Ernie Derr
Topeka, Kan. (July 7, 1959) – Ernie Derr threaded his way
through mishaps and a bulky field on Saturday afternoon to win the 200-lap
Independence Day stock car race at the Mid-America Fairgrounds.
Derr, the little veteran from Keokuk, Iowa, took the lead on
the 38th lap, lost it momentarily on the 122nd lap when he stopped for gas,
then grabbed it right back and held on to it the rest of the way.
Derr drove his 1957 Pontiac to a new 100-lap record while
speeding to victory, and just missed the 200-lap mark by just 13 seconds. He
was pushed hard the last 100 laps by another Keokuk driver, Dick Hutcherson,
who also pilots a 1957 Pontiac.
The crowd of 7,500 witnessed all sorts of action during the
IMCA-sanctioned endurance test over the half-mile dirt track. Four cars smacked
into fences, and one spectacular skid in front of the stands saw starter Gene
Van Winkle barely escape serious injury.
On the 122nd lap, a 1956 Chrysler, driven by Bruce Nystrom
of Oshkosh, Wis., broke an axle while bearing down the home stretch and went
out of control.
Van Winkle, stationed on the track, leaped toward the
infield and was only nicked in the leg by the skidding car. The car then
smashed into a light tower and started on fire as Nystrom escaped. The fire was
quickly extinguished by the emergency crew.
Van Winkle, the veteran starter from Lincoln, Neb., was
knocked to the ground in the mishap and came away with slightly torn trousers.
He changed clothes, limped back to the track and finished flagging the race.
Results –
1. Ernie Derr
2. Dick Hutcherson
3. Lenny Funk
4. Ramo Stott
5. Shorty Ebert
6. Bill Harrison
7. Newt Bartholomew
8. Bob Hardy
9. Harlan Richardson
10. Bob
Kosiskie
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