1970 – Harlan Race to Wrich

Bill Wrich accepts the huge trophy after winning the Iowa-Nebraska Championship from trophy girls Reggie Wright and Shari Schreiner after winning the 50-lap feature. Flagman Larry Cook holds the checkers. 

Harlan, Iowa (September 21, 1970) – Bill Wrich of Kennard, Neb., passed Bud Burdick of Omaha on the 41st lap en route to winning the Iowa – Nebraska Championship. The first annual event was held at the Shelby County Speedway and paid $1,100 to win.

A total of 62 cars competed in the two-day event.

Finishing second the in the 50-lap championship feature was Don Davidson of Des Moines with Stan Stover of Reinbeck taking third. Those three cars completed all 50 laps.

Only 11 cars were running at the conclusion of the event which started 24 cars. The race was started “Indy-Style,” with the field starting three abreast.

A crowd estimated at 3,200 for the Sunday afternoon program.

Winner of the last qualifying event, a 20-lap race, was Earl Tice of Ames. Stan Stover won the semi-main and George Barton of Ankeny won the consolation race.

Wrich started the main event on the inside of the fourth row. He moved into contention rather quickly and by lap 10 was right behind Burdick and challenging him for the top spot. The battle between the two drivers continued for the next 30 circuits.

Wrich would get by Burdick as the two cars were lapping Lloyd Jorgenson of Audubon. Burdick would retire a few laps later with a blown motor.

Wrich would then fend off Davidson and Stove for the remaining few laps to grab the victory. Wrich’s car is owned by Tom Gawley of Irwin, Neb. It was the second big money win for the pair as they also teamed to win the Sunset Speedway Invitational in July which earned them $750.

The track got dusty as the afternoon wore on. Never had the Harlan track have so many cars competing on it. Twenty-three cars started the semi-main and 24 started the feature.

Ed Sanger of Waterloo, the track champion at Cedar Rapids and Waterloo, possibly staged the best show of the day in the semi. He started in the middle of the pack and spun out, going to the back of the field. He stormed back and by the end of 15 laps, had taken second to qualify for the main event. He would finish 10th in the 50-lapper.


Results –


1. Bill Wrich, Kennard, Neb.
2. Don Davidson, Des Moines
3. Stan Stover, Reinbeck
4. Lloyd Jorgenson, Audubon
5. Joe Stewart, Blair, Neb.
6. Arlo Dorenbusch, Boone
7. Phil Reece, Des Moines
8. Ken Davidson, Des Moines
9. John Beaman, Council bluffs
10.Ed Sanger, Waterloo
11.Randy Sterner, Blair, Neb.
12.Gary Jones, Des Moines
13.Bud Burdick, Omaha
14.Jerry LeCroy, Des Moines
15.Rich Lyons, Jefferson
16.George Barton, Ankeny
17.Bob Bonzer, Liscomb
18.Joe Schaefer, Waterloo