1970 – Leavitt Drives His Super to State Title

Eddie Leavitt is presented his trophy after winning the Missouri Super Modified Championship at Sedalia. Starter Larry Shipley holds the checkers while IMCA’s Woody Brinkman makes the presentation.  – MRA Collection 

Sedalia, Mo. (August 28, 1970) – Eddie Leavitt grooved his super modified from the pole position on Friday night to capture the Missouri Super Modified Championships on the State Fairgrounds’ half-mile track.

Leavitt, who was locked in a fierce battle for the lead in the first 12 laps with Roy Hibbard of Marshall, Mo., last year’s winner, and Flea Atkin of Holts Summit, Mo., now adds his name to elite corps of drivers that have amassed the state modified title.

Hibbard roared from his outside position on the third row on the initial lap to grab the lead, with Atkin and Leavitt in hot pursuit. On lap 11, Atkin took over the top spot as Hibbard suddenly pulled to a stop in the infield with mechanical trouble.

Atkin stayed in the lead until lap 24 when Leavitt took over; from then on, it was pretty much of a one car show for first place.

The Kearney, Mo., pilot began lapping the field late in the race, before yellow flags bunched the field once again.

Following Leavitt across the finish line was Atkin in second, Tom Corbin of Carrollton, Mo., in third, Steve Schultz of Chillicothe, Mo., finishing fourth and Bill Utz of Sedalia, Mo., rounding out the top five.

Utz started behind the wheel Roy Cary’s #44 super modified out of Booneville, Mo., and started well back in the field in the 18th position when the cars took the green flag for the race.


Results –


1. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
2. Shorty Atkin, Windsor, Mo.
3. Tom Corbin, Carrollton, Mo.
4. Steve Schultz, Chillicothe, Mo.
5. Bill Utz, Sedalia, Mo.
6. Jay Lyle, Warrensburg, Mo.
7. Bud McCune, Linneus, Mo.
8. Cliff Lilly, Kansas City
9. Al Bodenhamer, Kansas City
10.Tom Makings, Marshall, Mo.