1982 – Shear Claims Fourth Rockford NSTC Title

 

Joe Shear won his fourth National Short Track Championship 200 for late models at Rockford Speedway. Track promoters Hugh and Jody Deery join Shear in victory lane. – Dean Bentley Collection

Loves Park, Ill. (September 26, 1982) – After three consecutive second-place finishes, Joe Shear won the 200-lap late model feature for a record fourth time in the 17th annual National Short Track Championships at Rockford Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Driving a 1981 Camaro, the popular Shear started the 200-lap main event in the fourth row and quickly moved behind polesitter Conrad Morgan, John Ziegler, and Jim Sauter.

The top running foursome were bumper to bumper until the 82nd go-round, when Shear made one of his frequent moves into the low groove in an effort to get around Sauter.

Just as Shear overtook Sauter in the second turn, Russ Peterson looped his mount along the backstretch, causing the yellow to appear.

Shear, who was moved back into fourth place for the restart, got alongside Sauter’s Firebird on the 87th circuit. One lap later, Shear went past Sauter and Ziegler and four laps later, snared the lead away from Morgan.

Shear was in front of Sauter and Dave Watson when the mandatory pit stop on the 103rd revolution came up. When the race restarted, there was a three-car sprint between the trio of former NST winners. They ran nose to tail with Sauter and Watson frequently dropping out of line in an effort to improve their positions in slower traffic.

The complexion of the race changed on lap 157 when Sauter spun triggering a caution-producing tangle which also involved Watson and Mel Walen. Because of their involvement in the mishap, Sauter and Watson were relegated to the rear of the field for the restart.

Shear would continue his pace for the remaining 43 circuits and finish a comfortable five-car-lengths ahead of runner-up Ziegler. Ted Musgrave garnered third place while Watson made a valiant charge through the field to earn fourth.

In other Sunday afternoon action, Dave Fossum won the 100-lap Rockford Rules feature.


Results –


1. Joe Shear, Beloit, Wis.
2. John Ziegler, Madison, Wis.
3. Ted Musgrave, Grand Marsh, Wis.
4. Dave Watson, Milton, Wis.
5. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
6. Conrad Morgan, Dousman, Wis.
7. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
8. Grant Wilson, Savage, Minn.
9. Don Biederman, Oakville, Ont.
10.Tracy Schuler, Lockport
11.Russ Peterson, Hartland, Wis.
12.Willie Goeden, Kewaskum, Wis.
13.Rich Bickle Jr., Edgerton, Wis.
14.Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
15.Don Leach, Beloit, Wis.
16.Tom Cellini, South Chicago Heights
17.Terry Weatherford, Byron
18.Dave Klein, Madison, Wis.
19.Ken Lund, Madison, Wis.
20.Tim Cox, Wildwood