1969 – Wagner Conquers Kirksville

 

By Ida May Van Genderen

Kirksville, Mo. (May 2, 1969) – Earl Wagner came and conquered the opening super modified races held by the Northeast Missouri Racing Association in Kirksville on Friday.

The Pleasantville, Iowa, driver found the quarter-mile to his liking as he captured the third heat and the 20-lap feature. He also started the program off by setting fast time at 17.26 seconds.

He took starter Bob Findling’s green flag and jumped into the lead immediately. He would never relinquish the top spot although he was pressed by Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., and Tom Corbin of Carrollton in the early going.

Chasing those three drivers were Lonnie Jensen of Lincoln, Neb., and Gary “Boscoe” Roberts of Lancaster.

Don Walton of Quincy, Ill., provided some excitement when he rolled coming out of turn four midway through the feature. Don was uninjured but his car sustained heavy damage.

Jerry Blundy was the winner of the 5-lap trophy dash. Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb., won the first heat, passing local Junior Sweet on the last lap. Cliff Powell of Hannibal held off Johnny Babb of Ottumwa, Iowa, to win the second heat.

In the stock car division, Truman McDowell of Fort Madison, Iowa, was the big winner, grabbing the lead on lap 2 and holding it to the checkered.


Results –


1. Earl Wagner, Pleasantville, Iowa
2. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
3. Tom Corbin, Carrollton
4. Lonnie Jensen, Lincoln, Neb.
5. Boscoe Roberts, Lancaster
6. George Lasoski, Dover
7. Sonny Smyser, Glenwood
8. Johnny Babb, Ottumwa, Iowa
9. Junior Sweet, Kirksville
10.Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.

1981 - 12,000 Watch Merryfield Win at Des Moines

 

Joe Merryfield is surrounded by a bevy of beauties after winning the late model season opener at the Iowa State Fair Speedway. Promoter Lefty Robinson presents the checkers. – Dean Malone Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (May 1, 1981) – Joe Merryfield of Des Moines moved from his 14th starting position to win the late model feature race Friday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds as a whopping 12,000 race fans looked on.

The opening night special offered a $5,000 purse for the drivers and a free grandstand for the fans. The fans responded by filling the vast Iowa State Fair grandstand.

Merryfield finished ahead of Don Hoffman of Des Moines in the late model race, while Dennis Hovinga of Pocahontas wound up third and defending point champion Darrell Sells of Waverly was fourth.

Scott Sells, Darrell’s son, captured the 15-lap sportsman feature. Rocky Hodges, who was the busiest driver at the Fairgrounds on Friday, finished second and Steve Shannon of Norwalk was third.

Hodges also competed in the late model division, finishing fourth in the Australian Pursuit and 15th in the feature.

Hodges also nipped Mike Thomas of Des Moines in a special grudge match featuring a late model up against a sprint car. Hodges received a handicap lead at the start and held off Thomas in the 5-lap dash by just a whisker at the finish.

There were four leaders in the late model feature. Dave Farren of Des Moines led the first lap, Dave Bjorge of Austin, Minn., led laps 2-10, Hovinga then took over for laps 11-19 with Merryfield taking over for good on lap 20 and leading to the finish. His win earned him $750.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
2. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
3. Denny Hovinga, Pocahontas
4. Darrell Sells, Waverly
5. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs
6. Kenny Fenn, Washington
7. Dave Farren, Des Moines
8. Danny Wallace, Des Moines
9. Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
10.Curt Hansen, Dike
11.Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines
12.Martin Bennett, Des Moines
13.Dave Bjorge, Austin, Minn.
14.Curt Hogue, Ames
15.Rocky Hodges, Des Moines

1988 - Egersdorf Notches 'Spring National' Win

 

Rick Egersdorf won the open late model feature during the “Spring Nationals” at Cedar Lake Speedway. – Jerry Mackey Photo

By Todd Narveson

Somerset, Wis. (April 30, 1988) – Over 100 cars were on hand to compete on the second night of the “Spring Nationals” at Cedar Lake Speedway, and once again, the competitors put on a great show for the near-capacity crowd.

Twenty-three late models were on hand and put on a great show.

As the green flag flew for the 50-lap headliner, Leon Plank and Joel Cryderman were side-by-side for the lead through the first set of turns while Rick Aukland and Don Swearingen were door handle to door handle for the third spot.

On lap 2, Willy Kraft charged to the inside of Swearingen and Tom Nesbitt going three-wide out of turn two. Lap 3 saw Plank and Cryderman side-by-side with Cryderman edging out into the lead. Kraft slipped past Aukland to take over third on lap 4.

Steve Laursen brought out the yellow on lap 4 as he spun in turn two. At the caution, Cryderman led with Plank, Kraft, and Aukland right on his bumper.

As the green came back out, Plank moved to the high side of Cryderman in turn one, and with Kraft glued to his rear bumper. Plank moved by Cryderman to take the lead on lap 6. On lap 7, Cryderman and Kraft battled for second when another caution flag waved.

On lap 10, Kraft moved to the inside of Cryderman and closed quickly on Plank. N lap 12, Kraft dove to the inside of Plank in turn three and the pair touched, with both drivers getting sideways but still maintaining control. With Plank and Kraft battling for the top spot, Steve Fegers spun on lap 13, bringing out another caution.

On the restart, Plank and Kraft were side-by-side, Kraft low, and Plank high. On lap 15, Kraft charged past Plank to take over the lead. Kraft held off Plank as Egersdorf moved into fourth. On lap 24, Charlie Doyle spun, bring out another caution.

At the hallway mark, it was Kraft, Plank, Cryderman, Egersdorf, and Nesbitt.

It looked as though Kraft was going to sail away to an easy win but on lap 31, Kraft’s car came to a stop in turn two with a sour powerplant. This moved Plank back into the lead with Cryderman second and Egersdorf third.

On lap 34, Egersdorf got around Cryderman for second. Plank was cruising at this point. With Cryderman and Nesbitt battling for third, Egersdorf set out to track down Plank and on lap 48, he found himself challenging for the lead spot.

As the white flag waved, Plank and Egersdorf were side-by-side coming down the frontstretch. Egersdorf charge by Plank entering turn one and held off Plank to score the victory. Nesbitt got around Cryderman to finish third with Don Swearingen fifth.

In other action, Leroy Nelson of Wyoming won the CLS late model feature, Mike Kelley Jr. of St. Paul, Minn., won the outlaw modified main event, and Scott Meeds of St. Croix was the bomber winner.


Results –

1. Rick Egersdorf, St. Paul, Minn.
2. Leon Plank, Eau Claire
3. Joel Cryderman, Thunder Bay, Ont.
4. Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay, Ont.
5. Don Swearingen, St. Paul, Minn.
6. Tom Steuding, Altoona
7. Rick Aukland, Fargo, N.D.
8. Jeff Hinkemeyer, St. Paul, Minn.
9. Steve Egersdorf, St. Paul, Minn.
10.Steve Laursen, Comstock

1961 – Jones Flagged – Foyt is Winner

 

A.J. Foyt is surrounded by his fans after he won the 30-lap USAC sprint car feature at Salem Speedway. – Tom Easterling Photo

Salem, Ind. (April 30, 1961) – National champion A.J. Foyt breezed to victory in the season’s first 30-lap sprint car race at Salem Speedway Sunday afternoon after defending Midwest champion Parnelli Jones was waved from the track after leading the race for the first 23 laps.

Jones, the Torrance, Calif., sprint sensation of last year who appeared safely headed for his third straight Salem win, was “black-flagged” when his Chevrolet-powered car began spewing oil.

Foyt, the 26-year-old Houston, Tex., driver had run second behind Jones the entire race after starting on the front row alongside Jones.

Jones, the fastest qualifier, had roared into the lead from his pole position starting spot. Jones’ qualifying time for the half-mile lap was 19 seconds flat, while Foyt qualified in 19.24 seconds.

That appeared to be just about the difference between the two before race steward Russ Clendenen of the United States Auto Club, which sanctioned the race, waved Jones into the pits.

Foyt, third in the Midwest standings last year, was booed by part of the 4,286 in attendance as he pulled into the winner’s circle. The 27-year-old Jones, unhappy by USAC’s decision to pull him in, was credited with an 11th place finish. He had no plans to protest.

Starter Ken Fowler agreed with Clendenen that Jones should have been waved off the track. Foyt had called Fowler’s attention to the oil leak by pointing to it several times while trailing Jones on the main stretch.

Roger McCluskey of Tucson, Ariz., was second followed by Don Branson of Champaign, Ill. Leon Clum of Wapakoneta, Ohio, was fourth and A.J. Shepherd of Mitchell, Ind., rounded out the top-five.

Foyt’s time for the 15 minutes was 9 minutes and 55.24 seconds. He collected $882.60 for his efforts.


Results –

1. A.J. Foyt
2. Roger McCluskey
3. Don Branson
4. Leon Clum
5. A.J. Shepherd
6. Al Miller
7. Bud Tingelstad
8. Chuck Hulse
9. Jack Rounds
10.Rex Easton
11.Parnelli Jones
12.Bob Wente
13.Ronnie Duman
14.Allen Crowe

1967 – Shear Cops Rockford Opener

 

Joe Shear won the late model stock car season opener at Rockford Speedway. – Dean Bentley Collection

Rockford, Ill. (April 29, 1967) – Joe Shear, the 23-year-old youngster from South Beloit, won the late model feature during the Rockford Speedway season opener on Saturday night.

Shear, who will turn 24 on May 8, led the final eight circuits of the 30-lap feature before more than 2,300 fans. Shear was the second fastest qualifier, circling the high-banked, quarter-mile 15.46 seconds.

Rain had washed out the previously scheduled season opener on April 16, and the April 23 event was snowed out. Saturday night, a steady drizzle began falling after the trophy dash and first heat had concluded.

The rain stopped as the feature was shifted from the last event on the program to the third but up started again just as cars were getting lined up for the second heat and the rest of the program was cancelled.

Sal Tovella, a United States Auto Club stock car veteran, finished second in the feature and Vaughn Gerke of Beloit, Wis., was third.

An accident on the frontstretch on the first lap forced a complete restart. Gene Wood and John Lighthart spun in the middle of the pack after the first lap, causing a multi-car pileup. No one was injured and on the cars of Wood and Lighthart were lost for the 30-lap headliner.

Don Leach of Beloit, Wis., was the night’s fastest qualifier with a time of 15.42 seconds.


Results –

1. Joe Shear, South Beloit
2. Sal Tovella, Addison
3. Vaughn Gerke, Beloit, Wis.
4. Roger Shear, Beloit, Wis.
5. Ron Wishard, Rockford

1978 – Hawkeye Downs’ Opener to Sanger

 

Ed Sanger receives congratulations from new Hawkeye Downs race promoter Al Frieden after Sanger won the late model season opener on Friday night. Flagman Engel DeKock presents the checkered flag to Sanger in victory lane.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 28, 1978) – Hawkeye Downs first race of the year went smoothly under the new direction of Al Frieden and Jim Brown.

The track and infield showed a fresh new look with the side walls painted white and grass on the infield. New scales were installed see that all cars met the 2,800-pound minimum requirement.

The Friday night opener hosted 24 late models, 19 sportsman, and 11 street stocks.

Ed Sanger of Waterloo won the late model feature, taking the lead on lap 18 when Don Hoffman of Des Moines lost his driveshaft and was forced to drop out of the race. Polesitter Lem Blankenship of Keokuk and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids were in close contention during the entire 25-lapper, and finished second and third, respectively.

It was Sanger’s second feature win of the week, having won at Oskaloosa on Wednesday night. Noticeably absent was defending point champion Curt Hansen of Dike, whose car was not yet ready for competition.

Late model heats were won by Blankenship, Hoffman, and Dr. A.E. Mayner of Winthrop. Fred Horn of Marion won the semi-main.

Jim Stodola of Shellsburg led the entire sportsman feature. Larry Schulte of Cedar Rapids was second followed by Bob Jaeger of Dubuque.

Jerry Naylor of Scotch Grove won the street stock feature with Duane White and Smoke Wilson close behind.

Promoter Al Frieden, when asked how he felt about the first night of racing said, “I feel fine now that it’s over.”


Results –


Late Model –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
4. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
5. Bill Rice, Des Moines
6. Gary Crawford, Independence
7. Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
8. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
9. Bill Beckman, Lisbon
10.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
11.Ken Walton, Viola
12.Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville


Sportsman –

1. Jim Stodola, Shellsburg
2. Larry Schulte, Cedar Rapids
3. Bob Jaeger, Dubuque
4. Mark Liebfried, Rickardsville
5. Greg Kastli, Waterloo


Street Stock –

1. Jerry Naylor, Scotch Grove
2. Duane White
3. Smoke Wilson, Cedar Rapids
4. Randy Mills
5. Dave Wilson

1968 - 5,000 Watch Blundy Bank Top $$$ at Knoxville

 

Jerry Blundy was all smiles after winning the 25-lap super modified main at the Knoxville Raceway season opener.

Knoxville, Iowa (April 27, 1968) – Jerry Blundy and Dick Sutcliffe shared the spotlight at the Marion County Fairgrounds Saturday night. This was the largest field of cars for an opening night in Knoxville’s history with 31 super modifieds timing in to compete. Those drivers represented seven states.

Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., won the first super modified main of the season before a crowd of 5,000 to take home his share of the guaranteed $2,500 purse. Blundy picked up a total of $576 for his night’s work in winning the trophy dash ($30), third place in his heat ($25) and winning the feature ($500).

Dick Sutcliffe of Kansas City set a new record of 21.39 seconds for the lightning fast half-mile. This broke the old record of 21.45 seconds held by Joe Saldana of Lincoln, Neb.

Blundy also took home the trophy for the 7-lap dash. Bill Hill of Sioux Falls, S.D., was the first heat winner while Bob Williams of Kansas City won the second heat. Thad Dosher of Topeka, Kans., won a very fast third heat and J.L. Cooper of Kansas City won the 10-lap consolation.

In the main event, Blundy fought off challenges from Joe Saldana in the late stages of the main event to put himself in victory lane. It was virtually a side-by-side race the last four laps with Blundy holding onto the lead. Bob Williams was third across with Sutcliffe fourth. Lee Kunzman of Guttenberg rounded out the top-five finishers,


Results –

1. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
2. Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
3. Bob Williams, Kansas City
4. Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City
5. Lee Kunzman, Guttenberg
6. Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan.
7. Jerry Richert, Forest Lake, Minn.
8. Del Schmidt, Topeka, Kan.
9. Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
10.James Bond, Edwardsville, Kan.