1962 – Hutcherson Wins at Shreveport

 

Dick Hutcherson 

Shreveport, La. (October 21, 1962) – Smiling Iowan, Dick Hutcherson jumped out front on the first lap and was never headed Sunday afternoon in the 100-lap feature at International Motor Contest Association-sponsored stock car races on the State Fairgrounds half mile.

Hutcherson, one of several IMCA drivers hailing from Keokuk, Iowa, picked up $250 for his winning effort, beating out fellow townsman Ernie Derr for the top spot as the capacity crowd looked on. Derr was the winner last April when the IMCA stock car season opened.

Hutcherson, who piloted a ’62 Ford, said that getting out front early was the major factor in his victory.

The drivers had to peer through mud-splattered windshields on this gray Sunday afternoon after hard rains on Saturday had made the track slippery and treacherous.

Finishing behind Hutcherson and Derr, who won $190, was Bob Reynolds of Edmond, Okla., who pocketed $140 for finishing third.

Fourth went to Lenny Funk of Otis, Kan., while John Mickey of Columbus Junction, Iowa, rounded out the top-five.

While Hutcherson was cruising to an easy victory, the attention of the fans was focused on a red-hot race between Derr and Ramo Stott. Stott, riding herd on a ’62 Pontiac, had managed to stay ahead of Derr, the 1961 IMCA stock car national champion, for 79 laps. But on the 80th round, Derr wheeled his Pontiac even with Stott, and after a bumping session, moved ahead.

Stott never got a chance to come back into contention as his car went out on lap 87 due to engine trouble.

Hutcherson maintained at least a half-lap advantage through the latter stages of the race. His winning time for 50 miles was 45 minutes and 8 seconds.

Darrell Dake of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Hutcherson were heat winners. Funk took the win in the 10-lap consolation race.


Results –


1. Dick Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
3. Bob Reynolds, Edmond, Okla.
4. Lenny Funk, Otis, Kan.
5. John Mickey, Columbus Junction, Iowa
6. Newt Bartholomew, Carlisle, Iowa
7. Ramo Stott, Keokuk, Iowa
8. Paul Jett, San Antonio, Tex.
9. Butch Hall, Russell, Minn.
10.Jerry Douglas, Wichita, Kan.
11.Eddie Harrow, Corpus Christi, Tex.
12.Darrell Dake, Cedar Rapids, Iowa