1977 – Kelley Dominant at Minnesota State Fair

Curt Kelley accepts his trophy after winning the 40-lap sprint car feature at the Minnesota State Fair. 

St. Paul, Minn. (August 27, 1977) – Curt Kelley of Quincy, Mich., won the 40-lap sprint car feature and a check for $1,500 at the Minnesota State Fair on Saturday afternoon.

Kelley started on the outside of the front row and led all the way on the paved, half-mile oval, defeating 19 other drivers in his Nance Chevy-powered car.

Bill Stouder of Wakeman, Ohio, finished second and Dean Best of Eden, Ohio, took third. Best had the best qualifying time of 19.62 seconds while Kelley was fourth fastest at 19.76 seconds.


Results –


Trophy dash – Rick Ferkel, Findlay, Ohio
Heat #1 – Mike Enter, Cleveland, Minn.
Heat #2- Mike Schliezel, Indianapolis
Heat #3 – Oscar Fay, Mishawaka, Ind.
Semi-main – Dick St. John, Cudahy, Wis.
Feature –
1. Curt Kelley, Quincy, Mich.
2. Bill Stouder, Wakeman, Ohio
3. Dean Best, Eden, Ohio
4. Frank Riddle, Tampa, Fla.
5. Karl Busson, Northwood, Ohio