1949 – 9,000 Watch as Grim sets Racing Record

 

Alabama State Fair manager R.H. McIntosh presents a smiling Bobby Grim his trophy for winning the IMCA big car 20-lap race at Fair Park. Starter Al Sweeney (second from left) and car owner Hector Honore far right) join in the celebration. 

Birmingham, Ala. (April 10, 1949) – A new star has risen in the auto racing elements. He is young, 23-year-old Bobby Grim of Indianapolis.

Sunday at the Alabama State Fairgrounds, Grim thrilled a crowd of 9,000 by winning the 20-lap feature. His time of 9 minutes and 3.40 seconds set a new 10-mile dirt track record. The old mark of 9 minutes and 8.32 seconds was set by Emory Collins at Des Moines, Iowa.

In turning in his record victory, the young Grim beat out such stars as Frankie Luptow of Detroit, Deb Snyder of Kent, Ohio, and Red Redmond of Richmond, Va.

The victory brought Grim added points to his national dirt track total. In addition, he received a trophy from the Alabama State Fair Authority.

After four laps of the feature race, the outcome was never in doubt. Grim maintained his lead throughout the race and held a 10-car-length edge at the finish.

In addition to the feature, Grim took home two other top honors. He turned in the fastest qualifying time, 26.03 seconds for the half-mile, and also won a match race, nipping Red Redmond by a car-length in three laps.

Grim almost made it again in the Alabama Inaugural, losing to Snyder in a close 5-lap race.

Frank Luptow was not to be left out, taking the National Speedway 5-lapper with Bert Hellmueller of Louisville, Ky., winning the American Triumph 5-lapper.