1969 - IMCA Sprint Title to Harrison

Darl Harrison - Al Consoli Photo

 

 

Des Moines, Iowa (October 15, 1969) - Darl Harrison of Tiffin, Ohio, has won the 1969 International Motor Contest Association sprint car championship, Bill Hitz, secretary of the organization, disclosed today.

Harrison, 32, took the lead at the start of the season in February and maintained it although he won only four feature races.

Hitz said there were 15 different feature winners during the year and the point race was close until the last few programs.

Harrison, the father of six children, compiled a total of 2,455 points. Don Mack of East Grand Forks, Minn., and Jay Woodside of Kansas City, Mo., tied for second with 2,180 points apiece. Russ Laursen of Cumberland, Wis., was fourth with 1,650.

Jerry Richert, the defending IMCA national champion from Forest Lake, Minn., finished 18th after he was sidelined most of the year because of surgery and recuperation.

 

Final Point Standings –

1. Darl Harrison, Tiffin, Ohio – 2,455
2. Don Mack, East Grand Forks, Minn. – 2,180
3. Jay Woodside, Kansas City, Mo. – 2,180
4. Russ Laursen, Cumberland, Wis. – 1,650
5. Dick Sutcliffe, Kansas City, Mo. – 1,330
6. Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo. – 1,150
7. Jan Opperman, Lincoln, Neb. – 1,105
8. Ron Perkins, Bethalto, Ill. – 1,095
9. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill. – 1,090
10. Ray Wright, Elkhart, Ind. – 1,010
11. Chuck Lynch, Springfield, Mo. – 915
12. Norm Ellefson, Spokane, Wash. – 905
13. Benny Rapp, Toledo, Ohio – 860
14. Dick Gaines, Mitchell, Ind. – 810
15. Bobby Kinser, Bloomington, Ind. – 795
16. Ralph Parkinson, Wichita Falls, Tex. – 770
17. Oscar Fay, Mishawaka, Ind. – 660
18. Jerry Richert, Forest Lake, Minn. – 650
19. Ron Larson, White Bear Lake, Minn. – 620
20. Johnny Babb, Ottumwa, Iowa - 610