Mike Haugen of Sioux Falls
established himself with the best of late model drivers by capturing the “Challenge
Cup III” at State Fairgrounds Speedway. Haugen is shown accepting the giant
trophy from Tony Dean, President of South Dakota Motorsports Association, and
racestopper Linda Muth.
Huron, S.D. (July 23, 1974) - A 22-year-old Sioux Falls driver, Mike Haugan, who has been having a year of problems on the late model stock car circuit, overcame his troubles here Tuesday night by winning the Challenge Cup III at State Fairgrounds Speedway and in the process gained $600 for his outstanding performance.
Haugan, a five-year veteran of late models and a regular at Huset’s Speedway in Sioux Falls and Fairmont Speedway in Fairmont, Minn., was elated after being presented the huge Challenge Cup trophy, commenting that his car "worked beautifully, just great.”A yellow flag late in the race forced the scheduled 50-lapper to go an extra three laps with Haugan and Don Pruess of Pierre and Willie Yost of Miller completing each lap.
Following Haugan in the placing of the top 10 cars in the race were Pruess, Yost, Roger Saathoff of Estelline, Jim Rawden of Aberdeen, Dale Peterson of Garretson, Gary Sieber of Columbia, Ron Muth of Huron, Roger Swenson of Watertown and Alan Gregg of Pierre.
Haugan actually won more than $600 in the big South Dakota Motorsports Association sponsored classic as he captured the fourth heat, joining Yost, Swenson and Bob Tong of Miller as heat winners. Cresbard’s Mel Lerew won the consolation race.
Haugan's victory was also an upset of kinds for most of the fans who packed the grandstand and bleachers as the race was expected to be a Chevrolet-Ford battle from start to finish. He won the race with his number four 1966 Plymouth, powered by a 446 cubic inch engine. Runner-up honors went to a Ford.
Before the race began, four of the most favored drivers Tong, Swenson, Yost and Haugan — were found in the first two rows of the 24-car starting field Swenson shot into the lead on the first lap and it looked as if a dream was about to come true for the Watertown ace as he held down the lead spot for the first 19 laps.
Haugan was applying pressure on Swenson going into the third curve area on the 20th lap and then the cars made broadside contact. Haugan managed to pull ahead and then Swenson blew a front tire to ruin his chances of winning. From there on, it was victory for the Sioux Falls youth as nothing could stop him.
A battle developed for second place, which was worth $500 as Yost held down the runner-up spot until Pruess squeezed by on the 39th lap. When Huron’s LaVern Styer lost a wheel on the front straightaway on the 44th lap, the cars were allowed to bunch up under the yellow flag, but when the green fell again on the 51st lap. Pruess managed to hold on.
A host of political dignitaries were on hand for the race with Governor Richard F. Kneip serving as grand marshal. Racing announcer Stew Reamer of Minneapolis, Minn., helped Tony Dean in announcing the races.
It was the first Challenge Cup victory for a South Dakota driver as the father and son team of Bill and Tim McDonough of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, won the first two classics.
Results –
Heat #1 – Bob Tong, Miller
Heat #2 – Roger Swenson, Watertown
Heat #3 – Willie Yost, Miller
Heat #4 – Mike Haugan, Sioux Falls
Consolation – Mel Lerew, Cresbard
Feature –
1. Mike Haugan
2. Don Pruess, Pierre
3. Willie Yost
4. Roger Saathoff, Estelline
5. Jim Rawden, Aberdeen
6. Dale Peterson, Garrettson
7. Gary Sieber, Columbia
8. Ron Muth, Huron
9. Roger Swenson
10.Alan Gregg, Pierre
11.James Zimmerman, Slayton, Minn.
12.Jerry Noteboom, Phillips
13.Lavern Styer, Huron
14.Cal Jung, Aberdeen
15.Don Wagner, Miller
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