1964 - 5,000 See Gerber Win

 

Jim Gerber flashes a smile and the checkers after winning the 30-lap modified stock car feature at Hawkeye Downs. 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (August 22, 1964) - Jim Gerber of Mount Joy, Iowa won the 30-lap feature race in the modified stock car racing before 5,000 fans at Hawkeye Downs Saturday night.

Gerber, son of former big car driver Johnny Gerber of Davenport, also captured second place in his heat.

The Hawkeye Downs point leader, Red Droste of Waterloo, won the trophy dash, failed to finish in his heat, placed third in the semi main event and finished fourth in the feature.

The races were highlighted by a five-car pileup on the next-to-last lap of the feature race. Cal Swanson of Reinbeck smashed into Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids to begin the chain reaction.

Benny Hofer added to the confusion when, on the next lap, he swerved around the tangled wreckage and hit a light pole. No one was injured.


Results –


Trophy Dash – Red Droste, Waterloo
First Heat – Verlin Eaker, Austin, Minn.
Second Heat – Tom Hughes, Monticello
Third Heat – Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
Semi-Main – Bob Hilmer, Dysart
Feature –
1. Jim Gerber, Mt. Joy
2. Tuffy Meyer, Big Rock
3. Verlin Eaker
4. Red Droste, Waterloo
5. Charlie Moffitt, Stanwood