1972 – Phillips Drives to IMCA Win

A Mar-Car, Inc., official gives the green flag to polesitter Larry Phillips (75) for the 50-lap IMCA stock car feature at Shreveport. Phillips would go on to win the event. – Bill Causey Jr. Photo

Shreveport, La. (October 28, 1972) – Larry Phillips, a picture in studied nonchalance, fended off challenge after challenge in his blue and white 1970 Chevelle Saturday to win the 50-lap International Motor Contest Association new model stock car feature at the Louisiana State Fair Speedway.

In winning the feature, Phillips broke the 50-lap world record with a clocking off 18 minutes and 11.02 seconds, erasing the old mark just set last Saturday by Phil Cronin of Houston, Tex.

Phillips also cracked the world mark for 12 laps by posting a time of 4 minutes and 28.26 seconds in winning the first heat. The old marks were also set by Cronin last Saturday – 4 minutes and 29.65 seconds.

To make the day even more memorable for Phillips and the Internal Revenue Service, Phillips also pocketed more prize money by winning the 5-lap STP trophy dash.

Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who placed fifth in the feature and third in the fourth heat, did nothing to hurt his chances of winning his first IMCA national championship.

In the feature, Phillips was constantly at sword’s with Cronin who won the trophy dash, heat and 50-lap feature last Saturday.

From the outset, Phillips took the lead, but Cronin shadowed him and passed Phillips in front of the grandstand on lap 17.

On the 25th circuit, Phillips returned the favor and from that point on, the two drivers exchanged the lead another four times before Phillips got the lead for keeps on lap 38.

Cronin, who commanded center ring with his driving performance last week, finished second. Freddie Cook of West Monroe, Lou., took third with Norman Blythe of Houston, Tex., in fourth and Irv Janey in fifth.


Results –


1. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
2. Phil Cronin, Houston, Tex.
3. Freddie Cook, West Monroe
4. Norman Blythe, Houston, Tex.
5. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
6. Terry Brumley, Springfield, Mo.
7. Mike Crofford, Houston, Tex.
8. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
9. Tony Bettenhausen Jr. Tinley Park, Ill.
10.Larry Richardson, Gunter, Tex.
11.Tommy Taylor, Houston, Tex.
12.Dallas Kirkfield, New Orleans