1969 - Minnesotan is Tri-State 100 Winner

 

Bob Jusola nabbed the first Tri-State 100 at Boone. Joining the winner is, left to right, Phil Stewart, promoter of the Tri-Circuit which includes Elko, Raceway Park, and Twin Cities, Jim Daley of Minneapolis, second-place finisher Jerry LeCroy, and flagman Floyd Mitchell. 

By Denny Sills

Boone, Iowa (October 4, 1969) – Bob Jusola drove over 250 miles from Minneapolis to Boone to compete in the Tri-State 100 at Boone Speedway on Saturday – and in his own words, “the trip was well worth it.”

Jusola, representing Elko Speedway, won the 100-lap Tri-State Championship feature worth $500. That made his trip to Boone about $2 per mile. Jusola picked up even more cash by sharing fast time honors with Mike Keen of Marshalltown at 18.87 seconds.

As the night ended on a happy note for Jusola, it was a different story for George Barton, the veteran driver from Des Moines.

Barton, winner of the three Grand National titles at Boone and the 1968-point champion at the Speedway, was driving one of his better races and had held down the lead for 70 laps but lost the race and the championship on the 99th go-round due to a mechanical problem.

The quick-change rear end on his Chevrolet went sour just as the white flag came out. As Barton started to slow, Jusola took advantage, quickly passing him and taking the checkered flag as Barton coasted to the finish line behind runner-up Jerry LeCroy of Des Moines.

Ame's driver Curt Houge finished fourth with Bob Bonzer of Liscomb taking fifth.

The race was slowed only twice. On the fourth lap, Larry Berrett of Boone went off the track and over the west wall, rolling end-over-end four times. He was taken to a local hospital where he was found to have a fractured wrist.

Four heat events during preliminaries were won by Don Hoffman of Des Moines, John Carlson of Ankeny, Curt Houge of Ames, and Larry McGee of Boone. Del Stokke of Ames, the season champion at Boone this year, won the 25-lap B-main.


Results –

1. Bob Jusola, Mound, Minn.
2. Jerry LeCroy, Des Moines
3. George Barton, Des Moines
4. Curt Houge, Ames
5. Bob Bonzer, Liscomb

1976 – Young Scores Illiana Victory

 

Veteran Ray Young won the 15th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana Motor Speedway. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Schererville, Ind. (October 3, 1976) – Ray Young of Dolton, Ill., a veteran of more than 20 years, wheeled his 1976 Camaro to victory in Sunday afternoon’s 15th annual Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 late model stock car classic at Illiana Motor Speedway.

The 44-year-old Young, a truck driver when he’s not racing, led 74 of 100 laps on the half-mile paved oval.

Grabbing the lead for good on lap 49, Young sailed to victory ahead of Jerry Kemperman of Blue Island, Ill., Dave Roahrig of Burbon, Bob Schippers of Kalamazoo, Mich., Larry Knowles of Kalamazoo, and Tom Musgrave of Friendship, Wis.

The afternoon’s heat races went to Dick Aissen of McHenry, Ill., Lee Schuler of Lockport, Ill., Al Schill of Franklin, Wis., and Larry Schuler of Lockport.

Young, who became the 12th different winner in the history of the Bettenhausen Memorial 100, also took top honors in the trophy dash for the six fastest qualifiers.

This year’s Illiana point champion, Larry Schuler, paced a field of 50 entries during time trials with a fast lap of 21.06 seconds.


Results –


1. Ray Young
2. Jerry Kemperman
3. Dave Roahrig
4. Bob Schippers
5. Larry Knowles
6. Tom Musgrave
7. Al Schill
8. Bob Dotter
9. Larry Schuler
10.Dave Evans
11.Larry Middleton
12.Woody Church
13.Johnny McPartlin
14.Bob Theriault
15.Chuck Merrill

1965 – Wichita Driver Snares OKC Feature

 

Dale Reed, driving the Forshee Chevy, won the sprint car feature during the Oklahoma State Fair. – L.A. Ward Photo

Oklahoma City, Okla. (October 3, 1965) – Dale Reed of Wichita, Kan., drove his sprint car to victory in Sunday's race program at the Oklahoma State Fair.

Gordon Woolley of Waco, Tex., finished second in the 20-lap feature with Chickasaw-born Buzz Barton of Tampa, Fla., taking third.

Saturday’s feature winner, Harold Leep of Wichita, Kan., turned in the fastest qualifying lap, touring the half-mile in 23.17 seconds. He won the trophy dash but finished sixth in the feature.


Results -


Time trials – Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan. (23.17)
Heat #1 – Roger Lane, Blue Springs, Mo.
Heat #2- Grady Wade, Wichita, Kan.
Heat #3 – Ed McVay, Independence, Mo.
Heat #4 – Buzz Barton, Tampa, Fla.
Feature –
1. Dale Reed, Wichita, Kan.
2. Gordon Woolley, Waco, Tex.
3. Buzz Barton
4. Grady Wade
5. Shady McWhorter, Fort Worth, Tex.
6. Harold Leep, Wichita, Kan.
7. Roger Lane
8. Wayne Hardin, Little Rock, Ark.
9. Bernie Shires, El Paso, Tex.
10.Steve Ball, Albuquerque, N.M.

1977 – Senneker Scores Fourth Straight Dri-Powr 400 Win

 

Bob Senneker celebrates his fourth straight Dri-POWR 400 victory at Winchester. 

Winchester, Ind. (October 2, 1977) – The “King” is still unbeatable at Winchester Speedway and still wears his crown, thank you.

For those race fans who have not heard the news as yet, that means Bob Senneker, the handsome smoothie from Dorr, Mich., won the American Speed Association’s Dri-Powr 400 late model classic for an unbelievable fourth straight time Sunday afternoon at Roger Holdeman’s high-banked, half-mile asphalt oval.

Coming off a world record-setting qualification run during time trials on Friday, Senneker grabbed the lead at the green, paced the field for 39 laps, fell back and faded as much as five laps behind the leader at one point, began his charge with 100 laps to go, grabbed the lead again on the 393rd lap and finished nearly a full-lap advantage over Dave Roahrig of Plymouth, at the checkered.

The performance in the Baker Engineering Camaro, which took him 2 hours, 22 minutes and 48 seconds to complete, earned Senneker $6,835 out of a $50,000-plus purse.

Roahrig seemingly had Senneker’s believe-it-or-not victory string on this track snapped with only 25 laps to go when two bolts snapped on the upper left A-frame of his car and he had to slow down considerably; finally limping around the track the last two laps with that wheel titled at a near-30-degree angle.

Defending ASA champion Mike Eddy of Kawkawlin, Mich., was third, fourth went to Bob Sensiba of Middleville, Mich., and Jerry “The Bear” Makara of Pinckney, Mich., was fifth.

Mark Martin, the 18-year-old sensation from Batesville, Ark., led the race for 12 laps but dropped out on lap 374 when the motor in his car went sour, settling for 11th place money.


Results –

1. Bob Senneker, Dorr, Mich.
2. Dave Roahrig, Plymouth, Ind.
3. Mike Eddy, Kawkawlin, Mich.
4. Bob Sensiba, Middleville, Mich.
5. Jerry Makara, Pinckney, Mich.
6. Bruce Gould, Milford, Ohio
7. Don Seaborn Dayton, Ohio
8. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
9. Don Gregory, Columbus, Ohio
10.Ellis Herbert, Rushville, Ind.
11.Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
12.Randy Sweet, Edwardsburg, Mich.
13.Eddie Phelps, Indianapolis
14.Carl Smith, West Jefferson, Ohio
15.Ron Hayes, Brownsburg, Ind.
16.Ted Johnson, Columbus, Ohio
17.Mike Brown, LaGrange, Ind.
18.Lonnie Breedlove, Indianapolis
19.L.J. Lines, Greensboro, Ind.
20.Jim Cushman, Worthington, Ohio

1978 – Crawford Wins Cornhusker-Hawkeye Trophy

 

Gary Crawford won the overall title at the seventh annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup. Shelby County Speedway promoter John Beaman makes the trophy presentation. – Bill Haglund Photo

By Mark Woods

Lincoln, Neb. (October 1, 1978) – Joe Merryfield of Des Moines, Iowa, and Curt Hansen of Dike, Iowa, won the headliners but it was Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa, walking away with the overall championship of the seventh annual Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup.

The two-day event presented programs at Shelby County Speedway in Harlan, Iowa, on Saturday, and Midwest Speedway in Lincoln, Neb., on Sunday.

Saturday night’s 50-lap feature came down to a photo finish between Merryfield and Hansen. In the contest, Hansen took control of the race after getting by Crawford on lap 25 but Merryfield was soon nipping at Hansen’s heels.

And with two laps remaining, Merryfield pulled up alongside Hansen and as both cars zipped across the finish line, side-by-side, Merryfield apparently held a slight edge over Hansen.

But it was Hansen parading into victory lane, while Merryfield was coasting into the pits. “I didn’t know who won the race,” Merryfield said afterwards. “It looked like the flagman waved Curt over, so I though he had won.”

Joe Merryfield won the first feature of the Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup at Shelby County Speedway. He’s joined by Shelby County Speedway promoter John Beaman (left) and Midwest Speedway promoter Pete Litekam. – Bill Haglund Photo

The 2,000 plus fans in attendance were standing still, and silent, when the flagman called for Merryfield to re-enter the track. Then came the announcement, “Officials have ruled Joe Merryfield as the winner.”

“I’m glad I didn’t have to call this one,” a beaming Merryfield said.

Finishing behind Merryfield and Hansen were two other Iowans, Crawford and Bill Davis of Des Moines, Two Nebraskans, Dean Ward of Grand Island and Bob Kosiski of Omaha, were fifth and sixth, respectively.

Everyone would pack up and make their way 100 miles west to Lincoln, Neb., for the second day of competition. Those racing teams that were disappointed the night before with blown tires or mechanical problems, patched things together and swung into Midwest Speedway. Gary Crawford held a slight edge in points after the first night.

Rex Nun of Lincoln had the pole position and grabbed the initial lead but lost it quickly to Dean Ward on lap 5. Joe Merryfield, still red-hot from his feature win the night before, moved into second, then grabbed the lead on lap 15. It looked like Saturday night all over again with Curt Hansen getting by Nun, then Ward, and moving into second behind Merryfield.

Curt Hansen exits his late model after winning the second feature of the Cornhusker-Hawkeye Challenge Cup at Midwest Speedway. – Bill Haglund Photo

On lap 36, Hansen would pull past Merryfield for the lead. But unlike the night before, Hansen pulled away from Merryfield and left no doubt when the checkers waved. Merryfield settled for second with Clayton Petersen Jr. of Grand Island third and Ward taking fourth.

And when the final points were tallied, it was Crawford winning the overall title by 10 markers over the three-time Challenge Cup winner Hansen.


Results –


Harlan –

Heat #1 – Gary Crawford, Independence
Heat #2 – Bill Moyer, Des Moines
Heat #3 – Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
Heat #4 – Clayton Petersen Jr., Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #5 – Dean Ward, Grand Island, Neb.
Heat #6 – Bill Davis, Des Moines
Trophy dash – Gary Crawford
Feature –
1. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
2. Curt Hansen, Dike
3. Gary Crawford
4. Bill Davis
5. Dean Ward
6. Bob Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.


Lincoln –

Heat #1 – Billy Moyer
Heat #2 – Dan Nesteby
Heat #3 – Stan Stover, Reinbeck, Iowa
Heat #4 – Bill Wrich, Kennard
Heat #5 – Clayton Petersen Jr.
Trophy dash – Clayton Petersen
Consolation – Buddy Watkins
B-feature – Al Druesedow
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen
2. Joe Merryfield
3. Clayton Petersen Jr.
4. Dean Ward

1960 - McGee Wins State Stock Car Diadem

 

Cigar-chomping Fibber McGee won the Illinois State Championship at Peoria Speedway. – PORC Collection

Peoria, Ill. (October 1, 1960) – Fibber McGee of Galesburg survived a crash with defending champion Herb Shannon of Peoria on the 96th lap and went on to win the ninth annual Illinois State Championship stock car race Saturday night before 11,000 fans.

Shannon, who led most of the time from the 46th lap on, couldn’t avoid hitting a wall after tangling with McGee’s 1958 Plymouth and couldn’t finish the race. There was so much turmoil at the end of the race that it was impossible to determine immediately who had finished in second and third place and race officials were pouring over the lap-by-lap reports to make a final decision.

McGee, who won the 1952 state title, started eighth in a field of 24 cars and was never in the lead until his tangle with Shannon. However, he was running among the leader most of the way and was second on lap 69.

Sentimental favorite Jim Strube made a gallant comeback after a spinout on lap 62 dropped him from the lead which he had held for some 15 laps. Shannon took command after that, and he and McGee waged a torrid battle when Strube once again forged his way back into the picture. He passed McGee on the 80th lap and was going neck-and-neck with Shannon down the front straightaway on lap 82.

However, on the next lap, Strube’s engine blew up and caught fire, and he was forced to withdraw from the race.

Peorian Bob Rutledge led for the first 19 laps but couldn’t match Shannon’s pace and fell from contention. By that time the race had been stopped twice because of wrecks and officials were forced to call another halt for a crash that occurred on lap 28.

Ironically, McGee was involved in one of the earlier accidents but managed to keep his car in the race and went on to get the victory.


Results –


Trophy dash – Arnie Gardner
Heat #1 – Veral Boken
Heat #2 – Fibber McGee
Heat #3 – Leroy Thacker
Heat #4 – Ernie Schaffer
Consolation #1 – Art Brady
Consolation #2 – Arnie Gardner
Semi – Ernie Schaffer

1989 - Hovey Takes IMCA 'Clash for Cash'

 

Tom Hovey won the 50-lap IMCA hobby stock “Clash for Cash” at Independence Motor Speedway. From left to right, promoter Jerry Blue, Hovey, IMCA’s Rick Haefner, and official Gary Henderson. – Keith Knaack Photo

By Les Houser

Independence, Iowa (September 30, 1989) -Tom Hovey has not raced on a regular basis this season after becoming promoter at Nordic Speedway in Decorah but Saturday night he found the fit behind the wheel very comfortable as he came out of the final last chance race and a ninth row start to win the $2,000 first prize on the IMCA hobby stock “Clash for Cash” at Independence Motor Speedway.

Thirty cars started the race and by virtue of the redraw, Craig Coventry of Dyersville started on the pole and led the first four laps before Bill Bonnett of Knoxville charged out front with Ken Irvine of Oelwein and Randy Irvine of Hazelton following in second and third.

A restart on lap 13 gave a hard-charging Tom Hovey the third spot but he couldn’t get around Ken Irvine who was able to get close enough on Bonnett on lap 18 to give him a nudge. Irvine became glued to Bonnett’s rear bumper, and it stayed Bonnett, Irvine, and Hovey until lap 28 when Irvine got sideways in turn two and was missed by everyone except brother Randy who nailed him hard from his trailing position. Needless to say, both cars were eliminated.

This gave Hovey some room to operate and he trailed Bonnett for the next 15 laps and as the duo got into lapped traffic Hovey made an attempt to get by Bonnett held him off.

On lap 46, Hovey grabbed the lead, but Bonnett wasn’t giving up yet and quickly got caught back up and they were side-by-side for the next couple of laps. The two became locked together on the white flag lap and at the finish it was Hovey by inches in a near photo finish.

Following Hovey and Bonnett to the finish line were Lon Gadow of Maynard, Steve Holthaus of Decorah, and Dan Banker of Granger.

Over 70 cars and many track champions took part from four states.


Results –

Heat #1 – Mark Kramer, West Point
Heat #2 – Randy Irvine, Hazelton
Heat #3 – Andy Davis, Keosauqua
Heat #4 – Bob Maschmann, Malcolm
Heat #5 – Rob Anderson, Ridgeway
Heat #6 – Ken Irvine, Oelwein
Heat #7 – Jeff Anderson, Atlantic
Last Chance #1 – Rick Johnson, Independence
Last Chance #2 – Jerry Luloff, Rowley
Last Chance #3 – Tom Hovey, Decorah
Feature –
1. Tom Hovey
2. Bill Bonnett, Knoxville
3. Lon Gadow, Maynard
4. Steve Holthaus, Decorah
5. Dan Banker, Granger
6. Bob Maschmann
7. Rob Anderson
8. Marlin Voss, Fostoria
9. Rodney Reed, Webster City
10.Gary Tadmack, Omaha, Neb.