1975 – Reffner Can’t Catch Howe in Dells Midwest Championships

Ed Howe combined second and first place finishes to claim the overall title at the Midwest Championships at Dells Motor Speedway. – Kurt Luoma Photo

 

Wisconsin Dells, Wis. (August 30, 1975) – Old master Ed Howe of Beaverton, Mich., showed them all how it's done Saturday night, by capturing the overall victory in the Midwest Championships for late models at Dells Motor Speedway. Although Howe took second behind Marv Marzofka in the first 75-lapper, his victory over the rest of the field in general, and Tom Reffner in particular, in the second, gave him the overall title.

In the first 75, Jim Sauter of Necedah, was the early pacesetter before Marzofka roared by on the 11th lap. At the same time, Dick Trickle spun his “Purple Knight” 1970 Mustang on the frontstretch, barely missing the wall. Trickle ducked into the pit area to repair a broken hose, returning to the race one lap down.

Marzofka continued to show the way with Howe and Reffner working their way through traffic. Madison’s John Ziegler had the differential break on his Camaro on lap 43, while Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids spun out nine laps later. Other than slowing the race, nothing else came of the incidents.

From then on, Marzofka was able to hold off Howe and Reffner. Tom Musgrave drove a steady race to take fourth while Rich Somers rounded out the top five.

Joe Shear jumped into an immediate lead in the second 75 with Trickle joining him. At first, it appeared the race would be a battle between these two chauffeurs, as they dueled for over 40 circuits, before Trickle finally vanquished Shear to second. Just as Trickle disposed of Shear, however, he had Howe and Reffner to contend with.

Howe’s 1975 Camaro caught Trickle on the 51st lap with Reffner’s 1974 AMC Javelin following suit on lap 53 around the third-mile paved oval. The “Blue Knight” then pressured Howe, but the “Green Hornet” wouldn’t budge and took the checkers with a car-length margin. Reffner, Trickle, Shear and Mike Miller rounded out the top five.


Results –


Time trials – Ed Howe, Beaverton, Mich. (14.527)
Trophy dash – Rich Somers, Stevens Point
Semi-main – Bob Roper, Chicago
Consolation – Denny Paasch, Marshfield
Feature #1 –
1. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
2. Ed Howe
3. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
4. Tom Musgrave, Mundelein, Ill.
5. Rich Somers
6. Jim Back, Vesper


Feature #2 –

1. Ed Howe
2. Tom Reffner
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
4. Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
5. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
6. Jim Back