1974 – Clean sweep by Schwader in Twin 100’s

Des Moines, Iowa (July 4, 1974) - Bill Schwader defied two racing superstitions Thursday night and won both ends of the Twin 100 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

According to local racing veterans, the color green and No.13 are taboo at races. Somebody had better tell Schwader.

The Riverside, Iowa native drove his green, number 13, 1971 Ford Torino to the checkered flag in both 100-lap features collecting $500 payouts in both before a crowd of 6,500.

Bad luck was a reality for Schwader for the first 25 laps as he failed to crack the top 10.

But by the halfway mark of the first 100-lap event, he had climbed to third place behind Ferris Collier and Gerry Harrison.

Then more luck headed Schwader's way as he overtook Harrison on lap 75. On lap 78 Schwader edged alongside Collier only to be tampered by a slower car, and fell to second.

On lap 80, Schwader bumped Collier going through the third turn. Collier and Schwader bounded into the infield and Harrison grabbed the lead momentarily. However, on the backstretch of the same lap, Schwader was able to power by Harrison for the lead. He would go untouched after that.

Schwader said he felt bad about his run-in with Collier on the 80th lap. "My wheels locked," he said, "and I just couldn't help it. I feel real bad about Ferris because we're good friends, but that's going to happen sometimes. That’s part of racing.”

"I slowed down after I hit him to see if he could catch up. I would have let him by. He didn't make it, so I just got back into the race.”

Gordon Blankenship was in command of the second race until hitting the wall in the third turn of the 61st lap. Schwader, who started in the seventh row and moved to third place by the eighth lap, took over and was not seriously challenged the remainder of the race.

Billy Myers finished second and Russ Derr of Keokuk, son of racing veteran Ernie, was third.

George Barton of Ankeny, one of the point leaders on the Saturday night circuit, recorded the fastest qualifying time turning the half-mile oval at 26.55 seconds. Barton was second until a flat tire caused him to pit on lap 39. Then he developed motor trouble, later in the race and finished seventh. He failed to repair his car in time for the second race.

Results –

Feature #1

1. Bill Schwader, Riverside
2. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
3. Gary Lindgren, Ogden
4. Jim Anderson, Kansas City, Mo.
5. Billy Myers, Grand Island, Neb.
6. Russ Derr, Keokuk
7. Vern Mondry, Lake Elmo, Minn.
8. Allen Chancellor, Buckner, Mo.
9. Jim Hanson, Des Moines
10. Gary Truelove, Trimble, Mo.

Feature #2

1. Bill Schwader
2. Shorty Acker, Windsor, Mo.
3. Russ Derr
4. Jim Still, Topeka, Kan.
5. Jim Hanson
6. Allen Chancellor
7. Bland Robinson, Des Moines
8. John Lavin, Berryton, Kan.
9. Bill Harrison
10. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.