1979 - Late Charge Nets Trickle Third Rockford National

 

Two of the best ever – Joe Shear (36) and Dick Trickle (99) go wheel-to-wheel during the 1979 National Short Track Championships in Rockford. Trickle would score his third career win in the prestigious event. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Rockford, Ill. (September 23, 1979) – Dick Trickle took the lead from Joe Shear with less than three laps to go and hung on by less than a car length to win Sunday afternoon’s 200-lap National Short Track Championship late model feature at Rockford Speedway.

Dave Watson placed third, about a car-length behind Shear. Fourth place Bob Strait was the only other car to complete the event’s full 200-lap distance. Jim Sauter, who placed fifth, completed 199 circuits.

By virtue of his victory, Trickle joined Shear as the only three-time winners in the 14-year history of the prestigious event. Trickle’s previous triumphs were in 1966 and 1978. While Shear took titles in 1972, 1974, and 1975.

Shear started Sunday’s matinee from the outside of row one and charged into the lead at the drop of the green flag. Three caution periods and 105 laps later, Shear was still out in front as action was interrupted for the contest’s mandatory pit stop.

After racing resumed, close competition was the order of the day. At the 116-lap mark, shear was trailed by Watson, the 1976 National Short Track titlist, and Trickle. But on the following circuit, Trickle and Mark Martin got by Watson on the backstretch to claim second and third, respectively.

The lead trio battled at close quarters until the 159th round, when Martin, who had won the event in 1977, slowed and then withdrew from competition, after experiencing problems with the right front wheel spindle on his race car. His exit enabled Watson to regain third.

The final 41 laps saw an intense struggle between Shear and Trickle for the number one spot, with Shear maintaining a slim advantage until lap 198. Then Trickle, in one last desperation move, pass Shear coming out of the third turn.

Shear tried valiantly to regain the top spot during the final two circuits, but Trickle shut the door and led the rest of the way to ice the win.

The Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., chauffeur called the victory one the two toughest of his illustrious career.


Results –


1. Dick Trickle
2. Joe Shear
3. Dave Watson
4. Bob Strait
5. Jim Sauter
6. Pat Schauer
7. Bobby Gunn
8. Frank Gawlinski
9. John Speer
10.Mel Walen
11.Ken Lund
12.Rich Bickle
13.Alan Kulwicki
14.Fran Prestay
15.Mike Barlass
16.Johnny McPartlin
17.Mark Martin
18.Bobby Dotter
19.Dave Evans
20.Ed Hoffman
21.John Knaus
22.Jim Blount
23.Leonard Reimer
24.Bart Reinen
25.Ray Young
26.Larry Hicks
27.Mike Miller
28.Tom Reffner