1971 – Record 10,465 See Hilmer Capture Mid-Season Title

Des Moines, Iowa (July 24, 1971) - John Connolly, Don Hoffman and Stan Stover all suffered heart break Saturday night and Bob Hilmer of Dysart was there to take advantage and won the 35-lap mid-season late model stock car championship at the State Fairgrounds.

Dick Gustin of Des Moines became a three-time winner, capturing the 15-lap sportsman feature in another thrilling race.

A record crowd of 10,465 saw the lead change several times in the late model main event with Hilmer taking the lead on the 27th lap to win his third feature of the season. Hilmer collected $500 plus a bonus of $100 for winning the mid-season title.

Connolly of Delhi started on the first row in the mid-season championship race and led the first 22 laps. Just when he was running away from the field, Connolly’s 1969 Mercury Cyclone pulled to the infield with gear problems.

Hoffman, running second at the time, inherited the point. He and Hilmer dueled door handle to door handle for four laps until Hoffman pulled into the pits with a bad radiator. Hilmer took charge after that.

Stover, who was second in points at the halfway mark, was right behind Connolly until lap 11 when he had to pit to change a flat tire. He would mount a comeback and finish 10th.

Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids would finish second and Dan Dickey of Packwood would take third.

Gustin nearly felt the same misfortune as the late model pilots. His 1965 Chevelle started spewing smoke as early as the third lap. Gustin mentioned in victory lane afterwards that his oil pressure was low and that if the race had been longer, he probably wouldn’t have made it to the finish.

Joe Merryfield of Des Moines, who finished second and Lee Pinckney, also of Des Moines, who was third, gave Gustin a good battle to the end.


Results –


Late Model -

1. Bob Hilmer, Dysart
2. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
3. Dan Dickey, Packwood
4. Dave Chase, Council Bluffs
5. Bob Bonser, Liscomb
6. Larry Embrey, Grimes
7. Morey Willis, Van Horne
8. Ken Davidson, Des Moines
9. Gary Jones, Des Moines
10.Stan Stover, Reinbeck


Sportsman -

1. Dick Gustin, Des Moines
2. Joe Merryfield, Des Moines
3. Lee Pinckney, Des Moines
4. Virgil Webb, Des Moines
5. Phil Reece, Des Moines
6. Roger Bruce, Des Moines
7. Cliff Van Zandt, Des Moines
8. Bill Davis, Des Moines
9. Bob Dishman, Des Moines
10.DeWayne Manchester, Des Moines