Mike Derr accepts his trophy after winning the Missouri International for IMCA new model stock cars on the Sedalia mile. Al Hall (far left) presents the checkers while Jimmy Glenn interviews the winner. IMCA promoter Al Sweeney (far right) joins in the festivities.
Sedalia, Mo. (August 25, 1973) – The familiar name of Derr and Dodge once again occupied victory lane after the Missouri International 101-lap new model stock car race on the Missouri State Fairgrounds’ huge one-mile dirt oval.
But the familiar face was that of Keokuk, Iowa, driver Mike Derr, not his father Ernie, who has dominated the IMCA new model stock car competition for so many years.
The win was Derr’s third straight with all three coming within a week’s time. Mike’s younger brother Russ brought a 1969 Dodge Charger home in third place in his first race on the mile oval, and only the fifth race of his career.
Derr was followed across the finish line by Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., driving for David Goldsberry, another Springfield area racer.
Phillips had jumped into the early lead followed by Fred Horn of Marion, Iowa, and Gerry Harrison of Topeka, Kan. Horn was forced to duck into the pits for a change of tires during a caution on lap 40, losing a lap. Harrison’s engine would soon sour, and he would be forced to let up on the gas just to finish the race.
Phillips and Derr also headed to the pit area on lap 40, with Derr grabbing the advantage as they exited the pit area and taking the lead.
Horn won the 1972 race in his own car, this year he drove the 1970 Plymouth that carried Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to the IMCA title last year. Janey is at home recovering from burns received in a USAC stock car race in Michigan in July.
Derr would collect $1,500 for his afternoon’s work, and little brother Russ would take home $650.
In addition to the victory, Mike broke his father’s one-lap qualifying record during time trials, touring the mile in 39.31 seconds, besting the old mark set by Ernie of 39.67 seconds in 1971.
Results –
1. Mike Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Larry Phillips, Springfield, Mo.
3. Russ Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
5. Fred Horn, Marion, Iowa
6. Tom Frasher, Jefferson City, Mo.
7. Gordy Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
8. Bud Dibben, Kansas City
9. Jim Hagar, Liberty, Mo.
10.Jim Anderson, Kansas City
11.Jim Campbell, Harrison, Ark.
12.John Oswalt, Kansas City
13.A.C. Saint, Tulsa, Okla.
14.Ray Blohm, Arlington, Tex.
15.Jim Still, Topeka, Kan.
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