1969 – 7,100 See Hilmer Win at Des Moines

A happy Bob Hilmer is joined by co-promoters Johnny Beauchamp (left) and Homer Melton after his victory in Des Moines. – Beetle Bailey Photo

Des Moines, Iowa (May 24, 1969) – Bob Hilmer of Dysart guided his smoking 1965 Chevelle to victory in the wild, 25-lap late model stock car main event before an estimated crowd of 7,110 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Saturday.

Hilmer developed engine trouble early on in the feature and his exhaust streamed a thick trail of white smoke throughout the accident-marred event.

However, he managed to fend off Keokuk’s Lem Blankenship in the final laps to gain the triumph.

There was a four-car pileup on the fifth lap, started when a 1967 Chevelle driven by Tom Stewart of Washington careened into an identical model drive by Joe Alsin. Stewart’s car spun out of control and flipped twice. He escaped injury.

Bill Moyer of Des Moines, driving a Corvette, and Roger Dolan of Lisbon, piloting a Plymouth Roadrunner, were the others involved in the mishap. They also escaped unharmed, but their cars were damaged extensively.

Don Hoffman of Des Moines won his second straight sportsman feature. He pulled away at the start in his 1957 Chevrolet and was never threatened throughout the 15-lapper.


Results –


Sportsman –

1. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
2. Larry Embrey, Panora
3. Lynn Komrie, Van Meter
4. Gary Jones, Des Moines
5. Ed Perryman, Des Moines
6. Dick Gustin, Des Moines
7. Carl Vander Wal, Ames


Late Model –

1. Bob Hilmer, Dysart
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids
4. George Barton, Ankeny
5. Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
6. Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids
7. Dick Oldham, Des Moines
8. Lyle Behne, Rock Island, Ill.
9. Bud Kohl, Cedar Rapids
10.Bill Schwader, Davenport