1969 – White Wins USAC Tilt at Knoxville

A.J. Foyt (1) passes Don White #) in the 100-lap USAC stock car feature at Knoxville. White would win the race after Foyt stopped in the pits to clean his windshield. - Jack Guthrie Photo

 

 

Knoxville, Iowa (June 7, 1969) – Indianapolis 500 veteran A.J. Foyt got the checkered flag first but actually finished second to Keokuk's Don White in the 100-lap United States Auto Club new-model stick car race at the Marion County Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

A crowd of 5,362 thought Foyt, who started last in the field of 19 after topping the time trials, had taken the lead when he passed White on lap 69.

However, Foyt had made a brief pit stop on lap 51 and was actually a lap behind according to officials.
“When they give you the white flag and then the checkered flag, what else can you think, except that you won,” said a disgruntled Foyt after the race.

“I didn’t know if Whitey (Don White) had made a stop or not. The only reason I did was because my windshield got so dirty, I couldn’t see.”

White’s time in his 1969 Dodge Charger as 43 minutes and 19 seconds. Foyt drove a 1969 Ford Torino.
Larry “Butch” Hartman of South Zanesville, Ohio, took the lead on lap 6 and held it until Foyt took over on the 33rd lap. Hartman was sidelined five laps later when he hit a fender on the track and tore up his car’s undercarriage.

Foyt held the lead until lap 43 when he brushed the wall coming out of the first turn and was passed by White, who led the rest of the way.

The program was about 90 minutes late in starting and the feature was run immediately after the time trials because of threatening weather.

Weather almost caused Foyt, Roger McCluskey of Tucson, Ariz., and several USAC officials to miss the race. Foyt, who was to pilot his own plane from Milwaukee, where he was to compete in the Rex Mays 150 the next day, decided against flying and the group chartered a plane instead.

Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids captured third and McCluskey, the division's point leader, finished fourth.


Results –


1. Don White
2. A.J. Foyt
3. Verlin Eaker
4. Roger McCluskey
5. Terry Nichels
6. Joe Frasson
7. Paul Feldner
8. Dave Whitcomb
9. Jack Bowsher
10. Jim Lord
11. Lefty Robinson
12. Paul Bauer
13. Dale Koehler
14. Bruce Sparrman
15. Jim Perry
16. Butch Hartman
17. Glen Bradley
18. Bill Shirey
19. Fred Zack

1975 – Hansen Captures $1,000 Osky Prize

Curt Hansen (third from right) captured the 50-lap Pepsi Special at Southern Iowa Fairgrounds Speedway. Starter Larry Kemp holds the checkers while Grand Marshall Lee Kunzman and the Pepsi girls held the celebrate the victory. - Earl Schwartz Photo

Oskaloosa, Iowa (June 4, 1975) – Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, captured the big Oskaloosa Pepsi Special super stock feature at the Southern Iowa Fairgrounds Speedway on Wednesday evening. Hansen collected $1,000 for winning the 50-lap event.

Hansen put his blue #9 Camaro into the lead on lap 43 and held on to take flagman Larry Kemp’s checkered flag and the victory.

Fred Horn of Marion, Iowa, was runner-up and Bob Kosiski of Omaha edged Mel Morris of West Liberty, Iowa, at the finish line to take the final podium spot. Just after taking the checkered, Kosiski would hit the first turn fence, riding it some ways and then flipping his car on it’s top. He would walk away with minor bumps and bruises.

Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa, took the initial lead from his pole position at the drop of the green. Hansen and Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, would fall on Dolan’s tail.

By lap 15 Morris had passed Dake and four laps later got by Hansen for second and set his eyes on the leader. Hansen wouldn’t give in, however, and made it a three-car battle. On lap 30, Hansen slid past Morris and a lap later was side-by-side with Dolan for the top spot.

Dolan and Hansen would bump and bang for the next dozen laps until Dolan started to slow. By lap 45 smoke was pouring from his car…a blown engine.

Hansen would sail for the few remaining laps after that. Fred Horn would get past Morris for second (whose engine was overheating) but didn’t have the time to mount a challenge to Hansen.

Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo, Iowa, was the only dual winner of the evening, winning both his heat and the consolation. Don Hoffman of Des Moines won the Pepsi Trophy Dash.

Results –

Trophy Dash – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Heat #1 – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Mel Morris, West Liberty
Heat #3 – Phil Reece, Des Moines
Heat #4 – Pokey West, West Chester
Consolation – Bill Zwanziger
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen, Dike
2. Fred Horn, Marion
3. Bob Kosiski, Omaha
4. Mel Morris
5. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
6. Denny Hovinga, Laurens
7. Phil Reece
8. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
9. Arnie Braland, Boone
10. Tom Steuding, Altoona, Wis.

 

1986 - Birkhofer tops West Liberty 'Busch' Field

Dave Birkhofer won the 50-lap NASCAR Busch/Winston All-Star Tour opening feature at West Liberty Raceway. Birkhofer is joined by car owner Don Morgan. - John Vass Photo

 

 

West Liberty, Iowa (June 3, 1986) – Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, drove quickly to the front from his fifth row inside starting position, then held off several challenges along the way to win the 50-lap NASCAR Busch-Winston All-Star Tour late model feature Tuesday night at West Liberty Raceway.
It was the first of 14 All-Star Tour events for the NASCAR late models.

The late model feature had barley began when trouble struck on the front stretch. As the 26-car field was completing the first lap, the cars of Rick Wendling of Hazelton, Iowa and Bob Lekander of Burlington, Iowa, came together midway down the front stretch.

Wendling’s car slammed the wall sideways at the flag stand and both continued down the cement wall between the track and the grandstand. Both cars climbed the wall with their right-side tires and Wendling’s car got into the fence atop the cement wall.

Neither driver was injured in the spectacular accident but both were retired for the evening and track officials had to phone an electrician to restore lighting at the entrance to turn one after Wendling’s car tapped a light pole during the skirmish.

Birkhofer moved quickly to the front, followed by Roger Dolan of Lisbon, Iowa and Rollie Frink of Davenport, Iowa, who went three-wide into turn one of lap 11 with Birkhofer coming out of turn two with the advantage he would never relinquish.

Frink would retire just after the half-way point, but it remained a battle with Dale Fischlein and Curt Martin, both of Independence, Iowa, joining in, making it a four-car fray much of the remaining distance.

In other action, Greg Roorda of Mitchellville, Iowa, won the IMCA modified feature, Jay Hanken of Monticello, Iowa, was the street stock winner and Robert Christen of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was king of the bombers.

Results –

1. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
2. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
3. Dale Fischlein, Independence
4. Curt Martin, Independence
5. Steve Keppler, Marion
6. Steve Fraise, Montrose
7. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
8. Terry Gallaher, Hannibal, Mo.
9. Jay Johnson, Wapello
10. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb. 
11. Steve Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
12. Lyle Kammerer, Davenport
13. Ed Kosiski, Omaha
14. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls
15. Bob Hill, Story City

1992 – Johnny Spaw Takes Annual Miller 100

Johnny Spaw raises his fist in victory as he exits his car after winning the Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway. - Barry Wayne Johnson Photo

 

 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (June 2, 1992) – Cedar Rapids, Iowa, veteran Johnny Spaw picked up his first Miller Genuine Draft 100 victory on Tuesday, taking the lead on lap 71 when Dudley Fleck, another Cedar Rapids veteran, was knocked out of the race in a spectacular straightaway crash.

Fleck had driven a strong race, leading the first 71 circuits. But as the field came out of turn four, a lap car slowed suddenly, and Fleck couldn’t avoid him. Fleck went over the top of the car, sailing high in the air and rolling before the car caught on fire briefly. There were no serious injuries in the mishap.

Spaw, who had been pushing Fleck hard just before the crash, inherited the lead and went on to victory ahead of Dwain Behrens, Ted Smokestad and Kevin Nuttleman.

The 20th annual race for charity drew a crowd estimated at 4,500 and the weather was ideal. Spaw also set fast time during qualifications, turning a lap on the paved half mile in 20.733 seconds.

Results –

1.    Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids

2.    Dwain Behrens, Lakeville, Minn.

3.    Ted Smokestad, Lakeville, Minn.

4.    Kevin Nuttleman, Bangor, Wis.

5.    Ricky Bilderback, Rockford, Ill.

6.    Steve Carlson, West Salem, Wis.

7.    Shawn Pfaff, Sparta, Wis.

8.    Bobby Hacker, Rockford, Ill

9.    Steve Murgic, Rosemount, Minn.

10. Steve Boley, Oxford

1969 – Hartman wins USAC 200 at KK Sports Arena

Butch Hartman is joined by his father Dick after winning the 200-lap USAC stock car feature at KK Sports Arena. - Wayne Bryant Omega Photo

 

Kaukauna, Wis. (June 1, 1969) – More than 12,000 fans watched as Butch Hartman of South Zanesville, Ohio, finally won a feature, copping the USAC-sanctioned "KK200" and the KK Sports Arena on Sunday afternoon.

While leading the race by almost an entire lap, Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, blew his motor on lap 164 after losing a water hose on the 150th circuit.

Hartman inherited the top spot and was never headed, winning by three-quarter of a lap over runner Jack Bowsher of Springfield, Ohio. Hartman collected $1,300 of a total $12,000 purse.

A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., in a ’69 Ford Torino, took an early lead, coming from far back in the pack, then lost out when he pitted on lap 35 to take on fuel while the caution flag was out.

White took over the top spot while Foyt was in the pits, and when A.J. returned he was running in the fifth position until he developed engine trouble. He came in to change a tire on lap 50 and as he resumed the race he blew his engine, spun out in front of the grandstand and retired for the afternoon.
Foyt’s car was a twin to second-place finisher Jack Bowsher’s ’69 Ford Torino, both had special 429 race engines.

White set a track record in taking fast time. The Keokuk, Iowa, speedster was clocked in 22.12 seconds on the half-mile asphalt.


Result –


1. Bart Hartman, South Zanesville, Ohio
2. Jack Bowsher, Springfield, Ohio
3. Roger McCluskey, Tucson, Ariz.
4. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
6. Roger Regeth, Milwaukee
7. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
8. Bruce Sparrman, Excelsior, Minn.
9. Jerry Smith, Medina
10. Gene Marmor, River Grove, Ill.

1970 – Derr Doesn’t Disappoint City Race Fans

Ernie Derr receives the spoils of victory after his win in Oklahoma City

 

 

 

 

Oklahoma City, Okla. (May 31, 1970) – Well on his way to his sixth straight International Motor Contest Association national title, ageless Ernie Derr shaved 18 seconds off the world 12-lap record in his heat race and went on to capture the 100-lap feature in the IMCA Stock Car race at Fairgrounds Speedway on Sunday night.

The 48-year-old Derr, winner of 10 IMCA national championships and over 275 feature wins, was unchallenged in his heat and lapped but two drivers in the feature event while setting an unbelievable pace in the day’s activities.

He finished his 12-lap heat race in 5 minute and 11 seconds, considerably less than the world record set by Bob Kosiskie in Minneapolis in 1960.

 He also set a track qualifying record on the half-mile oval with a clocking of 24.89 seconds. The old mark was 25.03 set by Ramo Stott in 1968.

Only 14 drivers competed in Sunday’s show but the performance of Derr was enough to satisfy the more than 3,000 race fans.

Derr’s only disappointment was in the 10-lap trophy dash. After sliding out on the last turn on lap 6, Derr lost his hold on second place and finished last. The trophy dash was won by Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who finished second to Derr in the feature.

Janey led during the first five laps of the main event but on the sixth lap Derr caught Janey on the first turn and led the rest of the way.

Midway through the race, Janey was challenged for second by Fred Horn of Marion, Iowa, and the two drivers went bumper to bumper for the next 10 circuits.

Janey finally pulled safely in front of Horn but couldn’t catch Derr, who by then, was leading by almost half a lap.

With about 20 laps to go Derr threatened to overtake Horn, which would have made Janey the only driver he had not lapped. At the finish, Derr trailed Horn by only a few feet.

It was the 16th feature win in the last 17 races for Derr, who had a streak of 15 broken by Horn Saturday night in Topeka. Derr finished fourth in that race but wasn’t even challenged by Horn on Sunday.

Results –

1.    Ernie Derr

2.    Irv Janey

3.    Fred Horn

4.    Ron Hutcherson

5.    Tom Wichman

6.    Vernie Covert

7.    Butch Hall

8.    Sandy Sandstrom

9.    Lewis Taylor

10. Bill Stark

1963 - Two new IMCA world records set at Belleville

 

 

 

Belleville, Kan. (May 30, 1963) - Two new world's records for new-car stock cars was established at the Jayhawk 100 races held in Belleville Sunday afternoon before a capacity crowd.

Ernie Derr, 1962 IMCA stock car champion, set a new world mark for a half-mile track in the time trials with a one-lap speed of 24.50. This erased the old world mark established in 1954 by Bob Peterson at Salem, Ind. Derr knocked .33-one-hundredths of a second off the world record, which had been :24.83, Derr, of Keokuk, Iowa, was driving a 1963 Pontiac.

The world record is for dirt and asphalt half-mile tracks.

Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa also set a new world record for 100 laps on a half-mile track, as he won the feature event in 42:18.25

This record also had stood since 1954 and had been set at Salem, Ind., by Bob Peterson. Hutcherson, currently in third place in the IMCA stock car standings in a 1963 Ford, and Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa, driving a 1963 Plymouth and the current IMCA point leader, fought a duel for the 100-lap championship here Sunday.

After the inverted start Stott jumped into the lead and held that position to the 38th lap with Hutcherson right on his tail. On the 38th lap Hutcherson jumped into the lead for two laps, then Stott pulled back in front.

On the 42nd lap Hutcherson grabbed the lead for good to go on and win the race, with his and Stott's car never more than a car length apart.

Lennie Funk, Otis, Kan., driving a 1963 Ford held third place all through the race. Fourth place finisher was John Mickey, Columbus Junction in a 1963 Pontiac and Ernie Derr, 1963 Pontiac finished fifth.

Hutcherson and Stott lapped ever one in the field one-lap with the exception of Funk, the third-place finisher.

The race was exceptionally trouble free, as only two cars failed to finish out of the 13 starters.

Ramo Stott, driving a 1963 Plymouth, won the first 10-lap heat race following the time trials and Hutcherson won the second. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa driving a 1963 Plymouth, won the six-lap consolation race.

Eight of the top 10-stock car drivers in the standings were present for the event here Sunday for non-money winners, which preceded the 100-lap feature event.