1960 – Reading Sprint Won by Foyt

A.J. Foyt unstraps his helmet while being interviewed by Chris Economaki after winning the season-opening 30-lap USAC sprint car feature at the Reading Fairgrounds. 

Reading, Penn. (April 17, 1960) – A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., sent his Offenhauser roaring around the Reading Fairgrounds oval to victory in the 15-mile sweepstakes race. His winning time was 18 minutes and 20.41 seconds.

Foyt took the lead on the first lap and was never passed by any of the other 15 competitors. It marked the opening of the 1960 United State Auto Club Eastern sprint car season.

Two drivers escaped with minor injuries after running cars off the half-mile track. Art Plas of Elyria, Ohio, hit a concrete retaining wall during time trials. His Offenhauser flipped over in the air and landed on all four wheels. Plas walked away bruised but uninjured.

Jim Hemming of Bedford, Ind., hit a pole and a fence. He cut his chin.

Finishing behind Foyt were Jim Hurtubise of Lennox, Calif., Jiggs Peters of Neshanic, N.J., Don Branson of Champaign, Ill., and Bob Tattersall of Streator, Ill.


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt
2. Jim Hurtubise
3. Jiggs Peters
4. Don Branson
5. Bob Tattersall
6. Wayne Weiler
7. Roger McCluskey
8. Jerry Blundy
9. Al Herman
10.Bud Tingelstad

1972 – Janey Establishes Three Pelican Records

Irv Janey

Shreveport, La. (April 16, 1972) – Take it from Irv Janey – stock car racing requires teamwork just like any other sport.

And thanks to some great teamwork from Janey’s pit crew that “gave 110 percent,” the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, native breezed in his 1970 Plymouth to the Pelican 300 title on Sunday afternoon at the Louisiana State Fair Speedway.

And that teamwork helped Janey smash not one, but two International Motor Contest Association records in the circuit’s season opener.

“You can’t win a race by yourself,” Janey said, whose 1 hour, 58 minutes and 7.04 second timing broke Ray Putnam’s 1971 Pelican 300 mark of 1 hour, 59 minutes and 38.02 seconds by over a minute.

Janey also established a new 75-mile (150 lap) mark of 57 minutes and 57.51 seconds which erased Ernie Derr’s old mark 58 minutes and 2.33 second record set in last year’s Pelican.

Janey’s first pit stop was on lap 125 and took only 30 seconds. Not bad when you consider that his crew not only filled up his tank but changed the two right-side tires.

Then on the 254th lap, Janey’s second and last stop took a mere 20 seconds to refill the gas tank. “they checked all the tires, cleaned the windshield and even gave me a drink of water,” he chuckled.

“So, we only took 50 seconds for pit stops, which is excellent,” said Janey, who praised the crew of Marty Sixt, Jim Peterson, Dave Stodola, Vince Wolrab, John Moss, and Gary Beck.

Buzz McCann of Webb Lake, Wis., took the early lead in the race but was overtaken by Warren Hughes of Baton Rouge, Lou., on the 3rd lap.

Hughes led by as much as three-quarters of a lap in his 1968 Camaro until he made his initial pit stop for gas on lap 167. Janey took the lead during Hughes’ pit stop and never relinquished it.

Hughes’ attempt to regain the lead fell short when a broken oil line forced him to make another pit stop only 13 circuits after his first. That stop cost Hughes six and half minutes. He still managed to finish third despite lost oil and no brakes.

Don Simpson of Kentwood, Lou., finished second in the race driving a Chevelle. Gerry Harrison of Topeka, Kan., finished fourth despite not having any brakes for most of the race.

Joe Plowman of La Marque, Tex., turned in the fastest qualifying time with a clocking of 22.26 seconds on the half-mile. Unfortunately, he withdrew from the race on lap 126 due to transmission failure.


Results –


1. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2. Don Simpson, Kentwood, Lou.
3. Warren Hughes, Baton Rouge, Lou.
4. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
5. Gene Newsome, Monroe, Lou.
6. Verne Covert, Topeka, Kan.
7. Vern Mondry, Lake Elmo, Minn.
8. C.H. Cave, Oklahoma City, Okla.
9. Tommy Taylor, Dallas, Tex.
10.Joe Plowman, La Marque, Tex.
11.Bill Meazell, Lufkin, Tex.
12.Freddy Cook, Monroe, Lou.
13.Bob William, Jackson, Miss.
14.Buzz McCann, Webb Lake, Wis.
15.Billy Hagan, Lafayette, Lou.

1984 - Green Roars to Victory at I-70

Tim Green

Odessa, Mo. (April 15, 1984) — Race fans at I-70 Speedway knew that Sunday’s World of Outlaws sprint car feature was not going to be just another 30-lap race when “The Wolf,” Doug Wolfgang, Sioux Falls, S.D., rolled his sprinter in turn three before he even crossed the starting line. One hour and 19 minutes later, Tim Green, Sacramento, Ca., had his first World of Outlaw victory since 1980, and a check for $6,000.

Brad Doty, Orrville, Ohio, jumped into the lead on the first lap followed by Steve Kinser, Bloomington, Ind., Ron Shuman, Mesa, Ariz., and Green. The yellow flag came out on lap 12 as Sammy Swindell, Bartlett, Tenn., spun in turn one.

On the restart, Swindell spun again, this time in turn three. As Swindell was spinning he was clipped by Linus Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn., who did a series of barrel rolls.

As the cars were lining up for the restart the rains came. After the rain delay, the sprinters returned to the track with Green passing Doty on the restart. On lap 18, Kinser got around Doty for second and set his sights on Green.

Kinser caught Green in traffic on lap 25 and moved into first Green who was running with no brakes the last six laps of the race, had to back off in traffic. Lapped traffic behind them, Green went back into first place on the next lap.

“Once I got by the lapped cars, I knew I had it won,” said Green. But it wasn’t over yet. Bobby Davis Jr., Memphis, Tenn., blew a right rear tire coming out of turn four, doing a series of flips along the front straight away wall. The red flag brought the race to a halt setting up a two-lap trophy dash to the finish. The dash was all Green’s as he was pulling away from Kinser as the checkered flag fell.

Rounding out the top five were Doty, Shuman, and Rocky Hodges, Des Moines, Iowa. Rick Ungar, Memphis, Tenn., won the B-feature with the heat races going to Hodges, Sammy Swindell, Jeff Swindell (driving the B&E Electric Sprinter from Clinton, Iowa), and Mike Peters, Wichita, Kan.

Green edged out Sammy Swindell for fast time with a clocking of 16.64 seconds compared to 16.65 for Swindell.


Results –


1. Tim Green
2. Steve Kinser
3. Brad Doty
4. Ron Shuman
5. Rocky Hodges
6. Randy Wolfe
7. Mark Kinser
8. Danny Smith
9. Lee Osborne
10.Rick Unger
11.Mike Peters
12.Terry Gray
13.T.J. Giddings
14.Bobby Davis Jr.
15.Jeff Swindell
16.Sammy Swindell
17.Greg Wooley
18.Todd Bishop
19.Linus Mack
20.Tim Gee
21.Bobby Allen
22.Doug Wolfgang

1984 – Chandler Wins Oklahoma IMCA National

Merv Chandler topped a field of 40 IMCA modifieds to win the inaugural Oklahoma IMCA Modified National event at Thunderbird Speedway. Promoter Jim Ozment presents the trophy. – Bill Haglund Photo

Muskogee, Okla. (April 14, 1984) – Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, posted the biggest win of his career Saturday night as he topped a 24-car feature field to win the first Oklahoma IMCA Modified National at Thunderbird Speedway.

The 30-year-old Chandler started the 25-lap feature on the inside of the second row and ran with the lead pack until taking over the top spot on lap 16 when Gary Jellison of Topeka, Kan., tagged the backstretch wall while leading the contest.

From that point on, it was a three-car battle with Chandler holding off Mike Cothron of Moline, Ill., and Denny Pittman of Jefferson, Iowa, to take the win by two-car-lengths.

The late-race mishap occurred midway down the backstretch as the four leaders worked their way through slower traffic. Jellison and Chandler went to the high side and Cothron and Pittman ducked low. Jellison, a former two-time national karting champion, claimed his was hit.

“If he was hit, it wasn’t by me.” Chandler said. “He had been running loose for several laps and it looked to me he lost it – but he could have been tapped by a slower car. I did bump him earlier in the race and I apologized for that, but I didn’t hit him when he wrecked.”

The victory was only Chandler’s second-ever IMCA win, the other coming late last season in a fair race at Bethany, Mo.

Chandler finished fifth in last year’s IMCA modified national point standings and used his $700 point share winnings to get a good start on a new car.

“This is the first new car I’ve ever raced,” said Chandler, who came into IMCA modified racing from the ranks of street stocks. “I didn’t have a lap on this car when I got here but it handled beautifully.”

Rounding out the top five finishers were Steve Mettlin of Cambridge, Ill., and Bernie Juliar of Hudson, Iowa.

Gary Reinhart of Moline, Ill., won the B-feature with Jim Mettlin of Cambridge, Ill., finishing second. Heat wins were registered by Pittman, Jellison, Chandler, and Cothron.

Chandler pocketed more than $500 in cash and took home a trophy for his efforts.


Results –


1. Merv Chandler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2. Mike Cothron, Moline, Ill.
3. Dennis Pittman, Jefferson, Iowa
4. Steve Mettlin, Cambridge, Ill.
5. Bernie Juliar, Hudson, Iowa
6. Dean Schroeder, Iowa Falls, Iowa
7. Gerald Thompson, Dawson, Minn.
8. Terry Walker, Muskogee
9. Ross Krieger, Jefferson, Iowa
10.Terry Thornton, Clinton, Mo.

1978 – Morris Captures Race Debut

A dapper-looking Ed Otten waves the checkered flag during stock car racing action at Davenport. All of the officials wore tuxedos for the season opener.

Davenport, Iowa (April 14, 1978) – It was like a “Who’s Who,” in small track auto racing from the Midwest Friday night at Davenport’s Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, with top stock car drivers from four states heading the field for the season opener.

In the end, nearly 4,000 fans were cheering the heated battle for the checkered flag between Rock Island’s John Simenec and West Liberty’s Mel Morris.

Morris came under the flag first after the leading the 50-lap event from nearly the start. It was Simenec who drew the biggest applause for his valiant effort as he ended up with second place money.

It was an amazing exhibition by the Rock Island firefighter who is in only his second year of late model competition. He hadn’t qualified for the 20-car field, but he got a chance to start in the 20th and last starting position when Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo had to pull out because of mechanical issues.

Morris quickly moved into the lead at the drop of the green flag after starting in the second row, but it was a different story for Simenec. He worked his way through the field against the likes of Darrell Dake, Verlin Eaker and Ken Walton of Cedar Rapids; Pleasant Valley’s Ron Weedon; Ed Sanger of Waterloo; Tom Hearst of Wilton and many other top name drivers.

Bill Martin of Council Bluffs challenged Morris on several occasions and Weedon also came close through the opening 30 laps. During this time, Simenec was moving up, taking over second place from on lap 38 when Martin retired to the pits with an overheated engine.

Simenec stayed low on the half-mile dirt oval in his attempt to overtake Morris. On a couple of occasions, Simenec pulled even with Morris on the curves, but the West Liberty veteran took advantage of his powerful machine to pull away on the straightaways.

Chasing Morris and Simenec across the finish line were Eaker, followed by Weedon and Hearst.

A total of 62 cars turned out for the season opener, marking the promotional debut of Bill Schwader of McCausland.

Mike Niffenegger of Kalona showed up with two 1978 Camaros and used them both. Driving his backup car in the third heat, he took the checkered flag in front of Joe Merryfield of Des Moines and Davenport’s Rollie Frink.

The larger-than-expected field of cars and the fact that the show started a half-hour late led to the elimination of the consolation in order to abide by the 10:30 curfew.


Results –


Heat #1 – Roger Long, Fithian, Ill.
Heat #2 – Dennis Hovinga, Pocahontas
Heat #3 – Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
Heat #4 – Mel Morris, West Liberty
Heat #5 – John Connolly, Delhi
Semi-Main – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Feature –
1. Mel Morris
2. John Simenec, Rock Island, Ill.
3. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
4. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
5. Tom Hearst, Wilton
6. Dennis Hovinga
7. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
8. Roger Bruggeman, Dubuque
9. Ron Jackson, Burlington
10.Bill Martin, Council Bluffs

1985 - Miller Opens ASA Season with Queen City 250 Win

Butch Miller won the ASA Racing Series’ Ford Taurus 250 at Queen City Speedway. Making the trophy presentation to Miller are Missy Balsbaugh (left) and Trish Barton. – Don Thies Photo

West Chester, Ohio (April 15, 1986) – Butch Miller of Coopersville, Mich., likes two-groove racetracks and Queen City Speedway was especially to his liking Sunday afternoon as he held off Mark Martin in the season-opening Ford Taurus 250, an ASA Racing Series stock car event.

Both were in the hunt for the entire race but when it came down to the end, Martin and his Ford couldn’t catch Miller and his Chevrolet.

“It was a two-groove track today,” Miller told the standing-room-only crowd. “The track got a little slick and that made it ideal for racing.”

For the last 20 laps, though, all Miller saw in his rear view mirror was the front bumper of Martin’s car, getting closer and closer. Despite losing his power steering just 60 laps into the race and fighting engine oiling system woes, Martin, the three-time ASA champion, was coming on strong to challenge for the lead.

“I knew I could catch him,” Martin said. “I just didn’t think I could pass him.”

Martin’s presence was felt.

“You bet I was worried about him. I didn’t need a 255-lap race,” Miller added.

Another 20 laps and perhaps another driver would have been involved in the battle. ASA fan favorite Tom Jones of Northbrook, Ill., turned in a sparkling performance to take third place, his highest ASA finish in nearly three years.

Following the top three were a host of drivers who helped make the long-distance grind one of the most competitive Queen City races in years. A total of six different drivers led laps with 13 lead changes during the 250-lap event.


Results –


1. Butch Miller
2. Mark Martin
3. Tom Jones
4. Dick Trickle
5. Mike Eddy
6. Mark Malcuit
7. Russ Urlin
8. Harold Fair
9. Bill Stephenson
10.Dave Jackson
11.Gary St. Amant
12.John Wilson
13.Kenny Wallace
14.Dave Jensen
15.Ken Lund
16.Kent Stauffer
17.Bob Senneker
18.Gene Harsch
19.Grant Wilson
20.Ray Fullen

1981 – Hovinga, Venenga, Swarts Tops at Vinton

Denny Hovinga of Pocahontas won the open competition late model feature at Vinton Speedway. 

Vinton, Iowa (April 12, 1981) – For the second straight week, a race car driver from Northwest Iowa won the open competition late model race at Vinton Speedway.

Denny Hovinga of Pocahontas had raced in Cedar Rapids on Saturday night and was planning on competing a special in East Moline, Il., on Sunday when it was rained out. Hovinga stopped at Vinton on the way home and captured the feature event. The season opener last week was won by Bill Kirk of Salix.

However, the late models took a backseat to the feature races in the roadrunner and IMCA divisions, which both provided plenty of action – both on and off the track.

Defending roadrunner point champion Dave Swarts of Cedar Falls won the main event despite he wasn’t the first to receive the checkered flag, and Dave Venenga of Grundy Center won the modified feature but lost both his engine and $300 that was put up to claim it.

Swarts won in spectacular fashion, actually. On lap 3 of the feature, with the cars still tightly bunched, Swarts got sideways entering the first turn, was hit by several cars and flipped wildly twice off the end of the track. The car landed right-side up and Swarts was uninjured.

After determining that all four wheels were okay, Swarts got a push and restarted the event. He crossed the finish line second behind Mike Fitzpatrick of Grundy Center, last week’s winner. However, the engines of the cars driven by Fitzpatrick, Swarts and third place finisher Ron Fare of Hiawatha were all claimed. Fitzpatrick and Fare declined to sell and forfeited their positions and winnings. Swarts sold and was awarded first place.

Swarts later talked his engine’s purchaser into buying the car as well. Swarts left with the lion’s share of the winnings, the claim money and more for his car but he was left with no ride for next week.

Venenga suffered a worse fate.

He won the feature race and his engine was claimed. He agreed to sell the engine for the $3000 claim price and had more than $450 with his prize for the night. However, the engine blew later in a powderpuff event and the claim deal was called off.

“I’m really out,” Venenga said. “Not only don’t I have the $450 in my pocket, but I also don’t have an engine either.”

Venenga took the lead from Larry Druschel of Vinton, last week’s winner. Druschel stayed with Venenga and mounted a challenge to regain the top spot but spun off the track on the backstretch with two laps remaining and was out of the race.

Jack Mitchell of Cedar Falls finished second behind Venenga followed by Bernie Juliar of Hudson.

Finishing behind Swarts in the roadrunner feature was Craig Coventry of Independence and Gary Kaune of Waterloo.

Hovinga won the late model 20-lapper over Keith Braun of Cedar Falls and 16-year-old Curt Martin of Independence.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Denny Hovinga, Pocahontas
2. Keith Braun, Cedar Falls
3. Curt Martin, Independence
4. Mike Krall, Waterloo
5. Todd Jensen, Waterloo
6. Bob Fisher, Vinton
7. Bill Barthelmes, Troy Mills


IMCA Modified –

1. Dave Venenga, Grundy Center
2. Jack Mitchell, Cedar Falls
3. Bernie Juliar, Hudson
4. Arlo Becker, Atkins
5. Dave Kramer, Atkins
6. Daryl Stout, Vinton
7. Mike Sampson, Waterloo


Roadrunner –

1. Dave Swarts, Cedar Falls
2. Craig Coventry, Independence
3. Gary Kaune, Waterloo
4. Vince Buchholz, Cedar Falls
5. Kevin Rosteck, Waterloo
6. Dwight Harlan, Waterloo
7. Dwane Burkey, Vinton

Dave Venenga of Grundy Center won the IMCA modified feature at the Benton County Fairgrounds.