1979 – Sycamore’s FASTRAK Go Captured by Iowan Connolly

 

John Connolly won the FASTRAK III late model feature at Sycamore Speedway. Miss FASTRAK Sheryl Ingersoll presents the huge trophy to Connolly. - Marty Lemmerman Photo

Sycamore, Ill. (August 23, 1979) – Ageless John Connolly of Delhi, Iowa, captured the 50-lap late model FASTRAK Clay Classic III feature at Sycamore Speedway on Thursday night. The victory was worth $1,000 to Connolly.

Mike Gardner of Batavia, Ill., led a large portion of the main event before yielding the top spot to Connolly late in the contest.

Gardner remained in second place the rest of the way and just nipped his father, Arnie, who claimed third place money. Fourth went to Al Johnson of Justice, Ill., while John Engelkens of Morris Ill., was fifth.

Of the 20 cars that started the feature, 13 were still running at the finish. However, among those forced to retire early were Al Schill of Franklin, Wis., and Whitey Harris of Lake Villa, Ill., the winners of the first two FASTRAK events, here this summer.

Asphalt driving standout, Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., when clay caked up on his windshield, hampering his visibility.

A light rain, which struck midway through qualifications, resulted in a one-hour delay in the show, However, all events were held as planned with Mike Melius of Random Lake, Wis., setting fast time. John Provenzano of Glen Ellyn, Ill., won the 6-lap trophy dash and Jim Thurman of Freeport, Ill., won the 20-lap semi-feature.


Results –


1. John Connolly, Delhi, Iowa
2. Mike Gardner, Batavia, Ill.
3. Arnie Gardner, Batavia, Ill.
4. Al Johnson, Justice, Ill.
5. John Engelkens, Morris, Ill.
6. Dick Potts, Morocco, Ind.
7. Tom Greenlee, Rockford, Ill.
8. Ed Farrell, Clarendon Hills, Ill.
9. Larry Jackson, Lyons, Ill.
10.Terry Huizel, Freeport, Ill.
11.Jeff Stamper, Newark, Ill.
12.John Provenzano, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
13.Frank Claeyssen, Cherry Valley, Ill.
14.Tony Izzo, Bridgeview, Ill.
15.Paul Schaefer, Highland, Ind.
16.Denny Falkos, Aurora, Ill.
17.Mike Melius, Random Lake, Wis.
18.Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
19.Whitey Harris, Lake Villa, Ill.
20.Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.