1979 – Sanger Sails in Hibbing Invitational

Ed Sanger

Hibbing, Minn. (June 11, 1979) – Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, came from his 14th starting position to capture the feature race in the $11,500 Late Model Invitational at Hibbing Raceway on Tuesday evening.

The win earned Sanger a $1,500 check, along with a trophy, and it marked the second time in five years that he has won the invitational.

Sanger had plenty of company in the race as the top four finishers were all from Iowa. Gary Crawford of Independence, Iowa captured second while third place went to Don Hoffman of Des Moines and Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa, took fourth. J.J. Smith of Appleton, Wis., rounded out the top five finishers.

Forty-nine cars were entered in the event with 24 from Minnesota, 14 from Wisconsin, seven from Iowa, three from Canada, and one from North Dakota.

Heat race winners were Johnny Johnson of Hermantown, Minn., Crawford, Dave Adams of Cameron, Wis., and Phil Prusak of Eau Claire, Wis.

Tom Nesbitt of Thunder Bay, Ontario, was the semi-main winner.


Results –


Heat #1 – Johnny Johnson, Hermantown, Minn.
Heat #2 – Gary Crawford, Independence, Iowa
Heat #3 – Dave Adams, Cameron, Wis.
Heat #4 – Phil Prusak, Eau Claire, Wis.
Semi-main – Tom Nesbitt, Thunder Bay, Ontario
Feature –
1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo, Iowa
2. Gary Crawford
3. Don Hoffman, Des Moines
4. Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville, Iowa
5. J.J. Smith, Appleton, Wis.
6. Leon Plank, Mondovi, Wis.
7. Tom Nesbitt
8. Duane Erickson, Superior, Wis.
9. Punky Manor, Altoona, Wis.
10.Dan Nesteby, Waterloo, Iowa