1973 – Shuman, Nordhorn win at State Fair

Billy Shuman (left) is joined by car owner Willie Davis after Shuman scored his first-ever USAC sprint car victory. – John Mahoney Photo

Indianapolis, Ind. (June 8, 1973) – Billy Shuman and Don Nordhorn both fought off challenges from Rollie Beale to win their first sprint car features of the year at the Indiana State Fairgrounds Friday night.

It was the first win ever in USAC for the 25-year-old Shuman, who piloted the Willie Davis sprinter.

Greg Leffler started the evening by driving into thee first turn too deeply and losing control. He flipped several times, wiping out the front end. Steve Cannon lost his steering on the 7th lap of the first 50-lapper and hit the fence in turn one. Cannon suffered a broken toe.

Beale took the lead from Shuman and then Sam Sessions spun on lap 12 and Shuman took the lead again on lap 17 for good.

Tony Simon went into the first turn too deep and lost control of his car, flipping several times with the front end over the outside wall.

Bruce Walkup then lost a right rear wheel as the pins sheared and was high between turns three and four. Bill Puterbaugh was in the high groove behind Walkup and hit his car, flipping both of them.

Larry “Boom Boom” Cannon finished third followed by Duane Carter and Joe Saldana.

Nordhorn became the ninth different winner in 12 features to win a USAC sprint car race this season.

Cannon led the first 17 circuits before a fast-charging Carter caught him and led until engine failure sent him to the sidelines.

Nordhorn charged from his eighth starting position to take the lead and hold off several challenges from Beale. However, it wasn’t Beale’s night and he finished three car lengths behind the winner.

The point leader going into the event, Lee Kunzman, drove for Chuck Booth and finished 27th in the first feature. He drove his own car in the second feature and finished 12th. Beale, by finishing second in both features, took over the point lead.


Feature #1 –

1. Billy Shuman
2. Rollie Beale
3. Larry Cannon
4. Duane Carter
5. Joe Saldana
6. Johnny Parsons
7. Jackie Howerton
8. Don Nordhorn
9. George Snider
10.Bob Pratt


Feature #2 –

1. Don Nordhorn
2. Rollie Beale
3. Johnny Parsons
4. Billy Shuman
5. Allen Leavell
6. Mel Cornett
7. Billy Engelhart
8. Jerry Nemire
9. Darl Harrison
10.Bob Pratt