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