1959 – Harold Leep in an Upset at Sedalia

Harold Leep drove Chet Wilson's "Offy Killer" to an upset win at Sedalia. 

Sedalia, Mo. (August 23, 1959) – Harold Leep of Wichita, Kan., assumed the role of giant killer on Sunday afternoon as he drove Chet Wilson's Chevrolet-powered sprint car to a startling victory over a field of some of the nation’s top Offenhauser's.

The Kansas chauffeur did it the hard way, coming from a 10th starting position on a hard, slick speedway as a crowd of more than 16,000 roared their approval.

Early leader and the apparent winner in the early stages of the race, Jim Hurtubise of Lennox, Calif., borrowing a page from 1958 IMCA national champ Bobby Grim’s textbook, drove his #69 Offenhauser high into the turns for “better bite”, but ran out of his kind of race track a lap or two after the head starter gave the crossed flags signaling the halfway point in the race.

His quest for the elusive footing eventually proved to be the Californian’s undoing. On 20th and final lap, Hurtubise got loose and sent boards from the fence flying in turns three and four. Elmer George of Speedway, Ind., driving the HOW Special and running second, spun trying to avoid Hurtubise, allowing Leep to speed past both drivers and take the checkered.


Results –

1. Harold Leep
2. Bob Cleburg
3. Pete Folse
4. Colby Scroggins
5. Jerry Blundy
6. Dale Reed
7. Billy Nelson
8. Herschel Wagner
9. Johnnie Pouelson
10. Duke Hindahl