Earl Wagner
Sioux Falls, S.D. (October 8, 1973) – For a time it seemed Earl Wagner would be unable to run in Sunday’s Cheater’s Day at the W.H. Lyons Fairgrounds.
During warmups Wagner’s engine apparently blew up as he was steaming down the backstretch. But it turned out to be a broken dry sump line and the Pleasantville, Iowa, ace was ready to roll once the action started.
Wagner won a thrilling 30-lap battle with Sioux Falls’ Darryl Dawley and also won the third heat. Dawley, Ray Lee Goodwin, and Ed Bowes also won heat races and Lloyd Beckman won the consolation.
Dawley led the main event of 17 laps with Goodwin and Wagner close behind. Wagner took over second place on the 15th circuit and passed Dawley on lap 18. Dawley almost got the lead back on the same lap he lost it, but Wagner blasted out of the fourth turn with a slight lead and was never headed again.
Harry Torgerson, the 1972 and ’73 champ at Huset Speedway, was fourth in the event and Dave Skari was fifth.
Results –
Heat #1 – Darryl Dawley, Sioux Falls
Heat #2 – Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City
Heat #3 – Earl Wagner, Pleasantville, Iowa
Heat #4 – Ed Bowes, Lincoln, Neb.
Consolation – Lloyd Beckman, Lincoln, Neb.
Feature –
1. Earl Wagner
2. Darryl Dawley
3. Ray Lee Goodwin
4. Harry Torgerson, Sioux Falls
5. Dave Skari, Grand Forks, N.D.
6. Ed Bowes
7. Ralph Blackett, Des Moines, Iowa
8. John Stevenson, St. Paul, Minn.
9. Russ Brahmer, Wisner, Neb.
10.Ron Larson, White Bear Lake, Minn.
I enjoy the stories and pictures that you share. Thanks to both of you for the time you spend on this web site. Awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with Mr Ackerman's work as I'm an Omahan as well. Originally from GI, I grew up watching racing at Mid-Continent Speedway, then Sunset and Eagle.