1958 – George Wins Dayton Inaugural

Elmer George made it a clean sweep on the afternoon during the USAC sprint car season opener at Dayton Speedway. George set fast time, won his heat, and the 30-lap feature. - Ken Coles Photo 

Dayton, Ohio (March 23, 1958) – A crowd of 5,500 watched as Elmer George of Indianapolis, easily win the 30-lap United States Auto Club Midwest 30-lap feature, the first sprint car race of the season at Dayton Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

George piloted the HOW Special against the 13-car field. Eddie Sachs of Center Valley, Penn., placed second in the Cheesman Offy and A.J. Foyt of Houston Tex., was third in the Columbus Auto Parts Special.

Rex Easton of Springfield, Ill., and Ed Elisian of Indianapolis placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

The 29-year-old George also won the opening 8-lap heat, setting a new track record of 2 minutes and 36.40 seconds, and also turning the day’s fastest lap in time trials, wheeling around the paved half-mile oval in 19.10 seconds.

He pocketed $1,005 of the $5,000 purse for his efforts.

In the first heat, George Amick of Venice, Calf., spun into the infield as he attempted to pass Don Branson of Champaign, Ill. The extent of Amick’s injuries were not immediately known.


Results –


1. Elmer George
2. Eddie Sachs
3. A.J. Foyt
4. Rex Easton
5. Ed Elisian
6. Don Branson
7. Al Miller
8. John Roberts
9. Bob King
10.Johnny White