1959 – Bumper crop of fans see Folse win in Algona

Pete Folse 

Algona, Iowa (August 19, 1959) – A bumper crowd of race fans saw a real “Duel in the Sun” at the Kossuth County Fairgrounds track in Algona, Iowa, on Wednesday afternoon.

The duelists were Pete Folse and A.J. Shepherd, and their battle for the top money in the 15-lap feature was one that the old-timers will be talking about in 20 years.

Folse pushed his Honore Offy to the front in the first turn, while Shepherd tucked the Abajian Offy in close behind and gave Folse a good working over that lasted for the full 15 circuits.

Folse hurried home to grab the checkered flag and set a new 15-lap track record of 6 minutes, and 8 seconds. His record run in the main event rounded out a near perfect afternoon for Folse, who earlier had topped the best of a stellar field in the 5-lap dash and his 7-lap heat race.

The popular point leader was topped only in time trials, with Shepherd setting quick time in 24.45 seconds around the 4/10-mile.


Results –


1. Pete Folse
2. A.J. Shepherd
3. Parnelli Jones
4. Bob Mathouser
5. Dick Ritchie
6. Bill Holland
7. Jimmy Jones
8. Colby Scroggins