Ohio
8. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
9. Don Gregory, Columbus, Ohio
10.Ellis Herbert, Rushville, Ind.
11.Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
12.Randy Sweet, Edwardsburg, Mich.
13.Eddie Phelps, Indianapolis
14.Carl Smith, West Jefferson, Ohio
15.Ron Hayes, Brownsburg, Ind.
16.Ted Johnson, Columbus, Ohio
17.Mike Brown, LaGrange, Ind.
18.Lonnie Breedlove, Indianapolis
19.L.J. Lines, Greensboro, Ind.
20.Jim Cushman, Worthington, Ohio

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

1960 - McGee Wins State Stock Car Diadem

 

Cigar-chomping Fibber McGee won the Illinois State Championship at Peoria Speedway. – PORC Collection

Peoria, Ill. (October 1, 1960) – Fibber McGee of Galesburg survived a crash with defending champion Herb Shannon of Peoria on the 96th lap and went on to win the ninth annual Illinois State Championship stock car race Saturday night before 11,000 fans.

Shannon, who led most of the time from the 46th lap on, couldn’t avoid hitting a wall after tangling with McGee’s 1958 Plymouth and couldn’t finish the race. There was so much turmoil at the end of the race that it was impossible to determine immediately who had finished in second and third place and race officials were pouring over the lap-by-lap reports to make a final decision.

McGee, who won the 1952 state title, started eighth in a field of 24 cars and was never in the lead until his tangle with Shannon. However, he was running among the leader most of the way and was second on lap 69.

Sentimental favorite Jim Strube made a gallant comeback after a spinout on lap 62 dropped him from the lead which he had held for some 15 laps. Shannon took command after that, and he and McGee waged a torrid battle when Strube once again forged his way back into the picture. He passed McGee on the 80th lap and was going neck-and-neck with Shannon down the front straightaway on lap 82.

However, on the next lap, Strube’s engine blew up and caught fire, and he was forced to withdraw from the race.

Peorian Bob Rutledge led for the first 19 laps but couldn’t match Shannon’s pace and fell from contention. By that time the race had been stopped twice because of wrecks and officials were forced to call another halt for a crash that occurred on lap 28.

Ironically, McGee was involved in one of the earlier accidents but managed to keep his car in the race and went on to get the victory.


Results –


Trophy dash – Arnie Gardner
Heat #1 – Veral Boken
Heat #2 – Fibber McGee
Heat #3 – Leroy Thacker
Heat #4 – Ernie Schaffer
Consolation #1 – Art Brady
Consolation #2 – Arnie Gardner
Semi – Ernie Schaffer

1989 - Hovey Takes IMCA 'Clash for Cash'

 

Tom Hovey won the 50-lap IMCA hobby stock “Clash for Cash” at Independence Motor Speedway. From left to right, promoter Jerry Blue, Hovey, IMCA’s Rick Haefner, and official Gary Henderson. – Keith Knaack Photo

By Les Houser

Independence, Iowa (September 30, 1989) -Tom Hovey has not raced on a regular basis this season after becoming promoter at Nordic Speedway in Decorah but Saturday night he found the fit behind the wheel very comfortable as he came out of the final last chance race and a ninth row start to win the $2,000 first prize on the IMCA hobby stock “Clash for Cash” at Independence Motor Speedway.

Thirty cars started the race and by virtue of the redraw, Craig Coventry of Dyersville started on the pole and led the first four laps before Bill Bonnett of Knoxville charged out front with Ken Irvine of Oelwein and Randy Irvine of Hazelton following in second and third.

A restart on lap 13 gave a hard-charging Tom Hovey the third spot but he couldn’t get around Ken Irvine who was able to get close enough on Bonnett on lap 18 to give him a nudge. Irvine became glued to Bonnett’s rear bumper, and it stayed Bonnett, Irvine, and Hovey until lap 28 when Irvine got sideways in turn two and was missed by everyone except brother Randy who nailed him hard from his trailing position. Needless to say, both cars were eliminated.

This gave Hovey some room to operate and he trailed Bonnett for the next 15 laps and as the duo got into lapped traffic Hovey made an attempt to get by Bonnett held him off.

On lap 46, Hovey grabbed the lead, but Bonnett wasn’t giving up yet and quickly got caught back up and they were side-by-side for the next couple of laps. The two became locked together on the white flag lap and at the finish it was Hovey by inches in a near photo finish.

Following Hovey and Bonnett to the finish line were Lon Gadow of Maynard, Steve Holthaus of Decorah, and Dan Banker of Granger.

Over 70 cars and many track champions took part from four states.


Results –

Heat #1 – Mark Kramer, West Point
Heat #2 – Randy Irvine, Hazelton
Heat #3 – Andy Davis, Keosauqua
Heat #4 – Bob Maschmann, Malcolm
Heat #5 – Rob Anderson, Ridgeway
Heat #6 – Ken Irvine, Oelwein
Heat #7 – Jeff Anderson, Atlantic
Last Chance #1 – Rick Johnson, Independence
Last Chance #2 – Jerry Luloff, Rowley
Last Chance #3 – Tom Hovey, Decorah
Feature –
1. Tom Hovey
2. Bill Bonnett, Knoxville
3. Lon Gadow, Maynard
4. Steve Holthaus, Decorah
5. Dan Banker, Granger
6. Bob Maschmann
7. Rob Anderson
8. Marlin Voss, Fostoria
9. Rodney Reed, Webster City
10.Gary Tadmack, Omaha, Neb.

1978 - Sells is Tri-State Winner

 

Darrell Sells won the Tri-State Championships at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. – B.E. Tappa Photo

Davenport, Iowa (September 30 ,1978) – Darrell Sells of Waverly made his first trip to Davenport and won the 40-lap Tri-States Championship stock car race Saturday night.

Sells also won his heat race along with Tom Hearst of Wilton and Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville.

Hearst led the first half of the feature until he was passed by Sells, then faded back to fourth.

Hearst was later black-flagged for a loose roof, stopped to make repairs, and ended up finishing ninth.


Results –


Heat #1 – Darrell Sells, Waverly
Heat #2 – Tom Hearst, Wilton
Heat #3 – Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville
Semi-main – Terry Huizel, Freeport, Ill.
Feature –
1. Darrell Sells
2. John Moss, Iowa City
3. Gary Webb, Davenport
4. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
5. John Connolly, Delhi
6. Roger Bruggeman, Dubuque
7. Jim Burbridge, Delhi
8. Phil Larson, Iowa City
9. Tom Hearst
10.Jim Guthrie, Freeport

1967 – Stoneking, Parish, are 34 Champs

 

Dick Stoneking receives his trophy and free trip to Florida from Dick Auge, a representative of Wynn’s Friction Proofing, after winning the season championship at 34 Raceways Park. – Beetle Bailey Photo

Burlington, Iowa (September 30, 1967) – 34 Raceways Park wrapped up their regular season of racing Saturday night. The evening was the typical cool, crisp autumn night and drew a nice crowd of 2,000 who turned out for the grand finale on the 3/8-mile oval.

The purse had been fattened with the semi-super modified winner receiving an additional $200 and $100 to the cadet feature winner. In addition to the money bonuses, Wynn’s Friction Proofing gave away a free trip to Florida to the modified champion.

After being a “bridesmaid” for the 1966 season, Ron Jackson of Burlington was declared point champion for the semi-super modified division, racking up 255 points for the season. Wayne Hummer was top point man for the cadet class.

Jackson and points runner-up Bob Lane started on the front row, and it was Lane out front quickly at the drop of the green flag. Lane was sporting a good lead by lap 5 but a lap later, lost control of his machine and spun into the infield, losing valuable ground.

Duane Stoneking, running a close second behind Lane, took over the lead role with Mike Niffenegger of Kalona taking over second and right on “Stoney’s” bumper with Dick McClure right behind in third.

This pace continued throughout the race and on lap 26, Stoneking slipped a little high on the corner, allowing Niffenegger to dive under for the lead. The maneuver didn’t last long as Jim Ball spun his car just as the lead change was taking place.

On the restart, Niffenegger was put back into second position where he was running on the previous lap. With only four laps remaining, this gave Stoneking a breather he needed and on the restart, there was nothing to hold him back as he charged for the checkered flag. Niffenegger, who gave it all he had, rolled past the finish line in second, one-car-length behind Stoneking.

“This is the one I wanted to win,” said Stoneking, as he accepted his trophy and gift certificate.

When asked how he felt throughout the race, he replied, “My arms got numb during the last part of the race but after that restart my arms loosened up a bit.”

Ralph Parrish won an exciting cadet season championship.

The cadet feature was equally exciting as Don Goble held the lead for most of their feature and despite five cautions, Goble maintained his lead throughout. Larry Reighard, driving a great race, chased Goble much of the way.

In third place was Ralph Parish and on the 23rd lap, began to make his move. He passed Reighard and on lap 26 moved close to Goble. Goble miscued on the fourth corner and that’s all Parish needed and he quickly grabbed the lead.

Parish tore to the finish line with seemingly renewed energy. Reighard also got by Goble to take second place.

“I knew if I could get by Goble I’d have it made,” Parish said, as he accepted his Wynn’s jacket and championship trophy.


Results –


Modified –

1. Duane Stoneking
2. Mike Niffenegger
3. Dick McClure
4. Bob Ensminger
5. Ron Jackson


Cadet –

1. Ralph Parish
2. Larry Reighard
3. Don Goble
4. Doak Allen
5. Denny Fry

Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum to Honor 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

 

Algona, Iowa – The Iowa Hall of Fame is honored to announce that the 2026 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted into the Iowa Hall of Fame during our 8th Annual Induction Ceremony in November. 

 The 2026 Inductees include Rock Carzoli of Des Moines, Dale Coffman of Eldon, Kent Davenport of Huxley, Darrell DeFrance of Marshalltown, Craig Jacobs of Urbandale, Jim Majors of Ankeny, Mark Mosier of Washington, Mark Noble of Bloomington, MN, Donovan Nokes, of Webster City, Denny Rosenberg of Grimes, Karl Sanger of Waterloo, Denny Stoneburner of Boone and two individuals being inducted posthumously are Hershel Roberts and Earl Tice. 

 Also being inducted this year are the Hughes Family including Tom and Aletha Hughes (deceased) and Gus Hughes of Monticello. These Hall of Famers were selected from over 120 nomination forms submitted by the public and represent drivers, owners, builders, car sponsors, promoters, motorcycle and drag racers and are well known in the racing community. Congratulations to all this year’s inductees for their outstanding racing accomplishments and contributions to the sport of racing in the State of Iowa!

The 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held Saturday, November 14th at the Briggs Woods Conference Center in Webster City, Iowa. Social hour will begin at 5:00 p.m. followed by dinner and the program.

The Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum is connected to the Kossuth County Ag & Motorsports Museum located at 800 E Fair Street in Algona. Our museum gives race fans access to an amazing collection of one-of-a-kind Iowa racing memorabilia and historical archives. The museum is currently open on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and open by appointment for group and individual tours.

For more information on Hall of Fame members, nomination forms or the museum, you can visit the website at www.iowaracingmuseum.com or find us on Facebook. The Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation whose mission is to honor Iowa’s racing legends and to preserve Iowa’s racing history for future generations.

1974 - Izzo Triumphs at National Clay Track Championship

Tony Izzo claimed the 200-lap National Clay Track Championship at Santa Fe Speedway. Joining Izzo in victory lane is Jim Hyland of Carling Black Label, sponsor of the event, Izzo, Miss Carling Diane Pyrz, and announcer Jan Gabriel. – Vince Mayer Photo

Hinsdale, Ill. (September 29, 1974) – The pits were full of colorful late models piloted by such stars as Iowa’s Ron Weedon, Wisconsin’s Jim Bozeman of IRA modified fame, and Frank Smith, the ’74 Hales Corner Speedway champion, Indiana’s Ronnie Orr and Michigan’s Ron Snow. The Wisconsin state champion Leon Plank was there, too, as was defending National Clay Track champion Earl Hubert of Aroma Park, Ill., along with Illiana star Rich Sundling and USAC regular Art Bormet.

The 30-car field took the green with old foes, Tony Izzo and Jim O’Conner, starting on the front row with Ken Widdes and Billy Kuhn starting right behind them. Ken Pohlman started on the inside of third row and alongside him was the winningest driver on Santa Fe’s half-mile, Al Johnson.

Tony Izzo roared into the lead as the field crossed the line, completing the first lap. Izzo continued to lead, pulling away from the rest of the pack as serious lapping began on the seventh lap.

The next seven cars continued to run nose-to-tail while threading the needle through traffic in this order: Al Johnson, Jim O’Conner, Billy Kuhn, Ken Widdes, Rich Clements, and Bill Bottoms. They all waged their private battles en route to what they hoped would be the big victory; the National Clay Track Championship.

Traffic thinned and by lap 70 Johnson was challenging Izzo. Izzo was able to hold off Johnson, but Bill Bottoms was pressuring both of them as the first 100 laps drew to a close. A six-minute mandatory pit stop was held on the frontstretch.

At the end of the 50 miles, only nine cars were on the same lap – Izzo, Johnson, Bottoms, O’Conner, Don Waldvogel, Rich Clements, Bob Kelly, Leon Plank, and John Kennedy. As the buzzer sounded and the cars circled the clay oval, it took only one lap before Bottoms got around Johnson for second and on the 104th lap, got by Izzo.

Bottoms and Izzo were running strong and pulled away from the rest of the field. On lap 158, Izzo began to regain real estate and challenged Bottoms. They ran in what could have been described as a superspeedway draft pattern as Tony repeatedly tried to slingshot past Bottoms.

Twenty-three laps later, lap 181, coming out of turn three, Izzo, now operating without brakes, got deep into the corner and tagged Bottoms on the left rear quarter panel. Bottoms spun into the infield as Izzo came to a stop in an effort to give him a chance to recover, but Bottoms required assistance to restart.

The green came out again with Bottoms a lap down as Izzo piloted his pony car the remaining 19 laps to his ninth feature win of the season and the National Clay Track Championship title.


Results –

1. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
2. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee
3. Bob Kelly, Wheaton
4. Al Johnson, Justice
5. Bill Bottoms, Bridgeview
6. Rich Clements, Villa Park
7. John Kennedy, Villa Park
8. Billy Kuhn, Blue Island
9. Eddie Farrell, Clarendon Hills
10.Leon Plank, Eau Claire, Wis.

1968 – Clement Brings Down Curtain with Mo’ Town Title

 

Dan Clement takes a victory lap after winning the Marshalltown Speedway season championship. 

Marshalltown, Iowa (September 28, 1968) – Dan Clement of Rhodes became the season champion at Marshalltown Speedway when he won the 30-lap feature on Saturday night, bring the 1968 racing season to a close.

Joel Rasmussen of Gilbert led the entire race until Clement passed him on the 43rd lap.

Mike Keen of Marshalltown was holding down second until he spun and dropped back to seventh. As the race progressed, Keen worked his way back third place, and on the 48th circuit passed Rasmussen and finished in the runner-up slot behind Clement.

Darrel Butler of Marshalltown won the 20-lap hobby stock season championship event becoming the point champion for that division.

On the seventh lap of the 20-lapper, Jim Sharp of Marshalltown rolled his car three times down the straightaway after his car had spun and began sliding sideways.


Results –


Super Stocks –

Heat #1 – Dale DeFrance, Marshalltown
Heat #2 – Bob Bonzer, Liscomb
Heat #3 – Jerry LeCroy, Des Moines
Consolation – Roger Koniceck, Toledo
Feature –
1. Dan Clement, Rhodes
2. Mike Keen, Marshalltown
3. Joel Rasmussen, Gilbert
4. Larry DeFrance, Marshalltown
5. Paul Uhlenberg, Garwin
6. Del Stokke, Ames
7. Archie Ergenbright, Newton
8. Bob Eurom, Marshalltown
9. Merle Leonard, Marshalltown
10.Dale DeFrance

Hobby Stock –

1. Darrel Butler, Marshalltown
2. Carroll Menter, Marshalltown
3. Jim Perin, Haverhill
4. Larry Baker, Albion
5. John Mottet, Newton
6. Ron Witte, Marshalltown

1987 - Smith Tops Sioux Falls 'Cheater's Day'

Randy Smith won the annual “Cheaters Day” race at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds. It was Smith’s second career win in the annual event. – Phil Dullinger Photo

Sioux Falls, S.D. (September 27, 1987) – With the running of the 24th annual “National Cheater’s Day,” the racing season came to a close Sunday.

Cheater’s Day, held before a full grandstand at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds, brought 43 drivers from seven states to compete this year.

The 25-lap feature saw first and second heat winners, Tommy James of Meadow Vista, Calif., and Gary DeWall of Jackson, Minn., on the front row and they battled for the lead as they entered the first turn. But it was second row starter and fourth heat winner Randy Smith of Mt. Ayr, Iowa, passed both drivers in turn two and pulled away.

DeWall would lose his position shortly thereafter with a flat tire, allowing James to move into the runner-up spot. Smith was lapping one car after the other when a yellow came out, bunching the field for the restart. But with the power he had already shown, it was easy for Smith to put some distance between himself and the rest of the field.

By this time, Jerry Richert, who had won the Cheater’s Night feature at Jackson, Minn., the night before, had dropped out with a blown motor and the rest of the field was in a “follow the leader” mode.

On lap 21, another yellow wave and another restart was necessary but once again, Smith was up to the task and quickly separated himself from the competition. Tim Monson of Lakefield, Minn., was in second with John Sernett of Minneapolis, Minn., third.

On the white flag lap, Monson’s engine was smoking badly but he managed to push his car across the finish line ahead of Sernett. Marlon Jones of Sioux Falls was fourth wit Tommy James fifth.

Smith joined an elite group of drivers by winning the Cheater’s Day race, making him only the second driver to win the event two times. Smith’s other victory came in 1981. Bob Williams of Kansas City won the race twice, back-to-back, in 1967 and ’68.

Results –

Heat #1 – Tommy James, Meadow Vista, Calif.
Heat #2 – Gary DeWall, Jackson, Minn.
Heat #3 – Tim Monson, Lakefield, Minn.
Heat #4 - Randy Smith, Mt. Ayr, Iowa
Consolation – Jon Barger, Wentworth, S.D.
Feature –
1. Randy Smith
2. Tim Monson
3. John Sernett, Minneapolis
4. Marlon Jones, Sioux Falls
5. Tommy James
6. Gary Zitterich, Sioux Falls
7. Rich Brahmer, Wisner, Neb.
8. Denny Fredrickson, Anoka, Minn.
9. Rick Dump, Brandon, S.D.
10.Jerry Beeck Jr., Eagle, Neb.
11.Dave Eckern, Flandreau, S.D.
12.Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.
13.Jon Barger
14.Jim Lindberg, Sioux Falls, S.D.
15.Todd Wessels, Worthington, Minn.

1969 - Buchele Tops WL Finale, Morris MVSC Champ

 

Byron Buchele won the Mississippi Valley Speed Club's 50-lap season championship at West Liberty. - Ron Thruman Collection 

By Mary Ann Harris

West Liberty, Iowa (September 27, 1969) – Byron Buchele of Muscatine picked up the checkered flag in the 50-lap feature event here Saturday night and won the second of two season championship races for the Mississippi Valley Speed Club.

Mel Morris of West Liberty went into the evening’s program with 269.5 points. He led the race for 25 laps when he developed rear-end problems and had to pull into the pits. On the same lap, Bob Helm of Rochester, who was running third, blew his engine. Bud Darting of Wilton Junction was running second behind Morris and inherited the lead.

Fourteen laps later, Darting blew the engine on his car, and this put Buchele in the top spot. John Moss of Iowa City was running fourth when Helm blew and Moss’s windshield was covered in oily water and he couldn’t see. He quickly pulled into the pits, got his windshield cleaned, and got back on the track to finish second.

Earlier in the evening, Morris had set fast time of 25.22 seconds. Buechele was second fastest at 25.40 seconds, and Helm turned the half-mile in 25.62 seconds.

Dan Robertson of Muscatine picked up the checkers in the trophy dash. Heat wins went to Larry Jenkins of Wilton Junction, Mark Mosier of Washington, Don Morgan of Muscatine, and Del Abney of Muscatine. Bill Newman of Burlington was the semi-main winner.

Despite his poor finish in the feature, Mel Morris accumulated enough points to win the 1969 Mississippi Valley Speed Club championship with 275 points. John Moss was second with 246 points and Pokey West of West Chester finished third with 206 points.


Results –

1. Byron Buchele, Muscatine
2. John Moss, Iowa City
3. Pokey West, West Chester
4. Don Morgan, Muscatine
5. Ron Perdock, Washington
6. Bill Hopp, Muscatine
7. Gary Redlinger, Keota
8. Dan Robertson, Muscatine
9. Del Abney, Muscatine
10.Mark Colberg, Muscatine

1987 - Dominacki Wins IMCA 'Series' Final Race

 

Bob Dominacki won the IMCA Modified National Series feature at 34 Raceway Park. Joining Dominacki in victory lane is promoter Larry Kemp. – Dick Kleindolph Photo

Burlington, Iowa (September 26, 1987) – Bob Dominacki of Bettendorf won the battle, and Ray Cox Jr. of Davenport won the war Saturday night as the IMCA Modified National Series concluded its 21-race 1987 schedule at 34 Raceway Park.

Dominacki prevailed through several caution periods as he won the 25-lap feature race over a field of 63 IMCA modifieds.

Cox Jr., however, captured the National Series point title over Martin Bennett of Des Moines. Cox Jr. had a 40-point lead going into the finale and stretched that as he qualified for the feature and Bennett did not.

It was striking similar to last year when Dude Thompson of Huxley defeated Steve Streeter of Bloomfield for the title. However, in that one, it was Thompson sitting I the pits not qualified, while Streeter made the feature and tried to overtake him.

The series this year took drivers to Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Dominacki was chased across the finish line by Terry Ryan of Davenport, Sonny Smyser of Lancaster, Mo., Dave Farren of Des Moines, and Steve Johnson of Camanche.

IMCA modified heat races were won by Ryan, Larry Grafton of Des Moines, Farren, Dr. Kent Kaplan of Ankeny, Danny Allen of Danville, Ill., and Smyser. Bruce Hanford and Jack Lueth, both of Davenport, and Jim Anderson of Des Moines won B-features.

In the sportsman division, Terry Schlipman of Mendon, Ill., captured the feature race over Jim Hollenbeck of Burlington.


Results –

1. Bob Dominacki, Bettendorf
2. Terry Ryan, Davenport
3. Sonny Smyser, Lancaster, Mo.
4. Dave Farren, Des Moines
5. Steve Johnson, Camanche
6. Roger Bruggeman, Dubuque
7. Danny Allen, Danville, Ill.
8. Bruce Hanford, Davenport
9. Denny Banks, Washington
10.Rick Cox, Davenport
11.Rick Hixson, Coal Valley, Ill.
12.Scott Smith, Davenport
13.Randy Schroeder, Sigourney
14.John Brumley, Riverside
15.Jack Lueth, Davenport

1982 – Leslie Overwhelms Foes in Santa Fe’s Clay 200

 

Brian Leslie is joined in victory lane by Miss Old Style after winning the National Clay Track championship 200 at Santa Fe Speedway. – Dorothy & Vince Mayer Photo

Willow Springs, Ill. (September 26, 1982) – Brian Leslie led from start to finish to win Santa Fe Speedway’s 200-lap National Clay Track Championship for late models on Sunday afternoon.

Tony Izzo and Denny Falkos, the only drivers in addition to Leslie to complete the contest’s full 200 circuits, placed second and third, respectively, Mike Melius came in fourth, one lap down, with Jim Partipilo, fifth, two circuits down.

Leslie, who placed second in last year’s running of the annual event, won the pole position by recording the day’s fastest qualifying lap, an 18.19-second tour of the speedway’s longer dirt oval.

Leslie put his number one starting assignment to good use, vaulting into the lead over Ken Pohlman at the drop of the green.

Gary Webb was running third early, but his mount suffered a flat tire on lap 29, accounting for the first caution flag of the afternoon and allowing Jim O’Conner to inherit the third spot. Webb later suffered another yellow-producing flat tire and eventually finished 13th.

A former winner of the event, O’Conner, was sidelined by a broken axle on the 50th revolution, handing third place over to John Provenzano.

Provenzano climbed to second place when Pohlman’s car sustained a flat tire, bringing the caution flag out again on lap 94.

At the mandatory pit stop halfway through the battle, Leslie was followed by Provenzano, Izzo, Melius, and Falkos. The next five were Tom Rients, Ted Dolhun, Al Johnson, Jim Partipilo, and Ed Sanger, all on the lead lap.

Izzo replaced Provenzano in second place nine laps after action resumed and Provenzano’s day ended at the 153-lap mark when his engine expired, which prompted another caution flag.

Provenzano’s exit handed third to Falkos, who was trailed by Melius, Dolhun, and Rients.

Moments after the green had returned, Dolhun looped his racer in turn four, triggering another yellow flag.

Rients dropped out of contention a dozen circuits from the checkered, thanks to a broken tie rod, leaving only Izzo and Falkos on the same lap as front-running Leslie.

The order of the top three remained unchanged in the final laps as Leslie held off the former track champion, Izzo, and Falkos to ice the victory.


Results –

1. Brian Leslie, Gurnee
2. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
3. Denny Falkos, Aurora
4. Mike Melius, Adell, Wis.
5. Jim Partipilo, Berkley
6. Fred Lofgren, Bensenville
7. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
8. Dick Taylor, Springfield
9. Darrell Marmor, Northlake
10.Larry Jackson, Lyons
11.Dennis Marcelle, Darien
12.Ed Carlson, Lemont
13.Gary Webb, Davenport, Iowa
14.Tom Rients, Streator
15.Jim Boehles, Hales Corner, Wis.
16.Ted Dolhun, Brookfield, Wis.
17.Dennis Erb, Carpentersville
18.Al Johnson, Justice
19.John Provenzano, Wheaton
20.Arnie Gardner, Batavia

1954 – Harrison Wins by 12 Laps in ‘500’

 

Jack Harrison

Dayton, Ohio (September 26, 1954) – Jack Harrison, a brash 24-year-old from Indianapolis, stole the show and the money from the veterans of the Midwest Association for Race Cars (MARC) circuit Sunday at Dayton Speedway.

Harrison, taking permanent command of the second annual Dayton 500 for late model stock cars on the 230th lap, zoomed to a 12-lap triumph over his closest competitor, leaving little for the 12,000 spectators in attendance to cheer about.

Once the former thrill show driver grabbed the lead, only Jimmy Ward of Chicago had any chance to catch his flashily painted 1954 Ford. Instead, Ward found himself taking a long ride to St. Elizabeth’s Hospital where he was treated for cuts on his elbow and released.

On the 321st lap, Ward threw his right front wheel heading down the backstretch and came to a rest in the middle of the track. Tom Boyd of Millbury, Ohio, with nowhere to go, whacked into him. It was one of several accidents that Boyd was involved in during the afternoon.

It became obvious early in the race that the defending race winner of the race, Iggy Katona of Milan, Mich., could not make the grade and repeat. On the 105th lap he had a blowout but would have been okay had Lloyd Moore of Frewsburg, N.Y., not clobbered him. Moore, driving Fonty Flock’s car at the time, after his own car failed to make it around even one lap after tangling with Don Oldenburg of Highland, Ind.

Flock turned his car over to Moore on the 101st lap and he, in turn, gave thee car to Oldenburg on the 227th circuit. Oldenberg, the victim of the tough luck on the first lap, finished ninth.

Harrison and Ward had a real duel going until the time of the accident. After Katona went to the pits on the 40th lap, Ward took over the lead. He held it until he made his first pit stop for tires and fuel on the 280th lap. Harrison jumped into the lead and piled up five laps while Ward was out of the running. Then, as Ward moved back on the track, Harrison made his first pit stop. His crew worked a little faster and when he came back onto the track, he was still a full lap plus 18 seconds ahead of Ward. Ward was closing the gap when he went out for good.

Harry Ranier of Prestonsburg, Ky., then moved into the second spot but relinquished that to Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, on lap 340. By the time Harrison had completed 380 laps, Derr was a full 10 laps behind the leader.

Harrison collected $2,000 in prize money from a $10,000 purse plus another $600 in lap money. Ward collected the other $400 in lap money.


Results –

1. Jack Harrison, Indianapolis
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Red Duvall, Hammond, Ind.
4. Jim Romine, Youngstown
5. Bobby Hunter, Indianapolis
6. Briar Johnson, Richmond
7. June Osborne, Winchester, Ky.
8. Russ Hepier, Clarion, Penn.
9. Don Oldenberg, Highland, Ind.
10.Bucky Sager, Toledo
11.Ken Netzel, Chicago
12.Harry Ranier, Prestonsburg, Ky.
13.Bill Brown, Chicago
14.Bryant Tucker, Oak Park, Ill.
15.Phil Rouse, Columbus, Ind.
16.Mason Bright, Detroit
17.Tommy Thompson, Louisville, Ky.
18.Iggy Katona, Milan, Mich.

1988 – Miller Tops Missouri 300

Butch Miller poses with his trophy, Miss Missouri 300, Karla Hornbuckle (left), and Miss I-70, Kimberly Wiley, after winning the ASA Racing Series Missouri 300 at I-70 Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

Odessa, Mo. (September 25, 1988) – Butch Miller won his third straight ASA Racing Series event Sunday afternoon, by capturing the rain-delayed Missouri 300 before a crowd of 4,892 at I-70 Speedway.

The event had been rained out on its originally scheduled date one week earlier.

In ASA’s first race here since 1980, Miller took control when previous leader Dave Jackson pitted on lap 219 and went on to a half-lap victory over Dick Trickle.

Miller, who averaged 76.616 miles per hour, earned $8,175 in prize money and awards for his fifth win of the year on the circuit. The race, which included 1 caution periods of 65 laps, featured five lead changes among five drivers.

“This is a tough track, but the car ran excellent through the entire race,” Miller said.

Polesitter Trickle led the first 109 laps before Miller, who started in row two, took over prior to a round of pit stops. Harold Fair took over on lap 124 and remained on top until the next flurry of pit stops which concluded with Tony Raines taking charge on lap 155. Miller was in third at that point.

Jackson ended Raines’ reign on the 186th revolution, but pitted on lap 219, allowing Miller to take over for good.

Trickle faltered in the late stages when a bad tire stagger hampered his efforts, but he still managed to pass Bob Senneker for second place, 28 laps from the finish. Senneker finished third, rounding out the lead lap finishers.


Results –


1. Butch Miller
2. Dick Trickle
3. Bob Senneker
4. Tom Jones
5. Dave Jackson
6. Tony Raines
7. Lonnie Rush Jr.
8. Mike Garvey
9. Ted Musgrave
10.Harold Fair
11.J.M. Kurkowski
12.John Wilson
13.Dennis Vogel
14.Bobby Dotter
15.Tim Olson