1973 – Eaker Overtakes Weedon in Invitational 50 Race

Verlin Eaker won the Mid-Continent Invitational 50 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport. Herb Shannon’s car sits behind Eaker’s infamous “Nova-Caine”.

Davenport, Iowa (July 17, 1973) – Verlin Eaker regained the lead from Pleasant Valley’s Ron Weedon on lap 41 and held the top spot the remaining nine circuits around the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds’ half-mile Tuesday night to win the Mid-Continent Invitational 50 stock car race.

The Cedar Rapids veteran, who dominated nearly every race on last year’s card at the Valley Fairgrounds, started the rich 50-lapper on the pole position. He charged out front immediately and led the first 32 laps.

Weedon, who was on Eaker’s bumper the entire time, managed to get inside of his opponent in the third turn of the 33rd lap and grabbed the lead for the first time. However, Eaker hung close to Weedon and snuck by on lap 41 to take back the lead and never relinquish it.

Ramo Stott of Keokuk placed third in the star-studded field of 24 who opened the grinding race. Less than half the field was around when the checkers flew.

The feature was a three-car battle from start to finish – Eaker, Weedon, and Stott – running bumper-to-bumper the entire time. Stan Stover of Reinbeck and Mike Niffenegger of Kalona rounded out the top five finishers.

A crowd of nearly 3,000 watched the top drivers from all over Iowa and Illinois battle for the $4,000 purse.


Results –


Heat #1 – Paul Lewis, Peoria, Ill.
Heat #2 – Steve Lance, Peoria, Ill.
Heat #3 – Ed Sanger, Waterloo
Consolation – Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
Feature –
1. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
2. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
3. Ramo Stott, Keokuk
4. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
5. Mike Niffenegger, Kalona
6. Duane Steffe, East Moline, Ill.
7. Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
8. Steve Lance
9. Lem Blankenship
10.Larry Fabris, Sycamore, Ill.