1962 – Crash Helps Gerken Win Illiana Race

Whitey Gerken (44) races against Curtis Turner (20) during the USAC late model stock car race at Illiana. Gerken would go on to win the race while Turner would finish second. – Wayne Bryant Photo/Stan Kalwasinski Collection

Schererville, Ind. (July 21, 1962) – A capacity crowd watched Whitey Gerken of Melrose Park, Ill., capture the USAC late model stock car 100-lapper at Illiana Speedway on Saturday night.

Gerken’s victory only came after race leader Paul Goldsmith of St. Clair Shores, Mich., dropped out on the 69th lap by a spectacular accident.

Goldsmith, who set a qualifying record of 24.24 seconds during time trials, was dominating the race, and had lapped all but five cars when Whitey Traeder of Milwaukee got the “move-over” flag to let Goldsmith by.

The wheel on Traeder’s car suddenly came off and landed on the track. Goldsmith’s 1962 Pontiac hit the wheel while going 90 miles per hour and flew into the air. When his car landed, it jarred off the oil pan and caught fire. Goldsmith roared down the straightaway like a Roman candle before grounding to a halt. Illiana’s fire brigade doused the blaze and Goldsmith stepped away with only minor scratches.

Gerken, who had been running second, inherited the top spot and took his 1962 Chevrolet to victory followed by Curtis Turner of Roanoke, Va., in a 1962 Ford, Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, in a 1962 Ford, Norm Nelson of Racine, Wis., in a 1962 Ford, and Gene Marmor of Schiller Park, Ill., in a 1960 Chevrolet.


Results –


1. Whitey Gerken, Melrose Park, Ill.
2. Curtis Turner, Roanoke, Va.
3. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Norm Nelson, Racine, Wis.
5. Gene Marmor, Schiller Park, Ill.
6. Troy Ruttman, Dearborn, Mich.
7. Elmer Musgrave, Niles, Ill.
8. Whitey Johnson, Hammond