1972 - Jones, Schuler win Twin-50’s at Grundy

Lee Schuler 

Morris, Ill. (July 3, 1972) - Tom Jones of Northbrook and Lee Schuler of Lockport scored open-competition late model wins Monday night at the Grundy County Speedway in the first annual Twin-50 races.

The first race saw the fastest qualifiers start up front and Ed Hoffman of Niles had that honor. But, just like Indianapolis, the winner doesn’t always come from the pole spot.

Jones, starting on the outside ran wheel-to-wheel with Hoffman through one lap before an accident stopped the race. Of the three cars colliding in the third turn, Elmer Embery of South Chicago was eliminated for the evening.

Hoffman led Jones for four laps before Hoffman looped in the first turn. Jones ducked inside and avoided Hoffman, but Schuler hit him nearly head-on and both cars slid into the infield and out of the race.

From there on things were easy for Jones, fresh from two victories in Lost Creek, Kentucky. A seven-car pile-up on the 27th lap stopped the race again with Carl Major of Chicago falling out. On the restart Jones pulled away from second place Whitey Gerken of Villa Park for the win. Gary Zobel of Mundelein took third place after a race-long battle with Bob Wawak of Villa Park. Bob Roper of Chicago was fifth.

The second race found Hoffman back on the pole, due to his dropping out first and Schuler alongside. Meanwhile Jones, Gerken, Zobel and the rest were at the back of the pack due to their finish in the first race.

Again, Hoffman gained control ay the green flag, but Schuler stayed close behind grabbing the lead at the start-finish line on the 16th lap. These two rocketed around the track never more than a few car lengths apart as Gerken settled down in third with Jones, after several challenge's, in fourth and Bob Dotter of Chicago fifth.

The large crowd sensed a close finish as Schuler and Hoffman kissed bumpers on the 35th and 37th lap Hoffman then tried the inside, outside and everything, but fell just one car length short at the finish.

Schuler's victory was especially popular with the fans as the local driver ran the final race minus the hood and right fender which were crumpled in the first race accident.

Jones was declared the overall winner with Gerken second considering the finishes in both races.

Preliminary races were won by Schuler, Roper and Dotter.


Results –


Feature #1 - 

1. Tom Jones
2. Whitey Gerken
3. Gary Zobel
4. Bob Wawak
5. Bob Roper
6. Rich Oertel
7. Tom Musgrave
8. Rich Sundling
9. Chuck Klein
10.Frank Ropp

Feature #2 - 

1. Lee Schuler
2. Ed Hoffman
3. Whitey Gerken
4. Tom Jones
5. Bob Dotter
6. Bob Roper
7. Gary Zobel
8. Bob Wawak
9. Rich Sundling
10.Rich Oertel