1968 – Regional Fair Race to Eaker

Promoter Homer Melton greets feature winner Verlin Eaker in victory lane. 

Des Moines, Iowa (August 17, 1968) - Verlin Eaker of Cedar Rapids, in a surprise move Saturday night, returned to International Motor Contest Association regional late-model stock car racing and won the 30-lap feature at the Iowa State Fair.

An estimated 9,500 race fans watched Eaker win in 13 minutes and 39 seconds.

International Motor Contests Association officials had reported August 9 that Eaker would compete on the IMCA’s national circuit. Officials also said at that time Eaker’s 1967 Dodge would be sold to Ed Janey of Cedar Rapids.

Officials said that car owner Larry Ryan of Marion refused to allow Eaker to drive the car in longer national circuit races and would not allow the sale to Janey.

Eaker, the point leader in weekly races at the Fairgrounds, took the lead from Lem Blankenship of Keokuk on the 23rd lap.

The victory was worth $500 for Eaker. Blankenship received $350; third-place Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, $200; fourth-place Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill., $175, and fifth-place finisher Bob Hilmer, Dysart, $150.

Montgomery had the fastest qualifying time, 26.85 seconds, and won the 10-lap consolation and 5-lap trophy dash. John Connolly of Delhi, Darrell Dake, and Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn., won heat races.

Results –


Heat #1 – John Connolly, Delhi
Heat #2 – Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
Heat #3 – Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
Trophy dash – Dean Montgomery, Milan, Ill.
Consolation – Dean Montgomery
Feature –
1. Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
2. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
3. Darrell Dake
4. Dean Montgomery
5. Bob Hilmer
6. Mert Williams
7. Fred Horn, Marion
8. Dick Oldham, Des Moines
9. John Connolly
10.Roger Dolan, Lisbon
11.Dick Nesteby, Dubuque
12.Tom Hughes, Monticello
13.Al Iben, Monticello
14.Stan Stover, Reinbeck
15.Bill McDonough, Cedar Rapids