1983 - O'Conner Collects Fourth Santa Fe 200

Jim O’Conner won his fourth National Clay Track Championship 200 late model contest at Santa Fe Speedway. Starter Terry Kimes and Miss Old Style 200 assists in the celebration. – Dorothy and Vince Mayer Photo

Willow Springs, Ill. (October 9, 1983) – Jim O’Conner battled with Tony Izzo and John Provenzano throughout most of the race and emerged the winner of Sunday’s rain-postponed National Clay Track Championship 200 at Santa Fe Speedway. It was O’Conner’s fourth career victory in the prestigious late model event.

Izzo and Al Johnson had earned front-row starting berths for the long endurance contest by winning 25-lap features in the track’s Silver Twins Stock Car Classic on September 24. The original September 25 date was rained out. Izzo, who started on the pole position, darted out to the lead, ahead of Johnson and John Provenzano.

Izzo, Johnson, and Provenzano would continue to run 1-2-3 until Johnson retired with steering issues on lap 27. This would elevate Arnie Gardner to third with Iowan Roger Dolan in fourth.

O’Conner, who started 12th in the 28-car field, began working his way to the front. Working methodically, O’Conner worked his way to fourth place behind Gardner when the caution came out on lap 65.

When green flag racing resumed, Gardner started showing signs of mechanical problems and pulled out of the contest on the 71st circuit. O’Conner moved into third and started pressuring Izzo and Provenzano.

On the final start of the final 100-lap countdown, all-out racing resumed between Izzo, Provenzano, and O’Conner. O’Conner overhauled Provenzano on lap 110 and by the 126th circuit, Izzo and O’Conner were in door-to-door combat for the front spot.

With 23 laps remaining, the contest broke into a three-abreast fight for the front, with O’Conner finally taking possession of the lead from Izzo on lap 188. One lap later, Provenzano slipped by Izzo to take over second place.

The top running threesome remained unchanged to the checkered despite all-out efforts by Provenzano and Izzo to claim the crown.

Bob Pohlman finished fourth follow by Dolan, Brian Leslie, and Steve Lurvey.


Results –


1. Jim O’Conner, Kankakee
2. John Provenzano, Glen Ellyn
3. Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
4. Bob Pohlman, Oak Lawn
5. Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
6. Brian Leslie, Tupelo, Miss.
7. Steve Lurvey, Dousman, Wis.
8. Larry Jackson, Lyons
9. Denny Falkos, Aurora
10.Ron Gustaf, East Moline
11.Jeff Schulte, Warrenville
12.Mike Papp, Berwyn
13.LeRoy Schneiderman, Woodstock
14.Art Meining, Milwaukee, Wis.
15.Ray Guss Jr., Milan
16.Rollie Frink, Davenport, Iowa
17.Ted Dolhun, Brookfield
18.Gary Webb, Davenport
19.Dennis Erb, Carpentersville
20.Arnie Gardner, Batavia

1975 – Late Charge Nets Hoffman Victory in Illiana Bettenhausen

Ed Hoffman enjoys the moment with family and crew after winning the prestigious Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana Motor Speedway. 

Schererville, Ind. (October 8, 1975) – Grabbing the lead on the last lap, Ed Hoffman of Niles, Ill., captured the 14th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 late model stock car classic at Illiana Motor Speedway on Sunday afternoon. Hoffman, wheeling a Camaro, became the 11th different winner in the history of the event.

Thirty cars pounded the pavement for the start of the race, with Dave Evans of Crystal Lake, Ill., taking the lead from his outside front row starting position. Evans and his Camaro led the first three circuits with Jerry Kemperman of Blue Island, Ill., taking over the top spot on lap 4. Kemperman attempted to pull away from the rest of the field, but yellow flags erased any margin Kemperman built.

Kemperman and his 1975 Camaro maintained the lead for 91 laps, with Bob Carnes of Grand Rapids, Mich., and Larry Schuler of Lockport, Ill., pressuring him all the way.

Hoffman, who dropped back seemingly out of contention midway through the race, made it a four-car battle with about 20 laps to go. He moved into third on lap 89, second on lap 91, and then took over the lead on lap 95.

Schuler slipped past Hoffman to take the lead on laps 98 and 99, but Hoffman, who gave credit to a late race tire change for his end of the race surge, charged past Schuler on the backstretch of the final lap and held on for the final quarter mile to the checkered flag.

A number of accidents slowed the pace of the event, one which set early race leader Evans to the hospital with a broken foot, neck injuries, cuts, and bruises. The throttle on Evans’ car stuck, sending him crashing into the second turn guardrail.

Consolation events went to Wayne Bright of Michigan City, Steve Seligman of Highwood, Ill., Bud Koehler of Blue Island, Ill., Larry Cope of Leroy, and Jim Nusbaum of Fort Wayne.

Schuler, the 1975 Iliana track champion, paced a field of nearly 90 entries during time trials, with a lap of 21.43 seconds around the half-mile paved oval.


Results –


1. Ed Hoffman, Niles, Ill.
2. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
3. Jerry Kemperman, Blue Island, Ill.
4. Bob Carnes, Grand Rapids, Mich.
5. Bob Roper, Chicago
6. Dave Roahrig, Plymouth
7. Jim O’Conner, Irwin, Ill.
8. Ray Baker, Muskegon, Mich.
9. Larry Middleton, East Hazel Crest, Ill.
10.Ron Dole, Oak Forest, Ill.

1962 – Foyt First in 150-Mile Race

A.J. Foyt accepts his trophy from Ms. Detroit, Claudia Sands, after winning the 150-mile USAC stock car race at the Michigan State Fairgrounds. – Brian Norton Collection

Detroit, Mich. (October 7, 1962) – A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., won the 150-mile late model stock car race Sunday at the State Fairgrounds, beating Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, by half a lap, averaging 73.56 miles per hour for his $2,200 victory.

Foyt, the 1961 Indianapolis 500 champion, took the lead from St. Clair Shores’ Paul Goldsmith on the 12th lap and stayed in front the rest of the way with 6,100 race fans watching.

Goldsmith, although forced to abandon his car on lap 100, got another car and finished third, giving him 210 points, and clinching the United States Auto Club driving championship for late models.

Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., who was less than 200 points behind Goldsmith going into the race, had to drop out on lap 78.

Foyt drove the 250 miles in 2 hours, 1 minute and 1 second in his 1962 Hedges Pontiac and the victory left Pontiac and Ford tied for the Manufacturer’s Trophy - both have won 10 races. White was in a Ford while Goldsmith piloted a Pontiac.


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt, Houston, Tex.
2. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Paul Goldsmith, St. Clair Shores, Mich.
4. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
5. Dick Freeman, Dayton, Ohio
6. Sal Tovella, Chicago
7. Mike Brown, Warren, Mich.
8. Dave Lundman, Libertyville, Ind.
9. Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
10.Milt Curcio, Racine, Wis.

1979 - Hoffman Scores in Autumn Spectacular

Don Hoffman of Des Moines debuted a new winged late model at the Iowa Autumn Spectacular and flew to the feature win, coming from the back of the pack to take the 35-lapper. Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray and trophy girl Stephanie Robinson join a happy Hoffman in victory lane. – Dean Malone Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (October 6, 1979) – Don Hoffman of Des Moines pocketed $3,000 from a purse of $15,000 Saturday night at the Iowa State Fairgrounds, at the Iowa Autumn Spectacular in Des Moines.

Hoffman won the trophy dash, which paid $600 to win, came back to win his heat race, and then captured the 35-lap feature before more than 7,000 spectators.

Original plans called for two 25-lap features with the finish inverted from the from the first feature finish for the second feature but the Des Moines 10:30 pm curfew prompted promoter Lefty Robinson to run one 35-lapper.

Hoffman started well back in the field and earned $75 for each position he gained, in addition to the winner’s share of the total purse. All drivers who did not win earned $20 for each position gained in the feature and several drivers were able to pad their total winnings with the added incentive.

Robinson noted that four drivers were unable to compete because their cars did not meet the requirement and they were unable to change their mufflers and get their cars qualified in time. Those four drivers were Ed Sanger, Dan Nesteby, and Larry Wasserfort, all of Waterloo, and Rex Nun of Lincoln, Neb.

Fast time for the night was set by Billy Moyer Jr. of Des Moines with a clocking of 24.996 seconds, the only driver to stop the clock under the 25-second mark.

Also in the late models, a special race for former State Fairground champions was won by Hoffman with Tim McDonough of Cedar Rapids, representing his late father Bill, second, and Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, third. The race was flagged by Governor Robert D. Ray.

Lee Jenkins of Des Moines won a special 12-lap old-timers’ race.


Results –


Time Trials – Billy Moyer Jr., Des Moines (24.996)
Trophy Dash – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Heat #1 – Craig Spetman, Council Bluffs
Heat #2 – Don Hoffman
Heat #3 – Red Dralle, Evansdale
Heat #4 – Bill Rice, Des Moines
Semi-Feature – Jim Burbridge, Delhi
Feature –
1. Don Hoffman
2. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
3. Tom Hearst, Wilton
4. Curt Hansen, Dike
5. Bill Rice
6. Tim McDonough, Cedar Rapids
7. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
8. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
9. Bill Davis, Des Moines
10.Mike Frieden, Cedar Rapids
11.Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
12.Billy Moyer Jr.
13.Kenny Fenn, Washington
14.Karl Sanger, Waterloo
15.Jim Burbridge
16.Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
17.Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
18.Jerry Holtkamp, Williams
19.Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
20.Ken Davidson, Indianola

1963 – Superb Driving Gives Hassler Second 300 Win

A huge trophy awaited Friday Hassler after the Chattanooga speedster won his second Southern 300 at Nashville's Fairgrounds Speedway. 

Nashville, Tenn. (October 6, 1963) – When Friday Hassler won last year’s Southern 300 modified stock car race at Fairgrounds Speedway, he had to get a friend to take the trophy home for him because he didn’t have room in his truck.

So, the Chattanoogan wins the race again this year and what do you think happens? He’s got to do the same the same thing again – still no room in the truck.

But of Hassler didn’t learn a lesson in 12 months about how to carry a trophy home, he demonstrated that he nevertheless is an expert at winning them by duplicating his 1962 victory with a superb driving performance before 7,985 fans.

And again, his closest pursuer and second place finisher was Columbia’s Malcolm Brady, except that Brady finished only three seconds behind Hassler; last year he came in a full lap after running out of gas with 17 miles to go.

“I believe that last year’s race was easier,” said Hassler, who collected $1,000 for his victory. “I didn’t have anyone pushing me as hard as Brady did today.”

Bob Reuther and Bill Morton, who both drove fine races, finished third and fourth, respectively. All four drivers qualified in the top 10 behind Donnie Allison’s record breaking 20.50 second qualifying run on Saturday.

Allison led the race’s first two laps, then Freddy Fryar moved in front as fuel line problems plagued Allison. Hassler took the lead on lap 10 and held it until lap 34, when Brady took over. Hassler regained the top spot on the 94th circuit and stayed there until lap 134 when Brady again took the lead. On the 230th lap, when Brady made his third and final pit stop, Hassler popped out front again, this time for good.

Brady spent the remainder of the race glued to Hassler’s bumper and appeared to have enough power to pass him. He said after the race he thought he was a lap ahead and didn’t really attempt to get around him. A check of the scorecards, however, showed that Hassler was in front.

Allison went out eventually on lap 36 with a blocked fuel line. His brother Bobby finished in sixth behind Charlie Stofel. Freddy Fryar wrecked, Bob Burcham had drive-shaft issues, Red Farmer’s right front wheel spindle broke, and Joe Lee Johnson’s crankshaft snapped.


Results –


1. Friday Hassler, Chattanooga
2. Malcolm Brady, Columbia
3. Bob Ruether, Nashville
4. Bill Morton, Nashville
5. Charlie Stofel, Columbia
6. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
7. Herb Lewis, Nashville
8. Bobby Celsor, Hartsville
9. John Thoni, Nashville
10.Joe Holley, Memphis
11.Jack Marlin, Nashville
12.Charlie Parrish, Nashville
13.Dave Mader, Birmingham, Ala.
14.Coo Coo Marlin, Columbia
15.Eddie Mitchell, Nashville

1956 – Grim Capture Three Races at Fair

Bobby Grim is joined by car owner Hector Honore and Alabama State Fair manager R.H. McIntosh after Grim won the 20-lap IMCA big car feature. 

Birmingham, Ala. (October 5, 1956) – Bobby Grim, the Hurryin’ Hoosier from Indianapolis, roared to three triumphs in the big-car speedway events held on the fast Alabama State Fair track on Friday afternoon.

Grim, the defending International Motor Contest Association champion seeking a second title, won the 20-lap Dixie Sweepstakes, the Sinclair trophy dash, involving the four fastest qualifiers, and the second heat of the seven-event program.

Bert Hellmueller, the colorful veteran from Louisville, Ky., walked away from a nasty spin that took down 50 feet of fence in the third heat. He was running in third place on the second lap of the event when his car spun on the third turn and crashed into the board fence and disappeared amidst a shower of splinters. He emerged from the scene unscathed.


Results –


Time trials – Johnny Pouelson, Los Angeles
Trophy dash- Bobby Grim, Indianapolis
Heat #1 – Bud Randall, Tampa, Fla.
Heat #2 – Bobby Grim
Heat #3 – Fritz Tegtmeier, Elgin, Ill.
Semi-main – Bob Carpenter, Wabash, Ind.
Feature –
1. Bobby Grim
2. Bud Randall
3. Don Branson, Champaign, Ill.
4. Johnny Pouelson
5. Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
6. Bill Chennault, St. Louis
7. Herschel Wagner, Hickman Hills, Mo.
8. Bob Wente, St, Louis

1970 - Reffner Captures Checkered Flag in Oktoberfest 200

West Salem, Wis. (October 4, 1970) – Tom Reffner of Rudolph, Wis., piloted his 1969 Torino to first place in the Oktoberfest 200-lap race at the La Crosse Interstate Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Reffner’s winning effort earned him a $1,000 check for first place plus $341 in lap money. Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa held the lead for the first 37 laps while Jim Sauter of Necedah and Jim Back of Vesper were in second and third respectively.

Reffner was slightly off the pace and in fourth.

On the 38th trip around the half-mile oval Sauter and Back both passed Marzofka’s ’69 Torino. However, on the 48th lap Sauter and Back both tried to avoid an accident in the number three turn and crashed into the concrete retaining wall. Both cars were out of the race and Marzofka recaptured the lead.

Reffner kept at his steady pace in second place and overtook Marzofka on the 107th lap. From there on in it was Reffner all the way.

Marzofka was plagued by overheating problems and had to make frequent pit stops. He eventually finished in 16th place. Marzofka held first place for 95 laps to earn him $308 in lap money.

Following Reffner in the winning circle were Rich Somers of Stevens Point, in second, driving a '69 Torino; John McNamara of Baraboo, third, in a ’64 Comet; Bill Mueller, Shakopee, Minn., fourth, in a ’70 Plymouth; and Dennis Sobkowiak, La Crosse, fifth, in a ’65 Plymouth.

Sixty-five cars timed in and the crowd of about 4,000 race fans saw 17 of the top 33 cars entered in the big race finish.


Results –


1. Tom Reffner
2. Rich Somers
3. John McNamara
4. Bill Mueller
5. Dennis Sobkowiak
6. Kato Theisen
7. Buck Linhart
8. John Scott
9. Everett Foxx
10.Harold Mueller
11.Bill Scherer
12.Ed Nichols
13.Larry Anderson
14.Roy Schmidtke
15.Larry Sparks
16.Marv Marzofka
17.John Brinkman
18.Pete Mahlum
19.Bob Agena
20.George Thornton
21.Benny Olson
22.Mike Murgic
23.Ron Beyer
24.Roy Garr
25.Dale Kranz
26.Jim Back
27.Jim Sauter
28.Larry Detjens
29.Bill Wirtx
30.Darrell Busch
31.Homer Spink
32.Del Trusch
33.Jack Bramella