1970 – ‘Nice Guy’ Dave Sorg is Winchester Victor

Dave Sorg receives a peck on the cheek from Ms. Winchester, Diane Bartlemay, after winning the inaugural Dri-Powr 400 stock car race at Winchester Speedway. 

Winchester, Ind. (October 4, 1970) – Dave Sorg, one of Midwest racing’s “nice guys,” avoided a rash of spins to win the first annual Dri-Powr 400 by more than five laps. Sorg, a veteran from Fort Wayne, Ind., who ran the first part of the season with the United State Auto Club, put his Ford Fairlane across the finish line five laps ahead of runner-up Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Janey, who finished third in the International Motor Contest Association point standings, drove a 1969 Plymouth.

A crowd of more than 3,500 fans watched the longest race in Winchester Speedway history. It was the biggest turnout at a Winchester event in recent years.

John Sommerville of Louisville, Ky., was third in a 1969 Chevelle after trailing oil smoke for almost the entire 400 circuits.

Fourth went to Jerry Norris, also of Louisville, in a 1968 Chevelle, and fifth went to USAC stock car driver Jay Behimer of Potomac, Ill., in a 1968 Dodge Charger.

The fastest qualifier was Ron North of Huntington, Ind., who set a track record for stock cars with a lap of 18.98 seconds. The old mark was 19.04 seconds set earlier this season by Jim Blount of Anderson, Ind.

The yellow flag flew 16 times for 125 laps during the running of the 400-lap race for late model stock cars. There were no injuries. Most of the leaders were able to steer clear of trouble, but one spin did eliminate one of Sorg’s chief competitors.

Jim Blount was involved in a five-car tangle on the 123rd lap that completely demolished his 1969 Chevelle. Although Blount, a pre-race favorite, was uninjured, his car was eliminated from further competition.

At the time of the spin, Blount was running a close second to Sorg after leading 49 of the first 122 laps. Sorg had passed Blount on lap 110 and remained on top for the final 290 laps to take home the $1,500 first-place money.

Blount took the lead from fast qualifier Ron North on the first lap and held it for three until North pushed his 1969 Chevelle back into the lead on the fourth trip around the high-banked half-mile. North led for four more until Blount once again moved to the front on lap 8.

Blount held the top spot until lap 38 when Homer Newland of Detroit, Mich., roared from third-place in traffic to pass both Blount and Sorg. The ARCA veteran saw his lead last only four laps before the engine in his 1969 Chevelle blow.

Sorg, who had gotten by Blount in heavy traffic, resumed the lead and held it until lap 88 when Blount caught him in traffic.


Results –


1. Dave Sorg, Fort Wayne, Ind.
2. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
3. John Sommerville, Louisville, Ky.
4. Jerry Norris, Louisville, Ky.
5. Jay Behimer, Potomac, Ill.
6. Ken Black, Indianapolis, Ind.
7. Larry Cope, Elroy, Ind.
8. Terry Elmore
9. Darrell Skaggs, Cambridge City, Ind.
10.Wayne Trinkle, Jeffersonville, Ind.

1958 – Red Amick Alabama Star

Richard "Red" Amick receives his trophy from an Alabama State Fair representative while promoter Al Sweeney looks on. 

Birmingham, Ala. (October 4, 1958) – Speedster Red Amick of Muncie, Ind., whose car seem adapted to winning on slick tracks, won the final National Speedways, Inc., promotion at the Alabama State Fair on Saturday afternoon.

It was the hustler’s third consecutive win after winning two straight features at the Tennessee State Fair two weeks earlier, and again, it was on a slippery oval drenched with five days of moisture.

Amick took the lead in the 20-lap Dixie Sweepstakes feature on lap 11 and never relinquished it. He finished 50 yards ahead of second-place Don Carr of St. Petersburg, Fla.

Amick’s winning time was 8 minutes and 48 seconds.

International Motor Contest Association champion Bobby Grim of Indianapolis had the lead until Amick passed Grim, who would slip back to fifth place before rebounding and finishing third.

But Grim had his glory, setting a one-lap record in qualifying with a time of 23.41 seconds on the half-mile paved oval.


Results –


1. Red Amick
2. Don Carr
3. Bobby Grim
4. Herschel Wagner
5. Johnny Pouelson
6. Jerry Blundy
7. Ken Rubright
8. Red Hoyle
9. Colby Scroggins

1976 - Controversial Illiana Bettenhausen to Young

Ray Young poses proudly with his trophy after winning the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana Motor Speedway - Art Fehrman Collection

Schererville, Ind. (October 3, 1976) – Ray Young of Dolton, Ill., scored an impressive victory in the 15th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 for late models Sunday afternoon at Illiana Motor Speedway, but there was controversy regarding the placing of the other 29 finishers in the event.

A good crowd turned out on a perfect day for the open competition program and saw some highly competitive racing on the vintage half-mile paved oval.

Due to confusion over the yellow flag rule, the official finish wasn’t posted for nearly an hour and a half after the vent was over, which resulted in two drivers being paid for second place.

Officials, after much deliberation, listed Jerry Kemperman of Blue Island, Ill., as the second-place finisher, although he pitted and was stalled on the track during one of the restarts. After protesting, Dave Roahrig of Bourbon, Ind., was also paid for second, but was listed third on the official finish sheet.

After it was all over, about the only thing that was clear was that Young had the fastest car on the track during the feature.

But let’s get back to the start…

Bob Strait of Flossmoor, Ill., was gridded front row outside and took a first-lap lead over Woody Church with Larry Knowlton of Kalamazoo, Mich., right behind.

Knowlton took over second on the second lap but could get no closer to Strait than eight car lengths.

Young, who earlier had set a record in winning the dash, started sixth and moved into third on the fourth lap with Larry Schuler of Lockport, Ill., right behind. Earlier Schuler had set fast time and won the fast heat.

Young pressure Knowlton and caught him on lap 14. Meanwhile, Strait slowed slightly and by lap 15 Young was on his rear bumper.

On the 16th go-round, Young caught Strait coming out turn two and quickly amassed a nine-car-length lead. Schuler moved around Strait for second place on lap 21.

The first caution flag waved on lap 22 and this is where the confusion started. According to a pre-race announcement, two laps were supposed to be counted while ran under the yellow.

The cars were stopped on the track under yellow before being restarted.

A pair of laps were run once racing restarted with Young holding off Schuler, but the yellow waved again when Strait hit the first turn wall. Johnny McPartlin stopped his car and rushed to Strait’s battered mount to see if he was alright, which he was. Strait’s car had to be removed with two wreckers.

During the caution period, Kemperman, who was running ninth, pitted and apparently did not lose a lap. Later in the race, Kemperman stalled on the track during one of the restarts and again, did not lose a lap.

During the caution period, confusion was compounded when starter Bob Adams stopped some of the cars on the track under the yellow and let others continue to circle the track. This was apparently done after the yellow flag laps were recorded.

Officially, racing resumed on lap 29 with Schuler trying everything to pass the veteran Young. Finally, on lap 38, Schuler got by on the inside in turn one.

Schuler’s lead, however, was very short, as the pair collided and locked bumpers in turn two, causing both to spin into the infield, handing over the top spot to Roahrig.

Young kept his ’76 Camaro’s engine running and returned to fourth place with damage to his left rear fender and rear bumper. Schuler was unable to get his “Junkyard Dog” Camaro running and needed a push truck, which put him a lap down.

The green flag returned on lap 43, according to officials, with Roahrig in the lead, followed by Knowlton and Young.

Young took second on lap 44 and passed Roahrig on the main stretch at the start of lap 49 for the lead.

Once ahead, Young was never challenged by any car on the same lap.

The yellow flags flew again on laps 56 when Woody Pool stalled in turn four. Action resume on lap 61 and Young quickly established an eight-car-length cushion over Roahrig.

Schuler continued his battle to un-lap himself and passed Roahrig on lap 64, but Young was nearly a third of a lap ahead.

Kemperman gradually worked his way through the dwindling field and took third from Bob Schippers of Kalamazoo, Mich., on lap 93 and second from Roahrig on lap 99, the white flag lap.

Schippers crossed the finish line in fourth followed by Knowlton, Tom Musgrave, heat winner Al Schill and Bob Dotter. All were on the same lap with the leader. Schuler was listed as finishing ninth, one lap down, although he was on Young’s bumper at the checkered.

Results –


1. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
2. Jerry Kemperman, Blue Island, Ill.
3. Dave Roahrig, Bourbon, Ind.
4. Bob Schippers, Kalamazoo, Mich.
5. Larry Knowlton, Kalamazoo, Mich.
6. Tom Musgrave, Friendship, Wis.
7. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
8. Bob Dotter, Chicago
9. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
10.Dave Evans, Crystal Lake, Ill.
11.Larry Middleton, East Hazel Crest, Ill.
12.Woody Church, Chicago Ridge, Ill.
13.Johnny McPartlin, Lansing, Ill.
14.Bob Theriault, Chicago
15.Chuck Merritt, Riverdale, Ill.
16.Bob Weltmeyer, Harvey, Ill.
17.Dan O’Dell, Morris, Ill.
18.Dan Scully, Chicago
19.Gil Tarbutton, Lake Eliza, Ind.
20.Tom Lamn, Markham Ill.
21.Woody Pool, Posen, Ill.
22.Bob Schacht, Lombard, Ill.
23.Ron Dole, Oak Forest, Ill.
24.Butch Ledy, Matteson, Ill.
25.Bob Strait, Flossmoor, Ill.
26.Phil Mass, Round Lake Beach, Ill.
27.Dave Seligman, Highwood, Ill.
28.Gil Keck, Gary, Ind.
29.Bill Venturini, Chicago

1971 – Bad Tire Costs Hemsted at West Liberty

Ron Prymek was in the right spot at the right time to win the 50-lap Mississippi Valley Speedway Club season championship at West Liberty. 

West Liberty, Iowa (October 2, 1971) – After another Saturday night rainout, Mississippi Valley Speed Club point leader Ron Hemsted of Lone Tree nearly had the first of two 50-lap season championships sacked up before a bad tire cost him the victory.

In position to take over the lead when Hemsted’s car faltered, Ron Prymek of Iowa City outdueled Larry Jenkins of Wilton Junction and Bill Newman of Burlington to pick up the checkered flag.

Hemsted still managed to garner a fifth-place finish, finishing behind John Moss of Iowa City. Hemsted and Moss are one-two in the MVSC point standings heading into the final race at Columbus Junction next week.

Bill Hopp of Muscatine won the trophy dash. Pokey West of Westchester, Jim Gerber of Long Grove, Bud Darting of Wilton Junction and Bill Douglass of West Liberty were heat winners. Mel Morris of Atalissa was the semi-main winner.


Results -

Trophy dash – Bill Hopp, Muscatine
Heat #1 – Pokey West, Westchester
Heat #2 – Jim Gerber, Long Grove
Heat #3 – Bud Darting, Wilton Junction
Heat #4 – Bill Douglass, West Liberty
Semi-main – Mel Morris, Atalissa
Feature –
1. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
2. Larry Jenkins, Wilton Junction
3. Bill Newman, Burlington
4. John Moss, Iowa City
5. Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree
6. Jim Gerber
7. Ron Perdock, Washington
8. Ken Boyce, Wellman
9. Walt Carney, West Branch
10.Del Abney, Muscatine

1949 – Ruttman Wins Final AAA Feature

 

Dayton Speedway's owner Frank Funk (right) presents the Gold Cup to Troy Ruttman. – Photo Courtesy of National Sprint Car Hall of Fame

Dayton, Ohio (October 2, 1949) – Troy Ruttman, the 22-year-old sensation from Ontario, Calif., carried away all the gold and glory at the year’s final AAA big car program at Frank Funk’s Dayton Speedway on Sunday afternoon, when he won the feature event, the Gold Cup, and set a new track record.

Ruttman captured the $4,000 race in the very good time of 7 minutes and 19.01 seconds, being pushed all the way by veteran “Doc” Shanebrook of LaPorte, Ind.

Shanebrook made a determined bid to overhaul the leader on the final lap and missed by only two lengths of accomplishing that feat, giving a crowd of 7,000 quite the thrill.

The youthful blonde speedster was presented the Funk Gold Cup for his victory, besides carrying away the major portion of the purse. He was also presented a $100 bonus for bettering the track record in time trials.

Jackie Holmes of Indianapolis trailed Ruttman and Shanebrook to the checkered flag, coming all the way from seventh position. Pee Wee Northern was fourth and Billy Earl was fifth.

Ruttman grabbed the lead at the outset and with the exception of laps 15 and 20, held a commanding lead. Shanebrook made his bid on both of those laps and came very near to passing Ruttman on both occasions.

It was strictly a two-man race with Ruttman copping his third win of the season at the half-mile track.

1978 – Nashville’s Robbins World Open Claimed by Byrd-Hanley Combo

Danny Byrd, with some relief driving from Junior Hanley, won the second annual Marty Robbins World Open 500 at Nashville. - Brian Norton Collection

Nashville, Tenn. (October 1, 1978) – Danny Byrd of Dearborn, Mich., with relief help from Junior Hanley, captured the second annual Marty Robbins World Open 500 at Nashville Speedway, Sunday afternoon.

Run as an open competition event last year, the race was sanctioned by NASCAR’s Grand American division this season.

Byrd began his domination of the event in time trials Friday night, setting fast time by turning a 19.489-second lap on the 5/8-mile semi-banked asphalt oval to capture the pole position for the 500.

Byrd then made good use of his front row starting berth, vaulting into the lead at the onset.

Only Donnie Allison seemed able to match the speed of Byrd’s Stan Yee-built 1977 Firebird in the early going. But the Hueytown, Ala., chauffer had to overcome the handicap of starting 33rd in the 40-car field.

Allison was relegated to a poor starting berth when mechanical problems prevented him from earning one of the 30 starting assignments, which were determined in Friday’s qualifying. However, Allison gained his spot in the feature by capturing his 10-lap qualifying race.

Allison’s spectacular early drive took him to third place by lap 50. However, his Camaro lasted 54 additional circuits before being sidelined by mechanical issues.

Gene Morgan of Travelers Rest, S.C., put a rush of his own as the race neared the 150-lap mark and stormed into the lead. However, the torrid pace proved too much for Morgan and he had to be relieved by Gene Glover.

Morgan’s Camaro also failed to last the distance. On lap 381 Don Biederman’s car blew an engine in turn three, spewing oil on the track. Glover’s car slid into the oil and crashed into the outside wall, damaging the car so severely that it had to be withdrawn.

Larry Detjens, driving a 1978 Oldsmobile Cutlass in relief of Mike Miller, held the upper hand as the event approached the 400-lap mark. However, Hanley, now in relief of Byrd, overhauled Detjens on lap 450 to take the lead he would never relinquish.

Hanley continued a blistering pace throughout the closing circuits and lapped Detjens with two laps remaining en route to an easy victory.

The team of Miller and Detjens placed second with NASCAR star Harry Gant third in a 1976 Omega.

The team of Byrd and Hanley took home $10,000 for their victory.


Results –


1. Danny Byrd, Dearborn, Mich./Junior Hanley, Oakville, Ont.
2. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis./Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
3. Harry Gant, Taylorsville, N.C.
4. Jerry Makara, Pinckney, Mich.
5. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
6. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
7. Jody Ridley, Chatsworth, Ga.
8. Fred Whisler, Buckner, Mo.
9. Junior Niedecken, Pensacola, Fla.
10.Donnie Hawn, Streetsville, Ont.
11.Rich Somers, Stevens Point, Wis.
12.Sandy Goss, Marietta, Ga.
13.Ronnie Hutton, Whites Creek, Tenn.
14.Don Biederman, Mississauga, Ont.
15.Gene Morgan, Travelers Rest, S.C.
16.Dave Simko, Clarkston, Mich.
17.Bob Strait, Flossmoor, Ill.
18.James Ham, Nashville
19.Ray Jenkins, Ashland, Tenn.
20.Mike Alexander, Franklin, Tenn.
21.L.D. Ottinger, Newport, Tenn.
22.Tony Cunningham, Hartsville, Tenn.
23.Dave Mader, Homewood, Ala.
24.Rick Wilson, Bartow, Fla.
25.Randy Sweet, Bremen, Ind.
26.Dave Chase, Council Bluffs, Iowa
27.Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
28.Randy Tissot, Arden, N.C.
29.Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
30.Sterling Marlin, Columbia, Tenn.
31.Gary Adams, Donelson, Tenn.
32.Larry Detjens, Wausau, Wis.
33.Jerry Kemperman, Blue Island, Ill.
34.Donny Allison, Hueytown, Ala.

1979 – Michigan driver wins Oktoberfest 200

Butch Miller (kneeling, left) accepts his trophy from promoter Larry Wehrs (kneeling on right) after winning the overall title at Oktoberfest.

West Salem, Wis. (September 30, 1979) – Butch Miller f Lawton, Mich., raced to the championship in the Oktoberfest 200 Sunday at La Crosse Interstate Speedway.

He did it by winning the first 100-lapper and placing third in the second race.

Out-of-towners placed 1-2 in the first feature, but Interstate veterans Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids and Jim Sauter of Necedah, were 1-2 in the second 100-lap contest.

By the 30th lap, Miller was in control of the first feature and able to hold off Mark Martin of Batesville, Ark., for the victory.

Martin, who set a new track record in qualifying on Saturday with a time of 19.654 seconds on the 5/8-mile paved oval, finished about five seconds behind Miller at the finish.

Miller said he liked the two-race system to determine an overall champion. “That way, if something happens in the first race you have an opportunity to redo it in between,” Miller said.

At the beginning of the second feature, Wausau’s Larry Detjens, winner of the ’76 and ’77 Oktoberfest championships, drove to the top spot from his second row outside position. He was passed on lap 4 by Sauter and the pair opened up a gap on the rest of the field.

Trickle worked his 1979 Trans Am past Detjens on the second turn of the 19th lap and then rode Sauter’s draft until passing him on the backstretch of lap 25.

Martin had been running fourth, but rear end problems on his 1979 Camaro sent the 20-year-old hot shoe to the sidelines on lap 85.

For Sauter, the 100th lap came too soon. “I think I could have passed Dick had the race been a little longer,” he said. “The trouble is that Dick is a foxy driver, and you never know how much he’s using his car.”

Trickle said his Trans Am had more left. “I could have gone faster if I wanted to,” he said.

By contrast, Trickle said, “Everything was wrong in the first race. We replaced springs and tires between races.”

Sauter, who hasn’t won a feature here since 1974, was pleased with the day’s work. “This is the first time in 10 years I’ve finished an Oktoberfest race. I’ve never finished one,” he remarked.

Lee Schuler of Lockport, Ill., won the 40-lap semi-feature. Richard Zickert of Watertown and Joe Krzykowski of Wisconsin Rapids won 20-lap consolation races.


Results –


Feature #1 –


1. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.
2. Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
3. Dave Watson, Milton
4. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
6. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
7. Jim Sauter, Necedah
8. Tony Strupp, Slinger
9. Mark Malcuit, Strasburg, Ohio
10.Larry Detjens, Wausau


Feature #2 –


1. Dick Trickle
2. Jim Sauter
3. Butch Miller
4. Dave Watson
5. Mike Miller
6. Mark Malcuit
7. Bob Senneker
8. Bruce Sparrman, Minneapolis
9. Mel Whalen, Shakopee, Minn.
10.Jim Back, Vesper