1971 – Stock Opener to Sanger

Ed Sanger

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (May 14, 1971) – When the gates open, you walk through, according to Ed Sanger.

Sanger should know - he’s been walking through quite a few of them lately.

Friday night, it was the 25-lap late model stock car feature at Hawkeye Downs and the Waterloo dandy raced off with the season opener before an anxious crowd of 4,200.

Remarkably, it was Easy Ed’s sixth straight feature triumph of the young season in the 1970 Monte Carlo he drove to season championships at Independence and Waterloo and a third-place finish here at Cedar Rapids.

In this one, though, someone from up above must have been smiling down on Sanger, who started 10th in the 18-car field on the quarter-mile dirt track.

Polesitter Chub Liebe of Oelwein and Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo waged a bumper-to-bumper duel for the first 12 laps, with Zwanziger’s ’70 Nova holding the front spot over Liebe’s ’67 Ford.

Then, right at the start/finish line on the next tour, the two machines got together and Zwanziger spun out, nearly clipping the infield guardrail.

Sanger shot by and into the lead, as Liebe slowed considerably. Zwanziger was down nearly a lap before he was able to recover.

From that point on, it was clear sailing for Sanger, as he pocketed $350 for his victory.

Liebe finished second with Karl Sanger of Waterloo, Ed’s brother, in third, Curt Hansen of Dike in fourth and Cal Swanson of Reinbeck finishing fifth.

“When the gate’s open, you’re supposed to walk through,” a smiling Sanger said afterwards. “I had clear sailing after Bill and Chub got together, but I was picking up on them pretty good before it happened.”

“Liebe kind of got into Bill…guess that’s part of racing.”

Zwanziger was bitter and didn’t spare his feelings.

“There was only one way Liebe could get around me and that was to spin me,” he said. I was in the lead, and I had the groove - I was entitled to it.”

Red Droste of Waterloo, last year’s champion at The Downs, finished seventh behind Independence’s Glen Martin.

Zwanziger did walk off with two checkered flags in the 15-lap semi-main and the second heat. Sanger claimed the 10-lap dash and Liebe was the winner of the first heat. The 10-lap consolation went to Benny Hofer of Rock Island, Ill., after a four-year absence.

Dave Trower of Waterloo carved his niche in the sportsman division, winning his heat and the 15-lap feature.


Results –


Trophy dash – Ed Sanger, Waterloo
Heat #1 – Chub Liebe, Oelwein
Heat #2 – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Semi-main – Bill Zwanziger
Consolation – Ben Hofer, Rock Island, Ill.
Feature –
1. Ed Sanger
2. Chub Liebe
3. Karl Sanger, Waterloo
4. Curt Hansen, Dike
5. Cal Swanson, Reinbeck
6. Glen Martin, Independence
7. Red Droste, Waterloo
8. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills
9. Dr. Al Mayner, Independence
10.Joe Schaefer, Waterloo

1967 - Eaker Beats Dake to Capture Davenport Win

Verlin Eaker receives the checkered flag from starter Obie Beals after winning the 25-lap late model modified feature at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

Davenport, Iowa (May 13, 1967) – Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids wheeled his red 1964 Plymouth hemi to a feature victory in the late model modified feature at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night.

Eaker flashed across the finish line ahead of Darrell Dake, also of Cedar Rapids, in his new Ford sedan. Two more Cedar Rapids chauffeurs, Bill McDonough, and John Schlemmer took third and fourth, respectively.

There were more than 30 cars in the modified field and competition was keener than in many years.

Four cars were eliminated on the first lap of the feature in a big tangle. Wreckers pulled Dick Nesteby of Dubuque and Red Droste of Waterloo into the pit area. Dean Montgomery of Milan, Ill., and Ron Weedon of Pleasant Valley had to be cut apart before being towed away.

After the smoke cleared, the main event went off smoothly without those four competitors.

Ray Cox of Davenport continued his mastery over the novice drivers as he copped another feature win – his third of the young season – two here and one at Cedar Rapids.

Schlemmer won the first modified heat, Droste bagged the second, and Cal Swanson of Reinbeck was the third heat winner.

Fred Strube of Peoria, Ill., won the semi-main, a few feet ahead of Johnny Beauchamp of Atlantic, the former IMCA national stock car champion. Dean Montgomery finished third.


Results –


Heat #1 – John Schlemmer, Cedar Rapids
Heat #2 – Red Droste, Waterloo
Heat #3 – Cal Swanson, Reinbeck
Semi-main – Fred Strube, Peoria, Ill.
Feature –
1. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
2. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
3. Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids
4. John Schlemmer
5. Jim Gerber, Mt. Joy

1984 – Sanger Takes Twin-50’s at 34 Raceway

Waterloo's Ed Sanger swept both ends of a twin 50-lapper at Burlington. - Lee Johnson Photo

Burlington, Iowa (May 12, 1984) – The three-and-half hour trip down from Waterloo was well worth it for Ed Sanger as he captured both features during the NASCAR Twin 50’s at 34 Raceway on Saturday night.

Jay Johnson grabbed the lead at the outset of the first 50-lapper before Bob Lekander swept by on lap 7. Johnson, Rollie Frink, and Mike Klinkkammer gave chase as Lekander opened up a respectable margin. Frink moved up to challenge for the lead midway through the contest while Sanger gradually worked his way through the strong field.

Sanger, with Johnny Johnson hot on his heels, moved past Frink on lap 42 and then set his sights on Lekander. Two laps later, Sanger sped to the outside of turn three to get past Lekander and take the victory. Lekander managed to hold off Johnson for second with Frink fourth and Bill Breuer fifth.

The second 50-lapper was missing some top contenders due to misfortunes in the first feature, including Bruce Hanford, Steve Fraise, and Mark Keltner. Ken Jackson opened up an early lead on his hometown track, but it only took until the fifth lap before the pair of Sanger and Johnson worked their way up to challenge.

Jackson held the speedy duo off until lap 9 when Johnson made a nifty move to go from third to first on the backstretch. Sanger kept the pressure on, however, and it paid off when Johnson tangled with lapped traffic in turn four, bringing out the caution on the 21st lap.

It was “Fast” Eddie’s race the rest of the way with Johnson making a charge through the pack to take second on the last lap. Lekander took third with the brothers, Ken, and Ron Jackson, grabbing fourth and fifth, respectively.

In other action, Randy Samberg of Burlington won the street stock feature.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Bob Lekander, Burlington
3. Johnny Johnson, Wapello
4. Rollie Frink, Davenport
5. Bill Breuer, Wapello
6. Dave Goble, Burlington
7. Steve Watts, Danville
8. Mike Klinkkammer, West Branch
9. Del Lankford, Macomb, Ill.
10.Ken Jackson, Burlington


Feature #2 –

1. Ed Sanger
2. Johnny Johnson
3. Bob Lekander
4. Ken Jackson
5. Ron Jackson, Burlington
6. Jim Hollenbeck, Burlington
7. Rollie Frink
8. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
9. Mike Klinkkammer
10.Del Lankford

1986 – Purvis Nabs USAC Stocks at Monett

Jeff Purvis

Monett, Mo. (May 11, 1986) – Jeff Purvis nabbed his second straight USAC late model feature win in as many nights as he outran Larry Phillips to claim the 40-lap headliner at Monett Speedway.

T.J. Pauschert paced the first four laps of the contest until Phillps took command. Phillips would stay out front for the next 19 circuits.

Purvis, who won the night before at I-44 Speedway, got his first taste of the lead on lap 24 but Larry Moore took over for the next five rounds.

Purvis powered in back in front for good on lap 30 and then led the remaining circuits to seal the victory. Phillips placed second ahead of Pauschert, Gary Wright, and Moore.


Results –


1. Jeff Purvis, Clarksville, Tenn.
2. Larry Phillips, Springfield
3. T.J. Pauschert, Carlile, Ark.
4. Gary Wright, Hooks, Tex.
5. Larry Moore, Phenix City, Ala.
6. Billy Moyer Jr., Batesville, Ark.
7. John Mason, Millersburg, Ohio
8. Dick Potts, Morocco, Ind.
9. Willy Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.
10.Gary Herbert, Waynesburg, Ind.

1975 - Fast Time, Twin Victories for Reffner in Dells Opener

Tom Reffner

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (May 10, 1975) – Tom Reffner extended his domination of central Wisconsin late model racing to the Dells Motor Speedway Saturday night as he set fast time and took both of the 50-lap features on the third mile banked paved oval.

The show was the first of the season, as two previous attempts had been rained out.

Driving his “Blue Knight” 1974 AMC Javelin, Reffner did not take the lead in the first 50-lapper until lap 42. Bill Retallick of Marshall took the early lead in the event, only to lose it to Madison’s Bobby Gunn on lap 12.

Once ahead, Gunn kept his ex-Dick Trickle 1970 Mustang out front, increasing his margin with nearly every lap.

Meanwhile, Reffner was working his way through the field and was near the front when John Reimer and Rich Somers tangled on the front straightaway, bringing out the caution flag.

The field bunched and when the green flag dropped on lap 42, Reffner shot by Gunn for the top spot. Reffner then built up his own cushion and finished well ahead of Gunn, Dick Trickle, Dave Watson, and Joe Shear.

The second 50-lapper followed the script of the first with some of the cast changed.

Jim Pierson of Milton took an early lead in his 1975 Camaro but lost it to Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa on lap 12. Marzofka then built up an impressive lead as, once again, Reffner steadily worked his way from the back of the pack.

On lap 25, a caution flag flew when Reimer and Trickle’s mounts started spilling oil on the racing surface. Both were done for the evening.

Marzofka kept Reffner at bay on the restart, but the caution flag came out again on lap 43 when Gunn’s mount started spilling oil.

Gunn pitted while the track was cleaned up and returned to the race, only to oil the surface again. The track was cleaned again, and Gunn was finished for the night.

On the restart, Reffner charged past Marzofka into the lead and held it to the finish. Marzofka settled for second, followed by Mike Miller, John Ziegler, and Larry Detjens.


Results –


Time trials – Tom Reffner, Rudolph (14.482)
Semi-main – Mike Waddell, Madison
Consolation – Pat Riley, Osseo, Minn.
Feature #1 –
1. Tom Reffner
2. Bob Gunn, Madison
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
4. Dave Watson, Milton
5. Joe Shear, Beloit


Feature #2 –

1. Tom Reffner
2. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
3. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
4. John Zeigler, Madison
5. Larry Detjens, Wausau

1986 - Davis Garners Santa Fe WoO Victory

Bobby Davis Jr. claimed the World of Outlaws sprint car win at Santa Fe Speedway. The victory was Davis’ third of the year and 18th of his career. – Bryan Gapinski Photo

Willow Springs, Ill. (May 9, 1986) – Bobby Davis Jr. notched his third victory of the season as he captured the 30-lap World of Outlaws sprint car feature Friday night at Santa Fe Speedway.

Rick Hood grabbed the early lead ahead of Jimmy Sills while Davis closed in on the leaders. On round 11, Davis overtook Sills for second and two laps later, he was able to power past Hood for the lead.

For the remainder of the race, Davis was able to utilize the low groove around the clay oval to nab his 18th career Word of Outlaws’ victory.

Steve Kinser advanced from fourth to second in the final 10 circuits, passing Sills for second on the low side coming off of turn four on lap 27. Kinser held on to take runner-up honors. Sills claimed third ahead of Brad Doty and Hood.

Sammy Swindell set a new track record in qualifying with a time of 15.525 seconds. However, Swindell’s race efforts were hindered by a sour engine.

The victory earned Davis $4,315 while Kinser collected $2,675.


Results –


1. Bobby Davis Jr.
2. Steve Kinser
3. Jimmy Sills
4. Brad Doty
5. Rick Hood
6. Mark Kinser
7. Randy Smith
8. Ron Shuman
9. John Stevenson
10.Tim Gee

1971 – 9,899 See Oldham and Reece Win at Fairgrounds

Dick Oldham

Des Moines, Iowa (May 8, 1971) – Dick Oldham and Phil Reece, defending champions in their respective auto racing classes, rode to victory Saturday night before 9,899 at the Fairgrounds.

Oldham, who had only one feature win last year, powered his 1969 Chevelle to victory against a stalwart field of cars that included Lem Blankenship, Darrell Dake and also Ernie Derr – the 11-time International Motor Contest Association stock car champion.

Derr, driving a 1965 Dodge, placed seventh in the late model main event and fourth in the semi-main.

John Connolly, who won the late model semi-main, finished second in the feature behind Oldham. They were followed by Dake, Stan Stover, Dean Montgomery, and Blankenship.

Reece’s victory in the sportsman feature was his second in a row. He finished ahead of Chuck Berg, Matt Mauro, John Knapp, and Lou Thrap, all of Des Moines.


Results –


Sportsman –

Heat #1 – Phil Reece, Des Moines
Heat #2 – Chuck Berg, Des Moines
Semi-main – Matt Mauro, Des Moines
Feature –
1. Phil Reece
2. Chuck Berg
3. Matt Mauro
4. John Knapp, Des Moines
5. Lou Thrap, Des Moines
6. Bob Pike, Des Moines
7. Bob Peterson, Des Moines
8. Tom Gratton, Des Moines
9. John Brouwer, Prairie City
10.Dale Miller, Cummings


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Dave Chase, Council Bluffs
Heat #2 – Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
Semi-main – John Connolly, Delhi
Feature –
1. Dick Oldham, Des Moines
2. John Connolly
3. Darrell Dake
4. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
5. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
6. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
7. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
8. Dave Chase
9. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
10.Don Hoffman, Des Moines