1955 – White Wins, Hilmer Sets Record

Herschel Buchanan (left) congratulates Bob Hilmer after the young Dysart, Iowa, driver established a new national one-lap record around the Sioux Empire half-mile. Buchanan had previously held the record. – Herb Qualset Photo

Sioux Falls, S.D. (July 28, 1955) – Don White, who had been beset by mechanical troubles for several weeks in his 1955 Oldsmobile, found the shoe on the other foot Sunday as he won the 100-lap feature for late model stock cars at the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds.

It was the mechanical failure of another 1955 Oldsmobile which enabled White, the little Keokuk, Iowa, driver, to take first place.

Bob Hilmer of Dysart, Iowa, established a new national record of 29.770 seconds in his one-lap qualifying spin and then set a new national mark in winning his heat race. Hilmer, a comparative newcomer to late model stock car racing, sailed into the lead of the 100-lap feature and looked like he would stay there.

With only 11 laps to go, Hilmer’s car was forced to drop off the pace with a badly smoking front wheel bearing and White passed him as he limped around the track. On lap 93, Hilmer headed to the pit area, with his right front tire ablaze from the heat.

It was a bad break for Hilmer, who had burst into national prominence with a 100-mile victory here in June for his first major victory.

Steady driving Bill Harrison of Topeka, Kan., took second and Bob Potter of Duluth, Minn., was third.

The final was marred by a spill on the 90th lap when Chris Skadal of Des Moines flipped his brand-new ‘555 Chevrolet and was taken to a local hospital for overnight observation.

The track was exceedingly fast with 10 drivers topping Buchanan’s old mark of 31.48 seconds during time trials.

Buchanan’s car popped a tire on lap 83 while riding in third place behind Hilmer and White. He wound up ninth place after a tire change.


Results –


1. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Bill Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
3. Bob Potter, Duluth, Minn.
4. Paul Newkirk, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
5. Doc Narber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
6. Bob Brown, Springfield, Mo.
7. Roxy Dancy, Shreveport, La.
8. Delmar Donaldson, Burlington, Iowa
9. Herschel Buchanan, Shreveport, La.
10.DeWayne Lund, Anita, Iowa