1981 – Indee Shrine Race to Ed Sanger

Ed Sanger won the fourth annual El Kahir Shrine late model race at the Independence Motor Speedway. Co-promoters Jack Hunt (left) and Vern Weber (right) join Sanger in victory lane. 

Independence, Iowa (July 14, 1981) – Veteran Ed Sanger of Waterloo, took the lead at the drop of the green flag and held it for all 50 laps to win the fourth annual El Kahir Shrine late model special at Independence Motor Speedway on Tuesday night.

Sanger was without challenge as he deftly maneuvered through traffic before the first quarter of the event was completed. Likewise, runner-up Greg Kastli of Waterloo, also raced to an easy finish.

The real battle was for third and that race was won by Rick Wendling of Hazelton. Wendling was locked in a fierce battle with Gary Tigges of Durango, Red Dralle of Evansdale, Dick Schiltz of Waterloo, and Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls. When that quintet crossed the finish line, they ran in that order and Sanger was right behind them. Everyone else had been lapped at least once.

The sportsman feature saw a see-saw battle that saw four official lead changes. Dennis Dugan of Colesburg won the 25-lap feature but not without constant pressures from Randy Frush of Jesup and Alan Wessels of Strawberry Point.


Results –


Heat #1 – A.E. Mayner, Winthrop
Heat #2 – Rick Wendling, Hazelton
Heat #3 – Greg Kastli, Waterloo
Consolation – Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
Feature –
1. Ed Sanger, Waterloo
2. Greg Kastli
3. Rick Wendling
4. Gary Tigges, Durango
5. Red Dralle, Evansdale
6. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo
7. Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
8. Curt Martin, Independence
9. Gary Crawford, Independence
10.Curt Hansen, Dike
11.A.E. Mayner
12.Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
13.Karl Sanger, Waterloo
14.Dan Nesteby, Waterloo
15.Dave Bentley, Fairbanks