Wednesday, September 4, 2024

1961 – North Star 350 to McCann


Buzz McCann holds the trophy he earned after winning the Northstar 350 late model stock car race at the Minnesota State Fair. 





St. Paul, Minn. (September 4, 1961) – Buzz McCann of St. Paul drove his 1961 Ford to victory this afternoon in the North Star 350 late model stock car race, the final event on the 11-day slate of the Minnesota State Fair.

McCann rewrote the IMCA and State Fair record book in his winning ride.

The St. Paul veteran finished 17.21 seconds ahead of Ernie Derr of Keokuk, Iowa, who finished second and set a new IMCA world record for 175 miles with a time of 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 46 seconds to wipe out the old mark set by Sonny Morgan of Beaumont, Tex., in 1960. Chub Liebe of Oelwein, Iowa finished third in a 1961 Ford.

The victory was worth $1,500 to McCann while Derr drew $1,200 for his second-place effort.

The race was a duel most of the way with McCann and Derr swapping the lead on several occasions. The big edge was in pit stops with Derr making three to McCann’s two.

In the final stages of the race, the oil pressure in Derr’s 1961 Pontiac started to drop and he was forced to slow down in order to hold his position.

Attendance for the event was estimated at 27,000.


Results –


1. Buzz McCann, St. Paul
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Chub Liebe, Oelwein, Iowa
4. Dick Johnson, St. Paul
5. Johnny Jones, Russell
6. Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
7. Bob Reynolds, Edmond, Okla.
8. Kenneth Pratt, Darlington, Wis.
9. Johnny Beauchamp, Atlantic, Iowa
10.Bob Jusola, Mound


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