1973 – Opperman Takes Fair Victory

Before a frigid crowd of 6,150, Jan Opperman captured the hearts of race fans by winning setting fast time, winning the STP trophy dash and the 30-lap feature. Speed queen Barbara Weeks presents the trophy to Opperman.

Tampa, Fla. (February 11, 1973) – Jan Opperman scored another flag-to-flag victory in the Winternational Sprints at the Florida State Fair on Sunday.

Opperman, who won the opening feature on Thursday, then flipped and damaged his car on Saturday, came back to lead green to checkers during the Sunday afternoon matinee. He was helped by a slick track with a narrow groove that made it all by eliminated any passing.

Finishing runner-up in the 30-lap main was Wib Spaulding of Granite City, Ill., who started on the inside of the front row and remained in the second spot the entire race. Thad Dosher of Topeka, Kan., was the biggest mover of the afternoon, starting in the sixth position and finishing third.

Other winners were Kenny Weld in the first heat, Dick Sutcliffe in the second heat, and Cliff Cockrum in the third heat. Opperman won the match race and Doc Dawson was the consolation winner. 


Results –

Heat #1 - Kenny Weld, York, Penn.
Heat #2 – Dick Sutcliffe, Greenwood, Mo.
Heat #3 – Cliff Cockrum, Benton, Ill.
Match Race – Jan Opperman, Beaver Crossing, Neb.
Consolation – Doc Dawson, Kansas City, Mo.
Feature -
1. Jan Opperman
2. Wib Spaulding, Granite City, Ill.
3. Thad Dosher, Topeka, Kan.
4. Jerry Nemire, Toledo, Ohio
5. Dick Sutcliffe
6. Doc Dawson
7. David Ross, Jetmore, Kan.
8. Kenny Weld
9. Jerry Camfield, Argenta, Ill.
10. Tom Corbin, Farmington, Mo.
11. Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City, Mo.
12. Don Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn.