Butch Hartman
West Allis, Wis. (September 9, 1973) - Butch Hartman has finally achieved the
recognition that eluded him in the past.
Hartman became the first driver to win three straight United States Auto Club stock car division championships when he pushed his 1973 Dodge Charger to a lopsided victory in the 250-mile Governor’s Cup race at State Fair Park Sunday.
The victory, by a lap over second-place Jack Bowsher and three laps over third-place Ramo Stott, also gave Hartman a sweep of the four 1973 races at the Fair Park. Only Parnelli Jones has won four straight at Milwaukee and he, too, did it in a single season, 1964.
Hartman, who had never won on the State Fair mile until the July Miller 200, came into the season with the reputation of a non-winning champion after taking the 1973 title without a first-place finish. At the beginning of the 1973 season he complained bitterly that he was an unknown, despite two straight stock car titles, because USAC publicized its Championship (Indy car) Division at the expense of the rest.
So, he took matters into his own hands and started winning. His complaints softened with the victories, and he not only publicized himself, but he gave the entire division a shot in the arm. Instead of attracting fans with the Indy car drivers who drop down a division for the big races, the stock division has its own star who beats everyone, including the Indy names.
None of the Indy car drivers were in Milwaukee Sunday, due partially to a scheduling conflict between Saturday’s qualifying and the scheduled but rained-out Hoosier 100 Championship dirt race in Indianapolis.
But it wouldn’t have mattered because no one has been able to touch Hartman all season.
“Everything is falling into place this year,” Hartman said shaking his head in wonder. “I think the hardest race I’ve had has been La Crosse (he won). And that was because the track was so short there was no time for a breather.”
Sunday was easy too.
“I never even intended to lead today,” he said. “You use up so much of your car when you lead. And a 250-mile race is hard on brakes. But I wasn’t ever running hard.”
He did have to come from behind once, though. Jack Bowsher won the pole again and led the first nine laps before Hartman passed him and everybody else for good on the 10th lap.
In the final laps of the race Bowsher was almost set to pass an easily cruising Hartman to unlap himself but Hartman gave his throttle one final jab and held Bowsher off.
“He said he was about to catch me when the race was stopped here last month.” said Hartman, referring to a one-lap mistake by the flagman which ended the Fair Week race early.
Results –
1. Butch Hartman
2. Jack Bowsher
3. Ramo Stott
4. Paul Feldner
5. John Reimer
6. Verlin Eaker
7. Norm Nelson
8. Sal Tovella
9. Larry Berwanger
10.Irv Janey
11.Bob Brevak
12.Frank Freda
13.John Schultz
14.Leroy Austin
15.Roger McCluskey
16.Larry Cope
17.Harry Cooper
18.Bob Whitlow
19.Don White
20.Jim Ouellette
21.Bruce Jacobi
22.M.J. McBride
23.Art Bormet
24.Bay Darnell
25.Harold Fair
26.Mark Dinsmore
27.Larry Moore
28.Len Blanchard
29.Dick Trickle
30.Ray Bolander
31.Dave Decker
32.Ralph Latham
33.Ron Keselowski
34.Keith Ploughe
35.Charlie Schmidt
36.Whitey Gerken
37.Dan Weyker
38.Blackie Wangerin
39.A.J. Moldenhauer
40.Charlie Glotzbach
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