1985 – Gawlinski Outruns Seligman in Bettenhausen 100

Frank Gawlinski shows off his collection of trophies after winning the Bettenhausen Memorial 100 at Illiana. 

Schererville, Ind. (September 15, 1985) – Frank Gawlinski outdistanced Steve Seligman by 12 car-lengths to capture the Tony Bettenhausen Memorial 100 late model feature for the third time in his career Sunday afternoon at Illiana Motor Speedway.

Larry Middelton grabbed the lead from polesitter Ted Musgrave on the opening lap and began to break away from the rest of the field. By lap 10, Middelton was lapping slower traffic. By lap 15, Middelton enjoyed a straightaway lead over Musgrave when the yellow flag came out

On the restart, Middelton again took the lead followed closely by Gawlinski, who had worked his way up from his fifth row starting position. Two laps later, Gawlinski powered past Middelton and into the lead. Soon after fading to second, Middelton pulled his car into the infield with a bad valve.

After another caution, Gawlinski retained the lead while al chill began to challenge for the top spt. The top duo remained unchanged until lap 61 when Schill dropped out of the race with a sour engine.

Gawlinski outran the field for the remainder of the event to breeze to a relatively easy victory while Seligman finished a distant second. Dave Weltmeyer finished third followed by Ted Musgrave and Rich Kleich.



Results –

1. Frank Gawlinski
2. Steve Seligman
3. Dave Weltmeyer
4. Ted Musgrave
5. Rich Kleich
6. Tracy Schuler
7. Mike Gentile
8. Larry Morris
9. Bill Kroneberg
10.Dan Odell

1968 - Weedon Puts Raceway Title Trophy on 'Car-For-Sale" Label

 

Ron Weedon beams as he clutches the trophy for winning the season championship at Quad City Raceway. He accepts congratulations from promoter Lloyd Chick (left) and starter Skip Chick (right). 

East Moline, Ill. (September 15, 1968) – Ron Weedon put his Ford on the auction block Sunday night at Quad City Raceway and the dented convertible went out as a champion.

Just prior to the 50-lap season championship, Weedon announced that the car was for sale – after the race.

The car, under Weedon’s guidance, finished it’s career in grand style as it crossed the finish line first in the late model finale at Raceway, and by beating Jim Gerber by a car length in the main event. Weedon also nailed down the point championship.

Pleasant Valley, Iowa, probably wasn’t named for Ron Weedon, but the veteran driver is a living testimonial for the bustling community after he completed the 50-lap affair. He was beaming and he said, “We’re asking $2,500 for the car.”

It has been a great car for Weedon, for he not only drove it to the season championship at East Moline but drove it to the season championship in Davenport one week ago.

“It’s a 1967 Ford,” Weedon said. “We got it last year and got it ready for the last two races of the season. Now, we just bought a 1968 Torino that we’ll have running next Spring.”

Weedon won the Raceway title by 45 points over Gerber, the veteran driver from Mt. Joy. He began the night’s competition trailing Gerber by 75 markers, but he won the second heat to slice off a little bit off Gerber’s lead, although Gerber won the semi-feature.

The start of the event was an exact replica of the July mid-season 50-lapper. Then, Weedon was point leader but elected to start on the outside of the front row, giving Gerber the pole position. Gerber beat him to the first turn and led the entire race to wrest the point led away from Weedon.

Last night, with Gerber leading the point standings, he elected to start on the pole position and put Weedon alongside him. This time, Gerber guessed wrong, because the groove on the track was high, the groove that Weedon was sitting in all along.

Gerber had a four foot lead as the field crossed the finish line, but he couldn’t maintain it as they entered the first turn. The two battled side-by-side heading into the fourth turn, then Gerber, riding the inside groove, fish-tailed on the hard-packed racing surface and Weedon sped into the lead by a car length. Weedon remained in the high groove and in front for good – except for one brief interlude.

On the 32nd lap, Gerber caught him and actually crossed the finish line in front, by the margin of a radiator cap.

But Gerber, who had installed a new hemi engine In his Dodge Charger the week before, was riding low – and directly into the path of Bob Stogdell, who acknowledged the layover flag but simply couldn’t get out of the way in time.

Weedon stayed as close as possible while lapping Stogdell, but Gerber was caught and had to slow down to get around Stogdell. Weedon came out of the turn 50 feet away ahead, and Gerber was never able to catch up, although he was within a car length at the end.

Weedon won season titles at East Moline and Davenport while Gerber finished hot to win the title in Peoria last week – by a point on the final night.


Results –


Heat #1 – Benny Hofer, Rock Island
Heat #2 – Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley, Iowa
Semi-main – Jim Gerber, My. Joy, Iowa
Feature –
1. Ron Weedon
2. Jim Gerber
3. Dean Montgomery, Milan
4. Shorty Bennett, Moline
5. Ray Guss, Milan
6. Don Bitner, Peoria

1956 – Bryan is Winner of ‘100’ for Third Time

 Jimmy Bryan is surrounded by well-wishers in victory lane after winning his record third straight Hoosier Hundred at the State Fairgrounds. 

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 15, 1956) – Jimmy Bryan, the hard-driving cowboy from Phoenix, Ariz., took the lead in the national auto racing standings Saturday as he won his third straight Hoosier Hundred at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Bryan, driving the Dean Van Lines Special to its fourth straight victory in the 100-mile race, was less than one car length ahead of Pat O'Connor of North Vernon, Ind., at the finish.

Bryan's 200 points brought his season total to 1,560 and pushed him ahead of injured Pat Flaherty of Chicago, who has 1,500.

The race was slowed repeatedly in the early laps by accidents, but there were no injuries. The purse totaled $29,510.

Jud Larson of Tulsa, Okla., set a record of 37.4 seconds for the one-mile track -in the time trials. Starting on the pole position, he led the race for 70 miles. Bryan caught him on the 71st and led the rest of the way.

Larson finished fourth, behind third-place Rodger Ward of Los Angeles. Al Keller of Green Acres City, Fla., came in fifth, the first five finishers all being on the same lap.

The time of the race was 1 hour, 14 minutes and 19.48 seconds, more than 5 minutes off the record.

About one-fourth of the race was run under the yellow light because of the accidents.

Tony Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, Ill., the winner at Syracuse, N.Y., last week, cracked up his Schmidt Special on the fifth lap. Jim Rathmann of Miami hit the rail on the 25th lap. Van Johnson of Burbank, Calif., wrecked his car in the time trials.

Earl Hotter of Oakland, Calif., spun out on the first turn of the first lap, and Johnny Thomson of Springfield, Mass., spun out on the 21st.

The race was delayed more than an hour by the muddy condition of the track, soaked by an early morning downpour. The going seemed to be especially sticky on the southeast turn, and all the spins and crashes occurred there.


Results –


1. Jimmy Bryan
2. Pat O’Conner
3. Rodger Ward
4. Jud Larson
5. Al Keller
6. Gene Hartley
7. Bob Veith
8. Andy Linden
9. Don Freeland
10.Mike Magill
11.Johnny Boyd
12.George Amick
13.Earl Motter
14.Elmer George
15.Jim Rathmann
16.Johnny Thomson
17.Tommy Hinnershitz
18.Tony Bettenhausen

1985 - Van Deest Takes Boone 'Short Track' Title

Duane Van Deest won the IMCA modified feature during Boone Speedway’s Short Track Nationals. Judy DeFrance, who doubled as a driver and the trophy girl, joins Van Deest in victory lane. – Margaret Gardner Photo

Boone, Iowa (September 14, 1985) – It looked like Dennis Pittman was going to walk away with a wire-to-wire victory in the IMCA modified main event at the Boone Speedway Short Track Nationals on Saturday night.

However, Conrad’s Duane Van Deest was following close behind and passed Pittman on lap 20 of the 25-lapper, holding it the rest of the way to the checkers.

Dave Farren of Des Moines was third with Tony Askamit of Fremont, Neb., fourth and Randy Krampe of Baxter fifth.

Judy DeFrance of Marshalltown claimed the sportsman feature win over Denny Hegdahl, also of Marshalltown.

DeFrance took the early lead only to lose it to J.A. Skinner of Indianola. Hegdahl also got by DeFrance for second. Skinner led until lap 10 when he went to the pits with a flat tire on lap 10, giving Hegdahl the lead. DeFrance would regain the top spot on lap 16 and hold on for the win.

Skinner would charge back to finish third followed by Doug Smith of Albion and Chris Jensen of Des Moines.

Des Moines’ Larry Wieland took top honors in the thunder car feature. Wieland led all but the first two laps of the 15-lap event, when he slipped under Ankeny’s Kendall Sather. Sather challenged Wieland the entire way but settled for second place. Brian Efkamp of Perry was third.

Jeff Schroyer of Laurel walked away with the street stock feature. Shroyer’s car was claimed afterwards but when he refused to sell, Ron Ray of Boone was awarded the win.

A field of 108 cars – 35 modifieds, 28 sportsman, 19 thunder cars, and 26 street stocks – participated in the Saturday night program.


Results –


Modified –

1. Duane Van Deest, Conrad
2. Dennis Pittman, Jefferson
3. Dave Farren, Des Moines
4. Tony Askamit, Fremont, Neb.
5. Randy Krampe, Baxter
6. Carl Albee, Grand Junction
7. Danny Wallace, Des Moines
8. Kevin Larkins, Fifth, Neb.
9. Jack Miles, Des Moines
10.Jeff Ross, Nevada


Sportsman –

1. Judy DeFrance, Marshalltown
2. Denny Hegdahl, Marshalltown
3. J.A. Skinner, Indianola
4. Doug Smith, Albion
5. Chris Jensen, Des Moines
6. Curt Flack, Jefferson
7. Greg DeFrance, Marshalltown
8. Joe Bervid, Des Moines


Thunder Cars –

1. Larry Wieland, Des Moines
2. Kendall Sather, Ankeny
3. Brian Efkamp, Perry
4. Gary Busch, Jefferson
5. Ken Scott, Webster City


Street Stock –

1. Ron Ray, Boone

Judy DeFrance won the sportsman feature at the Short Track Nationals at Boone Speedway. Race sponsor Duane Davis (left) and Ivey DeFrance (right) join Judy in the winner’s circle. – Margaret Gardner Photo

1962 – Oklahoman Set Spencer Marks

 

Bob Reynolds receives his trophy and the plaudits of the Clay County Fair after his IMCA stock car victory. IMCA brass Gene Van Winkle (left) and Al Sweeney (right) join the Oklahoma chauffeur in victory lane.

Spencer, Iowa (September 14, 1962) – Bob Reynolds of Edmond, Okla., driving the last 17 laps without brakes, won the 100-lap International Motor Contest Association late model stock car contest in record time at the Clay County Fair on Friday afternoon.

Reynolds, driving a 1962 Ford, was clocked in 47 minutes and 18.81 seconds, better than two minutes faster than the old record set by Keokuk’s Ernie Derr two years ago. Derr finished second to Reynolds in the long-endurance race.

Reynolds also set a new standard in qualifying, touring the half-mile dirt oval in 28.08 seconds, bettering Derr’s old mark of 28.68 seconds.

1986 – Guss Late Model King in Springfield USAC Show

Springfield, Ill. (September 13, 1986) – Ray Guss Jr. outran Mike Wallace to win the 35-lap USAC late model Bill Day Tire Winner’s Challenge Saturday at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.

Jeff Purvis paced the first seven laps of the contest before Guss moved into first place for the first time. Guss maintained a lead for the next 17 circuits until Wallace overtook him on lap 25.

Four laps later, Guss regain the lead for good and took command of the race, winning handily over Wallace. Larry Moore, Dick Taylor, and Steve Barnett rounded out the top five finishers.


Results –

1. Ray Guss Jr.
2. Mike Wallace
3. Larry Moore
4. Dick Taylor
5. Steve Barnett
6. Terry Messenger
7. Rick Standridge
8. Dick Phillips
9. Jim Satterfield
10.Darrell McGee
11.Darrell Marmor
12.Lee Hoffman
13.Pat Walsh
14.Glenn Andrew
15.Don Duncan

1963 – Stock Car Title to Peoria Ace

Don Bohlander

Davenport, Iowa (September 13, 1963) – Don Bohlander of Peoria, Ill., drove to an impressive victory in the 50-lap season championship at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds Friday night.

Bohlander led all 50 laps although he was chased by Rock Island’s Will Franck in the highly competitive contest. Del Williams of Moline, the high point scorer the entire season finished third and Jim Gerber of Davenport was fourth.

A total of 18 cars started the 50-lapper and only eight were still on the track when the checkers waved.

John Moss of Iowa City raced to victory in the 25-lap Class B with Ernie Speth of Davenport finishing second. Dale Ahrens of Davenport and Lyle Behn of Moline fourth.


Results –


Class A -

Heat #1 – Tuffy Meyer, Big Rock
Heat #2 – Fred Strube, Peoria, Ill.
Heat #3 – Shorty Bennett, Moline, Ill.
Semi-main – Del Williams, Aledo, Ill.
Feature -
1. Don Bohlander, Peoria, Ill.
2. Willis Franks, Rock Island, Ill.
3. Del Williams
4. Jim Gerber, Long Grove
5. Charlie Moffitt, Stanwood
6. Fred Strube
7. Ernie Speth, Davenport
8. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
9. Shorty Bennett
10.Bruce Haack, Davenport


Class B –

Feature -
1. John Moss, Iowa City
2. Ernie Speth
3. Dale Ahrens, Davenport
4. Lyle Behn, Moline, Ill.
5. Gary Backett
6. Jim Hammill
7. Ralph Pleasant
8. Slim Prior
9. Bob Kerns

1976 – McCluskey Captures Governor’s Cup

Jack Bowsher (21) and Roger McCluskey (11) bring the field to green for the 1976 Governor’s Cup. McCluskey would go on to win the 250-miler.

 

West Allis, Wis. (September 12, 1976) — The pony cars made it a clean sweep Sunday when Roger McCluskey piloted Norm Nelson's 1976 Plymouth Volare to an easy victory in the Governor's Cup 250 at State Fair Park.

McCluskey’s victory Sunday plus a victory by Ramo Stott’s Volare in the State Fair 150-miler and two victories by Butch Hartman in a Camaro this season at State Fair Park effectively spelled the end of the big Hemi’s and other full-sized cars on the tracks of a mile and less on the United States Auto Club's stock car circuit.

Small cars took the top four places Sunday as Stott finished ii seconds back in second place, Hartman was third, more than a lap down, and Dick Trickle of Wisconsin Rapids was fourth in Roy Darnell’s 1976 Camaro.

Trickle, well known in Midwest short-track circles, fought bad brakes for 200 of the 250 laps around the one-mile track, and finished about a lap and 13 seconds behind McCluskey.

Trickle was shaking his weary foot as he got out of his car in the technical committee’s impound area after the race. “I had to pump the brakes about 50 times a lap," he told Darnell. "I got such cramps I couldn’t do it sometimes.”

But though Trickle drove probably the best race of his spotty career at State Fair Park, neither he nor anyone else was a threat to McCluskey.

“The car ran better than any race car I’ve ever driven,” McCluskey said. McCluskey said Nelson's crew has done extensive work on the kit car, which was just built this season.

“We’ve done quite a bit of work on the chassis,” McCluskey said. “We were just trying to find out what it wanted. We haven't really run it that much. We got a late start this year.

“The guys just kept changing, changing, changing. Somethings helped, and some things didn’t help.”

McCluskey said his only worry Sunday was that changing track conditions as the race progressed would make the chassis setup handle poorly near the end of the race.

The only scare McCluskey had was around lap 200. He’d had a full lap lead on Stott on lap 190 but the yellow came out on lap 188 when Bob Brevak spun and McCluskey soon pitted. For 10 laps, until the 200-lap postings showed McCluskey to be just one second ahead of Stott, the Nelson crew thought there was still a lap difference. When they saw the two-second interim between McCluskey and Stott posted on the board, they ran back to Nelson’s pits and gave McCluskey the word.

“Go,” was Nelson’s command to McCluskey, and he went.

Gaining precious fractions of a second each lap, he put distance between him and Stott and won going away.

“When they gave me the signal that I was only one second ahead, I figured I’d better get hooked up and get out of there," McCluskey said.

When McCluskey decided to go, Stott, the defending USAC stock car division champion, said there was little to do but watch him go.

“He really had the superior car today," Stott said. "A couple of times, when I was running next to him, he’d gain about a quarter of a car length on me a lap. No matter what I did, he’d gain on me. My power was about right, and my handling was just about right, but I knew I wasn’t going to beat him if he finished."

Hartman, leading the point standings by 185 points over Stott (1850-1665) after Sunday’s race, said, “That was the hardest race I’ve ever run. Roger was running so well it would have been foolish to try to run him down. We really messed up when we pitted under the green."

Hartman, who finished a lap and 11 seconds behind McCluskey, lost a lap of that when his team gambled during an early yellow flag situation on the 90th lap of the race. Hartman passed up the stop hoping for a yellow about the 70th lap while McCluskey pitted. When Hartman finally couldn’t wait any longer, he pitted for fuel and right-side tires on lap 83. On the next lap the yellow came out.


Results –


1. Roger McCluskey
2. Ramo Stott
3. Butch Hartman
4. Dick Trickle
5. Sal Tovella
6. Terry Ryan
7. Harold Fair
8. Russ Peterson
9. Dean Roper
10.Gary Bowsher
11.Larry Nau
12.Johnny Parsons
13.Frank Cabrera
14.Wayne Watercutter
15.Ken Rowley
16.Fred Zack
17.Bob Brevak
18.Jack Bowsher
19.Rick Schmidt
20.Jen Backlund
21.Steve Drake
22.Larry Moore
23.Larry Phillips
24.George Giesen
25.Rich Sundling
26.Jerry Wolland
27.Dale Koehler
28.Dave Whitcomb
29.Ron Hutcherson
30.Ray Bolander
31.Herman Huffman
32.Bay Darnell
33.Boyce Sparkman
34.Dick Beinlich
35.Gary Cooper
36.Don White

1971 – Al Unser Captures Hoosier Hundred

 

Al Unser stands on the gas en route to winning the 1971 Hoosier Hundred. – Joseph Ramirez Collection

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 11, 1971) – Al Unser won the rich Hoosier Hundred auto race for United States Auto Club dirt cars on Saturday, but George Snider finished second and captured the first championship of the new circuit.

Unser, of Albuquerque, N.M., was unchallenged throughout most of the 100-miler, the last of the season on USAC’s new dirt track division.

He passed Mario Andretti the third time around the Indiana State Fairgrounds’ one-mile oval and led the rest of the way.

Snider, of Bakersfield, Calif., finished 5.3 seconds back. Unser’s winning average speed was 96.962 miles per hour on the damp track, which was short of his own track record of 97.887 miles per hour, set last year.

Andretti, of Nazareth, Penn., was stopped by an overheated engine on the 83rd mile.

The dirt track circuit was previously part of the USAC big car competition won last year by Unser. Snider won the dirt track event at Du Quoin, Ill., last Monday and grabbed runner-up honors earlier at Springfield, Ill.

A.J. Foyt, a six-time winner of the Hoosier Hundred, started 17th and finished fourth behind Larry Dickson of Marietta, Ohio.

Only Unser, Snider, and Dickson were on the lead lap at the finish.

Neither the attendance nor the purse was announced. Race director Joe Quinn said he was uncertain on how to handle the payoff because of the wage freeze. He said Unser would be paid at least $6,010; the amount guaranteed to the winner.


Results –


1. Al Unser
2. George Snider
3. Larry Dickson
4. A.J. Foyt
5. Billy Vukovich
6. Jim McElreath
7. Sam Sessions
8. Bill Puterbaugh
9. Arnie Knepper
10.Merle Bettenhausen

1955 – Farris Wins 250-Miler at Dayton

Jack Farris receives congratulations from Dayton Speedway president Blair Ratliff after winning the 250-mile stock car race. Farris drove a 1955 Oldsmobile in his triumph. – Clem Hamilton Photo

Dayton, Ohio (September 11, 1965) – Jack Farris, the New Paris, Ohio, speed whiz, won the 250-mile late model stock car race at Dayton Speedway on Sunday afternoon before a record-breaking crowd of nearly 19,000.

Driving a 1955 blue Oldsmobile, the 29-year-old winner led the field for 486 laps of the 500-lap event. His victory was worth $2,000 in purse money.

The likeable winner, who operates his own speed shop when he’s not racing, started fifth in the 36-car field.

He took the lead on lap 3 around the half-mile, high-banked “Farris Wheel,” and held it until a pit stop for fuel on lap 267. Farris regained the coveted top spot on lap 283 and breezed home seven laps ahead of second-place finisher Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, who was driving a 1954 Oldsmobile.

Iggy Katona of Willis, Mich., was third in a 1955 Ford; Russ Hepler of Clarion, Penn., took fourth in a 1955 Chevrolet; and Ray Duhhig of Toledo was fifth in a 1955 Oldsmobile.

After the race, Farris, who showed no signs of wear and tear, quipped, “No, I’m not tired, not too tired anyway. You know you can never relax in one of these things.”

Sunday’s race marked the third “500” Farris has stated here. “I was never able to finish before. I think the other two races I ran about 10 laps or so and dropped out with engine trouble.”

The opening late model race earlier this season saw Farris win the 200-lap event only to be disqualified when car owner Ralph Potter of Indianapolis refused a post-race engine inspection. In the other late model race – June 5 – Farris finished second to Derr.

Duhhig, who led for the first tow laps, and for the other 12 laps while Farris was pitted, limped across the finish line with both front wheels wobbling on his car.

He battled most of the way with Derr and Hepler for second place. Finally, on lap 459, his right front wheel began to sag, and he was forced to ride out the remainder of the race at a reduced speed.

Farris, Derr, and Duhhig held out the longest before making their first pit stop. Farris came in on lap 267 for a 1 minute and 51 seconds, while Duhhig made his first stop on lap 275 for 1 minute and 53 seconds. Derr held out until the 351st circuit when he was in the pits for 1 minute and 45 seconds.

A five-car wreck on lap 26 slowed the action for 11 minutes. Mike Klapak of Warren, Ohio, driving a 1954 Thunderbird, and Ed Mitchell, also of Warren, piloting a 1955 Cadillac, saw their cars eliminated in the smash-up.

Bill Rexford of Dayton, driving a 1955 Buick Century, Rex Craig of Richmond, Ind., driving a 1955 Buick Century convertible, and Tommy Smith of Dayton, in a 1955 Chevrolet, were also involved in the accident but were able to continue.

Farris’ time of 3 hours and 55 minutes gave him an approximate average speed of 69 miles per hour. Last year’s winner, Jack Harrison of Indianapolis, drove the race in four hours flat.


Results –


1. Jack Farris
2. Ernie Derr
3. Iggy Katona
4. Russ Hepler
5. Ray Duhigg
6. Paul Wensink
7. Frank Utterback
8. Dick Freeman

1989 – Pittman Wins 7th Annual Super Nationals

 

Kevin Pittman took the lead off the final corner of the final lap to win 40-lap modified championship at the Super Nationals in Boone. Grand Marshall Eddie Thrap of the U.S. Tobacco Co., and IMCA President Keith Knaack join the newly crowned champion in victory lane. – Gunilla Haglund Photo

Boone, Iowa (September 10, 1989) – Kevin Pittman of Waterloo was a surprised and happy winner Sunday night of the seventh annual IMCA Modified Super Nationals feature race.

Pittman took the lead in the 40-lap feature race coming off turn four of the final lap to pocket $2,000 and score the biggest win of his five-year career.

Also held for the first time was the Ron Efkamp Memorial Race of Champions, named for the late IMCA director of competition. The 10-lap event paid $500 to win and $100 to start with Wayne Larson of Ames taking the initial event.

The 40-lap finale for the IMCA modifieds bordered on the incredible as, seemingly, nobody wanted to lead more than a few laps.

Defending Super Nationals champion Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., led but had a tire go flat; Mike Smith of Ellsworth led, but also had a tire go flat. Then, Wayne Larson, the ’87 Super Nationals winner, led before breaking a axle.

Rex Merritt of Billings, Mo., was ready to take the lead when he too, suffered a broke rear axle. Rookie John Logue of Boone was in shape to lead but spun off turn four. Then, veteran Tom Bartholomew of Huxley took command about midway through the contest and appeared headed for victory.

On the final lap, however, Bartholomew had a tire go flat. Still, he kept the lead through the final turn. Off turn four, Pittman ducked low and Denny Schwartz of Ashmore, Ill., went high around the slowing Bartholomew and it was a rag race to the finish with Pittman winning by a car length.

Kelly Shryock of Story City was third, Dave Erpelding of Algona fourth, fifth went to Doug Hillson of Blooming Prairie, Minn. Bartholomew held on to finish sixth.

More than 140 modifieds, some from far away as Arizona, participated in the event, which was plagued by rain all week.

Greg Kastli of Waterloo won the IMCA late model 30-lapper, holding off Craig Jacobs of Des Moines in the feature. Mike Smith of Ellsworth was third, Danny Breuer of Ames was fourth and Kevin Larkins of Greenwood, Neb., was fifth.

Kastli and Smith both drove cars in the modified and late model divisions, and each qualified for the features.

Bobby Thompson of Des Moines found a cushion on the high side and won the IMCA sprint car feature over Walt Esch of Des Moines, Gary Zitterich of Sioux Falls, S.D., Dean Chadd of Lincoln, Neb., and Mike Twedt of Huxley.

The IMCA stock car feature was a real barn-burner with Jeff Havlik of Madrid taking the victory with his brother Randy, edging Doug smith of Marshalltown for second.

Terry Schroeder of Sigourney led all the way, but a timing chain broke on the next-to-last lap and Havlik was there to take the lead as a disappoint Schroeder, who had dominated the racing action, coasted to the pit area.

Despite the weather, nearly 250 IMCA race cars from 11 states participated in the $50,000 event.


Results –

Modified –

1. Kevin Pittman, Waterloo
2. Denny Schwartz, Ashmore, Ill.
3. Kelly Shryock, Story City
4. Dave Erpelding, Algona
5. Doug Hillson, Blooming Prairie, Minn.
6. Tom Bartholomew, Huxley
7. Bill Davis, Des Moines
8. Dave Farren, Des Moines
9. Dr. Kent Kaplan, Ankeny
10.Denny Anderson, Dodge Center, Minn.


Sprint Car –

1. Bobby Thompson, Des Moines
2. Walt Esch, Des Moines
3. Gary Zitterich, Sioux Falls, S.D.
4. Dean Chadd, Lincoln, Neb.
5. Mike Twedt, Huxley
6. Terry Alexander, Knoxville
7. Lyle Sylvester, Newton
8. Jeff Jones, Des Moines
9. Ed Perryman, Des Moines
10.Chris Walraven


Late Model –

1. Greg Kastli, Waterloo
2. Craig Jacobs, Des Moines
3. Mike Smith, Ellsworth
4. Danny Breuer, Ames
5. Kevin Larkins, Greenwood, Neb.
6. Todd Steuber, Fairmont, Minn.
7. Randy Krampe, Baxter
8. Gary Pedersen, Rolfe
9. Jon Schwartz, Omaha
10.Roger Tapper, Webster city


Stock Car –

1. Jeff Havlik, Madrid
2. Randy Havlik, Madrid
3. Doug Smith, Marshalltown
4. Mark Steuber, Fairmont, Minn.
5. Fred Van Cannon, Ames
6. Todd Stensrud, Madison, Minn.
7. Ron Ray, Boone
8. Ron Berna, Green Bay, Wis.
9. Blake Hanel, Boone
10.Billy Allen, Des Moines

1981 - Trickle Wins 'Detjens Memorial'

 

Dick Trickle happily accepts the first Larry Detjens Memorial trophy after he won the overall title at State Park Speedway. Margo Detjens, daughter of the late driver, presents the trophy. - Ed Wodalski Photo

Wausau, Wis. (September 10, 1981) – “I really wanted to win that,” said Dick Trickle, as he held the Larry Detjens Memorial race trophy.

Trickle won the second of two 25-lap and also set fast time for the evening as he accumulated 98 points to become the first winner of the Larry Detjens Memorial race at State Park Speedway.

“Winning the trophy and the race means a lot to me,” he added.

Finishing third behind Marv Marzofka of Nekoosa in the first race, Trickle completely changed his suspension in his car to prepare for the second contest.

“In the first race, we still had the setup we used at the Minnesota State Fair. It was real soft and the right rear tire was going flat. Between races, we changed all four springs and got back to our normal setup.”

That proved to be the winning combination as he took the lead from Jim Sauter of Necedah of lap 8 and never looked back. Mike Miller of Wisconsin Rapids came on to finish second and Marzofka took third.

Brian Redmond of Tomahawk won the first heat and Wayne Lodholz of Wausau winning the second. Rick Haase of Brokaw won the third heat and Joe Shear of Twin Lakes won the fourth heat. Haase also won the 25-lap semi-feature. Dave Magnus of Germantown won the consolation.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Marv Marzofka, Nekoosa
2. Joe Shear, Twin Lakes, Wis.
3. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
4. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
5. Jim Sauter, Necedah
6. Jim Back, Vesper
7. Kevin Stepan, Mosinee
8. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
9. Bobby Turzinski, Hewitt
10.Steve Holzhausen, Bangor


Feature #2 –

1. Dick Trickle
2. Mike Miller
3. Marv Marzofka
4. Joe Shear
5. Jim Sauter
6. Tom Reffner
7. Bobby Turzinski
8. Steve Holzhausen
9. Steve Moll, Wisconsin Rapids
10.Jim Back

1975 - Oskaloosa Title to Hansen

 

Curt Hansen of Dike is joined by his family after winning the SIRA season championship and point title. Flagman Larry Kemp (left) and promoter Dale Gegner (second from right) join in the presentation. – Earl Schwartz Photo

Oskaloosa, Iowa (September 10, 1975) – Curt Hansen of Dike captured the season championship feature and also clinched the Southern Iowa Racing Association point title. Hansen also won both titles last year.

Don Hoffman of Des Moines was leading the point standings going into the season finale but suffered from overheating and engine problems in the feature and was forced to drop back. This gave Hansen the edge he needed for the title.

He led every lap of the accident-free 30-lap feature and picked up an additional $300 in lap money, giving him a total of $890 for the evening.

Hansen took a wide lead over the rest of the field at the beginning and never relinquished it throughout. Ed Sanger of Waterloo, winner of the third heat, moved into second on lap 21 and held off all challengers for that spot. Roger Dolan of Lisbon passed Lem Blankenship of Keokuk on lap 25, then passed Mel Morris of West Liberty on the next lap and was challenging Sanger for second when the checkered flag dropped.

Jim Brown of Martinsburg led all the way to cop the consolation event, his only victory of the season.


Results –


Heat #1 – Don Hoffman, Des Moines
Heat #2 – Curt Hansen, Dike
Heat #3 – Ed Sanger, Waterloo
Consolation – Jim Brown, Martinsburg
Feature –
1. Curt Hansen
2. Ed Sanger
3. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
4. Lem Blankenship, Keokuk
5. Mel Morris, West Liberty

1979 - Moore Holds Off Archer, Wins World 100

 

Larry Moore accepts congratulations from race promoter Earl Baltes after winning the World 100 late model stock car race at Eldora Speedway. 

By Pete Vercauteren

Rossburg, Ohio (September 9, 1979) – Rim-riding Larry Moore dominated the ninth annual World 100 for dirt late models from start to finish Sunday at Earl Baltes’ Eldora Speedway. The Dayton, Ohio, hot dog took the lead in the first turn from his outside front row starting berth and performed flawlessly, leading the rest of the way to the checkered flag.

Moore’s victory, worth $12,000, was not a runaway, however, as reigning National Dirt Racing Association champion Leon Archer of Griffin, Ga., battled the lanky 36-year-old pilot bumper-to-bumper for the final 50 tours of the high-banked half-mile dirt oval.

The event’s lone caution flag, on lap 45, set up a thrilling duel as Moore’s straightaway advantage over Archer was wiped away when Dick Potts of Morocco, Ind., and former World 100 winner Ed Sanger of Waterloo, Iowa, tangled on the front chute to bring out the yellow banner. Both Potts and Sanger were forced to retire after the altercation.

When racing resumed, Archer gradually closed to the rear bumper of Moore’s 1979 Camaro. Archer, a veteran professional driver, attempted the first of many inside maneuvers in trying to overtake the high-flying Moore on the 56th revolution. Diving the low groove through turns three and four, Archer was unable to unseat the leader.

For the remaining laps of the grueling contest, the pair kept the overflow crowd on the edge of their seats with their close, high-speed competition.

Moore didn’t falter in the final laps as he steered his racer around the oval, each lap scant inches away from the outside retaining wall to a well-deserved victory.

Archer finished three-car-lengths behind Moore and over half-a-lap ahead of third place Buck Simmons of Phenix City, Ala. Rounding out the top five were Charlie Swartz of Portsmouth, Ohio, and Don Hobbs of Bloomington, Ind.

Rodney Combs of Loveland, Ohio, led the assault on the track record during time trials on Saturday as the 29-year-old pilot was fastest of the eight drivers to shatter the previous mark with a 18.644 second clocking. A record 223 cars from 16 states attempted to qualify for Sunday’s heats and last chance race which determined the feature lineup.


Results –


1. Larry Moore, Dayton, Ohio
2. Leon Archer, Griffin, Ga.
3. Buck Simmons, Phenix City, Ala.
4. Charlie Swartz, Portsmouth, Ohio
5. Don Hobbs, Bloomington, Ind.
6. Rodney Combs, Loveland, Ohio
7. H.E. Vineyard, Powell, Tenn.
8. Tom Helfrich, Haubstadt, Ind.
9. Snooks Defour, Chatsworth, Ga.
10.Wally Heminger, Fremont, Ohio
11.Jim Curry, Norman, Ind.
12.John Doering Jr., Flint, Mich.
13.Pat Patrick, Saylor Park, Ohio
14.Rick Shepard, Milford, Ohio
15.Ron Dolan, Zanesville, Ohio

1960 - Iowan Stott Sets Record

 

Ramo Stott 

Lincoln, Neb. (September 9, 1960) – Three world records for 5/8-mile dirt tracks were toppled Friday as Ramo Stott of Keokuk, Iowa, won the 200-lap Cornhusker International for late model stock cars and foreign sports cars at the Nebraska State Fair.

Stott, who was in third place with five laps to go, set a world record mark of 2 hours and 59.64 seconds for the 200-lap contest.

Earlier, two other Keokuk drivers, Ernie Derr and Dick Hutcherson, had set 1-lap and 100-lap marks, respectively. Derr was timed in 34.84 seconds during time trials while Hutcherson, who led the first 179 circuits, was clocked in 1 hour and 29.75 seconds at the halfway mark of the race.

It was Derr, Hutcherson, and Stott in that order on lap 196 of the feature. Then, Hutcherson ran out of gas and one lap later, Derr pulled to the sidelines when his transmission went out. Stott sailed home with the win and possession of the new world’s record. The old mark, set her by Derr in 1959, was 2 hours and 59.64 seconds.

Because of the laps, Hutcherson was credited with finishing second while Derr was scored in third. Mert Williams of Rochester, Minn., was fourth and Omahan Bob Kosiskie, who led early on, was fifth.

Stott drove a 1960 Ford convertible, Hutcherson a 1957 Pontiac, and Derr a 1960 Pontiac.


Results –


1. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Mert Williams, Rochester, Minn.
5. Bob Kosiskie, Omaha
6. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
7. Bruce Nystrom, Oshkosh, Wis.
8. George Odvody, Morse Lake
9. Dick Johnson, St. Paul, Minn.
10.Dick Santee, Bell, Calif.

1984 – Unser Nips Kraft in Black Hills Championship

 

Second generation racer Robby Unser won the prestigious Black Hills Speedway's 100-lap National Championship late model feature. - Jim Holland Photo

Rapid City, S.D. (September 8, 1984) – There was a familiar family name in the winner’s circle at the Black Hills Speedway National Championships, but it was not one most people would associate with late models on a dirt track.

The young winner with the famous name was Robby Unser of Albuquerque, N.M., the 16-year-old son of former Indianapolis 500 winner Bobby Unser. The young Unser, who has been running all season long at the track, gaining experience on dirt before moving on, announced this was his last race at the half mile.

Unser earned his win against some of the Midwest’s best as the first seven drivers in the starting field hailed from seven different states. He led nearly wire-to-wire and was chased across the finish line by Willy Kraft of Lakefield, Minn., Ron Droog of Aberdeen, a former Black Hills champion himself, Joe Kosiski of Omaha, Neb., making his first appearance at Black Hills, and Bob Shryock of Estherville, Iowa, who has competed in all but one Black Hills Nationals and has won five of them.

Unser also scored a heat win over Kraft on Friday while Randy Schilling of Gettysburg edged out another heat win over Shryock, and Kosiski won the remaining heat over Droog.

Friday evening’s qualifying main event, which set the lineup for Saturday’s big finale, was taken by Kraft, followed by Shryock, Schilling, Kosiski, and Unser.



Results –


1. Robby Unser, Albuquerque, N.M.
2. Willy Kraft, Lakefield, Minn.
3. Ron Droog, Aberdeen
4. Joe Kosiski, Omaha, Neb.
5. Bob Shryock, Estherville, Iowa
6. Mike Moran,
7. Dick Schiltz, Waterloo, Iowa
8. Roger Saathoff, Bruce
9. Les Stadel, Rapid City

1975 – Sanger Gone; Dake Cruises to Win

 

Darrell Dake 

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (September 7, 1975) – Oh, it’s a tired cliché, but in the continuing saga of Darrell Dake’s auto racing expertise, it’s certainly applicable.

He’s not getting older, he’s getting better.

Dake piloted his 1973 Nova to the 30-lap season championship for late model stock cars Sunday night at Hawkeye Downs, and with the victory won his first Downs’ point championship since 1965.

So, as Darrell nursed a can of his favorite beverage in the pits afterwards, the first question was obvious.

This is your 28th year of stock car competition Darrell, was it your best?

“Please, don’t say that I’ve been racing 28 years,” laughed the witty veteran of the dirt track wars. “I’d like to think I’m still 39 and have a whole career ahead of me.”

“But seriously, I’m very pleased with the victory and was happy to start on the pole because the track was a little slippery and with guys like Roger (Dolan) and Fred (Horn) breathing down your neck, it’s nice to be up in front.”

Dake’s polecat position proved decisive because only once was there a change of position of the first ten finishers and that came when Waterloo’s Bill Zwanziger nosed ahead of Cedar Rapids’ Ken Walton at the finish line in a battle for fourth.

Even though the 30-lapper was a rather dull “follow-the-leader” trek, the evening didn’t lack for excitement.

The biggest ruckus occurred when Ed Sanger of Waterloo loaded up his car right before the feature and left the track. Sanger had been second or fourth in points, depending on whether you were consulting track promoter Homer Melton or flagman Engel DeKock, and came to the Downs Sunday figuring he was second.

However, Sanger was informed that a change in points had been made between Thursday and Sunday and both Roger Dolan of Lisbon and Bill Zwanziger of Waterloo had been moved ahead of him in the standings.

“The promotion of this track has bordered on ridiculous all season long and as long as the present promoter (Melton) remains here, I will never set foot or drive a car on this track again,” said the veteran driver who won four features at the half-mile this year.

With that, some of the luster of what shaped up to be the keenest season championship in some time was rubbed away since Sanger has been a big contributor to the fine quality of racing at Hawkeye Downs.

The pre-feature bickering, of course, had stemmed from an entanglement last week involving Sanger and Dake. In that race, Sanger’s bumper caught Dake and spun him out. Since it was the white flag lap, the race was stopped, and race leader Roger Dolan was declared the winner with Sanger in second and Dake in third.

Others contended that someone should go to the rear, however, but race officials ruled that the finish stood. That gave Dake - 4,395 points, Sanger - 4,195 points and Dolan - 4,170 points.

But Sunday the points were juggled and read, Dake - 4,395, Dolan – 4,170, Zwanziger – 3,955 and Sanger – 3,845. Flagman Engel DeKock of Oskaloosa explained that he and Sanger had agreed late in the week that someone should have gone to the back of the pack and that Sanger would go, therefore changing the standings. Sanger also reportedly brought back his second-place money.

Dake took home $525 for the win and Dolan, who finished second, collected $425. A paid crowd of 3,288 watched the action.

In the sportsman division, Gail Brenner of Wilton took the early lead and sped easily to the season championship, although Kenny Fenn of Washington showed up after a six-week absence and took fourth, good enough to win the point title.


Results –


Heat #1 – Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
Heat #2 – Tom Hughes, Monticello
Heat #3 – Mike Frieden, Fairfax
Semi-main – Verlin Eaker, Cedar Rapids
Feature –
1. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids
2. Roger Dolan, Lisbon
3. Fred Horn, Marion
4. Bill Zwanziger
5. Ken Walton, Cedar Rapids
6. Bill Beckman, Monticello
7. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
8. Verlin Eaker
9. Curt Hansen, Dike
10.Mike Frieden

1970 – Jensen Wins Eagle Title; Opperman Ruled Lap Short

 

Eagle, Neb. (September 7, 1970) – The clock had struck midnight when Beaver Crossing driver Jan Opperman turned into a pumpkin at Eagle Raceway, Monday night.

Opperman, awarded the checkered flag after the 50-lap Grand Championship feature, had to give it back when officials said he had only finished 49 laps.

Lincoln driver Lonnie Jensen was the official recipient of the checkered flag and the first prize of $750.

Opperman was shoved back to eighth place, $690 poorer.

“Morally, I felt I had won the race,” said Opperman, who thought he had bested Jensen on the last turn of the final lap. “I came here to beat the other drivers and I felt I did.”

Jensen, who was the pacesetter for the first 17 laps, regained the lead on the 33rd lap when Opperman sailed over the car of Ray Lee Goodwin, the leader at the time.

Goodwin had taken over the top spot on lap 18 and held it until lap 31. His car was “biting” about two feet off the ground as it built a four-car-length lead before the mishap.

Then the car’s rear suspension and drive shaft collapsed as it entered the far turn.

Opperman, who had passed Jenson on the preceding lap, had moved up to challenge Goodwin, struck the car from the rear, scaled it, then spun outside of the track with Goodwin limping to the infield.

Green flags were in effect, and the field completed two more laps before the red flag waved, bringing a halt to the action.

When racing resumed, Jensen was placed at the head of the pack with Opperman put at the rear of the field with two laps to make up.

He picked up one lap, officials ruled. Two lap charts indicated he had not complete the full 50 laps.

“There should have been no real argument,” said Harvey Kropp, part-owner of Eagle. “There was a flag decision and it’s part of the rules.”

“I’ll never race at Eagle again,” Opperman said. “I have nothing against management. They followed the rules and regulations. I just feel the wrong flag decision was made.”

“I’m just glad to be the first Lincoln driver to win this championship,” said Jensen, who is the top driver this season in overall points and both Beatrice and Eagle.

Gordon Woolley of Waco, Tex., won the first Grand Championship two years ago, and Kansas City’s Dick Sutcliffe added the 1969 title.


Results –


Trophy dash – Ed Bowes, Lincoln
Heat #1 – Lonnie Jensen, Lincoln
Heat #2- Denny Ottman, Beatrice
Heat #3 – Jan Opperman, Beaver Crossing
Heat #4 – Ray Lee Goodwin, Kansas City
Semi-main – Roy McCain, Lincoln
Feature –
1. Lonnie Jensen
2. Ed Bowes
3. Roger Rager, Lincoln
4. Stan Borofsky, Raytown, Mo.
5. Don Droud, Lincoln

1965 - Goldsmith Take Gas - Foyt Takes Fair Century

 

A.J. Foyt receives his trophy from Indiana State Fair’s president, Oscar T. Blank.

Indianapolis, Ind. (September 7, 1965) – A.J. Foyt of Houston, Tex., won his third consecutive State Fair Century for United States Auto Club new car autos at the Indiana State Fairgrounds on Tuesday night when he passed Paul Goldsmith on the final lap to take the checkered flag.

Goldsmith grabbed the lead on the 24th lap when Parnelli Jones pitted, and unlike the rest of the 28 starting drivers, did not stop for gas. As a result, as his car took the white flag lap, Goldsmith began to slow. He was out of gas.

Foyt, driving a 1965 Ford, then swept past Goldsmith, as did Norm Nelson, Billy Foster, and Don White, who placed second through fourth, respectively. Goldsmith coasted across the finish line on fumes, finishing fifth.

Foyt’s share of the $11,760 purse amounted to $4,460. A total of 19 cars were running at the end of the 100 miles which took 1 hour, 11 minutes and 56 seconds to complete.

Foyt’s average speed was 83.401 miles per hour, eclipsing the old record of 75 mph he set last year.

The final lap was the only one Foyt led all night, giving him the victory in spectacular fashion for the second year in a row. Last year he wormed his way from last place to first.

Before he ran out of fuel, this appeared to be Goldsmith’s race. He led by three-quarters of a lap when his tank went dry.

Even after taking the checkered flag, Foyt said he thought he had taken second, “until my crew told him I had won.”


Results –


1. A.J. Foyt
2. Norm Nelson
3. Billy Foster
4. Don White
5. Paul Goldsmith
6. Jim Hurtubise
7. Bay Darnell
8. Herb Shannon
9. Roger Regeth
10.Keith Ploughe

1961 – Derr Sweeps Dakota State Fair Honors

 

Huron, S.D. (September 7, 1961) – International Motor Contest Association champion Ernie Derr, driving a 1961 Pontiac, swept honors in the late model stock car races at the South Dakota State Fair Thursday as a small but powerful field competed.

Thirteen cars competed as 7,000 race fans looked on.

Derr won the 25-lap feature race in the time of 12 minutes and 56.48 seconds, outdueled Ramo Stott to win the first heat, and then took a special match race as well.

Stott, who is currently second in the IMCA point standings, was scratched from the feature lineup because of mechanical issues in the preliminaries.

Dick Hutcherson, also of Keokuk, finished second to Derr, about three car lengths behind at the checkers. Jerry McCredie, another Keokuk driver, finished third in a 1960 Pontiac. McCredie’s car is the one Derr drove to rack up the national championship in 1960.

Taking fourth was former IMCA national champion, Johnny Beauchamp of Atlantic, Iowa, driving a 1961 Chevrolet.

Newt Bartholomew of Carlisle, Iowa, won a special novelty race In his 1960 Plymouth. The race included pie-eating and soda pop drinking contest.

Consolation honors went to Johnny Jones of Russell, Minn., driving a 1960 Ford while Hutcherson won the second heat.


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Jerry McCredie, Keokuk, Iowa
4. Johnny Beauchamp, Atlantic, Iowa
5. John Jones, Russell, Minn.
6. Gerry Harrison, Topeka, Kan.



Piston Pops – Gerry Harrison experienced difficulty with his tow truck coming to Lincoln, Neb., on Wednesday. Harrison worked frantically to get his truck repaired but when it became evident that his truck would be unable to haul his race car, he hopped into his race car and drove it to Huron (360 miles). Despite the strain caused by highway travel, Harrison and his 1960 Ford finished an impressive sixth.

1959 – Reed Streaks to New Southern 500 Record

 

Southern 500 winner Jim Reed is greeted in victory lane by Miss Southern 500, Carolyn Melton.

Darlington, S.C. (September 7, 1959) – Jim Reed of Peekskill, N. Y., five-time national short track champion, picked up the biggest victory of his racing career here yesterday as he shattered the previous records in the 10th running of the famed Southern 500 classic at Darlington International Raceway.

Reed covered the 364-lap distance over the mile and three-eighths asphalt oval in four hours, 28 minutes, and 31.87 seconds to set a new all-time speed record at Darlington at 111.836 miles per hour in the Southern 500.

The winning speed was nearly 10 miles an hour faster than the previous record of 102.590 set last year by Glen “Fireball” Roberts of Daytona Beach, Fla.

A crowd of 78,000, the largest ever to view a stock car race, and a rich purse of $71,351, the richest in stock car history, lured a starting field of 50 cars for the classic. Reed won $2,551 in lap money and took home $17,351 plus manufacturer's awards for his richest payoff since he started racing in 1947.

A garage owner in Peekskill, Reed was in his sixth Southern 500 when the big victory came his way. His previous best finish was 1955 when he came in second. He was fourth in 1956 and 1957 and was running fifth in 1958 in one of Lee Petty's cars when misfortune came his way.

Trailing Reed across the finish line was Joe Weatherly of Norfolk, Va., driving in relief of Bob Burdick, the rookie from Omaha, Neb. Weatherly had started in another Thunderbird and blew the engine before relieving Burdick.

Another rookie, Richard Petty of Randleman, N. C., finished third. He was relieved in the race by Marvin Panch in a 1959 Plymouth.

Petty's car was running second around the 340th lap when the right front tire blew; the car hit the railing and came around on its own power. But that mishap, with Reed holding a two - lap edge, wrapped it up for the veteran New Yorker. He made it look easy the rest of the way.

Bobby Johns of Miami, who held the lead on two occasions, was fourth in a 1957 Chevrolet. Tommy Irwin of Purcellville, Va., took fifth in a 1959 Thunderbird.

Others in the top 10 were Jim Paschal of High Point, N. C., 1958 Impala; Fireball Roberts, the top qualifier and heavy favorite in a 1959 Pontiac; Larry Frank, Greenville, S.C., in a 1957 Chevrolet; Buck Baker, Spartanburg, S. C., in a 1959 Impala, and Jimmy Thompson of Monroe, N. C., in a 1959 Thunderbird.

Speedy Thompson of Monroe, N. C., starting on the outside front row, grabbed the lead on the initial lap in a 1959 Impala. On the third lap, Roberts moved into the lead and set a sizzling early pace.

Banjo Matthews of Asheville, driving a hot 1959 Thunderbird, took over on the 45th lap and Cotton Owens, of Spartanburg, S. C., driving another T-Bird, took the lead on the 68th lap when Matthews pitted.

Bobby Johns, driving a 1957 Chevrolet and starting in the 48th spot in the 50-car field, grabbed the lead on the 86th lap when Owens went into the pits.

Richard Petty took the front position on the 92nd lap and Matthews regained the top spot on the 99th lap.

On the 138th trip around, Johns regained the lead.

Around the 170th lap, with Matthews running in second and bidding for the lead, he ran into bad luck when his car broke a wheel and hit the wall and a bent frame put his car out of the race for good.

Reed took the lead for the first time at the 187th lap and kept it until the Burdick Thunderbird, with Weatherly at the wheel, grabbed the lead on the 238th lap when Reed pitted.

Reed took over for good on the 264th lap with 100 laps remaining and the Richard Petty car some 75 feet behind.

At the 300-lap distance, Reed had built up a lap lead over the second place car. When the Petty car blew the tire and hit the railing; that moved Weatherly into second and increased Reed's lead to some three laps.

He started taking it easier at that point to pick up his first big victory.


Results –

1. Jim Reed
2. Bob Burdick/Joe Weatherly
3. Bobby Johns
4. Marvin Panch/Richard Petty
5. Tommy Irwin
6. Jim Paschal
7. Glenn Roberts
8. Larry Frank
9. Buck Baker
10.Jimmy Thompson
11.Shep Langdon
12.Bill Champion
13.Joe Caspolich
14.Speedy Thompson
15.Charlie Cregar
16.Herman Beam
17.Rex White
18.L.D. Austin
19.Cotton Owens
20.Lee Petty
21.Bud Crothers
22.Al White
23.G.C. Spencer
24.Earl Balmer
25.Dick Blackwell
26.Tiny Lund
27.Cale Yarborough
28.Jack Smith
29.Marvin Panch
30.Johnny Patterson
31.Banjo Matthews
32.George Green
33.Roy Tyner
34.Bob Duell
35.Bob Welborn
36.Tom Pistone
37.Neil Castles
38.Possum Jones
39.Lennie Page
40.Buddy Baker

1981 – Lindley Puts V-6 in Winner’s Circle

 

Butch Lindley receives congratulations from AMS/OIL President Al Amatuzio after winning the 300-lap event at the Minnesota State Fair. – John Vass Photo

St. Paul, Minn. (September 6, 1981) – Butch Lindley proved to be the catalyst to make the Chevrolet Cavalier V-6 volatile in American Speed Association racing, as the Greenville, S.C., driver delivered the first major win for “the little green car,” in Sunday’s AMS/OIL 300 at the Minnesota State Fair Speedway.

Mike Miller, who won the Fair-opening “300” last Sunday, drove intensely to finish 2.7-seconds back in a Camaro, easily becoming the dual-weekend money winner with over $10,00 accounted for.

Though dominating the previous Sunday’s “300,” Lindley was prevented from enjoying a sure win when a rod in the 302-inch cubic engine broke with just over 50 laps to go.

Lindley and the agile Cavalier didn’t run away at the start as polesitter Jim Sauter led the first our laps before Mark Martin joined Lindley in passing Sauter to hookup in a highspeed shadow-boxing match that saw then incessantly racing side-by-side, often exchanging the lead several times a lap.

Martin’s challenge was doomed by faulty electrics in his Camaro, forcing retirement after 63 circuits.

At that point, Lindley was also startled by a balky transmission that refused to stay in top gear.

Grimly holding the car in gear with one hand and racing some 30-odd cars on the .52-mile paved oval with only the other hand to steer, Lindley finally got some relief from the dilemma with a pit stop on lap 121.

As his crew lashed the errant gear lever, he emerged a painfully swollen left wrist in ice water and returned to the trenches. Another stop two laps later to finish repairs stripped him of a lap advantage he’d built on the rest of the field.

When the green reappeared, Lindley still had the lead but shared the lead lap with Miller, a charging Tom Reffner, a very fast Joe Shear, plus local ace Jim Weber, who was spectacularly taking measure of the visiting pros.

Attrition rapidly pared down the usual frontrunners as Bob Senneker (rearend gears), then Martin (electrical), ASA points leader Mike Eddy (drive gear), and the leader of the “Wisconsin Gang,” Dick Trickle (ignition) all exited with assorted issues.

Sporadic cautions caused anxiety for Lindley and renewed hope for Miller. With each slowdown, Lindley was forced to restart with just one gear and cooling tires his lightweight machine didn’t get “hooked” as rapidly as the heavier V-8 powered cars.

Miller expertly dashed into the lead on lap 229 off a caution but once the fire lit in the droning V-6, it was Lindley reclaiming the top spot.

Four brief cautions during the final 50 circuits each served to set up the same dramatic situation, and despite a yeoman’s effort on Miller’s part, he could never get back around Lindley.

Shear would finish third, the only other car on the lead lap with Lindley and Miller. Rusty Wallace was fourth, a lap down, and just edging a game Tom Reffner, in the final two laps which dropped the Wisconsin ace to fifth.

Lindley’s win, his first-ever in ASA competition netted him $5,950 from a $40,000 purse. Cast in the role of “David Versus Goliath” by his petite machine, Lindley’s win was well received by the 12,000 in attendance.


Results –


1. Butch Lindley, Greenville, S.C.
2. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
3. Joe Shear, Twin Lakes, Wis.
4. Rusty Wallace, Valley Park, Mo.
5. Tom Reffner, Rudolph, Wis.
6. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
7. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.
8. Steve Murgic, Burnsville
9. John Boegeman, Shakopee
10.Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
11.Alan Kulwicki, Milwaukee
12.Bob Strait, Flossmoor, Ill.
13.Don Gregory, Columbus, Ohio
14.Pat Schauer, Watertown, Wis.
15.Jay Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
16.Jim Weber, Roseville
17.Jim Derhaas, Shakopee
18.John Knaus, Rockford, Ill.
19.Clark Swyer, Colorado Springs, Col.
20.Steve Burgess, Eau Claire, Wis.

1974 – Weedon Caps ‘Perfect Year’ at Valley Track

 

Ron Weedon

Davenport, Iowa (September 6, 1974) – “You tell everyone that Ronnie Weedon is the best damn driver in the Quad Cities.”

It was hard to argue with that statement from the Pleasant Valley driver.

After winning the Valley mid-season and point titles prior to last night, he sped to a start-to-finish victory in the 35-lap season championship before the largest crowd of the year, 4,500, at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds.

“This has been a beautiful year,” an obviously elated Weedon remarked following the race. “Before we started the season, we figured it would be a real battle between Duane (Steffe) and I, and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.”

Steffe, who finished second to Weedon in points, didn’t get past the parade lap of the championship feature as his ignition system went stone cold.

“I don’t know exactly what happened,” Steffe said. “It’s certainly disappointing, but that’s the way it goes in this sport. I really hated getting this far and not having a shot at Ronnie. We just haven’t had much lady luck lately.”

Weedon didn’t need much luck Friday night, just a lot of driving skill which Weedon possesses perhaps more than any other in Quad Cities racing history.

Starting on the pole position, Weedon jumped into the lead at the green and led the entire 35 laps uninterrupted.

Veteran Don Bohlander of Glasford, Ill., finished second while Mel Morris of West Liberty was third. John Connolly of Delhi finished fourth and Pokey West of Westchester rounded out the top five.


Results –


Heat #1 – Herb Shannon, Peoria, Ill.
Heat #2 – Bob Schulte, Delhi
Heat #3 – Sam Reakes, Rockford, Ill.
Semi-main – Don Bohlander, Glasford, Ill.
Feature –
1. Ron Weedon, Pleasant Valley
2. Don Bohlander
3. Mel Morris, West Liberty
4. John Connolly, Delhi
5. Pokey West, Westchester
6. Jim Gerber, Long Grove
7. Ray Guss, Milan, Ill.
8. Gary Webb, Davenport
9. John Simenec, Rock Island, Ill.
10.Mike Bardoel, Milan, Ill.

1968 - Bettenhausen Tops Weld at Knoxville

Gary Bettenhausen 

Knoxville, Iowa (September 6, 1968) - Gary Bettenhausen of Tinley Park, Ill., took the lead on the tenth lap and went on to win the 30-lap United States Auto Club sprint car feature before 2,078 fans at the Marion County Fairgrounds here Friday night.

Bettenhausen, son of the late Tony Bettenhausen, a United States Auto Club and Indianapolis 500 star, won $710 for his efforts.

Favored Greg Weld of Kansas City, Mo., held the lead for the first 10 laps and finished fourth.

Jerry Daniels of St. Paul, Minn., was second and Larry Dickson of Marietta, Ohio, was third.

Karl Busson of Toledo, Ohio, the 1967 International Motor Contest Association sprint car champion, hit the wall and flipped once during the semi-main. Officials said a header came loose and wedged in the wheel, causing the accident.

All times were under the track records for super modified competition. Weld had the fastest qualifying time, circling the half-mile in 20.66 seconds. Bill Utz of Sedalia, Mo., holds the track record at 20.73 seconds.

Bettenhausen's time of 11 minutes and 4 seconds for 30 laps cracked the 11 minutes and 6.28 seconds set by Jerry Blundy of Galesburg, Ill., on July 20.

Bettenhausen also had the fastest 8-lap time of 2 minutes and 50.10 seconds in winning a heat race. Virgil Chapman of Kansas City, Mo., set the record of 3 minutes and 13.64 seconds in 1965.

Daniels and Don Brown, San Fernando, Calif., won heat races and Rollie Beat, Toledo, Ohio, captured the 10-lap semi-main.


Results –


1. Gary Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, Ill.
2. Jerry Daniels, St. Paul, Minn.
3. Larry Dickson, Marietta, Ohio
4. Greg Weld, Kansas City
5. Wib Spalding, Granite City, Ill.
6. Carl Williams, Kansas City
7. Mike Mosley, La Punta, Calif.
8. Don Brown, San Fernando, Calif.
9. Don Thomas, San Diego, Calif.
10.Ralph Liguori, Tampa, Fla.

1982 - Jackson Survives, Wins Santa Fe’s 100-Lapper

 

Larry Jackson got all sorts of goodies after winning the Prairie State Stock Car Classic at Santa Fe Speedway. – Dorothy and Vince Mayer Photo

Willow Springs, Ill. (September 5, 1982) – Two-time Santa Fe Speedway track champion Larry Jackson scored his first victory of the season Sunday night as he captured the 100-lap Prairie State Stock Car Classic late model feature.

A second-place finish in the event enabled eight-year veteran John Provenzano to nail down his first track championship.

Tony Izzo paced the field for the first five laps before engine failure knocked him out of the contest on lap 6. Al Johnson inherited the top spot with Jim Partipilo and Jim O’Conner close behind. The event’s first caution came on lap 13 when Frank Schickel Jr. blew a radiator hose. The yellow returned two laps later when Mike Papp spun in turn two.

Johnson continued to lead after two cautions with Partipilo in pursuit. The two fought for three circuits before Johnson’s radiator gave way allowing Partipilo to take over. O’Conner then moved into second ahead of Bob Pohlman and Jackson.

Partipilo continued to lead until he spun on lap 67, giving the lead to Jackson, who held the top spot until the finish.

Provenzano came in second, with Fred Lofgren third, Pohlman fourth, and Denny Falkos rounding out the top five.


Results –


1. Larry Jackson, Lyons
2. John Provenzano, Glen Ellyn
3. Fred Lofgren, Bensenville
4. Bob Pohlman, Oak Lawn
5. Denny Falkos, Aurora
6. Cloyce Friend, Lombard
7. Jim Boehles, Hales Corner, Wis.
8. Dennis Erb, Carpentersville
9. Bill Vlcek, Downers Grove