1973 – Gilbert Collects Top Payday at Eldora

 

Floyd Gilbert proudly poses with his trophy after winning the World 100 at Eldora Speedway. 

Rossburg, Ohio (September 30, 1973) – Floyd Gilbert, a 43-year-old driver from Lockland, Ohio, scored the biggest payday of his racing career Sunday afternoon by winning the World 100 late model stock car feature at Eldora Speedway.

Gilbert cashed in $6,870 - $6,000 for the win and $870 for leading the final 87 laps at $10 per lap. He piloted a 1969 Chevelle.

Bill Teegarden of Dry Ridge, Ky., took runner-up honors and earned $1,500. He drove a 1973 Camaro.

Such famous racing names as Tiny Lund, Charlie Glotzbach, Verlin Eaker, and Ralph Latham failed to qualify for the feature. Another well-known name, Jim Hurtubise, watched from the stands.

Eaker, last year’s winner of the World 100, won the 25-lap feature which followed the main event.


Results –

1. Floyd Gilbert, Lockland, Ohio
2. Billy Teegarden, Dry Ridge, Ky.
3. Gene Petro, Columbus, Ind.
4. Bruce Gould, Milford, Ohio
5. Dick DeBolt, Union City, Ind.
6. Roger Grossnickle, North Manchester, Ind.
7. Chuck McWilliams, Union, Ky.
8. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs, Iowa
9. Chick Hale, Lewisburg, Ohio
10.Frank Lamp, Davison, Mich.
11.Red Dralle, Evansdale, Iowa
12.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo, Iowa
13.Ron Edwards, Cincinnati, Ohio
14.Rodney Combs, Lost Creek, W. Va.
15.Dale Woolworth, Saginaw, Mich.
16.Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
17.John Mugavin, Glen Este, Ohio
18.Don Goff, Zanesville, Ohio
19.Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
20.Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.

1979 – ‘Husker-Hawk’ Cup to Niffenegger

 

Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa won the eighth annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan. With Niffenegger are promoter John Beaman (left) and race sponsor. – Dean Malone Photo

Harlan, Iowa (September 29, 1979) – Mike Niffenegger of Kalona, Iowa, grabbed the lead from his pole position, lost it for 19 laps, then regained it and sailed to victory in the eighth annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye challenge at the Shelby County Speedway on Saturday night.

The two-day show attracted many of the top late model pilots from Iowa and Nebraska, each gunning for the $1,500 winner’s prize, plus the coveted cup.

Niffenegger’s win gave Iowa its eighth straight win in the challenge series since it began in 1972.

Niffenegger earned the pole position for the 75-lap feature by virtue of his win in the trophy dash Saturday evening. The trophy dash featured the eight heat winners, who fought it out for the pole position.

When the green flag waved, Niffenegger pushed his Camaro to the head of the pack. However, Don Hoffman of Des Moines moved up from his third row starting position to challenge after the first 10 laps of the contest.

Time after time Hoffman tried to get around Niffenegger and finally on the 18th lap, Hoffman got the job done.

Then, it was Niffenegger’s turn to challenge the leader. Lap after lap the two drivers would be nose to tail down the back straight. Then, like a derailed train, they would separate – Hoffman running the high side and Niffenegger the low side. Finally, after 10 laps, Niffenegger came out on the front straightaway ahead of Hoffman and they would run that way to the end.

“I knew the only way to get the lead back was to go really hard and low into the turns and slide out in front of him (Hoffman),” a tired but happy Niffenegger said from victory lane.

Hoffman held off a persistent Tom Hearst of Wilton to claim second while Joe Merryfield of Des Moines was fourth – the only other driver on the same lap as Niffenegger.

The best finish by a Nebraskan was Randy Sterner of Blair, who finished eighth.


Results –

1. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
2. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
3. Tom Hearst, Wilton
4. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
5. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
6. Bill Martin, Council Bluffs
7. George Barton, Ankeny
8. Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
9. Tom Bartholomew, Waterloo
10.Joe Kosiski, Omaha
11.Dan Rabbass, Bellevue, Neb.
12.Bill Davis, Des Moines
13.Rocky Hodges, Des Moines
14.Paul Zdan, Omaha
15.Craig Spetman, Omaha
16.Al Humphrey, Giltner, Neb.
17.Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
18.Red Dralle, Evansdale
19.Kent Tucker, Aurora, Neb.
20.Ken Davidson, Indianola

1975 – Champions 100 to Kenimer

 

Doug Kenimer

Ionia, Mich. (September 28, 1975) -Doug Kenimer of Dahlonega, Ga., won the Cavalcade of Champions 100 open competition late model stock car race at the Ionia Fairgrounds Speedway on Sunday after the event was nearly canceled by the owner of Clarke’s Motor Speedway in Clarksville, Mich.

The rich event was scheduled to be held at Clarke’s Motor Speedway.

The promoter of the race, Ross Havenstick, who has leased the track all season, reported he received a telegram from track owner Steve Clarke on Wednesday night, just three days before qualifications and preliminary heats on Saturday. The telegram said the race would not be held on his track because of financial risks. Unbeknownst to Havenstick, Clarke reportedly sent cancellation notices to several newspapers and some of the top drivers that were scheduled to appear.

Havenstick, that same night, secured the use of the Ionia Fairgrounds, which is located 10 miles north of Clarksville.

Havenstick notes the uncalled for cancellation of his lease with Mr. Clarke, which did not expired until October 1, caused a noticeable decrease in the size of the crowd and the number of entries.

Des Moines, Iowa, driver Joe Merryfield, the recent winner of the World 100 at Eldora Speedway, finished runner-up in the 100-lap feature, which paid $10,000 to win and $5,000 for second place.

Placing third was fast qualifier Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, followed by Em Fretheim of Decorah, Iowa, and Bill Youkin.


Results –

1. Doug Kenimer, Dahlonega, Ga.
2. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines, Iowa
3. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
4. Em Fretheim, Decorah, Iowa
5. Bill Youkin
6. Dan Dickey, Packwood, Iowa
7. Dale Woolworth
8. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
9. Tom Helfrich, Haubstadt, Ind.
10.Dick Schiltz, Waterloo, Iowa

1974 – Dirt Track Title to Guss

 

Ray Guss won the 50-lap championship feature at the National Dirt Track Championships at Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Promoter Homer Melton is on left and a representative of Kentucky Fried Chicken, the race’s sponsor, make the trophy presentation. – B.E. Tappa Photo

By Charlotte Reinhart

Davenport, Iowa (September 27, 1974) – Ray Guss of Milan, Ill., walked away with the National Dirt Track Championships Friday night at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Guss received $1,200 for his winning efforts.

Guss, piloting a car usually driven by Ron Weedon, set fast time in qualifying, circling the half-mile in 26.82 seconds.

Kentucky Fried Chicken sponsored the event and awarded $100 to each heat winner and the consolation winner plus the $1,200 to the feature winner.

Second place went to Roger Dolan of Lisbon with Curt Hansen of Dike taking third. Ed Sanger of Waterloo was fourth and 12-time IMCA stock car champion Ernie Derr of Keokuk took fifth.

The semi-main winner was Russ Hughes of Monticello, with heat wins going to Mike McGrew, Mike Bardoel, Jerry Wolland, and Mike Niffenegger.

Fifty-five drivers entered the event that boasted a $6,000 purse.


Results –

Time trials – Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
Heat #1 – Mike McGrew
Heat #2 – Mike Bardoel
Heat #3 – Jerry Wolland
Heat #4 – Mike Niffenegger
Semi-main – Russ Hughes
Feature –
1. Ray Guss
2. Roger Dolan
3. Curt Hansen
4. Ed Sanger
5. Ernie Derr

1986 – Fischlein Tops Park Jefferson ‘Tour’

 

Dale Fischlein won the Busch/Winston All-Star Tour feature at Park Jefferson International Speedway. He’s joined by track owner Dr. John Anderson. – Kathy Root Photo

Jefferson, S.D. (September 26, 1986) – Dale Fischlein of Independence, Iowa, outraced the NASCAR late model field at Park Jefferson International Speedway Friday night to pocket first place and $2,000 as the Busch/Winston All-Star Tour made a Siouxland stop.

Fischlein, who also won his heat race, went 50- laps to nab the main event over 23 other contenders. Starting on the outside of the front row, Fischlein took the early lead from polesitter Joe Kosiski of Omaha, then survived two cautions to win by nearly a half a lap over Kosiski.

Steve Kosiski of Omaha, Fischlein, Dave Chase of Omaha, Bill Baldwin of Bellevue, and Roger Dolan won heat races. Bill Kirk of Salix, Iowa, won the first B-main while Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa, took the second B-main.


Results –

1. Dale Fischlein, Independence, Iowa
2. Joe Kosiski, Omaha
3. Roger Dolan, Lisbon, Iowa
4. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
5. Bill Kirk, Salix, Iowa

1959 – Shepherd Wins Race; IMCA Records Fall

A.J. Shepherd receives his trophy from Tennessee State Fair president Beverly Briley as promoter Al Sweeney looks on.

Nashville, Tenn. (September 26, 1959) – A.J. Shepherd shattered every IMCA record in the book Saturday as he blazed to his second straight big car victory at the Tennessee State Fair.

Shepherd traveled the 12.5-miles on the high banked oval in 9 minutes and 9.65 seconds or 81.95 miles per hour, easily eclipsing the old IMCA national record. The old mark of 9 minutes and 26.48 seconds as set by Marvin Pifer at Salem, Ind., in 1953.

A roaring shirt sleeve crowd of approximately 12,000 enthusiastic race fans cheered every move the big car drivers made, often rising as cars attempted to pass each other.

“I figured I’d broke the 25-lap record for the track, but I know it was a national mark,” an elated Shepherd said afterwards. “Man, that was a terrific pace out there today. I’ve never had to run so fast to win a race, but I couldn’t let up for a second with Pete right on my tail.”

Shepherd was referring to Pete Folse, the IMCA national champion, who finished in second place for the second straight day. Folse again held the pole position and held the lead for the first three laps. He wasn’t even close at the finish.

It took quite a bit of daring on Shepherd’s part to grab the lead, and in so attempting, nearly spun out. First, Shepherd tried to take Folse on the second lap, and he hit him from behind, spinning slightly off the bank.

The A.J. really brought the crowd to its feet as he rammed Folse full force from behind in trying to get by again.

“Pete was braking slightly on the banks,” explained Shepherd. “I was going faster than he was, and I couldn’t avoid hitting him. I’m lucky I didn’t spin out completely.”

After those two gasping efforts, Shepherd finally made it around Folse on lap 4, and held the top spot the rest of the way.

Jack Rounds of Huntington Beach, Calif., who described the racetrack as a “dandy,” finished third, with Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., coming in fourth.


Results –

Heat #1 – Jack Rounds, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Heat #2 – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
Heat #3 – Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
Match race – A.J. Shepherd
Australian Pursuit – Jerry Blundy
Feature –
1. A.J. Shepherd
2. Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.
3. Jack Rounds
4. Jerry Blundy
5. Mickey McCormick, Mitchell, Ind.
6. Ray Duckworth
7. Duke Hindahl, Pekin, Ill.
8. Hank Lawshe, Winchester, Ill.
9. Paul Dorcic, Chicago Ridge, Ill.

1960 – Derr is Winner in 150-Lapper

 

Ernie Derr

Oklahoma City, Okla. (September 25, 1960) – National champion Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, made it a repeat performance at the Oklahoma Free State Fair on Sunday afternoon, besting a field of 13 stock cars in the 150-lap marathon run.

“Durable Ernie” set a torrid pace from the very start to sack up his second triumph in two years and for all purposes just about wrapped up the International Motor Contest Association title.

Ramo Stott, also of Keokuk, finished second, about 10 car lengths behind, and Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., took third. Both were driving Ford’s while Derr steered a 1960 Pontiac to victory. Stott piloted a 1960 convertible and Williams was driving a 1958 model.

Time for the distance (75 miles) was 1 hour, 16 minutes, and 24.8 seconds with the yellow flag causing two slowdowns for minor mishaps. It still bettered last year’s mark of 1 hour, 21 minutes, and 17 seconds.

One of the mishaps - a broken axle on the 69th lap – sidelined rookie-of-the-year Dick Hutcherson, another product of Keokuk. At the time, Hutcherson was in third place and challenging the leaders.

Five other cars failed to finish due to mechanical problems and only six of the original 13 starters completed the race.

Derr set a track record in time trials with a tour of 28.62 seconds for the half mile dirt oval.

Another record broke was the attendance mark. Unofficially, 8,000 fans saw the race despite overcast skies and a light drizzle which prevailed through the first few minutes of the race.

Derr, sitting on the pole position, beat the rest of the field into the first turn, and after that, it was Derr all the way. Stott challenged throughout but never did get any closer that his 10-car-length difference at the end.

Most of the action centered on the fight for second place with Stott, Hutcherson, and Williams battling it out. At the 69th lap, Hutcherson dropped out, leaving a pattern of Derr, Stott, and Williams for the remainder of the contest.

Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle, Iowa, was fourth with Joe Dolphy of New Brighton, Minn., and Bob Eichor of Oklahoma City the only other drivers still on the course when the checkers fell.