1983 - Frink Scores in 'Chevron 50'

 

Rollie Frink won the Chevron 50 late model special at Hawkeye Raceway in Bluegrass, Iowa. Larry Dennis, owner of Chevron, hands Frink a check for his winning efforts. – Larry Bettis Photo

By Phil Roberts

Blue Grass, Iowa (June 30, 1983) – The Chevron 50, a late model special at Hawkeye Raceway, was rained out on Tuesday night but enjoyed clear skies on Thursday night.

Late models, the feature racing division, were joined by three-quarter midgets, bombers, mini-stocks, and IMA modifieds.

Davenport’s Rollie Frink dominated the late model competition, winning both his heat and the 50-lap main event. The feature victory for Frink, his first of the year at the quarter mile, was not an easy win. Although Frink led wire-to-wire, Rick Wages of Moline, Ill., challenged him in the early going and then Dave Birkhofer of Muscatine was hot on his heels in the closing stages of the race.

Frink would be chased across the finish line by Birkhofer, who was only a car-length behind him at the checkers. Jerry Conner of Pleasant Valley was third with Herschel Roberts f East Moline, Ill., fourth and Bruce Hanford of Davenport fifth.

Bob Dominacki of Bettendorf visited the winner’s circle in the bomber’s division for the fourth time this season. Jim Goodwin of Silvis, Ill., scored his first win of the season in the mini stocks while Jeff Marburger of Sabula took the win in the sportsman feature.

One of the more exciting races of the evening was the IMCA modified headliner. The position of three of the top five cars changed on the final lap.

Race-long leader Tom Herbert of Silvis, Ill., bothered by a tire going flat, dropped from first to second; Dale Fischlein of Davenport went from second to fifth; Randy Wages of Moline, Ill., managed to take his car from fifth place to victory lane.

The surprise last lap victory for Wages was his first of the season at the Raceway.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Rollie Frink, Davenport
2. Dave Birkhofer, Muscatine
3. Jerry Conners, Pleasant Valley
4. Herschel Roberts, East Moline, Ill.
5. Bruce Hanford, Davenport


IMCA Modified –

1. Randy Wages, East Moline, Ill.
2. Tom Herbert, Silvis, Ill.
3. Jim Mettlin, Cambridge, Ill.
4. Mike Schulte, Cedar Rapids
5. Dale Fischlein, Davenport


Sportsman –

1. Jeff Marburger, Sabula
2. John Durbin, Silvis, Ill.
3. Denny Anton Jr., Green Rock, Ill.
4. Gary Reinhart, Moline, Ill.
5. Ron Ver Gothem, Moline, Ill.


Bombers –

1. Bob Dominacki, Bettendorf
2. Don Vanderheyden, Moline, Ill.
3. Mel Reicks, Davenport
4. Darrell Beauchamp, Davenport
5. Brad Cook, Davenport