1960 – California Driver Wins at Alabama State Fair

A.J. Shepherd

Birmingham, Ala. (October 8, 1960) – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif., came from far back in the field to win the 20-lap big car main event at the Alabama State Fair on Saturday afternoon.

Shepherd, driving one of three Offenhausers entered by “Dizz” Wilson, started tenth in the feature event and with a brilliant performance, came through the field to take over first place on the 15th lap.

The program was halted approximately an hour before the main event by a heavy shower and the racing surface was slick and treacherous when the final race got underway.

Arnold Knepper, Belleville, Ill., took an early lead but was forced out after only five laps because of a faulty fuel injector. Hugh Randall, Louisville, Ky., then took command until the 15th circuit when Shepherd, driving with superb skill, passed him coming out of the second turn onto the backstretch and into the lead.

Randall held on to finish second with Bob Mathouser, Omaha, Neb., driving Fritz Tegtmeier’s famous #24 holding off a furious challenge by Walt McWhorter of Wichita, Kan., for third place.

Such a terrific pace was set that Pete Folse, Tampa. Fla., the defending IMCA champion, who was running “knobbies” instead of “slicks” used by the frontrunners, could manage no better than a eight place finish.


Results –


Heat #1 – A.J. Shepherd, Gardena, Calif.
Heat #2 – Froggy Droz, Ottumwa, Iowa
Heat #3 – Speed Funderburk, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Trophy Dash – Hugh Randall, Louisville, Ky.
Semi-Main – Bob Mathouser, Omaha, Neb.
Feature –
1. A.J. Shepherd
2. Hugh Randall
3. Bob Mathouser
4. Walt McWhorter, Wichita, Kan.
5. Jerry Blundy, Galesburg, Ill.
6. Ray Duckworth, Anderson, Ind.
7. Leroy Neumayer, Compton, Calif.
8. Pete Folse, Tampa, Fla.