1974 - Melvin nabs coupe win at Mt. Vernon

Mt. Vernon, Ill. (July 2, 1974) - Race car owner Bernie Williams of Johnston City was all smiles last Friday night at the Williamson County Speedway when his driver Bob Melvin of Logan scrambled his way into the lead and captured the 20-lap modified coupe feature.

Williams, who recently acquired Melvin to drive his newly constructed coupe stated, “After 12 years of car building and a $7,000 investment, I am very pleased with everything, especially with my driver.”

Melvin also won a heat along with the fastest qualifier Ron Dameron of Marion. John Kemp of Belle River and Ray Emling of Du Quoin were other heat winners.

In other Friday night action in the super sprint division, the teenager Sammy Swindell, Jr. of West Memphis, Tennessee, returned to the Speedway and captured the 20-lap feature event. Swindell, who is probably the youngest veteran sprint car driver in the nation, displayed brilliant performance as he out-muscled second and third place finishers Chuck Amati of Marion and Cliff Cockrum of Benton.

Jerry Wiggs of Benton Cockrum and Hooker Hood of Memphis won the heats. Hood nabbed the trophy dash and Amati was the fastest qualifier.

Saturday night the coupes returned to the Speedway and it was John Kemp holding off Jim Eaves of Lick Creek and taking the 20-lap coupe feature. Eaves challenged many times for the lead but the former Eastern National Micro Midget driving champion held a tight groove for 20 grueling laps to take the checkered flag.

Don Floyd of Mt. Vernon downed 27 other competitors to take the qualification honors. He also won a heat race along with Bob Melvin and Gary Easton of Murphysboro. Floyd was also the winner of the 4-lap trophy dash.

Bill Hale of Centralia became the new point leader in the late model stock division when he captured the feature event. Boomer Means, also of Centralia, and C. B. Champion of Steeleville followed in the feature.

Ron Fisher of Olney set the fastest qualification time for the late models in his Camaro. Heats were won by Fisher, Hale and Means with Hale also winning the trophy dash.

Late model action is rapidly growing as the speedway hosts many new cars and competitors each week.