1984 - Queen City Opener Nets Senneker 48th Win

Bob Senneker wheeled his Camaro to victory at Queen City Speedway in the season opener for the American Speed Association. Presenting the trophy is Wendell Turley, manager for Helme Tobacco, the series’ sponsor. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

West Chester, Ohio (April 8, 1984) – The number 84 emblazoned on Bob Senneker’s Pontiac Firebird may well prophecy “the year of 84,” as the winningest driver in American Speed Association history inaugurated the ASA stock car series at Queen City Speedway on Sunday by edging Dick Trickle in the Silver Creek 200 before a standing room only crowd.

ASA career win number 48 – four times more than any other driver – was done in stiletto-smooth Senneker style, as he led the final 82 circuits of the 200-lap race with Trickle hanging on his back porch, managing a scant one-second margin at the finish. Butch Miller was a close third.

Trickle, the fastest qualifier, sprang from his pole position to lead the first nine laps. Butch Miller knifed his way into lead on lap 10 but Senneker displayed an uncharacteristic amount of early-race eagerness by handling Miller to take over first place on lap 47.

Senneker’s day was nearly spoiled on lap 64 when Doug Klein and Dave Simko spun in his path off the fourth turn, causing Senneker to brake hard and allowing Miller back into the lead.

Miller led until another caution period occurred at lap 107 – a time when a majority of the 16 cars still on the lead lap went in for service.

With most of his pursuers working their way forward after pit stops, Senneker recorded the sixth and final lead change of the race when he passed Mike Eddy on lap 118.

Eddy had plenty of fight left, however, and challenged Senneker until lap 148 when Dennis Vogel and Joe Shear tangled and slid into the first turn collecting a hapless Kent Stauffer, who also spun into the path of Eddy’s. The machines of Vogel, Stauffer, and Eddy would be parked for the duration.

While Trickle showed his Firebird the whip for the final 50 circuits, the best he could muster was a two-car-length separation between himself and Senneker’s rear bumper.

Senneker pocketed $6,100 for the win out of a $44,975 purse.

Counted on the lead lap behind Senneker were Trickle, Miller, Mark Martin, Jim Sauter, Alan Kulwicki, and rookie Ken Lund.


Results –


1. Bob Senneker
2. Dick Trickle
3. Butch Mille
4. Mark Martin
5. Jim Sauter
6. Alan Kulwicki
7. Ken Lund
8. Joe Shear
9. Harold Fair
10.Bobby Dotter
11.Mark Malcuit
12.Tom Jones
13.Doug Klein
14.Tom Harrington
15.Jim Nussbaum
16.Don Gregory
17.Jeep Pflum
18.Dave Simko
19.Dave Weltmeyer
20.Jeff Schwister