1972 – Shanklin Waits 15 Years for Second Dayton 500 Flag

Jack Shanklin

New Bremen, Ohio (September 10, 1972) – Jack Shanklin appeared to be out for an afternoon drive Sunday as he breezed to victory in the 19th annual Dayton 500 for ARCA new model stock cars at New Bremen Speedway.

Driving the Don Thompson 1972 Monte Carlo, Shanklin took the lead on lap 191 and went on to score the victory. Shanklin won the event 15 years ago, in 1957, driving a 1957 Chevrolet at Dayton Speedway.

This was Shanklin’s first victory in five years in ARCA competition. Shanklin completed the distance in 3 hours and 18 minutes to pocket $2,275 from the $14,500 purse.

After the race, Shanklin remarked, “I had a good car that really handled well. I could drive with one arm to rest my neck and back.”

Following Shanklin to the finish line, 15 laps back, was Ron Hutcherson who qualified Leonard Blanchard’s car. Blanchard drove the final 200 laps.

Delmar Clark led the first 19 laps with Tom Bowsher taking over the lead on lap 20. Bowsher led to lap 79 when he and Shanklin spun giving the lead back to Clark.

Dave Dayton took the lead on lap 160 when a pit stop put Clark back out front a third time. Shanklin would, however, take the lead for good on lap 191.

There were numerous yellow flags throughout the race but no serious accidents. Fifty-one laps were run under caution.

Bobby Watson was fast qualifier on the half-mile paved oval with a clocking of 19.70 seconds in his 1972 Camaro.


Results –


1. Jack Shanklin
2. Ron Hutcherson
3. Cliff Hamm
4. Delmar Clark
5. Dave Dayton
6. Bob Coffey
7. Ralph Young
8. Kenny Black
9. Bobby Watson
10. Gary Weinbroer
11. Kenny Kirby
12. Dave Sorg
13. Dave Carey
14. Tom Spaugh
15. Grant Wilmot
16. Tony Schiller
17. A. Arnold
18. Bob McCoy
19. Bill Jackson
20. J.G. Linne