1954 – Texan Sets Mark in Des Moines Stock Car Race

Jim Ward, covered in dust and sweat, drinks a quart of milk after winning the 125-mile stock car race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

Des Moines, Iowa (July 18, 1954) – Jim Ward, a 38-year-old Houston, Tex., bachelor set an International Motor Contest Association record Sunday afternoon in winning the protested 250-lap stock car race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds’ half-mile track.

A crowd estimated at 10,000 saw Ward, driving a 1953 Hudson, cover the 125 miles in 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 50.98 seconds. The old mark of 2 hours, 22 minutes, 37.64 seconds, was set by Ernie Derr of Fort Madison, here in 1953.

Derr, piloting a 1954 Oldsmobile, finished second on Sunday, bettering his Des Moines half-mile track record during time trials. He circled the dirt oval in 31.64 seconds, topping his previous standard of 32.63 seconds.

A protest was filed following the race by two drivers whose names were not revealed. One driver claimed Ward’s car was not strictly stock, the other said the same of Derr’s.

Both cars were impounded by IMCA officials immediately after the race and would be inspected the next morning.

Derr took the early lead, but was passed by Keokuk brother-in-law Don White, driving a 19654 Oldsmobile, after 10 laps. After 15 laps. Ward pulled in front of Derr, and at the end of 25 circuits, White, Ward, and Derr were bumper-to-bumper.

Ward and Derr passed White on the 39th lap and after 56 laps White pulled in for his first of six pit stops. From that point on, White was never among the leaders again, although he finished seventh with 219 laps completed.

Derr took over the lead on lap 60, with Ward running second, and two Anita drivers, Mel Krueger, and Bob Ward, third and fourth, respectively. Krueger, driving a 1953 Hudson, finished fourth.

Ward made his first pit stop on lap 137 and Derr moved two laps in front of him, but Derr had to stop and have his tires changed after 145 laps and Ward moved in front.

Derr had nearly overtaken Ward, but another pit stop by Derr to have a tire changed on lap 194 allowed Ward to move two laps in front and nearly assured his victory.

Ward, who didn’t have to make another pit stop, finished the race one lap ahead of Derr and 12 laps in front of Sonny Gross of Quincy, Ill.

Gross lost a tire on lap 245 and went around the track two times before officials flagged him in.


Results –


1. Jimmy Ward, Houston, Tex.
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk
3. Sonny Gross, Quincy, Ill.
4. Mel Kreuger, Anita
5. R.G. Eberts, Smithville, Mo.
6. Pete Peterson, Chicago
7. Don White, Keokuk
8. Jim Page, Kansas City
9. Dick Jepson, Hoxie, Kan.
10.Bill Lehman, Hutchinson, Kan.
11.Jack Housby, Des Moines
12.Chris Skadal, Des Moines
13.Don Jahnke, Topeka, Kan.
14.Doc Narber, Cedar Rapids
15.Jack Skadal, Des Moines

Jimmy Ward whips his Hudson around a curve en route to winning the 125-mile IMCA stock car race at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.