1955 - National title, rich purses to lure top field

Huron, S.D. (August 31, 1955) - A national championship rating has been awarded speedway-type big car races scheduled at the South Dakota State Fair in Huron on Friday, September 9.

And, the prize purse of $2,500 for the star-studded, seven-event program is the biggest being offered at any mid-western state track this season with the exception of the five-day program at the Minnesota State Fair.

In addition, the International Motor Contest Association (IMCA), who are sanctioning the races, wrote two new rules into the racing book last winter, which will make the Huron meet one of the most competitive in history.

Under National Championship rules a total of 25 national championship dates have been awarded licensed IMCA promoters, and all drivers of IMCA are eligible to compete at any national championship meet. This means the field will be larger and three times as many points will be awarded to money-winning drivers.

“Points” determine the standing of the driver and also determine his slice of the IMCA's huge cash point fund at the end of the season. As a result of this change drivers throw caution to the winds because they can win two ways - on the local level, and in national competition.

Program for Friday's races includes time trials, three preliminary qualification heats, match races, handicap races and a 20-lap feature in which more than a dozen cars will jockey around the track simultaneously.

Frank Winkley, president of Auto Racing Inc., promoter of the auto races, has brought many of the nation's top drivers to South Dakota, including such headliners as Emory Collins, Jimmy Wilburn, Russ Lee and Deb Snyder. Several world record holders such as Marvin Pifer, Jim McWithey, Red Amick and Harvey Porter also are expected on Huron's fast, half-mile oval.