1969 – Tri-County 100-Lapper to Don White

Don White

West Chester, Ohio (April 20, 1969) – Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, maneuvered his paved-track 1969 Dodge Charger to a five-car-length victory Sunday afternoon in the 100-lap United States Auto Club late model stock car feature at Tri-County Speedway.

White, driving the car over the half-mile dirt, took the lead on the 95th lap from Jerry Smith of Medina, Wis., who settled for second in a 1967 Plymouth.

Smith led for 11 laps after Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, spun out and lost three laps before returning. Eaker, who wound up third, was driving White’s dirt-track car that he just purchased. Eaker had paced the field of 20 drivers for 66 circuits.

A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., the three-time Indianapolis 500 winner and defending USAC stock car national champion, lost oil pressure in his 1969 Ford Torino and never made the race.

Roger McCluskey of Tucson, Ariz., finished fourth in a 1969 Plymouth and Paul Feldner of Colgate, Wis., was fifth in a 1967 Ford.

Results –

1. Don White
2. Jerry Smith
3. Verlin Eaker
4. Roger McCluskey
5. Paul Feldner
6. J.J. Smith
7. Jay Behimer
8. Glen Bradley
9. Dave Whitcomb
10.Lefty Robinson
11.Dave Hirschfield
12.Jack Knippel
13.Dale Jett
14.Butch Hartman
15.Baldy McLaren