1983 - Schill Overall Winner in Grundy's ARTGO

 

Al Schill won the first 50-lap feature and took second in the finale to claim the overall performance in the ARTGO Chicagoland Opener at Grundy County Speedway. – Don Thies Photo

By Stan Kalwasinski

Morris, Ill. (April 23, 1983) – Al Schill and Dick Trickle each captured 50-lap feature races with Schill taking the overall championship in ARTGO Racing’s Chicagoland Opener late model special at Grundy County Speedway on Sunday afternoon.

Schill, a 38-year-old speedster from Franklin, Wis., recorded his first ARTGO win of the campaign wheeling his 1983 Firebird to victory in the opening 50-lap event.

A field of 20 starters took the green flag with polesitter Mel Walen charging into the lead. Walen and his 1982 Firebird stayed on top for the first two laps with Schill, who started alongside Whalen on the front row, taking command on lap 3.

Walen would take back first place on lap 6, then relinquish back to Schill on lap 9, who would then set the pace for the rest of the race, which saw three yellow flags fly for minor spins.

At the 25-lap mark, Schill was trailed by Joe Shear, Walen, Jay Sauter, Dave Weltmeyer, and Jim Sauter. Schill maintained a comfortable margin for the second half of the race, finishing one-half of a straightaway ahead of second place Shear.

Rounding out thee top five in the first 50-lapper was defending ARTGO titlist Jim Sauter, Dick Trickle, who made a hard-driving comeback from a early spin, and Weltmeyer.

Trickle would wheel his 1982 Firebird to victory in the second 50-lapper. Coming from his eighth starting position, the Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., driver, recorded his second ARTGO win of young season and his 30th career victory to remain atop the series’ point standings.

Another field of 20 answered the call for the second 50, with Jim Weber of Roseville, Minn., who started on the outside of the front row, setting the early pace in his 1981 Camaro as Trickle quickly began cutting a path towards the front. The 41-year-old veteran charge underneath Weber on lap 19 as the pair powered through turns one and two.

Once on top, Trickle wasted little time showing his stuff as he quickly moved into a comfortable lead. The 25-lap rundown found Trickle in first, followed by Weber, Tom Musgrave, Schill, Jim Back, and Mark Malcuit.

Despite a couple of caution flags waving, Trickle held a quarter of a lap lead at the dropping of the checkered flag. Rounding out the top five were Schill, Weber, Musgrave, and Malcuit.

A total of 41 cars were on hand for the afternoon’s competition on the high-banked half-mile paved oval.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Al Schill, Franklin, Wis.
2. Joe Shear, Beloit, Wis.
3. Jim Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
4. Jay Sauter, Necedah, Wis.
5. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis.
6. Dave Weltmeyer, Harvey
7. Mark Malcuit, Strasburg, Ohio
8. Tom Musgrave, Glenview
9. Jim Back, Vesper, Wis.
10.Mel Walen, Shakopee, Minn.


Feature #2 –

1. Dick Trickle
2. Al Schill
3. Jim Weber, Roseville, Minn.
4. Ted Musgrave
5. Mark Malcuit
6. Jim Sauter
7. Dave Weltmeyer
8. Joe Shear
9. Jim Back
10.Mel Walen

1973 - Harrison Triumphs at Topeka

 

Gerry Harrison won the 50-lap IMCA stock car feature at the Mid-America Fairgrounds - Troy Harrison Collection

Topeka, Kan. (April 23, 1973) – Gerry Harrison, who had nothing but trouble at the Mid-America Fairgrounds on Saturday night, had nothing but good fortune on Sunday afternoon, winning the 50-lap late model stock car feature with his 1972 Monte Carlo in front all the way.

Saturday night’s winner, Tom Frasher of Jefferson City, Mo., finished second in his Camaro and was the recipient of a $100 bonus for being the top place finisher in the two days of racing.

Harrison, who won the pole position with a time 17.46 seconds, beat Jim Hagar of Liberty, Mo., through the first two turns on the first lap and kept his car well ahead of the rest of the field for the remaining 49 circuits.

There were about half as many cars (25) and half as many fans on hand for the afternoon of racing on the quarter-mile as there were for the Saturday night program on the half-mile.

As was the case on Saturday night, not many of the starters finished the feature. Twenty cars took the green flag and only seven were left at the finish. Mechanical troubles were the main issues as only minor spinouts brought out the yellow flag.

Gary Jellison of Topeka, Kan., who started the feature five points ahead of Frasher in the contest for the extra money, moved up to second place early in the chase and held it until lap 22 when the driveshaft let go on his Plymouth.

Meanwhile, back in the pack, Frasher was waiting for the field to thin before making his move. He was in seventh place when he started his move to the front on lap 18.

He had moved to fifth when Jellison dropped out and took over third passing Jerre Wichman of Kansas City on lap 29. Four laps later, Wichman came to a halt in front of the grandstand and was out of action.


Results –


1. Gerry Harrison, Topeka
2. Tom Frasher, Jefferson City, Mo.
3. Jim Dreasher, Topeka
4. John Nitsch, Topeka
5. John Beaman, Council Bluffs, Iowa
6. Sam Randol, Topeka
7. Garry Truelove, Trimble, Mo.
8. Jerre Wichman, Kansas City
9. Gary Jellison, Topeka
10.Bud Dibben, Gladstone, Mo.

1984 – Schiltz Wins Western World Title

 

Dick Schiltz won the Western World Late Model Stock Car Championship at Manzanita Speedway. - Todd Healey Photo

Phoenix, Ariz. (April 21, 1984) – Dick Schiltz took advantage of a late restart in the race and captured the Western World Late Model Stock Car Championship Saturday night at Manzanita Speedway.

Jack Ickes had wrestled the lead away from Bill Black of Phoenix on lap 8 and had built a comfortable margin over the rest of the field.

Schiltz, who started in the fifth row, made his way through the field and was running second to Ickes by about 2.5 seconds when defending champion Joe Wallace brought out the caution flag in the 35th lap of the 40-lap main event.

It was the break that Schiltz needed. On the restart, Schiltz blasted to the high side of the track, passed Ickes between the first and second turns, and was in the lead entering the backstretch.

Schiltz would fend off Ickes for the last four circuits to claim the top prize.

“Sure, the flag helped,” said Schiltz, of Waterloo, Iowa. “It also gave us a chance to adjust the brakes.”

Schiltz also received another break right before the start of the feature when he borrowed the transmission from Terry Belcher’s disabled car.

Ickes blamed nobody but himself for allowing Schiltz to get by him on the restart.

“We just outguessed ourselves on the gears,” a dejected Ickes said afterwards. “I couldn’t get out of the corners very well.”

Ickes may have held Schiltz off for the last five laps without any caution flags. But the yellow narrowed his lead, and Schiltz took less than one lap to move into first place.

Pole-sitter Red Dralle of Evansdale, Iowa, finished third, followed by Rick Sipes of Tucson, and George Brazil Jr. of Albuquerque, N.M.

Wallace couldn’t escape the car problems that had been hampering him since Friday’s qualifications. Wallace finished sixth in the consolation race to transfer to the semi-main, but he spun out and blew a tie early in that race. He was added to the feature event on thee promoter’s option.

Wallace didn’t fare much better there, becoming involved in a minor wreck on lap 3, and then bringing out the yellow flag when he stalled on lap 35.

Larry Phillips of Springfield, Mo., winner of the 1982 Western, put on quite the driving performance in the preliminary races. Phillips, who crashed in a qualifying race on Friday, came out of the second row to win the 12-lap consolation and then came from 11th to first in the semi-main to earn a spot in the feature. However, lady luck deserted him as his gear box let go early on and he was finished for the night.


Results –


1. Dick Schiltz
2. Jack Ickes
3. Red Dralle
4. Rick Sipes
5. George Brazil Jr.
6. Bill Black
7. Dean Vance
8. Bill Cheesbourg
9. Mike Gibson
10.Mark Harger

1978 – Simenec Leads at Davenport

 

John Simenec

Davenport, Iowa (April 21, 1978) – Rock Island’s “Flying Fireman,” John Simenec, won the late model feature during professional stock car races at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds on Friday night.

It was an added thrill for Simenec to lead the pack after 25 laps around the half-mile after he narrowly missed victory in last week’s season opener. He came from the rear of the field but lost to Mel Morris of West Liberty, who finished fourth in this week’s feature.

Battling it out for runner-up honors was Tom Hearst of Wilton, who crossed the line inches ahead of Duane Steffe of Colona, Ill.

The late model semi-feature saw a battle between Davenport’s Rollie Frink, who took an early lead in the 12-lap event only to be overcome by Verlin Eaker of Mechanicsville, Iowa.

Steffe, Simenec, and Gerry Reeder of Peoria, Ill., were late model heat winners.

In sportsman action, Gary Kerres of Edgington, Ill., won both his heat and feature.


Results –

Heat #1 – Duane Steffe, Colona, Ill.
Heat #2 – John Simenec, Rock Island, Ill.
Heat #3 – Garry Reeder, Peoria, Ill.
Semi-main – Verlin Eaker, Mechanicsville
Feature –
1. John Simenec
2. Tom Hearst, Wilton
3. Duane Steffe
4. Mel Morris, West Liberty
5. Ron Jackson, Burlington

1975 – Downs Opener to Walton

 

Ken Walton captured his hometown late model feature victory for the first time ever on the half-mile dirt of Hawkeye Downs.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 20, 1975) – Cedar Rapids’ Ken Walton won his first-ever late model feature event on the Hawkeye Downs’ half-mile oval Sunday night, the inaugural program for the 1975 season.

Walton was trailed by Waterloo’s Bill Zwanziger throughout the 25-lap feature. Stan Stover of Waterloo was third followed by Steve Keppler of Marion and fast timer Jim Strube of Peoria, Ill. Strube’s time in qualifications was 25.77 seconds.

Bill Barthelmes of Troy Mills captured the semi-main while heat wins went to Bill Rice and Bland Robinson, both of Des Moines, and Darrel Dake and Walton, both of Cedar Rapids.

Bill Douglas of West Liberty won the sportsman feature.


Results –

1. Ken Walton, Cedar Rapids
2. Bill Zwanziger, Waterloo
3. Stan Stover, Waterloo
4. Steve Keppler, Marion
5. Jim Strube, Peoria, Ill.
6. Fred Horn, Marion
7. Phil Reece, Des Moines
8. Ron Prymek, Iowa City
9. Bill Rice, Des Moines
10.Duane Steffe, East Moline, Ill.

1986 - Papini Rules in Rockford Lidlifter

 

Al Papini III won the late model season opener at Rockford Speedway. 

Rockford, Ill. (April 19, 1986) – Al Papini III led all 30 laps to win the late model feature, which highlighted Rockford Speedway’s 39th season-opening show Saturday night.

Papini built a commanding lead in the early laps but a yellow flag on lap 24 allowed 1984 track champion Bobby Hacker and defending titlist Jimmy Pierson to close in on the frontrunner.

However, Papini got the jump on his rivals when the green flag reappeared and withstood the challenges of Hacker and Pierson the rest of the way to score the victory.

Pierson overtook Hacker in the closing laps to take second while Hacker settled for third. Dennis Miller and Tim Melvin rounded out the top-five finishers.

Defending American Short Tracker champion Steve Erickson picked up where he left off in 1985, capturing the division’s trophy dash and feature. Fastest qualifier Bryan Young came in second in the feature with Steve Dickson, Sid Papini, and George Sparkman rounding out the top-five.

Don Duich was declared the winner of the roadrunner feature when apparent victor Chris McQuality was disqualified for weight infraction.


Results –


Late Model –

1. Al Papini III, Machesney Park
2. Jimmy Pierson, Milton, Wis.
3. Bobby Hacker, Loves Park
4. Dennis Miller, Beloit, Wis.
5. Tim Melvin, Machesney Park


American Short Tracker –

1. Steve Erickson, Roscoe
2. Bryan Young, Loves Park
3. Steve Dickson, Loves Park
4. Sid Papini, Loves Park
5. George Sparkman, Loves Park


Roadrunner –

1. Don Duich, Rockford
2. Glen Stout Jr., Beloit, Wis.
3. Bruce Tucker, Rockford

1975 – Ottinger Wins Speedway 200

 

L.D. Ottinger

Nashville, Tenn. (April 19, 1975) – L.D. Ottinger of Newport played a waiting game for the first quarter of the race while other big-name drivers dropped out, then he turned the 200-lap feature into a cakewalk at Nashville Speedway Saturday night.

For most of the big names in the race, the night was a disaster. Jack Ingram, the Late Model Sportsman national champion, was unable to start the race. A new distributor wouldn’t allow the engine to fire.

Grand National star Buddy Baker lasted exactly half a lap before someone bumped him, causing him to wreck. On the restart after that accident, Darrell Waltrip and Alton Jones, both Grand National drivers, were coming out of the fourth turn and fighting for the lead when they tangled with each other. Cale Yarbrough, another Grand National star, was right behind them.

All returned to the race, although briefly. None of them were around for the 20-lap mark. Coo Coo Marlin lasted until the midway point but was never a factor.

Morgan Shepherd led briefly, but on a pit stop his crew broke a stud. He lost two laps and in trying to catch up, ended up in the wall. The list of bad luck went on and on. Neil Bonnett, driving Bobby Allison’s race car while Bobby watched, could last only 58 laps out front.

By this time, Ottinger was out front. He gave way to Jerry Lawley only after a pit stop. He was running flawlessly. With 130 laps gone, Ottinger had a half-lap lead over Tiny Lund of Cross, S.C. Eight laps later when a caution flag came out, that lead had increased to three-quarters of a lap.

The caution allowed Lund and the rest of the field to bunch up, but even that didn’t help. At the checkered flag, only Lund was on the same lap as Ottinger. Jerry Lawley was third, a lap back. Butch Lindley of Greenville, S.C., finished fourth and Nashville’s Bobby Hargrove was fifth.

The race may have been the quietest in years. A new rule requiring mufflers allowed conversation in the grandstands but provoked some shouts in the pit area.

The lack of an adequate muffler cost Lindley the pole position and a new track record. He had a time of 20.59 seconds in a run with an illegal muffler.

He requalified, along with Waltrip, Ingram and Ottinger, who also got caught violating the muffler rule. This time, Lindley could do no better than 21.44 seconds.

A crowd of 15,000 watched the season-opening race.


Results –


1. L.D. Ottinger, Newport, Tenn.
2. Tiny Lund, Cross, S.C.
3. Jerry Lawley, Pensacola, Fla.
4. Butch Lindley, Greenville, S.C.
5. Bobby Hargraves, Nashville, Tenn.
6. P.B. Crowell III, Franklin, Tenn.
7. Freddy Fryar, Chattanooga, Tenn.
8. Ned Webb, Cincinnati, Ohio
9. Brad Teague, Johnson City, Tenn.
10.Don Guignard, Knoxville, Tenn.

1966 – Nelson, Hurtubise Finish 1-2 in Langhorne Race

 

Norm Nelson reveals his driving strategy to promoter Irv Fried after the Racine, Wis., driver won the USAC late model race at Langhorne Speedway. Jim Hurtubise, who finished second to Nelson, listens to his teammate. – Ray Masser Photo/Doug Schellinger Collection

Langhorne, Penn. (April 17, 1966) – Norm Nelson, the 1965 United States Auto Club national stock car champion from Racine, Wis., made his first start of the season on Sunday and wasted no time in taking up where he left off last season.

Nelson captured the 150-mile National Championship Classic at Langhorne Speedway on Sunday in a 1966 Plymouth and right behind him in second place – only one second behind, in fact – was Jim Hurtubise, who piloted Nelson’s second ’66 Plymouth entry.

Before the race Nelson had commented that Hurtubise was the man to beat, and it turned out he was right. Nelson had to set a record to beat out his teammate, whipping around the one-mile asphalt track in 1 hour, 27 minutes and 2.28 seconds for an average of 103.403 miles per hour. Hurtubise held the old record of 89.783 miles per hour when Langhorne was a dirt course.

Hurtubise, of North Tonawanda, N.Y., led from the start until he was forced to make an unexpected pit stop for a tire change on the 90th lap.

Nelson took charge for keeps on lap 136 but had to fend off a late charge by Hurtubise, who nearly made up the 1 1/2 lap deficit before running out of time.

“I had to pace myself so Jim wouldn’t catch me, but he was able to make up some ground and I really had to pour it on the last four or five miles,” Nelson explained.

Sal Tovella of Addison, Ill., was third in a 1965 Plymouth, Don White of Keokuk, Iowa, was fourth in a 1966 Dodge, and Billy Foster of Vancouver, B.C., was fifth in his 1965 Dodge.


Results –


1. Norm Nelson
2. Jim Hurtubise
3. Sal Tovella
4. Don White
5. Billy Foster
6. Hank Teeters
7. John Martin
8. Joe Burkhart
9. Mal Delameier
10.Roger Regeth
11.Eddie Meyer
12.Bob Phernetton
13.Bobby Wawak
14.Gary Bettenhausen
15.J.C. Klotz
16.Bay Darnell
17.Mac Vails
18.Roy Hallquist
19.Wally Dallenbach

1967 – Charlotte Ace Cops Staley 400

 

Darel Dieringer

Wilkesboro, N.C. (April 16, 1967) – It was a simple formula in which Darel Dieringer used on Sunday afternoon to win the seventh annual Gwyn Staley Memorial, a 250-mile NASCAR stock car race.

Dieringer started in front, stayed in the lead the entire 400 miles over the 5/8-mile North Wilkesboro Speedway, and was a lap ahead of his nearest challenger when the checkered flag fell.

Dieringer’s domination was so complete that a battle for third place in the final laps between Dick Hutcherson and Jim Paschal was the highlight for the estimated 13,000 fans in attendance.

Dieringer had averaged 104.603 miles per hour to set a new track record in qualifications, breaking the old mark of 103.069 miles per hour set last year by Junior Johnson.

Dieringer, driving a car set up by Johnson and Herb Nab, averaged 93.594 milers per hour in the 1967 Ford. His car was powered by a 374 cubic inch engine instead of the normal 427 and cut the weight of the car to the minimum 3,500 pounds. As a result, Dieringer went at top speed anywhere on the track and had no difficulty whatsoever in posting his first victory of the 1967 campaign.

Dieringer’s answer was simple to the winning formula. “When you drive for Junior, he wants you out front all the time.”

It was the first time in a race of 100 miles or more that a driver led every lap of the race. Richard Petty came close to accomplishing the feat several years ago at Bristol when he had a four-lap lead over Fred Lorenzen and led 499 laps. Difficulty on the final lap found Petty out on the first turn and dismally watching Lorenzen go by four times en route to the victory.

Trailing Dieringer across the finish line was Cale Yarborough in the Woods Brother 1967 Ford, but a lap back; Hutcherson in another 1967 Ford and four laps back; Paschal in a 1967 Plymouth and four laps back; and Paul Lewis in a 1967 Dodge and eight laps behind.

Petty, the second fastest in time trials, challenged Dieringer several times in the early running but was hit with overheating and tire issues, losing valuable time in the pits.

The caution flag flew six times for 28 laps due mainly to debris on the track.

The victory was worth $5,150 to Dieringer from the posted $21,500 purse. Yarborough collected $2,275 and Hutcherson picked up $1,350.

A field of 34 cars started the race with 17 still on the track when the race finished. Among the early casualties were G.C. Spencer’s 1966 Plymouth, Sam McQuagg’s 1966 Ford, Paul Goldsmith’s 1967Plymouth, and David Pearson’s 1967 Dodge.


Results –


1. Darel Dieringer, Charlotte, N.C
2. Cale Yarborough, Timmonsville, S.C.
3. Dick Hutcherson, Camden, S.C.
4. Jim Paschal, High Point, N.C.
5. Paul Lewis, Johnson City, Tenn.
6. Bobby Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
7. Richard Petty, Randleman, N.C.
8. John Sears, Ellerbe, N.C.
9. James Hylton, Inman, S.C.
10. J.T. Putney, Arden, N.C.

1979 – Rice Wins Eldon Opener

 

Eldon, Iowa (April 14, 1979) – With several hundred shivering race fans on hand to watch at Eldon Raceway, the season opener got off to smooth, but flying start with Bill Rice of Des Moines, the season point champion of 1978, winning his first feature of the new year.

Rice waged a back and forth, bumper-to-bumper battle with Denny Osborn of Cedar Falls, Osborn having led the first 11 circuits. Dan Dickey of Packwood was an even closer third, but the two frontrunners just didn’t leave any doors open.

Making a very impressive showing was Jim Brown of Ottumwa, who came up from the middle of the pack to within a half a car length behind Dickey to finish fourth.

Defending sportsman track champion Mike Benjamin of Keokuk matched his late model counterpart by winning his division’s feature. Jim Dorothy of Keosauqua finished second and Larry Adamson of Eldon was third.


Results –


Late Model –

Heat #1 – Bill Rice, Des Moines
Heat #2 – Denny Osborn, Cedar Falls
Australian Pursuit – Dan Dickey, Packwood
Consolation – Bill Earley, Edina, Mo.
Feature –
1. Bill Rice
2. Denny Osborn
3. Dan Dickey
4. Jim Brown, Ottumwa
5. Denny Banks, Washington
6. Johnny Babb, Ottumwa
7. Sonny Findlay, Kirksville, Mo.
8. Bob McCall, Ottumwa


Sportsman –

Heat #1 – Mike Benjamin, Keokuk
Heat #2 – Mike Carr, Ottumwa
Feature –
1. Mike Benjamin
2. Jim Dorothy, Keosauqua
3. Larry Adamson, Eldon
4. Larry Hanna, Batavia
5. Mike Carr, Ottumwa

1979 – Pitzer’s ‘Retirement’ Ends with Reading Win

 

Paul Pitzer churns up the Reading dirt en route to winning the USAC sprint car season opener. 

Reading, Penn. (April 14, 1979) – Regulars on USAC’s sprint car circuit are wishing Paul Pitzer would have kept his word when he announced his retirement two weeks ago.

But having second thoughts about the decision, Pitzer ended his brief hiatus Saturday night at the Reading Fairgrounds and proceeded to win the sprint division’s 40-lap feature.

Pitzer’s winning effort was aided by a caution period which enabled him to close in on frontrunning Sheldon Kinser late in the chase. Pitzer than passed Kinser shortly after green flag racing resumed and went on to pick up the victory.

Kinser settled for second-place money with Smokey Snellbaker third, Bubby Jones fourth, Rich Vogler fifth and Jay Myers sixth.

Outside front row starter Billy Cassella outsprinted pole sitter Gary Gray to grab the event’s early lead with Snellbaker taking second moments later.

The early pace was slowed by caution period spin by Larry Rice and then another yellow for a tangle involving Rice and Joe Saldana on the restart following the first slowdown. The second caution sent Rice and Saldana to the pits.

Fresh from a record-setting 22.684-second mark in time trials and a victory in the semi-feature, Kinser took second from Snellbaker on lap 9 and claimed first place one lap later.

Snellbaker promptly regained second place by getting by Cassella but would yield the runner-up spot to Pitzer on lap 16.

Kinser opened up a commanding advantage by the event’s midway point but was slowed by heavy traffic allowing Pitzer to chop away at his lead.

Then, four laps from the finish, Billy Stief spun bringing out the yellow flag and allowing Pitzer to close in on Kinser. After action resumed, Pitzer darted around Kinser with two laps to go and sprinted to victory.


Results –


1. Paul Pitzer
2. Sheldon Kinser
3. Smokey Snellbaker
4. Bubby Jones
5. Rich Vogler
6. Jay Myers
7. Bob East
8. Billy Cassella
9. Chuck Gurney
10.John Draucker

1987 - Pittman 'Surprise' Muskogee IMCA Winner

 

Denny Pittman won IMCA Modified National Series race at Thunderbird Speedway in Muskogee, Okla. With Pittman is IMCA executive secretary Bill Haglund. – Margaret Gardner Photo

Muskogee, Okla. (April 11, 1987) – Denny Pittman of Jefferson, Iowa, didn’t know he had won the IMCA Modified National Series feature Saturday night at Thunderbird Speedway.

Pittman and Ray Cox Jr. of Davenport, Iowa, had spent 23 of 25 laps in the feature race chasing down Curt Hutchens, a Muskogee native now living in Herndon, Iowa.

Hutchens took an early lead and stretched it out despite three cautions periods. At the 23-lap mark, he had enough of a lead that both Pittman and Cox had lost sight of him in the turns.

Then, exiting turn two on the 24th lap, Hutchens rear end broke and he pulled to the infield out of harm’s way.

Neither Pittman nor Cox saw that Hutchens had pulled in and they raced side-by-side to the finish line with Pittman winning by half-a-car-length.

“I won?” asked Pittman afterward. “You mean, I won” What happened to Curt?”

“I would have been happy with second place,” he added. “Afterall, this was a homecoming for Curt, and I was really hoping he would win it – if I couldn’t.”

Cox was also surprised at the finish.

“I had no idea Denny, and I were racing for the lead,” he said. “I might have pushed it a little harder had I known that.”

Merv Chandler of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, finished third followed by Vernon Reese of Westville and Bruce Hascall of Murdock, Neb.

Rich Smith of Davenport, Iowa, won the C-main while Buz Kaster of Kansas City was the B-main winner. Heat wins went to Hutchens, Walt Schilt of Muskogee, Ted Beaman of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Pittman, Cox,, 19-year-old A.J. Cooper of Claycomo, Mo., and Hascall.

The event drew 60 cars from seven states.


Results –


1. Denny Pittman, Jefferson, Iowa
2. Ray Cox Jr., Davenport, Iowa
3. Merv Chandler, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Vernon Reese, Westville
5. Bruce Hascall, Murdock, Neb.
6. Jimmy Carnell, Muskogee
7. Earl Muilenberg, Sparta, Mo.
8. Troy Stout, West Fork, Ark.
9. Buz Kaster, Kansas City
10.Kevin Larkins, Waverly, Neb.

1988 - Wolfgang Shades Kinser in Eldora WoO Headliner

 

Doug Wolfgang holds the victory banner after winning the World of Outlaws sprint car feature at Eldora Speedway. – Tony Cipolletti Photo

Rossburg, Ohio (April 10, 1988) – Doug Wolfgang edged Steve Kinser by two-car-lengths to win the 30-lap World of Outlaws sprint car feature Sunday afternoon at Eldora Speedway.

The race got off to a ragged start as the front three cars in the starting line-up, Jimmy Sills, Dave Blaney, and Mark Kinser, tangled in turn four of the opening lap, knocking all three competitors out of the race.

When the race resumed after the melee, Sammy Swindell took command and paced the first 13 laps followed closely by Kinser and Wolfgang. On round 14, when Kinser attempted to overtake Swindell, Wolfgang shot past both former World of Outlaw champions and seized the lead.

Wolfgang held on to the top spot until round 25 when Kinser took over. However, on lap 28, Wolfgang powered back in front as he slipped past Kinser. He would fight off a couple of challenges on the final two rounds before taking the checkers and the victory.

Kinser held on to take runner-up honors with Rocky Hodges placing third ahead of Swindell and Brad Doty.


Results –


1. Doug Wolfgang
2. Steve Kinser
3. Rocky Hodges
4. Sammy Swindell
5. Brad Doty
6. Kenny Jacobs
7. Jack Hewitt
8. Bobby Davis Jr.
9. Jac Haudenschild
10.Cris Eash

1983 - Trickle Sprints to Nashville ASA Win

 

Nashville ASA winner Dick Trickle receives congratulations from track co-owner Gary Baker while Tom Ryan of General Cigar and Tobacco Co., looks on.

Nashville, Tenn. (April 9, 1983) – Dick Trickle won a four-car sprint to the finish line to nail down top honors in Saturday night’s Southern Swing 250-lap ASA Circuit of Champions event at Nashville International Speedway.

Trickle took the lead from defending ASA champion Mike Eddy with 26 laps remaining and went on to edge Eddy by four feet at the checkered with Bob Senneker and Butch Miller tucked in right behind to claim third and fourth, respectively.

Rusty Wallace dominated the event’s early going, beating the pole sitting Trickle into the first turn at the drop of the green and charged into a half-lap lead by the 10-lap mark.

Most of the frontrunners pitted during a caution on lap 101 and another slowdown 11 laps later but Wallace remained on the track and continued to set the pace.

However, on lap 134, the transmission in Wallace’s mount locked up, sending him spinning into second-running Jim Sauter and then the fence. Sauter lost several positions but continued on while Wallace was through for the night.

Eddy inherited the lead from Wallace and set the pace until he pitted during a caution on lap 177. Trickle paced the 178th circuit but made his final pit stop a lap later, giving the lead to Senneker.

Senneker lost every cog in his transmission prior to a yellow flag on lap 205. When the caution expired on lap 210, Eddy overhauled Senneker to retake the lead he maintained until Trickle took charge for good.


Results –


1. Dick Trickle
2. Mike Eddy
3. Bob Senneker
4. Butch Miller
5. Tom Jones
6. Harold Fair
7. Bobby Dotter
8. Buddy Schrock
9. Mark Green
10.Don Gregory
11.Dennis Vogel
12.David Green
13.Gene Harsch
14.Jim Sauter
15.Dave Jackson
16.Tony Cunningham
17.Wayne Carden
18.Muttly Kurkowski
19.Dennis Lampman
20.Kent Stauffer

1979 – ARTGO Opener to Reffner

 

Tom Reffner won ARTGO Racing's 50-lap season opener at the Capital Super Speedway. ARTGO's John McKarns joins Reffner for a victory photo. The event marked the first ARTGO program held under the new ownership banner of John and Sue McKarns. – Stan Kalwasinski Photo

Oregon, Wis. (April 8, 1979) – A chilled but enthusiastic crowd witnessed the 1979 stock car season opener in the Midwest on Sunday afternoon at Capital Super Speedway, as the “Blue Knight” Tom Reffner of Rudolph, Wis., wheeled his 1978 Superamerica AMX to victory in the 50-lap ARTGO Racing Spring Classic.

With the weather just above the freezing mark, a field of 21 cars took the green flag with Alan Kulwicki grabbing the lead. Kulwicki kept his 1977 Camaro on top for five circuits with Reffner coming from his second row, outside starting spot, to take command on lap 6.

Reffner began to build a strong lead as the rest of the top contenders battled to get through traffic. Reffner’s margin was cut down, as the yellow flag appeared on lap 26 when Dave Evans looped his Camaro in turn four.

When the green flag reappeared, Reffner set the pace with Mike Miller, Jim Back, Butch Miller and fast qualifier Dick Trickle in hot pursuit. Miller, in his Oldsmobile Cutlass, desperately tried to chop down Reffner’s lead, almost losing control of his mount a number of time as he powered out of turn four.

Trickle began to move up, passing Butch Miller and Jim Back and quickly setting his sights on the leader. Heavy traffic slowed Reffner’s pace with Mike Miller and Trickle seemingly moving in for the kill.

The second caution flew on lap 48 when Joe Shear spun his Camaro between turns three and four. With the pack regrouped for a dash to the finish, Reffner charged to the front with Miller and Trickle trailing.

On the final circuit, Trickle passed Miller as Reffner headed for the checkered flag. Trailing Reffner, Trickle and Miller to the finish were Butch Miller and Jim Back rounding out the top five.


Results –


1. Tom Reffner, Rudolph
2. Dick Trickle, Wisconsin Rapids
3. Mike Miller, Wisconsin Rapids
4. Butch Miller, Lawton, Mich.
5. Jim Back, Vesper
6. Larry Detjens, Wausau
7. Dave Watson, Milton
8. Dave Evans, Crystal Lakes, Ill.
9. John Knaus, Rockford, Ill.
10.Joe Shear, South Beloit, Ill.
11.Dave Roahrig, Plymouth, Ind.
12.Frank Gawlinski, Calumet City, Ill.
13.Arnie Christen, Mineral Point
14.Bob Sensiba, Middleville, Mich.
15.John Ziegler, Sun Prairie
16.Al Schill, Franklin
17.Mark Martin, Batesville, Ark.
18.James Bond, Blue Island, Ill.
19.Tony Izzo, Bridgeview, Ill.
20.Alan Kulwicki, Milwaukee
21.Fred Campbell, Battle Creek, Mich.

1981 – Kirk, Druschel, Fitzpatrick Win at Vinton Opener

 

Bill Kirk of Salix made the long journey worthwhile as he won the open competition late model feature at Vinton Speedway. Karl Haglund makes the trophy presentation. – Bill Haglund Photo

Vinton, Iowa (April 5, 1981) – Race cars from all four borders were on hand Sunday afternoon as Vinton Speedway became the first Iowa racetrack to open for the 1981 season.

Traveling the greatest distance was undoubtedly Bill Kirk of Salix, Iowa, a small farming community near Sioux City, Iowa. Kirk, who farms near Salix, competed in special races in Sedalia, Mo., on Saturday before driving the 300 miles to Vinton before Sunday afternoon’s races. He then drove the 300 miles from Vinton to Salix after Sunday’s program.

However, Kirk made the trip somewhat worthwhile as he captured the open competition feature event after running 16th Saturday afternoon in Missouri after he burned two spark plug wires in the feature race.

Twice during Sunday’s feature event Kirk drove too hard into the third turn and went off the north end of the quarter-mile track. However, his lead was so great he was able to maintain his advantage even with his miscues.

Larry Druschel of Vinton captured the opening IMCA modified feature. Druschel had been running second, battling leader Bernie Juliar of Hudson, Iowa, for a number of laps when Juliar’s car suddenly lost power. That put Druschel out front, and the Vinton pilot held off the challenges of Jim Cunningham of Garrison, Iowa, to capture the win.

Mike Fitzpatrick of Grundy Center, Iowa, started where he left off last season as he captured the roadrunner main event after a race-long duel with Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa. After the race Aikey’s engine was claimed but he refused to sell and Craig Coventry of Independence, Iowa, was awarded second place.


Results –


Roadrunner -

1. Mike Fitzpatrick, Grundy Center, Iowa
2. Craig Coventry, Independence, Iowa
3. Dave Swarts, Cedar Falls, Iowa
4. Dwayne Burkey, Vinton, Iowa
5. Mike Krall, Waterloo, Iowa
6. Max Leonard, Atkins, Iowa


IMCA Modified –

1. Larry Druschel, Vinton, Iowa
2. Jim Cunningham, Garrison, Iowa
3. Greg Seitz, Waterloo, Iowa
4. Daryl Stout, Vinton, Iowa
5. Dave Kramer, Atkins, Iowa
6. Mike Sampson, Waterloo, Iowa
7. Gary Kaune, Waterloo, Iowa
8. Bernie Juliar, Hudson, Iowa


Open Competition –

1. Bill Kirk, Salix, Iowa
2. Todd Jensen, Waterloo Iowa
3. Keith Braun, Cedar Falls, Iowa
4. Greg Hunter, Independence, Iowa
5. Bill Breuer, Wapello, Iowa
6. Duane Van Deest, Grundy Center, Iowa
7. Dave Gerner, Garber, Iowa
8. Duane White, Vinton, Iowa

1970 – Lund Survives Crash, Wins Lakewood ‘100’

 

DeWayne "Tiny" Lund

Atlanta, Ga. (April 5, 1970) – Lakewood Speedway got its 1970 season off with a bang on Sunday. The race, won by Tiny Lund in a Camaro, was literally a smashing success from the start.

A field of 21 cars, led by Lund and Jim Paschal on the front row, was all set for the green flag when Ernie Shaw, who had put his Mustang into the guardrail during time trials, decided he couldn’t make it and pulled into the pit area.

About a minute later, 13 other drivers were wishing they had been as far sighted.

Lund and Paschal took the green in a swirl of dust with Paschal’s Javelin also belching smoke, and by the time Bobby Wilson’s Camaro, in the fourth row, got to the starter, it was impossible to see.

Somehow, Wilson got sideways, and when he got sideways, that was all she wrote – for everyone behind him. The rest of the field charged head-on into the sea of dust and Wilson’s Camaro with the end result being 13 re-designed race cars.

That was only openers. It was that kind of day for the 4,000 race fans at the track.

That, for the most part, took care of Lund’s competition although Ken Rush and Charlie Blanton, also in Camaro’s, led some of the time.

Blanton took the lead late and put the finishing touches on the day’s activities. He got in first by virtue of pit stops by Lund and Rush, who finished second, and for a while it looked like he was going to try and go all the way without pulling himself in.

However, he spun on the fourth turn of the 95th lap, and virtually ran out of gas, roared down the straightaway and into the pits – backwards.

“I thought about stopping and telling him he was going the wrong way,” Lund said jokingly after it was over. He had averaged 75.62 miles per hour for the 100 laps over the one-mile course and collected $1,200 of the $8,600 purse.


Results –


1. Tiny Lund
2. Ken Rush
3. Wayne Andrews
4. Charlie Blanton
5. Buck Baker
6. Jimmy Vaughn
7. T.C. Hunt
8. Frank Sessoms
9. Joe Huss
10.Phil Willis

1964 - Ford Driver Wins Americana Race

 

Tom Dill

Mineral Wells, W.Va. (April 5, 1964) - Tom Dill of Erie, Pa., rode the last one and a half laps on a flat tire in his 1964 Ford to win, unofficially, the first running of the Americana 300 Sunday at West Virginia International Speedway.

Dill, driving his first race this season, forged into the lead on the 219th lap as Virgil Barbee pitted his 1963 Pontiac. Barbee had moved out front on the 154th lap when front-running Andy Hampton's 1964 Pontiac wouldn't fire up after a pit stop.

Once in the lead, Dill moved his Ford out to a comfortable margin over Barbee, retained first by making a quick 22-second stop to take on gas and was breezing along to sure victory when a tire blew.

He had to slow his car considerably from the pace of about 62.5 miles-per-hour around the ¾-mile oval and limped home ahead of Barbee by one and a half seconds. His winning average speed was 57.50 miles per hour, and he collected $1,250 for the win.

Only 16 of a starting field of 37 cars were running at the finish. Most of the Auto Racing Club of America's big-name drivers were shackled by some kind of trouble throughout the race witnessed by an estimated 7,000 fans.

Jim Cushman, who started on the pole in his 1964 Plymouth after turning in top qualifying speed of 65.20 for the race, paced the field for about 30 laps before Hampton nosed his Pontiac ahead. Jack Purcell charged into first in a 1964 Ford but banged into the retaining wall and gave Hampton room to pass.

Hampton’s car was running good until his pit stop. It required the pushing hands of 10 mechanics to get his Pontiac re-fired again.

Earl Balmer, who was expected to set a fast pace in his 1964 Plymouth never got the car in the race. It blew a piston in practice, but the hard-charging driver got a ride when teammate Ramo Stott offered his Plymouth to Balmer, who is in the running for the ARCA point’s championship.

Despite an early pit stop, Balmer had the car turning the fastest laps around the speedway. He dropped out of contention with a series of fender-benders which resulted in blown tires.

Nelson Stacy, who’s 1964 Ford arrived too late for practice Saturday, found his car wasn't geared right for the course. A blown engine let his watch most of the race.

Other top drivers such as Jack Bowsher and Iggy Katona spent most of the afternoon in and out of the pits.

Dill, who started in the 15th position, said he ran until he was low on fuel before making his pit stop.

He explained that he was sure no tire change would be needed. He said he didn't hit the wall but that the tire wore through on the backstretch where he could regain control of the car without losing too much time.

Musgrave, the third-place finisher, lodged a protest after the race. The dispute arose when the scorer assigned to his car quit on the 185th lap. Musgrave claimed victory.


Results –


1. Tom Gill
2. Virgil Barbee
3. Elmer Musgrave
4. Homer Newland
5. George Swope
6. Don Arnold
7. Paul Parks
8. Jim Cushman
9. Wayne Bennett
10.Clyde Parker
11.Dick Freeman
12.Iggy Katona
13.Dick Dunlevy
14.Andy Hampton
15.Joy Fair
16.Harold Smith
17.Jack Purcell
18.Bud Harless
19.Jesse Baird
20.Earl Balmer
21.Jack Shanklin
22.Jack Bowsher
23.Henley Gray
24.Jerry Norris
25.Blaine Kauffman
26.Ken Rieler
27.Jim Welty
28.LaMarr Marshall
29.Paul Clark
30.Roy Wathen
31.Nelson Stacy
32.Danny Byrd
33.Ken Kline
34.John Sommerville

1987 – Purvis, Mason Notch Tri-City ‘Outlaw’ Wins

 

Granite City, Ill. (April 4, 1987) – “I didn’t think we’d get this show in because of the cold temperatures, but drivers and fans supported us, and we didn’t disappoint them,” said Bert Emick, after completing a two-day late model show at Tri-City Speedway.

Jeff Purvis of Knoxville, Tenn., and John Mason of Millersburg, Ohio, were the winners of the twin 50-lap features.

The “Outlaw National 100” drew 38 late models from 12 states in freezing temperatures.

On Friday night, Purvis set fast time with a 20.941-second clocking on the half mile. Preliminary heat race wins went to Bo Smith of St. Charles, Mo., Tom Hearst of Wilton, Iowa, and Ray Godsey of Bedford, Ind. Godsey also won the 20-lap Race of States feature which pitted the 12 fastest qualifiers from each of 12 states.

Record low temperatures greeted drivers and fans on Saturday but officials were determined to run the program because quite a few people had driven great distances for the event.

The last chance race gave seven more drivers an opportunity to advance to the A-main. They were Craig Leist of Piketon, Ohio, Wayne Brooks of Arkansas, Ohioan Ben Hess, Rick Standridge, Bill Asbury, Keith Altiers, and Kevin Claycomb.

In the first 50-lapper, Purvis was on the pole with Billy Moyer Jr. sharing the front row. At the drop of the green, Moyer took command and led the first 12 laps. Moyer and Purvis swapped the lead for several laps until Purvis took control and picked up $5,000 for the win. Jack Boggs, Moyer, Larry Phillips, and Bo smith rounded out the top five.

With the field inverted for the second 50-lapper, polesitter Pete Parker of Kaukauna, Wis., was the early leader with Kevin Gundaker and Dick Taylor in tow. Purvis, who had started 15th, ran Parker down and passed him at the halfway mark. Action was hot and heavy as Boggs and Moyer battled their way from the back of the field to the front.

John Mason, who started on the tail, found the high side of the track to his liking and with 20 laps to go, passed Boggs and Moyer to slide into second behind Purvis, who was a full straightaway ahead. Mason whittled away at Purvis’ lead and with nine laps to go, brought the crowd to their feet as he passed Purvis for the lead to take the checkered and the $5,000 first prize.

Mason and Purvis were followed by Moyer, Boggs, and Parker.


Results –


Feature #1 –

1. Jeff Purvis
2. Jack Boggs
3. Billy Moyer Jr.
4. Larrry Phillips
5. Bo Smith
6. Wayne Brooks
7. Tom Hearst
8. Ray Guss Jr.
9. Lance Matthees
10.John Mason


Feature #2 –

1. John Mason
2. Jeff Purvis
3. Billy Moyer Jr.
4. Jack Boggs
5. Pete Parker
6. Bo Smith
7. Tom Hearst
8. Lance Matthees
9. Kevin Gundaker
10.Steve Francis

1974 – Opperman Nips Snider at Eldora

 

Jan Opperman drove the Bogar Special to victory in the 40-lap USAC sprint car feature at Eldora Speedway. - John Mahoney Photo

Rossburg, Ohio (March 31, 1974) – Jan Opperman of Beaver Crossing, Neb., roared into the lead from his third starting slot and went on to win the 40-lap United States Auto Club sprint car feature at the half-mile, high-banked Eldora Speedway.

Opperman led for the first 23 laps until George Snider, driving last year’s second place point winner Lee Kunzman’s car, took the lead when Opperman drifted high in turn three. The hard-charging Opperman recaptured the lead again on the same turn three laps later.

Midway through the race, Opperman was hit by a flying rock on the upper lip. The blow loosened some teeth and split his lip, but the injury failed to slow him.

The race was run in front of approximately 6,500 fans that braved the 40-degree temperatures. Hot laps and qualifications were delayed three hours because of the track. Rains and heavy snow flurries caused the track to be on the muddy side and caused the track crew to work from 7am to 3pm before any of the cars were able to get on the track.

The damp conditions caused the track to be rough in spots with the roughest section on turn two where several cars lost their belly pans and various other parts.

However, much to the credit of the track crew and the drivers, there were no yellow flags for accidents.

Opperman owned the day, however. The relative newcomer to the USAC circuit grabbed the season point lead upping his total to 81 points.


Results –


1. Jan Opperman
2. George Snider
3. Bruce Walkup
4. Lee Osborne
5. Duane Carter
6. Sam Sessions
7. Jerry Nemire
8. Rollie Beale
9. Johnnie Parsons
10.John Toth

1970 – Pelican 200 Still Property of Derr

 

To the victor went the spoils; Ernie Derr returns to the winner’s circle at Shreveport. – John A. Moore Photo

Shreveport, La. (March 22, 1970) – Yes, Ernie Derr won Sunday’s 17th running of the Pelican 200 at State Fair Speedway. Did you really expect someone else to roll into the winner’s circle?

The dapper 47-year-old veteran from Keokuk, Iowa, not only won his seventh Pelican 200, and fourth in a row, he left the combined opposition – 18 other cars that showed up for a Sunday afternoon drive – strewn at least eight laps back of the exhaust pipes of his ’69 Dodge Charger.

It was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon for Ernie. He pocketed $1,066 of the $5,000 in prize money put up by the International Motor Contest Association and promoter Bud Carson.

Derr’s Dodge, rolling effortlessly under the power of a 426 cubic inch hemi engine, covered the 100 miles around the paved half-mile oval in 1 hour, 20 minutes and 21.54 seconds. That will stand as a new Pelican 200 record of sorts since this was the first of the breed run on the newly-laid asphalt.

Gene Newsome of West Monroe, La., surviving gamefully in a ’66 Chevelle as one by one the field of pursuers dragged back into the infield, nabbed the $500 second-place prize although only on the 192 lap when Derr took the checkers. A close third, also on the 192nd lap, was Irv Janey of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in a 1970 Plymouth.

Derr and Janey were two of the three factory-backed entries in the 19-car field that made it to the starting lineup. The other driver, Ron Hutcherson of Keokuk, Iowa, in a ’70 Ford, was running a comfortable third when he creamed the wall coming off of turn two on lap 124, tearing up the front end.

Grabbing fourth and fifth place while spinning into their 189th laps were two Louisianan’s, Royce Whitlock of Monroe and Freddy Cook of West Monroe, both driving older models Chevelle’s.

But it was another Louisiana contender who made the only serious run at Derr, who was to win his 275th race of his career with faultless precision.

Baton Rouge’s Freddy Fryar, in a ’66 Chevelle, ran bumper-to-bumper with Derr for 136 laps – actually taking over the lead on four different occasions – before retiring with a smoking engine.

Earlier in the day, Fryar and Janey tied for the best time in qualifying with identical clocking’s of 22.56 seconds. Derr was content with his 22.65 second spin. All times were far off the track record of 21.58 seconds set by Derr at last fall’s State Fair.

It was a two-car race for half the grind as Derr and Fryar spent time drafting, tailgating and slingshotting past each other. Fryar caught Derr on lap 25 but Derr regained the lead one lap later. Fryar went back in front on lap 37 just before Tommy Taylor of Dallas, Tex., caromed off the fence.

Fryar later overhauled Derr on the 72nd lap - by now both were lapping Janey and Hutcherson in the third and fourth spots – as Ernie got boxed in a by a slower car. But Fryar’s mount began spewing smoke shortly thereafter and by lap 98, Derr was in front for good.

The clincher came when Derr required only a 25-second pit stop on lap 127 and Fryar needed over a minute and a half on lap 130. When Freddy went out for good on lap 136, Ernie eased back and coasted from there.

Thus, started the IMCA’s 55th season on the Midwest fair circuit; with a crowd of 6,600 looking on as Derr launched his campaign for his 11th IMCA stock car driving title.

He won’t test drive his 1970 Dodge Charge until April, but he didn’t need it Sunday. His ’69 model – one of two he’s been taking to the track – has done okay.

“This is 12 races for this car,” he grinned at the finish. “I’ve only lost me one race.”


Results –


1. Ernie Derr, Keokuk, Iowa
2. Gene Newsome, West Monroe, La.
3. Irv Janey, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
4. Royce Whitlock, Monroe, La.
5. Freddy Cook, West Monroe, La.
6. Butch Hall, Russell, Minn.
7. Moulton Story, Shreveport, La.
8. Chuck Arnold, Baton Rouge, La.
9. Ray Ingalls, Longview, Tex.
10.Mel Morris, West Liberty, Iowa
11.Phil Cronin, Houston, Tex.
12.Freddy Fryar, Baton Rouge, La.
13.Sandy Sandstrom, Kansas City, Mo.
14.Ron Hutcherson, Keokuk, Iowa
15.Bill Stark, Des Moines, Iowa
16.Jerre Wichman, Kansas City, Mo.
17.Gordy Blankenship, Keokuk, Iowa
18.Tommy Taylor, Dallas, Tex.
19.Tony Barcelona, Houston, Tex.

Ernie Derr (1) goes neck-and-neck with Freddy Fryar (301) during the Pelican 200 late model stock car race. – John Moore Photo

1977 – McElreath Captures USAC Sprint Opener

James McElreath (left) is joined by his father Jim after winning the USAC sprint car season opener at Salem Speedway.

Salem, Ind. (March 20, 1977) – Young James McElreath led from start to finish to capture the United States Auto Club’s season opening sprint car show on the high banks of Salem Speedway.

McElreath, whose father, Indianapolis 500 veteran Jim McElreath, serves as chief mechanic, took the green flag from the inside of the front row and led all 50 circuits for his third career USAC sprint car win.

Pavement toughie Bob Frey followed McElreath across the finish line, while ’73 titlist Rollie Beale was third. Gary Irvin came home fourth and ’76 dirt champ Billy Cassella rounded out the top five.

The feature had only one yellow flag and that came on the 41st circuit when Sheldon Kinser, running third, lost control coming off the fourth corner and spun into the infield. Kinser and machine were okay and restarted.

Defending champion Duane “Pancho” Carter had fast time in qualifying but lost an engine in his heat race. Carter’s crew had the motor out and replaced in 35 minutes and Pancho went out and won the semi-feature. However, 10 laps into the feature, he dropped out with mechanical issues.

Gary Bettenhausen, who has been working all winter on a new upright design, got to run only hot laps before USAC officials disqualified his machine for having illegal fuel tanks.


Results –


1. Jim McElreath
2. Bob Frey
3. Rollie Beale
4. Gary Irvin
5. Billy Cassella
6. Bruce Walkup
7. Joe Saldana
8. Jerry Weeks
9. Bill Engelhart
10.Jim Hettinger

1967 – Pearson Cops Crown in Bristol

David Pearson wheeled Cotton Owen’s 1967 Dodge to victory in the Southeastern 500 at Bristol.

Bristol, Tenn. (March 19, 1967) – David Pearson of Spartanburg, S.C., seized the lead with only two miles from the finish to capture the $29,100 Southeastern 500 stock car race at Bristol International Raceway before a crowd of 23,000.

Pearson slipped past Cale Yarborough of Timmonsville, S.C., when the driver of the 1967 Ford had a tire go flat in the last 10 miles of the contest.

Pearson, driving a 1967 Dodge, earned $5,290 for the win in the 250-mile race. He had reached 75.93 miles per hour to give Chrysler Corporation their first major victory of the season.

Yarborough settled for second with while third place went to Darel Dieringer of Charlotte, N.C., in another 1967 Ford. Fourth place went to Neil Castle of Charlotte, N.C., in a 1965 Plymouth and Dick Hutcherson of charlotte, N.C., in a 1967 Ford.

Hutcherson, the defending champion of the race, appeared to have the race sewn up until his engine gave way on lap 482. Yarborough then took over and led until the flat tire gave Pearson his opportunity.

Only 10 of the 36 starters finished the grueling 500-lap contest.

Richard Petty of Randleman, N.C., who started in the third position in his 1967 Plymouth, went out after only four laps when he was involved in a collision with Joe Neubert and Fred Lorenzen. Lorenzen was able to continue but lasted only until 175 miles when his engine let go.

Dieringer, who set a qualifying record for the half-mile track in time trials, led on tree different occasions as the lead changed hands through the first 150 miles.


Results –


1. David Pearson, Spartanburg, S.C.
2. Cale Yarborough, Timmonsville, S.C.
3. Darel Dieringer, Charlotte, N.C.
4. Neil Castle, Charlotte, N.C.
5. Dick Hutcherson, Charlotte, N.C.
6. Elmo Langley, Landover, Md.
7. Donnie Allison, Hueytown, Ala.
8. Bill Seifert, Skyland, N.C.
9. Wendell Scott, Danville, Va.
10. Max Ledbetter, Charlotte, N.C.

The Corn Belt Clash

 

By Lee Ackerman

Omaha, Neb. - In 2009, Cam Granger started a new Super Late Model Series based in the Upper Midwest called the Corn Belt Clash (CBC). The purpose of the new series was to keep the tradition of open late model racing alive in the area. The West Union, Iowa based series sanctioned races through the 2017 racing season. This is a recap of the inaugural year in 2009 when the series held just five events.

The inaugural event was held on June 26, 2009, at the Fayette County Speedway in West Union, Iowa, and what a race it was as Keith Foss of Winona, Minn., won by a nose over Cedar Falls, Iowa’s Jeff Aikey to pick up the win and a $2,000 paycheck.

At the start of the 40-lap feature Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa, got by Lancaster, Missouri’s Chris Smyser to take the lead but it wasn’t long, and Keith Foss took control of the race. A yellow on lap 31 restacked the field and Jeff Aikey was all over Foss taking the lead on lap 32 and the two drivers battled it out for several laps and were neck and neck at the white flag. Foss went low under Aikey in a turn three slide job with Aikey driving back under Foss as they raced for the line with Foss winning by just inches. Lance Matthees of Winona, Minnesota was third, Chad Simpson of Mount Vernon, Iowa fourth and Jason Rauen of Farley, Iowa fifth.

Chad Simpson won the 35-lap Corn Belt Clash feature at Highway 3 Raceway. CBC promoter Cam Granger is on the far left. - Mike Ruefer Photo

On July 2, the series was back in action at Highway 3 Raceway in Allison, Iowa, and this time there was no doubt who was going to win as Chad Simpson dominated the event to pick up the win in the 35-lap feature. Jeff Aikey made a late lap pass of Kevin Kile of Nichols, Iowa, to take second with Kile third, Curtis Martin of Independence, Iowa, fourth and Kurt Kile of West Liberty, Iowa, fifth.

On July 16, the series visited the Independence Motor Speedway, racing before the beautiful new grandstand and this time it was Chris Simpson taking home the win in the 40-lap feature. Rick Wendling of Hazelton, Iowa, and Keith Foss shared the front row as the green fell on the field with Foss taking the early lead and led until a flat tire sent him pit side. Foss would rejoin the race and finish sixth in the event.

On the restart, Jason Rauen took the lead and started pulling away from the field. Justin Mitchell held second with Chad Simpson the man on the move. Simpson started moving in on Mitchell and with ten laps to go took the low groove and moved into second. By this point Rauen had opened up nearly a full straightway led, but then the caution flag waved putting Chad Simpson on Rauen’s rear bumper.

On the restart, Rauen and Simpson battled for the lead and on lap 31, the two made contact with Rauen spinning out. Both drivers were sent to the back of the pack.

This gave the lead to Chris Simpson with Jason Utter of Columbus Junction, Iowa, second. Weekly Independence driver Travis Smock of Independence was on the charge and as Chris Simpson pulled away from the field Smock took second from Utter. At the checkers it was Chris Simpson, Travis Smock, Jason Utter, Curt Martin and Terry Neal of Ely, Iowa, in finishing in the top five.

Keith Foss became the first two-time winner of the Corn Belt Clash Series with a victory at the Fayette County Fairgrounds in West Union. Foss also captured the inaugural race at the 3/8-mile track. - KC Rooney Photo

On July 28, the series returned to the Fayette County Speedway and Keith Foss used his pole starting position to good advantage as he became the first two-time winner in the Corn Belt Clash Series. Eighth starting Gary Webb of Blue Grass, Iowa, charged through the field to finish second, Lance Matthees was third, Jason Utter fourth and Chris Smyser fifth. Curt Martin finished sixth and took the points lead after Chad Simpson who had a two-point lead going into the event skipped the race to race in another event.

The final race of the Corn Belt Clash’s inaugural season was held on August 12, once again at the Fayette County Speedway and a newcomer to the series stole the show. Tenth starting Adam Hensel of Barron, Wis., charged to the front and passed race-long leader Terry Neal on the low side in the closing laps of the race to pick up the win and a check for $3,500. Neal held on for second, Keith Foss finished third and claimed the first CBC Championship, Lance Matthees was fourth and Chad Simpson fifth.

At the outset of the race, Neal used the high side and built and early lead over Chris Smyser and Lance Matthees. Matthees grabbed second from Smyser and started to reel in Neal with Justin Mitchell, Jeremiah Hurst, Chad Simpson and Keith Foss battling it out to stay in the top five.

By the hallway point of the race, Hensel was up to fourth and then the caution waved and tightened things up. On the restart, Neal led Foss and Hensel with Hensel using the low side to get by Foss for second. Then the caution waved again, and, on that restart, Hensel once again used the low side to challenge Neal and then take the lead and the win.

Adam Hensel was a surprise winner at the Corn Belt Clash Series finale at West Union. 

The final tally for the Corn Belt Clashes inaugural season was Keith Foss taking the championship and a $2,000 check with 226 points followed by Chad Simpson at 206, Curt Martin at 202, Jason Rauen at 186 and Kurt Kile 182. It was the start of a decade long run for the Corn Belt Clash Series which provided fans in the Upper Midwest with some great open competition late model racing.

RIP - Dennis Piefer

A great friend of Midwest Racing Archives and of dirt track racing in general, Dennis Piefer of Freeport, Ill., passed away February 18. His photos were seen here as well as Hawkeye Racing News, Midwest Racing News, Facebook and other social media websites. 

Our sincere condolences to his family on his passing. He will be sorely missed. 

Here are just some of the great photos Dennis took over his 50-plus years of traveling and visiting racetracks all over the Midwest and the United States. 

RIP Racer

Obituary | Dennis M. Piefer | Schwarz Funeral Homes

Bill Beckman - Cedar Rapids - 1978

Bill Rice - Eldora Speedway - 1978 

Bill Zwanziger - Cedar Rapids - 1976

Billy Moyer Jr. - Eldora Speedway - 1985

Jack Boggs - Eldora Speedway - 1982

Curt Hansen - West Liberty - 1979

Denny Osborn - Cedar Rapids - 1985

Ed Sanger - Cedar Rapids - 1976

Gary Webb - Dubuque - 1989

Jimmy Mars - Davenport - 2001

Ken Walton - Freeport - 1979

Willy Kraft - Eldora Speedway - 1992