1954 - Ward Sets Fair Record

Sedalia, Mo. (August 29, 1954) - Jimmy Ward of Chicago, driving a 1954 Hudson, not only won the Missouri State fair 100-mile stock car race here but also set a new International Motor Contest Association record. Ward drove the 100 miles in 1 hour, 27 minutes, in 14.10 seconds.

The old record was set August 30, 1953, on the Missouri track by Bill Harrison of Topeka, Kan., in 1 hour, 29 minutes, and 21.24 seconds.

Ward also set a time trial record in the IMCA by circling the one-mile track in 50 seconds flat. Yield record was set on the Missouri track by Ernie Derr, August 30, 1953, and was 51.15 seconds.

In the feature event Derr placed second and Bill Harrison was third. The last 15 miles was a seesaw exchange for first place between Ward and Derr.

Results -

1. Jimmy Ward, Chicago
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
4. Roxy Dancy, Shreveport, La.
5. Cecil Hayes, Chicago
6. Shorty Eberts, Smithville, Mo.
7. Chris Skadal, Des Moines
8. Doc Narber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
9. Arnold Hudson, Ogden, Iowa
10. Bill Shave, Wausau, Wis.
11. Howie Hoffman, St. Paul, Minn.
12. Paul Newkirk, Cedar Rapids, Iowa