1977 – Jones Does it on Dirt; Wins Terre Haute Sprint Go

Norman "Bubby" Jones

Terre Haute, Ind. (July 31, 1977) – After having scored a pair of USAC sprint car feature wins on the asphalt at Winchester Speedway last weekend, Bubby Jones showed his dirt prowess for which he is famous by capturing the circuit’s 40-lap feature at the Terre Haute Action Track, Sunday afternoon.

Sheldon Kinser, who is currently second in the division’s point standings, started on the pole and led the 20-car field through the first six circuits.

However, a faulty quick-change gear slowed Kinser, enabling Jones, who had started third, to take command on lap 7. Kinser went on to complete only 12 laps before his car became the first to drop out of the contest.

Even though he was not headed the rest of the way, Jones did have to ward off the stern challenges of Roger Rager and Gary Bettenhausen.

Rager, who took over the wheel of the potent Armstrong Mould sprinter while its regular chauffeur, point leader Tom Bigelow, was in Texas for a Championship race, finished second after starting seventh.

Meanwhile Bettenhausen, who had started ninth, was third at the checkered. Completing the top five was Bruce Walkup and Billy Cassella.

The event was slowed by only one caution, which occurred on lap 15 when a wheel came off Chuck Gurney’s racer while the California pilot was running fifth. Gurney was able to return to action following the mishap, but completed only 22 laps for a 18th place finish.

Results –

1. Bubby Jones
2. Roger Rager
3. Gary Bettenhausen
4. Bruce Walkup
5. Billy Cassella
6. Eddie Leavitt
7. Ralph Parkinson Jr.
8. Greg Leffler
9. Steve Chassey
10.Rich Vogler

1972 - McCluskey Coasts in Pennsylvania 500

Roger McCluskey accepts his trophy after winning at Pocono. - Photo courtesy of Jerry Nelson

Long Pond, Penn. (July 30, 1972) – Roger McCluskey finally accomplished what he started out to do nearly one year ago.

The Tucson, Ariz., driver, who finished 11th in Saturday’s Schaefer 500 championship race, look the lead early in the race Sunday and coasted to an easy victory in the second annual Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono International Raceway.

McCluskey, who collected 10,000 in purse money for his victory, guided his 1970 Plymouth Superbird to a record time of 127.035 miles per hour. He picked up 1,000 points but has not clinched this year's USAC stock car title.

Last year McCluskey needed only a victory in the Pennsylvania 500 to wrap up his third straight United States Auto Club late model stock car championship. But his car hit the wall on the 173rd lap of the 200-mile race and he lost the decision and the point championship to Butch Hartman.

Sunday's pre-race duel between the top USAC drivers and NASCAR darling Richard Petty lasted only 256 miles. Petty, the lone million dollar winner in auto racing, dogged McCluskey, Hartman, Wally Dallenbach and Ramo Stott.

Petty, who was paid a $3,000 appearance lo add glamor t the field, led for 13 laps. But the Randleman, N.C. driver who has won 143 starts since joining NASCAR in 1958, was plagued in the early going by several tire changes.

He finally was eliminated from the race on the 102nd lap when his 1972 Plymouth blew a left tire and the car's oil line ruptured.

With Petty out, the race settled down to an apparent duel between McCluskey, who sat on the pole with a qualifying speed of 148.177 miles per hour and Hartman, who went into the race third in the point standings behind McCluskey.

But Hartman dropped out of contention on the 130th lap when he pitted, and his crew took 3 minutes and 6 seconds to change the entire distributor.

From there on it was a one-man show.

Five cars were eliminated from the starting field of 40 right off the bat when Steve Arndt spun in the third straightaway. He was out of the race along with Dick Beinlich, Paul Sizemore, Ken Reiter, H.L. Wilson and Leroy Austin.

Al Unser, who was prematurely declared the winner of the Schaefer 500 before a mass of confusion was finally cleared up, dropped out of Sunday's race after completing 40 laps with clutch failure.

McCluskey, who won another $7,120 in Saturday's race, lost the lead only when he was in the pits. But while he was on the track there was no stopping him.

At various points he had lapped the entire field except for Hartman, who ended up second — a final victim of lapping — and his interval between his closest challenger nearly three minutes. He ended four laps down.

Dave Marcis, another of the NASCAR drivers who made an appearance in the USAC-sanctioned race, stayed in contention for a while. Rut his 1972 Matador was experiencing carburation trouble and he soon fell behind.

Whether he finished in the top running was elementary, since he was bound to be a victim of penalties. While the pace car was out during yellow flag time, the Skyland, N.C. driver continuously passed slower cars on the track.

Under USAC rules, cars must fall in line behind the pace car on the yellow flag.

But under NASCAR rules, with which Marcis is used to dealing with, a driver is allowed to pass slower ears under the yellow. He was finally dropped from fourth to fifth place in the standings.

The attrition rate, like Saturday's race, took its toll on the drivers. The main thing which the cars went through like peanuts was tires. This was probably due to the fact that the stock cars were not using tires prepared for the sometimes rough Pocono International Raceway surface.

There were only 17 cars running at the end.


Results –


1. Roger McCluskey
2. Butch Hartman
3. Verlin Eaker
4. Dave Marcis
5. Cecil Gordon
6. Chuck McWilliams
7. Jim Tobin
8. Paul Felder
9. Bob Wente
10. Tiny Lund
11. Sal Tovella
12. Bob Robbins
13. Bay Darnell
14. Gary Raymond
15. Jigger Sirois
16. Ray Bolander
17. Joe Booher
18. Earle Canavan
19. Rich Oertel
20. Jim Hurtubise
21. Ramo Stott
22. Richard Petty
23. Dave Whitcomb
24. Wally Dallenbach
25. Al Loquasto
26. Gary Bettenhausen
27. Al Unser
28. Lem Blankenship
29. Bud Schroyer
30. George Wiltshire
31. Harold Fair
32. Dick Simon
33. Ken McEldowney
34. Bill Shirey
35. Paul Sizemore

1980 – Walton Rallies to Win El Kahir Race

Ken Walton

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (July 29, 1980) - Kenny Walton waited until the last minute to make his move and he couldn’t have picked a better time to do it.

The 37-year-old Viola resident flew by Waterloo’s Dick Schiltz on the 91st lap of the 100-lap main event and rolled on from there to capture the third annual El Kahir Shrine Directors Staff Stock Car Race Tuesday night at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.

Walton, who is now in his eighth year of racing at the Downs, had car owner Dwayne Schneider fly in from Iowa City earlier in the day to iron out some kinks in the new engine he had put in last Sunday, and evidently the overtime paid off.

“This is the best this car has felt all year,” said Walton while signing a few autographs and tending to his son Todd. “We worked all day on the car and I think we were the last ones getting to the track, but this really makes it all worthwhile.”

The former Marion resident jumped out front on the first turn at the start, and kept the lead throughout the first 12 laps.

Dike’s Curt Hansen, who had been on Walton like a shadow, then overtook Viola’s favorite driver with a little help from West Liberty’s Mel Morris. Morris was running near the back of the pack and when Walton tried to lap him on the outside, Hansen slipped inside and took over the lead.

By the 20th lap, Hansen had built up a sizable lead, but mechanical problems forced the 12-year Downs veteran out of the race and Walton regained the lead.

Schiltz, meanwhile, stayed right on Walton’s tail and eventually passed him on the 57th lap. He had built up a fairly comfortable lead until a run-in with the wall on lap 87 slowed him down just enough for Walton to make his move.

Walton, who drives a maroon and white Camera with the familiar number “02” on the side, flew by Schiltz four laps later on the back straightaway and played it cool the rest of the way to gain his second Downs feature win of the year.

Schiltz, who was later rushed by ambulance to Mercy Hospital after suffering dizzy spells, took second followed by Kaukauna, Wis., native Pete Parker. Wilton’s Tom Hearst, the Downs’ season point leader, came home fourth and Moline’s Duane Steffe finished fifth.

Schiltz ran a 23.172-second lap in the time trials to set a new Downs track record but it was Walton who led from start to finish to win the 6-lap Trophy Dash.

Bill McArdle of Eau Claire, Wis., took the 20-lap consolation race.


Results –


1. Ken Walton, Viola
2. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
3. Pete Parker, Kaukauna, Wis.
4. Tom Hearst, Wilton
5. Duane Steffe, Moline, Ill.
6. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
7. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
8. Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
9. Gary Crawford, Independence
10.Gary Webb, Davenport
11.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
12.Bill Rice, Des Moines

1968 – Gerber Scores at Raceway

Starter Skip Chick presents the checkers to feature winner Jim Gerber. 

East Moline, Ill. (July 28, 1968) - From the scrap heap to the winner’s circle, that’s the route Jim Gerber’s #88 Dodge Charger followed during the weekend at Quad-City Raceway.

Gerber’s car was nearly wiped out during the feature race Friday night over at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. But his mechanics rebuilt the wreckage all day Saturday and yesterday, and by the time the 25-lap late model feature was called last night at Raceway, the machine was ready.

So was Gerber...

He started in the back of the 12-car feature field but worked his way forward quickly. Benny Hofer of Rock Island, was the early leader, starting in front row, but Del Williams of Aledo edged past Hofer on third lap after a stoppage was caused by Ray Guss hitting the wall during second lap.

Gerber soon muscled past Hofer into the runner-up spot, and after making up ground, overhauled Williams on the 11th lap and led the rest of the way.

Don Bitner of Peoria worked his way around Williams on the 14th lap and pursued Gerber, but couldn’t catch him. He finished second and Williams was third, ahead of hard-charging Dean Montgomery of Milan.

The track became extremely hard by feature time and the late model cars had difficulty maintaining traction when they accelerated.

Results –

Heat #1 – Ben Hofer, Rock Island
Heat #2 – Don Bitner, Peoria
Heat #3 – Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
Semi-main – Lyle Behne, Moline
Feature –
1. Jim Gerber, Mt. Joy, Iowa
2. Don Bitner
3. Del Williams, Aledo
4. Dean Montgomery, Milan
5. Ron Weedon
6. Ray Guss, Milan
7. Don Dane, Peoria

1975 – I-70 National Championship 300 to Williams

Bob Williams celebrates his National Championship 300 victory. 

Odessa, Mo. (July 27, 1975) – “Tiger” Bob Williams of Independence, Mo., drove a strong, steady race from his last place starting position to win the sixth annual National Championship 300 stock car race at I-70 Speedway on Saturday night.

Williams burnt two pistons during hot laps prior to qualifications on Friday night. Since he was unable to qualify, he was forced to start at the rear of the field for the 300-lap affair.

But Williams charged hard throughout the race and was able to avoid accidents which brought out the yellow flag six times and the red flag, which halted the action, three times.

His Gary Emig-built 1972 Nova was running as strong at the end as it had in the beginning.

“When Gary builds a car, he builds it to last,” remarked Williams after the race, shaking his leg which had become numb from applying constant pressure to the accelerator for the long race. “It seemed to run better the more laps we ran.”

Terry Brumley jumped out into the lead as the green flag dropped to start the race, but Claude Thomas spun in turn one and the field had to realign for a second attempt.

Brumley and Jack Constable would have a drag race for the lead down the front straightaway and Constable would beat him in turns one and two to secure the top spot. Constable would set an incredibly fast past with Brumley, Joe Shear and Dick Trickle set up in a draft behind him.

On lap 10 Brumley would blow his motor and Joe Shear started pressuring Constable for the lead.

With Shear pressing Constable for the point on lap 48, the engine in Bill Crane’s car blew, scattering oil on the racing surface between turns three and four. Constable would hit his brakes with Shear’s car striking him in the rear, forcing Constable’s car into and over the wall and into the parking lot in turn three.

Constable’s car would flip end over end three times but Constable was uninjured. Constable would climb the wall and wave to the crowd to show everyone that he was okay.

The race would resume with Terry Bivins in the lead with Shear and Dick Trickle applying heavy pressure. Trickle would scoot past Shear on lap 65 for second place and on lap 151, pass Bivins on the back straightaway for the top spot.

Trickle’s lead would only last until lap 237 when his engine decided to let go, ending his chance for a third National Championship 300 title.

Dave Watson would hit the oil from Trickle’s car and crash into the wall between turns three and four forcing him out of the race.

On the restart, Bob Williams would inherit the top spot and hold it for the remaining 63 circuits.


Results –


1. Bob Williams, Independence
2. Vester Cates, Lawson
3. Willie Crane, Springfield
4. Terry Bivins, Shawnee, Kan.
5. John Behee, Shawnee, Kan.
6. Don Ely, Kingman, Kan.
7. Dave Klingsporn, Monett, Kan.
8. Ed Hoffman, Nile, Ill.
9. Charlie Johnson, Miller
10. John Farmer, Sweet Springs

1953 - Jimmy Davies Sets Williams Grove Mark

Jimmy Davies of Van Nuys, Calif., driving the Pat Clancy Special, won the 25-miler at Williams Grove.  

William Grove, Penn. (July 26, 1953) – Young Jimmy Davies, Van Nuys, Calif., veteran of the Korean War, set a new track record today in winning the 25-mile all-Indianapolis auto race at the Williams Grove Speedway.

Davies beat out his Van Nuys neighbor — Johnny Parsons — to complete the 50 laps on the clay oval in 22 minutes and 22.21 seconds. The old mark was 22 minute and 53 seconds set last year by Paul Russo, Hammond, Ind. Russo finished fourth in today’s race.

Parsons finished less than two car lengths behind Davies' Pat Clancy special. Davies, who held the lead the entire way, collected $1,275 as his winner's share of the purse.

Rodger Ward, Los Angles, finished third, Tommy Hinnershitz, Reading, was fifth behind Russo. Don Freeland, Redondo Beach, Calif., was sixth, Duane Carter, Culver City, Calif., seventh.


Results –

1. Jimmy Davies
2. Johnny Parsons
3. Rodger Ward
4. Paul Russo
5. Tommy Hinnershitz
6. Don Freeland
7. Duane Carter
8. Eddie Russo
9. Manny Ayulo
10.Johnny Roberts

1976 – Makara wins I-70 Speedway’s 300 on Last Lap

Jerry "The Bear" Makara

Odessa, Mo. (July 24, 1976) – Jerry Makara of Westland, Mich., took advantage of a break on the very last lap of I-70 Speedway’s National Championship 300 Saturday night and became champion for 1976.

Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., had been leading the race and looked like a sure winner, when the engine in his Camaro sputtered, and the car began to coast.

Makara roared past Phillips in his Thrush Camaro and beat Phillips to the checkered flag.

Makara was presented with more than $3,000 of the $18,000 purse, not a bad showing for his first appearance at the Missouri half-mile.

“I’ve been wanting to come down here for four years,” Makara said, sitting on the hood of his car, trying to cool down after the race. “I had the fastest car at the end of the race, I was just to tired to get by Phillips. If he hadn’t run out of gas at the end, I wouldn’t have beaten him.”

Phillips, his face bright red from the intense heat could only mutter, “I though I had it, I thought I had it.”

Trailing Makara and Phillip at the finish line were Joe Ruttman, Terry Brumley and David Goldsberry.

Results –

1. Jerry Makara
2. Larry Phillips
3. Joe Ruttman
4. Terry Brumley
5. David Goldsberry
6. Steve Lutkie
7. Dean Roper
8. Garry Truelove
9. Don Ely
10. David Hall
11. Bob Snow
12. Eddie Neil
13. Gary Anderson
14. Denny Roberts
15. Eddie Adkins