Noble had fought a grueling 40-lap challenge
from Rich Olson at Tri-Oval Speedway to score his first feature victory since
June 6 — a triumph that not only earned him the season championship trophy but
more importantly $550 for the season point title.
Noble entered the feature in second place and 66
points behind veteran Paul Fitzpatrick of Rochester
But the trouble that had frustrated Noble for
much of the season (he had led the point race for better than a month at the
beginning of the season) Sunday befell Fitzpatrick in spades.
Noble jumped into the lead on the first of the
40 laps but Fitzpatrick was a close second for 14 laps. Then front-end trouble
left Fitzpatrick jammed against the fence and out of the race.
Noble allowed Olson to grab the lead with 18
laps to run, retrieved the advantage with seven laps left and withstood both
tire trouble and Olson to win.
When the two right-tide tires on his Chevelle
went flat before be could coast to a stop following the checkered flag, Noble
was elated.
“Troubles, yes we had them,” he noted, “but this
more than makes up for anything that happened.
What a day!” Olson walked up, offered his hand and a smile.
“You drove some race, friend,” praised Noble.
“That was a fine driving job. I don't know when I’ve driven in a tougher
race.”
Fitzpatrick had watched the finish of the race
from the grandstand and was a picture of dejection.
“Just when you think everything is going right
something like this happens,” he said. “But that's the way this game is. One
piece of trouble and you’re out of it.”
While the red flag fell only for Fitzpatrick, it
wasn't the only trouble. John Foegen had an axle let go, the ensuing slide
taking Bunky Hayes of Eau Claire out also, and Gary Doelle also had front end
problems but hung on to finish fifth.
Allen Ward of Elba , Minn.
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