1956 – After 28,000 Fans, ‘500’ May Be Annual Affair

 

Winners of the first “Gopher 500” at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds – Marvin Panch, Don White, Charles Magnison, and Johnny Beauchamp. – Star Sportsphoto

St. Paul, Minn. (September 30, 1956) – No sooner had the roar of 500 laps of racing died down at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds Sunday than the 28,312 fans in attendance were asking if the Gopher 500 stock car race would be an annual affair.

The answer wasn’t immediately forthcoming from Minnesota State Fair officials and the promotion of Auto Racing, Inc., but everyone agreed that it was tremendously successful.

Frank Winkley, the race promoter, said, “I’ve never seen such excellent driving in my 30 years in the business” after Johnny Beauchamp, Marvin Panch, Don White, and Charley Magnison walked off with most of the $10,000 purse.

Beauchamp, of Harlan, Iowa, won the first half of the 500-lap event, set five world stock car records and pocketed $955 with his powerful 1956 Chevrolet. Panch, the 30-year-old Gardenia, Calif., pilot who competes in long-distance races all over the United States, was the winner of the second half in his 1956 Ford. Although he established no records, he walked away $1,120 richer.

White, of Keokuk, Iowa, and Magnison, of Minneapolis, who retired from racing two years ago to devote himself full-time to selling real estate, were the most consistent of the talented field. Magnison finished fourth in both races while White picked up a third and fifth-place finish to tie for the overall title. Both drivers piloted 1956 Chevrolets. White collected $915 while Magnison earned $875.

Panch staged a great comeback in winning the second 250-lapper after finishing 24th in the field of 33 during the first half due to a faulty cooling system. Beauchamp was riding in second place in the last half of the contest when he burned out a piston 40 laps from the checkered flag and ended up in 15th place.

Panch thundered home in the time of 2 hours, 10 minutes, and 15.94 seconds, several laps ahead of runner-up Don Haeg of Bloomington. Panch led the first 50 laps, lost it to Beauchamp for the next 15, then took over for good on lap 65.

In the first half, Beauchamp, the International Motor Contest Association champion, set records for 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 laps to go with new world half-mile mark of 27.39 seconds he established in time trials Saturday.

He took the lead on the fourth lap and then spent the remaining 246 laps passing everyone in his path, lapping the complete field on the 142nd turn.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Johnny Beauchamp, Harlan, Iowa
2. Sonny Morgan, Beaumont, Tex.
3. Bill Amick, Portland, Ore.
4. Chuck Magnison, Minneapolis
5. Don White, Keokuk, Iowa
6. Frank Schneider, Vineland, N.J.
7. Chub Liebe, Oelwein, Iowa
8. Don Schisler, Detroit, Mich.
9. Tubby Harrison, Topeka, Kan.
10.Jim Martin, Richmond, Mo.
11.Jerry Kaufmann, Minneapolis
12.Dick Johnson, St. Paul
13.Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
14.Doc Narber, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
15.Chris Skadal, Des Moines
16.Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
17.Shorty Eberts, Avondale, Mo.
18.Bucky Wagner, Manitowoc, Wis.
19.George Allison, Keokuk, Iowa
20.Jerry Draper, Moline, Ill.


Feature #2 –

1. Marvin Panch, Gardena, Calif.
2. Don Haeg, Bloomington
3. Don White
4. Chuck Magnison
5. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
6. Harold Burns, Minneapolis
7. Frank Schneider
8. Dick Johnson
9. Darrell Dake
10.Short Eberts
11.Bob Hardy, Beaumont, Tex.
12.Ernie Derr
13.Bob Burdick, Omaha, Neb.
14.Harry Daubenspeck, St. Paul
15.Johnny Beauchamp
16.Dick Jepson, Hoxie, Kan.
17.Don Schisler
18.Frank Selisker, Brainard
19.Tubby Harrison
20.Chris Skadal