1973 – Niffenegger a winner again at West Liberty

Mike Niffenegger 

West Liberty, Iowa (August 11, 1973) – Point leader Mike Niffenegger showed his true driving skill when he took over a much slower car and still rode home to a victory in the feature race at the West Liberty Fairgrounds on Saturday night.

Niffenegger broke his drive shaft during hot laps and was forced to borrow the car of Phil Larson. He went on to win the second heat and survived a hot duel with first Mel Morris of West Liberty and then Ron Prymek of Des Moines.

Morris was close on Niffenegger's heels until the 14th lap when he broke an axle and was forced from the race. Prymek took over second in the 17th lap and put up strong challenge.

Tom Riggs of Davenport won the fast dash, although there were no time trials. Participants and pole positions were selected by a random drawing.

Morris won the first heat and Bill Hopp of Muscatine the third. Larry Rummelhart of Riverside captured the semi-main. Heat wins in the street stocks were claimed by Tom Rock of Atalissa and Gary Frauenholz of West Liberty. Rock then went on to win the feature.

Results –

Late Model -

1. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona, Iowa
2. Ron Prymek, Des Moines
3. Ron Hemsted, Lone, Tree, Iowa
4. Benny Hofer, Rock Island, Ill.
5. Larry Rummelhart, Riverside, Iowa
6. Bob Hem, Andalusia, Iowa
7. Don Morgan, Muscatine, Iowa
8. Bill Hopp, Muscatine, Iowa
9. Ken DeGood, Iowa City, Iowa
10. Jim Gerber, Long Grove, Iowa

Street Stock - 

1. Tom Rock, Atalissa, Iowa
2. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine, Iowa
3. Gene Hearst, Muscatine, Iowa
4. Paul Dickey, West Liberty, Iowa
5. Don Stucker, Coralville, Iowa
6. Wayne French, Muscatine, Iowa
7. Pat Purdy, West Liberty, Iowa
8. Bud Kile, West Liberty, Iowa