1976 – Makara Zips in Midwest 300

 

Jerry Makara reaps the benefits of winning the Midwest 300 at Salem. 

Salem, Ind. (November 7, 1976) – For the first 25 laps of the 100-lap championship segment at Salem Speedway, Jerry Makara found himself racing his Camaro door-to-door with a Camaro driven by Randy Sweet as the pair battled for the lead.

Then a flat tire forced Sweet to the sidelines on lap 26. He would have to stop twice more for the same problem because, as the Portage, Mich., ace later found out, he had a bent wheel rim.

“When I saw Randy go into the pits with the first flat tire, I felt really confident,” Makara said.

He had good reason to…his car was performing flawlessly.

The Westland, Mich. Star never was seriously challenged as he stayed in front the rest of the way to pick up the $2,150 first prize money from a $11,750 purse.

Second place and $1,050 went to Rodney Combs of Mason, Ohio, who had to drop out of the first qualifying 100 when he had problems with his Camaro. He started 25th in the final 100-lapper.

Makara won the first heat easily after fast qualifier Mike Eddy of Kawkawlin, Mich., had tire problems. Dennis Caves of Salem escaped injury when his car flipped over the third turn guardrail during the second heat, which was won by Sweet.


Results –


Heat #1 –

1. Jerry Makara, Westland, Mich.
2. Vern Schrock, Middlebury, Ind.
3. Lonnie Breedlove, Indianapolis
4. Ellis Herbert, Rushville, Ind.
5. Larry Schuler, Lockport, Ill.
6. Wayne Arnold, Indianapolis
7. Ray Fullen, Anderson, Ind.
8. Ray Barnard, Ann Arbor, Mich.
9. Gene Christie, Gaston, Ind.
10.Mike Eddy, Kawkawlin, Mich.

Heat #2 –

1. Randy Sweet, Portage, Mich.
2. Don Lamb, Milford, Ohio
3. Neal Sceva, Urbana, Ohio
4. Ray Young, Dolton, Ill.
5. Dave Sorg, Fort Wayne, Ind.
6. Jim Brandenburg, Springfield, Ohio
7. L.J. Lines, Greensboro, Ind.
8. Robin Schildknecht, Louisville, Ky.
9. Rick Knotts, Kalamazoo, Mich.
10.Warren Howard, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Championship –

1. Jerry Makara
2. Rodney Combs, Mason, Ohio
3. Don Lamb
4. Neal Sceva
5. L.J. Lines
6. Dave Sorg
7. Mike Eddy
8. Ellis Herbert
9. Wayne Arnold
10.Jim Brandenburg
11.Ray Fullen
12.Gene Christie
13.Ray Barnard
14.Lonnie Breedlove
15.Vern Schrock
16.Larry Schuler
17.Randy Sweet
18.Rick Knotts
19.Glenn Ohlmann, Louisville, Ky.
20.Robin Schildknecht
21.Ray Young
22.Junior Hanley, Burlington, Ont.
23.LaMarr Marshall, Louisville, Ky.
24.Bobby Davis, Louisville, Ky.
25.Warren Howard, Fort Wayne, Ind.
26.Dicky Howard, Owensboro, Ky.