1983 -Trickle Best at Rockford in ARTGO Lidlifter

 

Dick Trickle won ARTGO Racing’s Spring Classic at Rockford Speedway. – Weber Brothers Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Rockford, Ill. (April 10, 1983) – Dick Trickle highlighted a cold, cloudy afternoon at Rockford Speedway by kicking off ARTGO Racing’s ninth season with a victory in the sixth annual Spring Classic 83-lap late model feature.

“I think I slid into this one. If it’s your day, it’s your day,” Trickle commented following the race, which saw several contenders including Joe Shear, ARTGO champ Jim Sauter and last year’s Spring Classic winner Al Schill sidelined as a result of a red-flag producing multi-car crash on lap 4.

Outside front row starter Tom Musgrave jumped polesitter Joe Shear at the drop of the green to grab the early lead.

Shear fell in behind Musgrave and was challenging for the top spot when the engine in his mount blew entering the third turn on the fourth circuit. Drivers in the closely bunched pack behind Shear found themselves out of control when they hit the slippery, oiled surface.

Sauter, who was running sixth after three laps, slammed hard into the pit entrance wall, standing his Firebird on its nose. Another car rammed Sauter, sending the Necedah, Wis., pilot for a wild ride before his car came to a rest on it’s roof.

Rescue workers quickly freed Sauter, who walked away under how own power. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was treated and released.

Trickle, Mel Walen, Tony Izzo, Jim Weber, Steve Burgess, Burt Weitemeyer, Schill and Jay Sauter were also involved in the mishap with Shear, Jim Sauter, Schill, Izzo, and Walen unable to answer the call for the immediate restart.

Musgrave continued to set the pace when the action resumed and despite three yellow flags, continued to lead at the event’s midpoint followed closely by Trickle, Conrad Morgan, and Dave Weltmeyer.

The persistent Trickle, however, annexed the lead for good by slipping under Musgrave on lap 55. Weltmeyer would overhaul Morgan on the 60th circuit, and them power past Musgrave 11 laps later to take over second, where he finished, four-car-lengths behind Trickle. Musgrave settled for third followed by Morgan and Steve Burgess.


Results –


1. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
2. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey
3. Tom Musgrave, Mundelein
4. Conrad Morgan, Dousman, Wis.
5. Steve Burgess, Eau Claire, Wis.
6. Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
7. Jim Helland, Newark
8. Burt Weitemeyer, Lansing
9. Fred Malecki, South Bend, Ind.
10.Bob Abitz, Freedom, Wis.
11.Tony Izzo, Bridgeview
12.Terry Weatherford, Byron
13.Spike Lindley, Tomah, Wis.
14.Tracy Schuler, Lockport
15.Terry Baldry, Omro, Wis.

1977 – Brazil Tops Western World

 

George Brazil waves to the crowd after winning the Western World Late Model Stock Car Championship at Manzanita Speedway. Runner-up Bill Cheesbourg (left) and third-place finisher Tom Bartholomew join the winner on the podium.

Phoenix, Ariz. (April 9, 1977) – It was the kind of race where it took 1 hour and 15 minutes to run 50 laps, five drivers led and only 11 of the starting 26-car field finished.

And George Brazil of Albuquerque, N.M., won it all in a 1976 Camaro. The Western World Late Model Stock Car Championship Saturday night had to be one of the wackiest races ever held at Manzanita Speedway.

It was also witnessed by 8,712 fans, the largest ever to watch a stock car race in Arizona.

Brazil proved that perseverance pays, considering he was in the pits with a broken tie rod right after the green flag flew to start the race and later tangled with race leader Joe Wallace of Kansas City, Mo., on the 12th lap as both spun out and had to restart at the tail of the field.

Brazil’s Camaro was struck by Tom Bartholomew of Waterloo, Iowa, the eventual third-place finisher, as the green flag flew at the start and struck the wall, “bending the tie rod completely in two.” Two other cars involved were unable to restart the contest.

Aided by his father and Phoenix driver Larry Dagley, plus a yellow flag on the first lap of the restart, Brazil made it out of the pits just in the nick of time.

Polesitter Wallace led the first 12 circuits in his 1968 Camaro before he and Brazil, plus two other cars, tangled on the backstretch.

Sonny Easley of Van Nuys, Calif., then took command in his Camaro for the next six laps before he too bit the dust, surrendering the lead to Tucson’s Bill Cheesbourg, a second row starter in a Mustang.

Cheesbourg could only hold the top spot for two laps before giving way to Red Dralle of Evansdale, Iowa, who was driving a superb race, coming from his 12th row starting position to lead laps 21 – 43 on the hard, slick racing surface which put a premium on tire selection.

But Dralle would blow a tire and hit the third turn wall which seemed to gobble up cars throughout the evening. By this time, Brazil had made his way back to the front, had worked his way to second place, and was in the right place and right time when Dralle exited the race.

And that where he stayed for the remaining seven laps, widening his lead over Cheesbourg to the checkered flag and the $5,000 payday.

Following Cheesbourg and Bartholomew to the finish line were Mesa’s Roger Adams and Randy Ogden of Woodward, Okla.

“This is the greatest thrill of my life,” Brazil said after his victory. He is a five-time New Mexico late model champion.

Phoenix’s Wayne Bennett captured the 25-lap semi-main over Mike Gibson. The 15-lap consolation took 40 minutes to complete before Tom Roberson of Cypress Calif., emerged ahead of a hard-charging Kim Jorgenson of Sierra Vista.

1984 - Queen City Opener Nets Senneker 48th Win

Bob Senneker wheeled his Camaro to victory at Queen City Speedway in the season opener for the American Speed Association. Presenting the trophy is Wendell Turley, manager for Helme Tobacco, the series’ sponsor. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

West Chester, Ohio (April 8, 1984) – The number 84 emblazoned on Bob Senneker’s Pontiac Firebird may well prophecy “the year of 84,” as the winningest driver in American Speed Association history inaugurated the ASA stock car series at Queen City Speedway on Sunday by edging Dick Trickle in the Silver Creek 200 before a standing room only crowd.

ASA career win number 48 – four times more than any other driver – was done in stiletto-smooth Senneker style, as he led the final 82 circuits of the 200-lap race with Trickle hanging on his back porch, managing a scant one-second margin at the finish. Butch Miller was a close third.

Trickle, the fastest qualifier, sprang from his pole position to lead the first nine laps. Butch Miller knifed his way into lead on lap 10 but Senneker displayed an uncharacteristic amount of early-race eagerness by handling Miller to take over first place on lap 47.

Senneker’s day was nearly spoiled on lap 64 when Doug Klein and Dave Simko spun in his path off the fourth turn, causing Senneker to brake hard and allowing Miller back into the lead.

Miller led until another caution period occurred at lap 107 – a time when a majority of the 16 cars still on the lead lap went in for service.

With most of his pursuers working their way forward after pit stops, Senneker recorded the sixth and final lead change of the race when he passed Mike Eddy on lap 118.

Eddy had plenty of fight left, however, and challenged Senneker until lap 148 when Dennis Vogel and Joe Shear tangled and slid into the first turn collecting a hapless Kent Stauffer, who also spun into the path of Eddy’s. The machines of Vogel, Stauffer, and Eddy would be parked for the duration.

While Trickle showed his Firebird the whip for the final 50 circuits, the best he could muster was a two-car-length separation between himself and Senneker’s rear bumper.

Senneker pocketed $6,100 for the win out of a $44,975 purse.

Counted on the lead lap behind Senneker were Trickle, Miller, Mark Martin, Jim Sauter, Alan Kulwicki, and rookie Ken Lund.


Results –


1. Bob Senneker
2. Dick Trickle
3. Butch Mille
4. Mark Martin
5. Jim Sauter
6. Alan Kulwicki
7. Ken Lund
8. Joe Shear
9. Harold Fair
10.Bobby Dotter
11.Mark Malcuit
12.Tom Jones
13.Doug Klein
14.Tom Harrington
15.Jim Nussbaum
16.Don Gregory
17.Jeep Pflum
18.Dave Simko
19.Dave Weltmeyer
20.Jeff Schwister

1980 – Hoffman, Leavitt Take Home Wins at Frostbuster 10,000

Don Hoffman accepts his trophy from Karen Minor as flagman Engel DeKock presents the checkers after the Des Moines, Iowa, driver won the Frostbuster 10,000 at the Missouri State Fairgrounds. – Tony Ward Collection

Sedalia, Mo. (April 5, 1980) – Don Hoffman of Des Moines, Iowa led all but half a lap as he captured the 30-lap late model feature at the Missouri State Fairgrounds on Saturday.

The program was the afternoon half of the “Frostbuster 10,000” doubleheader which also featured sprint cars on the evening’s portion. Both divisions were sanctioned by National Speedways Contest Association and were the first races in the Midwest this season.

Iowans finish in five of the first six positions in the feature on the half-mile dirt track. Red Dralle of Evansdale, Iowa, was second, Denny Hovinga of Pocahontas, Iowa, took third, Bill Moyer Jr. of Des Moines finished fifth and Ken Walton of Viola, Iowa, grabbed the sixth spot. Darrell Mooneyham of Aurora, Mo., was fourth.

Al Urhammer of Radcliffe, Iowa, who started on the pole, took the initial lead in the race, but Hoffman, who started in the second row, took the lead coming out of turn three on the first lap. Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa, challenged Hoffman for the next 19 circuits until he fell out of contention with mechanical issues.

Hoffman, who earned $1,000 for the victory, won by 100 yards over Dralle.

In the evening’s sprint car feature, Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., passed Shane Carson of Oklahoma City on the final lap to score a $1,000 victory.

Carson, the defending NSCA sprint car champion, and winner of several features in Sedalia last season, had led from lap two until he was passed by Leavitt coming out of turn two on the white flag lap. The two veterans had been dueling for the final seven circuits.

Leavitt had started on the fifth row. Jerry Johnson of Kirksville, Mo., led the first lap until he was passed by Carson.

Jerry Potter of Kansas City, Mo., did a creditable job in finishing third after starting in the 15th position.


Results –

Late Model -

1. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
2. Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa
3. Denny Hovinga, Pocahontas, Iowa
4. Darrell Mooneyham, Aurora, Mo.
5. Bill Moyer, Jr., Des Moines
6. Ken Walton, Viola, Iowa
7. Joe Wallace, Kansas City, Mo.
8. Roger Thompson, Junction City, Mo.
9. Johnny Johnson, Morning Sun, Iowa
10.Al Urhammer, Radcliffe, Iowa
11.Larry Wasserfort, Waterloo, Iowa
12.Kenny Shurm, St. Charles, Mo.
13.Vic Bentlage, Jefferson City, Mo.
14.Mike Niffenegger, Kalona, Iowa
15.Mike Barbeau, O’ Fallon, Mo.


Sprint Car -

1. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
2. Shane Carson, Oklahoma City, Okla.
3. Ken Potter, Kansas City, Mo.
4. Ken Schrader, Fenton, Mo.
5. Jerry Johnson, Kirksville, Mo.
6. Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.
7. Junior Parkinson, Kansas City, Mo.
8. Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo.
9. Cliff Woodward, Kearney, Mo.
10.Herb Copeland, Wichita, Kan.
11.Bob Thoman, Higginsville, Mo.
12.Bill Robison, Topeka, Kan.
13.Mike Pinckney, Des Moines
14.Rick Howard, Kansas City, Mo.
15.Danny Lasoski, Dover, Mo.

1971 – Bettenhausen First at Eldora

Gary Bettenhausen 

Rossburg, Ohio (April 4, 1971) – Gary Bettenhausen took the lead on lap 5 and won his first United States Auto Club sprint car race of the season.

Larry Dickson was second with Karl Busson coming in third and Don Nordhorn finishing fourth.

Bettenhausen started in the fifth slot alongside the day’s fastest qualifier, Johnny Parsons Jr. Just in front of Gary was the man that usually dominates the sprint car division as of late, Larry Dickson, the defending USAC national champion.

For the first few laps, it was a four-way battle for the lead between Bettenhausen, Dickson, Larry Cannon and Karl Busson. Parsons was apparently having mechanical difficulties and never threatened the leaders.

Dickson was running third when he slowed up a little for Busson, who got a little high in turn two and allowed Bettenhausen to get under him and around for second place.

Bettenhausen, the son of the late and great Tony Bettenhausen, then dipped under Cannon on the second turn and steadily increased his lead until lap 30 when a caution flag came out.

Ralph Liguori of Tampa, Fla., had some heating problems and was forced to come to a halt at the head of the front straightaway.

On the restart, Bettenhausen left no doubt who had the fastest car and steadily increased his lead until the checkered waved.

Bettenhausen also won his heat race, and it was a new track record for Eldora and the sprints. The Tinley Park, Ill., native won the second heat of the day in 3 minutes and 9.27 seconds, eclipsing the old mark of 3 minutes and 9.76 seconds set by Rollie Beale.

Johnny Parsons Jr. won the first 10-lap heat, Bettenhausen the second, while Dickson grabbed the honors in the third heat and Dick Tobias was on top in the fourth heat. Sam Sessions led all the way to win the 12-lap consolation.


Results –


1. Gary Bettenhausen
2. Larry Dickson
3. Karl Busson
4. Don Nordhorn
5. Larry Cannon
6. Joe Saldana
7. Johnny Parsons Jr.
8. Carl Williams
9. Dick Tobias
10.Jan Opperman
11.Sonny Ates
12.Bob Black
13.Tom Bigelow
14.Jim Linder
15.Duke Cook
16.Doc Dawson
17.Ralph Liguori
18.Greg Weld
19.Sam Sessions
20.Darl Harrison

1966 – Stott Scores Second Victory in Pelican 200

Ernie Derr (1) and Ramo Stott (0) battle for supremacy at the IMCA-sanctioned "Pelican 200" late model stock car race at the Louisiana State Fair Speedway. 

Shreveport, La. (April 3, 1966) – Rugged Ramo Stott, a guy who tries harder because he’s been second for such a long time, launched the latest International Motor Contest Association late model stock car racing schedule at State Fair Speedway under threatening skies Sunday, and you could hardly see him amidst all the smoking engines and spinning cars that littered the annual Pelican 200.

Stott, who is a garage owner and master welder by trade, gunned his 1965 Plymouth to the checkered flag in a track record time of 1 hour, 33 minutes and 57 seconds and it was more or less routine as he hauled off with the top prize of $700 of the $4,500 purse put up by promoter Frank Winkley.

Stott’s record performance averaged out to just over 65 miles per hour around the 100-mile circuit of the half-mile track, and ground into the red dust was the old standard of 1 hour, 34 minutes and 37 seconds set by Ernie Derr in October of 1961.

What made Ramo’s record-busting more impressive to the near-capacity crowd of 8,500 was that the 31-year-old veteran from Keokuk, Iowa, stashed away the record despite an enforced 30-second pit stop within the first 100 laps. The latter ruling was an innovation introduced by IMCA officials to keep a starting cast of 19 cars within striking distance of each other.

But Stott refused to follow the script. His Plymouth set the pace for all but 21 of the 200 laps and he won by at least two laps at the finish. Ernie Derr, the defending champion in this race, and another of the Keokuk “Komets,” nosed his 1965 Dodge in front on lap 67 when Ramo made his only pit stop off 30 seconds duration, but Stott swept back into the lead on lap 88 when Derr made his required stop.

Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., last year’s third-ranked driver on the IMCA stock car circuit, finished second behind Stott while Derr coasted to a third-place finish.

Derr’s strategy backfired a bit as he tried to space his required 30-second pit stops between three lapses of 7, 12 and 11 seconds each, the last coming on lap 99. On the 93rd circuit, Ernie – who had won four of the last six Pelican races – was warned by his pit crew that he had about 15 gallons of fuel left and on lap 95, his crew signaled “Stop 11 seconds.”

But someone miscalculated because Derr’s mount ran out of gas on the final lap and Funk passed him on the fly.

It was worth an extra $100 for the wheat farmer, who was behind the wheel of a 1965 Ford. “I thought I had third sewn up,” he said. “I would have never taken him (Derr) if he hadn’t run out of gas.”

Stott, who has finished second in five of the last seven Pelican races (he won in 1961) and who has been runner-up in the point standings for the five of the last six years, said of his victory, “My car today felt really good through the corners. I thought I was generally cruising pretty fast.”


Results –


1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
3. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Butch Hall, Minneapolis, Minn.
5. Ed Negre, Monett, Mo.
6. George Barton, Luther, Iowa
7. Bob Derringer, Houston, Tex.
8. Orvil Danderson, Fair Grove, Mo.
9. Blaine Morrow, Joy, Ill.
10.Phil Atkinson, Springfield, Mo.
11.Walt Ballard, Houston, Tex.
12.Paul Feldner, Colgate, Wis.
13.Vic Elson, Ash Grove, Mo.
14.Lewis Taylor, Shawnee. Kan.
15.Tom Roller, Independence, Mo.
16.Karl Staufer, Independence, Mo.
17.George Baxter, Ash Grove, Mo.
18.Hank Melhorn, Kansas City, Mo.
19.Ole Brua, Albert Lea, Minn.

1989 - Taylor, Crawley Tops at Macon Season Opener

Popular Dick Taylor won the UMP late model feature at Macon Speedway's season opener. - Bill Haglund Photo

Macon, Ill. (April 1, 1989) – The Mighty Macon Speedway entered its 44th season Saturday with an excellent crowd on hand and a good field of cars, despite the chilly weather. The IMCA modifieds joined the racing program this season for the season for the first time along with the UMP late models, sportsman and bomber divisions, making it the first new class in 10 years.

Jack Dowers was in the spotlight, setting an official IMCA modified rack record in qualifying at 13.313 seconds.

After a pair of cautions at the start of the UMP late model feature, Rick Standridge opened up a slight advantage over Dick Taylor at the drop of the green. Taylor poured it on, closing the gap and finally overtaking Standridge on lap 6 for the lead that he would never relinquish as he went on to victory capturing the 25-lap main event. He was followed by a had-charging Glenn Bradley, Tom Rients, Standridge and Jim Rarick.

Dennis VanderMeersch made it look easy driving his multi-colored #25 to victory leading every lap of the 15-lap sportsman feature.

Al Crawley posted his first IMCA modified main event win after passing early leader Don Kiger on the fifth circuit.

The bomber feature saw Jeff Winters capitalize on a couple of early accidents to win the 10-lap event.


Results –


UMP Late Models –

1. Dick Taylor
2. Glenn Bradley
3. Tom Rients
4. Rick Standridge
5. Jim Rarick
6. Tom Donelan
7. Dan Mahnke
8. Bill Prietzel
9. Mike Mudd
10.Butch Garner

IMCA Modifieds –

1. Al Crawley
2. Jerry Johnston
3. Don Kiger
4. Rick Crawford
5. Tom Bennett
6. Larry Rogers
7. Al Baker
8. Lance Dehm
9. Jack Dowers
10.Phil Hennington

Sportsman -

1. Dennis VanderMeersch
2. Dave Smith
3. Bruce Lessen
4. Sid Lill
5. Jerry Myers
6. Ric Trulock
7. Pat O’ Dell
8. Tom Graham
9. Scott Polen

Al Crawley won the first-ever IMCA modified feature at Macon Speedway. - Bill Haglund Photo