1967 – Droste Not Washed Up

Luvern "Red" Droste

Monticello, Iowa (June 2, 1967) - All washed up? Over the hill? Too old to cut the mustard?

Uh-uh, not Red Droste!

And if you were at Air View Speedway here Friday night, you’d know the red head from Waterloo definitely is contrary to the above questions.

Droste was in great form Friday during the Independence Racing Association’s program and when the night ended, he was the chauffeur who took home the biggest slices of bacon.

Red won the 20-lap feature with a nifty bit of driving, but it was his win in the B semi that was the crowd pleaser.

In the 15-lap semi, Droste and Bob Hilmer of Dysart and Cal Swanson of Reinbeck were molded together for the first six laps with Hilmer out in front. Red made his bid on the 7th lap and maneuvered his 1966 Chevelle beautifully inside of Hilmer. That is where he stayed with Hilmer and Swanson finishing second and third, respectively.

Droste started ninth in the feature, moved into the second position on lap 3 and was in command by the sixth lap. He won by 100 yards over Swanson.

Red also captured a second in the trophy dash, won by Hilmer, and was third in the second heat.

Dubuque’s Dick Nesteby had a big night, winning the second heat and the A semi and finishing third in the feature. Blackie Lyons of Cascade won the third heat event.


Results –


Heat #1 – Curt Hansen, Dike
Heat #2 – Dick Nesteby, Dubuque
Heat #3 – Blackie Lyons, Cascade
A semi – Dick Nesteby
B semi – Red Droste, Waterloo
Consolation – Fed Horn, Marion
Feature –
1. Red Droste
2. Cal Swanson, Reinbeck
3. Dick Nesteby
4. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
5. Curt Hansen
6. Roger Kruse, Independence
7. Rich Krafka, Dysart
8. Larry Curley, Oxford Junction
9. John Hill, Cedar Falls
10.Bob Hartman, Cedar Rapids