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A Look Back At Various Racing History In And Around Minnesota (by GRP)
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Twin City/North Starr Speedway
Chapter 2 - Midwest Sprint Association (MSA)
Chapter 3 - Minnesota State Fair
Chapter 4 - Jackson Nationals
Chapter 5 - Knoxville Nationals & MN Drivers
Chapter 6 - Cheaters Day
Chapter 7 - WISSOTA 360 Sprints
Chapter 8 - Gopher 50 Late Model Event
Chapter 9 - Cedar Lake Speedway
Chapter 10 - Red Cedar Speedway
Chapter 11 - Proctor Speedway Silver 1000
Chapter 12 - Hibbing Labor Day Shootout
Chapter 13 - Superior Speedway
Chapter 14 - Princeton National
Chapter 15 - Viking Speedway Fall Classic
Chapter 16 - Riverview Raceway Barry Kettering Memorial
Here's a trip down memory lane for some, an interesting accumulation of information for others, and a learning experience for those who are interested in some of the past history of sprint car and late model racing in and around the State of Minnesota. My research project is on-going, but I've decided to go ahead and write up some of the information I've accumulated so far. It's just a start! I welcome comments from anybody who can help out by providing additional information, results, stats and the like regarding the topics covered. So without any further babbling, let's take the green flag! It's a long race so buckle those seat belts good and tight.
Chapter 1 - Twin City/North Starr Speedway
Since this was my first home track from 1973-1979, I
am naturally going to take a close look back at some of the history behind this
now defunct speedway. The track was
originally built in 1950 by Don Voge and named Twin City Speedway. It was a 1/2 mile dirt oval located near New
Brighton and Blaine. Don owned and
operated the facility from 1950 through about 1964. The track ran the California-type hotrods,
the super modifieds (which eventually evolved into sprint cars) and various
stock car classes under Voge's guidance and direction. Don claimed to have the fastest 1/2 mile dirt
track in the Upper Midwest. Of course,
there were those who disagreed with his opinion. Don had and on again-off again relationship
with several name drivers, and many of the top guns from that era would stop by
on occasion and run a race or two at his open (unsanctioned) track. A host of local area warriors also frequented
the track.
When Voge got into hot water with the IRS, the track
was eventually sold. Bill Larson
promoted the track for one year (I believe 1965). Voge's archrival Frank Winkley came in to
promote races under a Regional IMCA sanction in the years 1966-1968. Winkley tragically lost his life in an
automobile accident in early 1968. Phil
Steward finished out the decade of the 1960s by hosting racing in the latter
half of 1968 and 1969. A 1/4 mile track
was built on the site, but it only lasted a few years. A drag strip was also constructed, and
numerous local ET bracket drag races were held for many years. The dragway was called North Star Dragway in
the 1970s.
With Twin City Speedway in a state of financial
difficulty, the track sat dormant during the 1970 and 1971 seasons. Dayle Maloney decided to pump life back into
the joint in 1972. He reopened the track
to winged super modified (sprint car) racing.
The first race was held on a Sunday afternoon. A large crowd was on hand and a decent field
of cars sat in the pits. To say there was
problems would be an understatement. It
was dusty, it was rocky, it was rough.
The debut did not go well at all.
Dayle plugged along though.
Racing was changed to Sunday nights, but the crowds and race cars never
returned to the level of the opener. By
the end of the season, the financial woes mounted and it looked like the place
would sit idle again. Then along came
Neil Larson and his Pace Inc. promotion.
Neil operated the Fairmont Raceway, and he decided to give Twin City
Speedway a try. He renamed the track
North Star Speedway. The wings were done
away with on the sprints, and the late models and hobby stocks were added to
the race program. Neil often paid some
appearance money to top name Midwestern sprint car drivers to appear at his
race tracks. Neil promoted the track for
two years (1973-1974). Many top name
drivers passed through North Star's pit gate and turned laps on the 1/2 mile
oval under the watchful eye of flagman Ron Fox.
Since the MSA had just been formed in 1973, North Star became their home
track. This meant that many of the local
area hot shoes would run North Star on a regular basis. Financially, Neil Larson never really turned
the corner, and at the end of the 1974 season he decided not to renew his
lease.
Along came Marion (Buz) Beck. Buz had been a local racer for several years,
and just prior to his taking over the promotional reigns at North Star, he had
owned and operated the Stillwater Speedway.
Buz changed the name to North Starr International Speedway (the word
International was eventually dropped but the extra "r" stayed). Buz continued with the sprint car and hobby
stock classes. The MSA and Buz sometimes
did not see eye to eye, but for the most part, the two parties would reconcile
their differences and the MSA would still call North Starr their home track
(most of the time anyways). Plenty of
great racing took place during Buz' tenure (1975-1979). Like all good things, the storied existence
of the speedway came to an end at the close of the 1979 season. The trucking company that owned the land on
which North Starr Speedway was located decided to sell the property. Beck's remaining year (or two) on his
contract was bought out. The property
actually sat idle for a few years, but ultimately an industrial park was built
where race cars once sped around a 1/2 mile dirt track. Unknown at the time, the World of Outlaws race
of August 12, 1979 would see the final checkered flag wave, leaving only the
memories. The drag strip did continue to
operate for another year until it also fell victim to what some term as
progress.
The following statistics deal mainly with the 1970s
era, but I did come across the 1966 and 1967 super modified top ten point
standings along with the 1966-1968 late model track champions. Any help in compiling further info would be
appreciated.
1966 Twin City Speedway Supermodified Point
Standings (Top Ten):
1. Russ Laursen..........1003
2. Don Mack...............917
3. Jerry Lepinski.........721
4. Ted Ready..............697
5. John Hesselgrave.......598
6. Bill Siercks...........539
7. Dick Smith.............519
8. Jerry Richert..........512
9. Jerry Daniels..........503
10. Ron Belland...........492
1966 Late Model Champion: Vic Klein
1967 Twin City Speedway Supermodified Point
Standings (Top Ten):
1. Don "Itch" Daniels.....544
2. Barry Kettering........540
3. Jerry Lepinski.........532
4. Buzz Barton............524
5. Russ Laursen...........481
6. Al Jacobson............459
7. John Stevenson.........336
8. Ron Belland............302
9. Lyn McIntosh...........297
10. Dick Walch............291
1967 Late Model Champion: Vic Klein
1968 Late Model Champion: Don Grams
North Starr Speedway Track Point Champions
(1972-1979):
1972 Sprint Car Champion - Dave Skari #2
1972 Late Model Champion - Kenny Mann #2
1973 Sprint Car Champion - Barry Kettering #57
1974 Sprint Car Champion - Barry Kettering #57
1974 Late Model Champion - Tom Nesbitt #1
1975 Sprint Car Champion - Barry Kettering #57
1975 Late Model Champion - Tom Nesbitt #1
1976 Sprint Car Champion - Doug Wolfgang #18
1976 Hobby Stock Champion - Pat Willis #29
1977 Sprint Car Champion - Bob Geldner #63
1977 Hobby Stock Champion - Buzz Cripe #63
1978 Sprint Car Champion - John Stevenson #31
1978 Late Model Champion - Leon Plank #71
1979 Sprint Car Champion - John Stevenson #31
1979 Sportsman Champion - Tom Neisius #73x
Note: I'm still looking for the stock car class point
champion from 1973.
North Starr Speedway Career Sprint Car
Feature Wins (1973 - 1979):
JOHN STEVENSON = 26
*DOUG WOLFGANG = 12
BOB GELDNER = 11
*BARRY KETTERING = 10
DON MACK = 7
DICK SUTCLIFFE = 5
BOB HOP = 4
JERRY RICHERT = 4
DARRYL DAWLEY = 3
LENARD McCARL = 3
ROGER RAGER = 3
BILL ROBISON = 3
SHANE CARSON = 2
LONNIE JENSEN = 2
DAVE SKARI = 2
RALPH BLACKETT = 1
*JIM DARLEY = 1
*RICK FERKEL = 1
TIM GREEN = 1
STEVE KINSER = 1
DON MAXWELL = 1
BILL MELLENBERNDT = 1
*JACK McCORKELL = 1
LYN McINTOSH = 1
MIKE PINCKNEY = 1
STACY REDMOND = 1
RANDY SMITH = 1
*=NORTH AMERICAN SPRINT CAR CHAMPIONSHIP FEATURE
WINNER...This was Buz Beck's name for the big season
championship race from 1975-1979. I'll
have to admit, it had a nice sound to it.
I'm still looking for the 1972 North Star results. Drivers like Dave Skari, Jerry Richert, and
Barry Kettering amongst others took home some wins that year.
North Starr Speedway Official ONE LAP Track
Record:
DOUG WOLFGANG.....20.66......8-12-79
SAMMY SWINDELL....20.72......6-24-79
North Starr Speedway Most Feature Wins in
One Season:
BOB GELDNER...........8.........1977
JOHN STEVENSON........8.........1979
DOUG WOLFGANG.........7.........1976
JOHN STEVENSON........7.........1978
North Starr Speedway Longest Consecutive
Winning Streaks:
JOHN STEVENSON........4.........1974
BOB GELDNER...........4.........1977
JOHN STEVENSON........4.........1979
North Starr Speedway Sprint Car Feature
Winners (1973 - 1979):
1973
5-20-73 DON
MACK
5-27-73 RAINED
OUT
6-03-73 BARRY
KETTERING
6-10-73 JERRY
RICHERT
6-17-73 STACY
REDMOND
6-24-73 DARRYL
DAWLEY
7-01-73 DON
MACK
7-08-73 DARRYL
DAWLEY
7-14-73 DON
MACK
7-15-73 DON
MACK
7-22-73 DARRYL
DAWLEY
7-29-73 RAINED
OUT
8-04-73 DAVE
SKARI
8-05-73 BARRY
KETTERING
8-12-73 BOB
GELDNER
8-18-73 BARRY
KETTERING
8-26-73 DAVE
SKARI
1974
5-26-74 BARRY
KETTERING
6-02-74 DICK
SUTCLIFFE
6-09-74 RAINED
OUT
6-16-74 DICK
SUTCLIFFE
6-23-74 DICK
SUTCLIFFE
6-30-74 LONNIE
JENSEN
7-07-74 ROGER
RAGER
7-14-74 LONNIE
JENSEN
7-21-74 BARRY
KETTERING
7-28-74 ROGER
RAGER
8-04-74 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-11-74 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-18-74 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-25-74 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-31-74 DICK
SUTCLIFFE
9-07-74 ROGER
RAGER
1975
5-26-75 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-01-75 LENARD McCARL
6-08-75 BARRY
KETTERING
6-15-75 BILL
ROBISON
6-22-75 DON
MAXWELL
6-29-75 RAINED
OUT
7-06-75 LENARD
McCARL
7-13-75 BILL
ROBISON
7-20-75 BOB
GELDNER
7-27-75 BARRY
KETTERING
8-03-75 RAINED
OUT
8-10-75 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-17-75 BARRY
KETTERING
8-24-75 RAINED
OUT
1976
5-09-76 DON
MACK
5-16-76 BARRY
KETTERING
5-23-76 BARRY
KETTERING
5-30-76 BILL
MELLENBERNDT
5-31-76 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-06-76 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-13-76 BILL
ROBISON
6-20-76 DON
MACK
6-27-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
7-04-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
7-05-76 DICK
SUTCLIFFE
7-11-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
7-18-76 LENARD
McCARL
7-25-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
8-01-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
8-08-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
8-15-76 JIM
DARLEY
8-22-76 DOUG
WOLFGANG
8-29-76 BOB
GELDNER
1977
5-01-77 BOB
GELDNER
5-08-77 DOUG
WOLFGANG
5-15-77 RAINED
OUT
5-22-77 RAINED
OUT
5-29-77 BOB
GELDNER
5-30-77 BOB
GELDNER
6-05-77 BOB
GELDNER
6-12-77 BOB
GELDNER
6-19-77 DOUG
WOLFGANG
6-26-77 BOB
GELDNER
7-03-77 BOB
GELDNER
7-04-77 JOHN
STEVENSON
7-10-77 DOUG
WOLFGANG
7-17-77 JOHN
STEVENSON
7-24-77 RALPH
BLACKETT
7-31-77 BOB HOP
8-07-77 BOB
GELDNER
8-14-77 RICK
FERKEL
8-21-77 JOHN
STEVENSON
1978
4-30-78 MIKE
PINCKNEY
5-07-78 RAINED
OUT
5-14-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
5-21-78 JERRY
RICHERT
5-28-78 RAINED
OUT
5-29-78 DOUG
WOLFGANG
6-04-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-11-78 DON
MACK
6-18-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-25-78 RAINED
OUT
7-02-78 RAINED
OUT
7-04-78 LYN
McINSTOSH
7-09-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
7-16-78 BOB HOP
7-23-78 SHANE
CARSON
7-30-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-06-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-13-78 JOHN
STEVENSON
8-20-78 JACK
McCORKELL
1979
4-29-79 RAINED
OUT
5-06-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
5-13-79 SHANE
CARSON
5-20-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
5-27-79 JERRY
RICHERT
5-28-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-03-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-10-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-17-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
6-24-79 STEVE
KINSER (WoO)
7-01-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
7-04-79 TIM
GREEN
7-08-79 JOHN
STEVENSON
7-15-79 BOB HOP
7-22-79 JERRY
RICHERT
7-29-79 RANDY
SMITH
8-05-79 BOB HOP
8-12-79 DOUG
WOLFGANG (WoO)
8-19-79 RAINED
OUT
8-26-79 RAINED
OUT
To close out the North Starr Speedway section, let's
take a look at some of today's local area drivers (a few who have now retired)
who raced at the track back in the 1970s.
In the sprint car class, Joe Kouba, Spike Lempelius, Al Hargrave, John
Sernett, and Roger Rager competed at North Starr. In the late model division, Jim Bruggeman,
Steve Egersdorf, Rick Egersdorf, Tom Nesbitt, Brent Laursen, and Leon Plank
were some who turned laps at North Starr.
In the Sportsman/Hobby Stock division, drivers like Ron Jones, Perry
Giles, Bob Houston, Dick Boje, Cliff Gorka, John Bystrzycki, Mike Kelley, and
Chuck Priefer raced at North Starr.
Chapter 2 - Midwest Sprint Association (MSA) Section:
In the winter/spring of 1973, a local group of area
sprint car drivers formed the MSA. The
effort was spearheaded by Barry Kettering and Ron Larson. The idea was to put together a circuit for
local area drivers to run. North Star
Speedway would become the MSA's home track running a weekly Sunday night
program. The group grew in popularity as
the years went by. The MSA suffered a
devastating blow in June of 1976 when its very capable leader, Barry Kettering,
was killed in a racing accident at Fairmont Raceway. The rest of the 1976 season was a somber
blur. The MSA came back strong in 1977
under the leadership of President Dick Carpenter. The club enjoyed three more good years. With the closing of North Starr Speedway
after the 1979 season, the club lost its weekly venue. 1980 saw several travel dates, but the
schedule had been pared down considerably.
The club tried to get something going in 1981, but nothing ever really
materialized. The sun had risen and set
on the MSA. From 1973 to 1980, the MSA
provided some very good sprint car racing around Minnesota and surrounding
areas. Plenty of top notch local drivers
and Midwest area hot shoes ran MSA races.
MSA Season Point Champions:
1973 - Barry Kettering
1974 - Barry Kettering
1975 - Barry Kettering
1976 - Bob Hop
1977 - Bob Hop
1978 - Lyn McIntosh (Overall & North Div.), Bob
Hop (South Div.)
1979 - Bob Hop
1980 - Bill Dollansky
Note: There are
some that claim John Stevenson was the 1976 champion. Bob Hop won the title by a narrow
margin. I've been told that it may have
come down to a couple of shows that did not pay points. If anyone knows the complete story, please
let me know. In 1978, the MSA actually
had a Northern Division and a Southern Division. Lyn McIntosh was declared the overall MSA
champion for 1978, but Bob Hop did win the Southern Division title and can thus
lay claim to being a four-time MSA champion.
I have records of alot of the race winners from the
MSA era, but it is not complete by any means.
Several modern day drivers had fathers who ran with the MSA. Here's a brief breakdown. Bill Dollansky/Craig Dollansky, Jerry Richert
Sr/Jerry Richert Jr, Bob Geldner/Brett Geldner, Dennis Olson/Dann Olson, Dick
Kelly/Gene Kelly, Dave Heskin/DJ Heskin, Danny Schatz/Donny Schatz, Lou Kennedy
Sr/Lou Kennedy Jr, Don Mack/Todd Mack.
Chapter 3 - Minnesota State Fair Section:
The racing activity at the Minnesota State Fair has a
very long and storied tradition.
Competitive auto racing events have been staged at the fair since
1907. The only break in the action
occurred during World War II in the five year period from 1942-1946 when the
track lay dormant. My research will
focus on the post WWII years. Many have
termed the period from 1947 to 1963 as the "Golden Age of Racing" at
the Minnesota State Fair. Following the
War, Americans were eager for some entertainment and the sport of big car auto
racing fit the bill just fine. It was
exciting, dangerous, and fast-paced.
Fans were thrilled by the daring drivers in open cockpit machines,
broad-sliding their cars at high speeds on the half mile oval. It was during this era that the sport really
started to grow by leaps and bounds. The
track was paved for the 1964 season, and it never was able to recapture the
luster of the "Golden Age".
Here's a list of the big car/sprint car winners from
1947 through 1978 under the IMCA, AAA, and USAC sanctions at the Minnesota
State Fair plus several Open Comp events.
8-23-47 - Emory Collins
8-24-47 - Emory Collins
8-31-47 - Jimmy Wilburn
9-01-47 - Jimmy Wilburn
8-28-48 - Emory Collins
8-29-48 - Ben Musick
9-05-48 - Emory Collins
9-06-48 - Emory Collins
8-27-49 - Tommy Hinnershitz (AAA)
8-28-49 - Spider Webb (AAA)
9-04-49 - Jimmy Wilburn
9-05-49 - Emory Collins
8-26-50 - Troy Ruttman (AAA)
8-27-50 - Tommy Hinnershitz (AAA)
9-02-50 - Emory Collins
9-03-50 - Harry King
9-04-50 - Harry King
8-25-51 - Troy Ruttman (AAA)
8-26-51 - Troy Ruttman (AAA)
8-31-51 - Deb Snyder
9-02-51 - Deb Snyder
9-03-51 - Bert Hellmueller
8-23-52 - Duane Carter (AAA)
8-24-52 - Jimmy Bryan (AAA)
8-25-52 - Jimmy Bryan (AAA)
8-29-52 - Leland "Bud" Randall
8-31-52 - Sid Bufkin
9-01-52 - Deb Snyder
8-29-53 - Bob Sweikert (AAA)
8-30-53 - Wally Campbell (AAA)
8-31-53 - Tommy Hinnershitz (AAA)
9-04-53 - Marv Pifer
9-06-53 - Bob Carpenter
9-07-53 - Jim McWithy
8-29-54 - Don Carr
9-01-54 - Don Carr
9-05-54 - Homer Clayton
9-06-54 - Jim McWithy
8-28-55 - Bud Randall
8-31-55 - Don Carr
9-02-55 - Bud Randall
9-04-55 - Bud Randall
9-05-55 - Marv Pifer
8-26-56 - Bill Chennault
8-29-56 - Bud Randall
8-31-56 - Bill Chennault
9-02-56 - Johnny Pouelsen
9-03-56 - Emmett "Buzz" Barton
8-25-57 - Johnny Pouelsen
8-27-57 - Buzz Barton
8-31-57 - Johnny Pouelsen
9-01-57 - Jerry Kemp
9-02-57 - Johnny Pouelsen
8-24-58 - Jim McWithey
8-26-58 - Jim McWithey
8-27-58 - Jim McWithey
8-28-58 - Pete Folse
8-31-58 - Jim McWithey
8-29-59 - Pete Folse
8-30-59 - Jack Rounds
9-01-59 - Parnelli Jones
9-02-59 - Jack Rounds
9-06-59 - Jim Hurtibise
8-27-60 - A. J. Shepherd
8-30-60 - A. J. Shepherd
8-31-60 - LeRoy Neumayer
9-04-60 - LeRoy Neumayer
8-26-61 - Jim McElreath
8-29-61 - Pete Folse
8-30-61 - Pete Folse
9-01-61 - Jim McElreath
9-03-61 - Jerry Richert
8-25-62 - Jerry Richert
8-26-62 - John White
8-27-62 - Jerry Richert
8-28-62 - Jerry Richert
8-29-62 - Jerry Richert
8-24-63 - Jerry Daniels
8-25-63 - Jerry Daniels
8-26-63 - Jerry Daniels
8-31-63 - Bill Horstmeyer
9-01-63 - Harold Leep (last IMCA winner on the dirt)
8-29-64 - ?? (USAC)
8-30-64 - ?? (USAC)
9-04-64 - Jim McCune (first IMCA winner on the new
pavement)
9-05-64 - Gene Bell
9-06-64 - Bob Pratt
6-13-65 - Harold Smith (nonfair event)
8-27-65 - ?? (USAC)
8-28-65 - ?? (USAC)
9-03-65 - Harold Smith
9-04-65 - Jerry Richert
9-05-65 - Jerry Richert
8-27-66 - Jerry Richert
8-28-66 - Russ Laursen
9-02-66 - Russ Laursen
9-04-66 - Dean Mast
8-26-67 - Jerry Blundy
8-27-67 - Jerry Richert
9-01-67 - Todd Gibson
9-03-67 - Karl Busson
8-24-68 - Tom York
8-25-68 - Tom York
8-30-68 - Ray Wright
9-01-68 - Tom York
8-23-69 - Norm Ellefson & Darl Harrison (Twin 50s)
8-29-69 - Norm Ellefson
8-31-69 - Norm Ellefson
8-30-70 - Fred Linder (won both Twin 50s)
9-04-70 - Jerry Richert
9-06-70 - Darl Harrison
8-29-71 - Norm Ellefson (won both Twin 50s)
9-05-71 - Jim Linder
8-26-72 - ?? (Twin 50s)
9-03-72 - Jerry Hansen
8-26-73 - ?? (USAC)
8-27-73 - ?? (USAC Twin 50s)
8-31-73 - Jerry Hansen
9-01-73 - Jerry Hansen
8-24-74 - Duane Carter, Jr. & Rollie Beale (USAC
Twin 40s)
8-25-74 - Tom Bigelow (won both USAC Twin 75s)
8-30-75 - Tom Bigelow & Joe Saldana (USAC Twin
40s)
8-28-76 - Marvin Carmen
8-29-76 - Don Mack
8-27-77 - ??
8-28-77 - ??
8-26-78 - Curt Kelley (MSA)
8-27-78 - Don Mack (MSA)
Chapter 4 - Jackson Nationals Section:
The Jackson Speedway (Jackson, MN) has been holding
auto racing events on the 1/2 mile dirt oval for about 70 years. Weekly racing began in 1954. The VFW Racing Association promoted the
program there for many seasons. Sprint
cars have been on the program since the early super modified days of the
1960s. The sprints have run with various
cubic inch engine limits over the years (305, 317, 360, 410). If this place could talk, imagine the volumes
of stories that it could tell. In recent
years, numerous improvements have been made at the track including a new
grandstand and new restrooms. A
Minnesota history summary would not be complete if it did not include a look at
the Jackson Nationals. The winners are only listed for the primary classes of
sprint cars each season. Jackson started
its version of the Nationals in 1979.
Jackson Nationals Sprint Car Winners
(1979-2009):
1979 - Marv DeWall (Non-Wing 317 Sprints)
1980 - Jack McCorkell (317 Sprints)
1981 - Jack McCorkell (317 Sprints)
1982 - Don Reiners (317 Sprints)
1983 - Rocky Hodges (Winged Outlaw
"Unlimited" Sprints)
1984 - Bobby Davis, Jr. (Outlaw 410 Sprints)
1985 - Doug Wolfgang (Outlaw 410 Sprints)
1986 - Bobby Allen (Outlaw 410 Sprints)
1987 - Doug Wolfgang (Outlaw 410 Sprints)
1988 - Steve Kinser (World of Outlaws Sprints)
1989 - Rick Hood (Outlaw 410 Sprints)
1989 - Brett Geldner (360 Sprints)
1990 - Tim Monson (360 Sprints)
1991 - Gary DeWall (360 Sprints)
1992 - Tim Monson (360 Sprints)
1993 - Doug Wolfgang (360 Sprints)
1994 - Brian Schnee (360 Sprints)
1995 - Lou Kennedy, Jr. (360 Sprints)
1996 - Doug Wolfgang (360 Sprints)
1997 - Lou Kennedy, Jr. (360 Sprints)
1998 - Jake Peters (360 Sprints)
1999 - Rob Tvedte (360 Sprints)
2000 - Randy Nygaard (360 Sprints)
2001 - Tim Monson (360 Sprints)
2002 - Jake Peters (360 Sprints)
2003 - Travis Whitney (360 Sprints)
2003 - Terry McCarl (410 Sprints)
2004 - Matt Folstad (360 Sprints)
2004 - Terry McCarl (410 Sprints)
2005 - Scott Winters (360 Sprints)
2005 - Wayne Johnson (410 Sprints)
2006 - Gregg Bakker (360 Sprints)
2007 - Gregg Bakker (ASCS 360 Sprints)
2008 - Billy Alley (JSTS 360 Sprints)
2009 - Jake Peters (JSTS 360 Sprints)
Chapter 5 - Knoxville Nationals Section:
The Knoxville Raceway located on the Marion County
Fairgrounds in Knoxville, Iowa has an extremely rich and storied past
history. Weekly racing began at
Knoxville in 1954 as well. With numerous
Minnesota drivers racing at one of the nation's most famous tracks, it is only
fitting to include a summary of the Knoxville Nationals winners. The Nationals is widely recognized to be
sprint car racing's most prestigious event.
We'll also take a look at how our Minnesota drivers have fared in the
National Championship A Feature on this historic 1/2 mile dirt oval throughout
the years. I highly recommend visiting
the Knoxville Raceway website and checking out the extensive information available
under the History Section.
Knoxville Nationals Winners (1961-2009):
1961 - Roy Robbins
1962 - Jerry Richert (Only MN driver so far to win
this event.)
1963 - Greg Weld
1964 - Kenny Weld
1965 - Kenny Weld
1966 - Jay Woodside
1967 - Thad Dosher
1968 - Ray Lee Goodwin
1969 - Kenny Gritz
1970 - Joe Saldana
1971 - Jan Opperman
1972 - Kenny Weld
1973 - Kenny Weld
1974 - Dick Gaines
1975 - Eddie Leavitt
1976 - Eddie Leavitt
1977 - Doug Wolfgang
1978 - Doug Wolfgang
1979 - Ron Shuman
1980 - Steve Kinser
1981 - Steve Kinser
1982 - Steve Kinser
1983 - Sammy Swindell
1984 - Doug Wolfgang
1985 - Doug Wolfgang
1986 - Steve Kinser
1987 - Steve Kinser
1988 - Steve Kinser
1989 - Doug Wolfgang
1990 - Bobby Allen
1991 - Steve Kinser
1992 - Steve Kinser
1993 - Steve Kinser
1994 - Steve Kinser
1995 - Steve Kinser
1996 - Mark Kinser
1997 - Dave Blaney
1998 - Danny Lasoski
1999 - Mark Kinser
2000 - Mark Kinser
2001 - Danny Lasoski
2002 - Steve Kinser
2003 - Danny Lasoski
2004 - Danny Lasoski
2005 - Kraig Kinser
2006 - Donny Schatz
2007 - Donny Schatz
2008 - Donny Schatz
2009 - Donny Schatz
Knoxville Raceway Season Point Champions
(1954-2009):
1954 - Kenny Crook
1955 - Kenny Crook
1956 - Jack Delano
1957 - Dean Sylvester
1958 - Earl Wagner
1959 - Earl Wagner
1960 - Jerry Hayes
1961 - Earl Wagner
1962 - Bud McCune
1963 - Greg Weld
1964 - Bill Utz
1965 - Jerry Blundy
1966 - Jerry Blundy
1967 - Bill Utz
1968 - Dick Sutcliffe
1969 - Bob Williams
1970 - Joe Saldana
1971 - Ray Lee Goodwin
1972 - Lonnie Jensen
1973 - Dick Sutcliffe
1974 - Lonnie Jensen
1975 - Roger Rager (Mound, MN)
1976 - Doug Wolfgang
1977 - Doug Wolfgang
1978 - Shane Carson
1979 - Randy Smith
1980 - Mike Brooks
1981 - Tim Green
1982 - Tim Green, Winged Sprints
1983 - Randy Smith, Winged Sprints
1983 - Mackie Heimbaugh, Modified Sprints
1984 - Rocky Hodges, Winged Sprints
1984 - Stacy Redmond, Modified Sprints
1985 - Randy Smith, Unlimited Sprints
1985 - Dean Chadd, Modified Sprints
1986 - Danny Lasoski, Unlimited Sprints
1986 - Wayne Redmond, Modified Sprints
1987 - Randy Smith, Open Sprints
1987 - Mike Chadd, Limited Sprints
1988 - Randy Smith, Open Sprints
1988 - David Hesmer, Limited Sprints
1989 - Danny Lasoski, Open Sprints
1989 - Mike Twedt, Limited Sprints
1990 - Danny Lasoski, Open Sprints
1990 - Jordan Albaugh, Limited Sprints
1991 - Randy Smith, Open Sprints
1991 - Dwight Snodgrass, Limited Sprints
1992 - Danny Lasoski, 410 Sprints
1992 - Dwight Snodgrass, Limited Sprints
1993 - Danny Lasoski, 410 Sprints
1993 - Danny Young, 360 Sprints
1994 - Danny Lasoski, 410 Sprints
1994 - Lee Nelson, 360 Sprints
1995 - Johnny Herrera, 410 Sprints
1995 - Larry Pinegar, 360 Sprints
1996 - Danny Lasoski, 410 Sprints
1996 - Randy Martin, 360 Sprints
1997 - Skip Jackson, 410 Sprints
1997 - David Hesmer, 360 Sprints
1998 - Skip Jackson, 410 Sprints
1998 - David Hesmer, 360 Sprints
1999 - Terry McCarl, 410 Sprints
1999 - David Hesmer, 360 Sprints
2000 - Terry McCarl, 410 Sprints
2000 - John Kearney, 360 Sprints
2001 - Terry McCarl, 410 Sprints
2001 - Randy Martin, 360 Sprints
2002 - Terry McCarl, 410 Sprints
2002 - Brian Brown, 360 Sprints
2003 - Terry McCarl, 410 Sprints
2003 - Billy Alley, 360 Sprints
2005 - Kerry Madsen, 410 Sprints
2005 - Jake Peters, 360 Sprints
2006 - Billy Alley, 410 Sprints
2006 - Jake Peters, 360 Sprints
2007 - Brian Brown, 410 Sprints
2007 - Josh Higday, 360 Sprints
2008 - Danny Lasoski, 410 Sprints
2008 - Matt Moro, 360 Sprints
2009 - Johnny Herrera, 410 Sprints
2009 - Clint Garner, 360 Sprints
Here's how Minnesota drivers have finished
in the Knoxville Nationals A Main:
1961: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1962: Jerry Richert 1st!!!
1963: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1964: Don "Itch" Daniels 14th
1965: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1966: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1967: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1968: No MN drivers listed in cars that finished.
1969: Dick Forbrook 13th
1970: Dick Forbrook 17th, Roger Rager 18th
1971: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1972: Dennis Olson 15th
1973: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1974: Roger Rager 8th
1975: Roger Rager 2nd, Bob Geldner 9th, John Stevenson
17th
1976: Jack McCorkell 17th
1977: John Stevenson 11th, Bob Geldner 15th, Roger
Rager 22nd
1978: Jack McCorkell 14th
1979: John Stevenson 4th
1980: John Stevenson 7th
1981: John Stevenson 15th, Bob Geldner 16th, Bob Hop
17th
1982: Keith Frantsen 15th, Roger Rager 19th
1983: Bob Hop 22nd
1984: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1985: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1986: John Stevenson 11th
1987: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1988: Jerry Richert, Jr. 19th
1989: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1990: Jerry Richert, Jr. 15th
1991: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1992: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1993: Craig Dollansky 18th
1994: Jerry Richert, Jr. 20th
1995: Jerry Richert, Jr. 20th, Craig Dollansky 23rd
1996: Craig Dollansky 3rd
1997: Craig Dollansky 7th
1998: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
1999: Craig Dollansky 22nd
2000: Craig Dollansky 5th
2001: Craig Dollansky 24th
2002: Craig Dollansky 3rd
2003: No MN drivers qualified for the A Main.
2004: Craig Dollansky 6th
2005: Craig Dollansky 10th
2006: Craig Dollansky 7th
2007: Craig Dollansky 4th
2008: Craig Dollansky 3rd
2009: Craig Dollansky 9th
A summary of Minnesota drivers Knoxville Nationals A
Main appearances shows Craig Dollansky with 14, John Stevenson and Roger Rager
with 6, Jerry Richert, Jr. with 4, Bob Geldner with 3, Bob Hop, Jack McCorkell
and Dick Forbrook with 2, and Dennis Olson, Keith Frantsen, Don Daniels and
Jerry Richert, Sr. with 1. That's twelve
different Minnesota drivers who have appeared in the Knoxville Nationals A Main
over the years. From 1961-1969, the
results I have been able to locate only show the drivers who finished the race,
so there may have been a Minnesotan or two who DNFed during those years not
included in the above rundown.
Minnesota Drivers Career Knoxville Wins:
Counting all sprint car racing events during the
course of a season, John Stevenson is the winningst Minnesota driver at
Knoxville so far. Johnny
"Lightning" Stevenson accumulated 14 feature wins from 8-11-78 to
6-26-82. Other Minnesota drivers
claiming feature wins at Knoxville include Roger Rager, Bob Hop, John Sernett,
Craig Dollansky, Jerry Richert Jr, Todd Wessels, Keith Frantsen, Tony Norem,
Ryan York, Dustin Lindquist, and Davey Heskin.
Listed below is a summary of the total wins followed by the dates on
which they occurred. Roger Rager had
five wins prior to 1976, but I do not have the dates of those wins although he
did win on opening night in 1972. Roger
Rager and Dustin Lindquist are the only two Minnesota drivers to win features
in both 410 and 360 competition at Knoxville.
John Stevenson = 14
Craig Dollansky = 11
Jerry Richert, Jr. = 10
Roger Rager = 10
Tony Norem = 4
John Sernett = 3
Dustin Lindquist = 3
Bob Hop = 1
Keith Frantsen = 1
Todd Wessels = 1
Jerry Richert, Sr. = 1
Ryan York = 1
Davey Heskin = 1
410/Unlimited/Open Sprint Car Division:
8-10-62 - Jerry Richert, Sr. (Knoxville Nationals
Championship Feature)
Prior to 1976 - Roger Rager (5 wins)
8-11-78 - John Stevenson (Knoxville Nationals NQ
Feature)
6-16-79 - John Stevenson
7-07-79 - John Stevenson
7-28-79 - John Stevenson
9-02-79 - John Stevenson
7-04-80 - John Stevenson
7-26-80 - John Stevenson
6-05-81 - John Stevenson
6-27-81 - John Stevenson
7-11-81 - John Stevenson
7-11-81 - Roger Rager
7-18-81 - Bob Hop
8-09-81 - John Stevenson (2 feature wins on this
night)
6-19-82 - John Stevenson
6-26-82 - John Stevenson
6-11-83 - Keith Frantsen
8-16-86 - John Sernett (Knoxville Nationals NQ
Feature)
4-23-88 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
5-11-88 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
4-22-89 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
5-27-89 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
8-18-89 - Jerry Richert, Jr. (Knoxville Nationals NQ
Feature)
9-02-89 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
7-27-91 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
7-04-92 - John Sernett
8-08-92 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
7-09-94 - Todd Wessels
4-22-95 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
5-13-95 - Craig Dollansky
6-24-95 - Craig Dollansky (WoO)
7-22-95 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
6-28-97 - John Sernett
7-12-97 - Craig Dollansky
8-01-98 - Craig Dollansky
8-14-98 - Craig Dollansky (Knoxville Nationals NQ
Feature)
8-07-99 - Craig Dollansky
8-13-99 - Craig Dollansky (Knoxville Nationals Prelim
Feature)
8-28-99 - Craig Dollansky
8-10-00 - Craig Dollansky (Knoxville Nationals Prelim
Feature)
4-27-01 - Craig Dollansky (WoO)
6-24-04 - Craig Dollansky (WoO)
5-05-07 - Dustin Lindquist
7-12-08 - Davey Heskin
360 Sprint Car Division:
6-05-99 - Roger Rager (Masters Classic)
5-27-00 - Tony Norem
6-15-00 - Roger Rager (360 Nationals Prelim Feature)
6-30-00 - Tony Norem
4-21-01 - Tony Norem
6-01-01 - Roger Rager (Masters Classic)
7-28-01 - Tony Norem
7-19-03 - Ryan York
6-03-05 - Roger Rager (Masters Classic)
5-20-06 - Dustin Lindquist
6-17-06 - Dustin Lindquist
Chapter 6 - Cheaters Day Race Section:
The annual Cheaters Day race at the Sioux Empire
Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls, SD has been another long-running local area sprint
car event. The race was usually held at
the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds, but on a few occasions, it had to be held at
Husets Speedway. Since the closing of the fairgrounds to racing action, the
tradition now continues at the Husets Speedway.
Many Minnesota drivers have participated in this race over the years
with Don Daniels, Jerry Richert Sr., Don Mack, John Stevenson, and Todd Mack
notching wins for our home state. A
winners summary is listed below.
Sioux Empire Fairgrounds/Husets Speedway
Cheaters Day Feature Winners (1964-2009):
1964 - Earl Wagner
1965 - Don "Itch" Daniels
1966 - Lloyd Beckman
1967 - Bob Williams
1968 - Bob Williams
1969 - Joe Saldana
1970 - Dave Skari
1971 - Darryl Dawley
1972 - Ray Lee Goodwin
1973 - Earl Wagner
1974 - Eddie Leavitt
1975 - Dick Morris
1976 - Jerry Richert
1977 - Gene Gennetten
1978 - Don Mack
1979 - Bobby Layne
1980 - John Stevenson
1981 - Randy Smith
1982 - Tim Green
1983 - T. J. Giddings
1984 - Todd Mack
1985 - Ken Chapman
1986 - Marlon Jones
1987 - Randy Smith
1988 - Danny Lasoski
1989 - Jack Hewitt
1990 - Danny Lasoski
1991 - Jac Haudenschild
1992 - Danny Lasoski
1993 - Doug Wolfgang
1994 - Chad Radel
1995 - Johnny Herrera
1996 - Marlon Jones
1997 - Donny Schatz
1998 - Donny Schatz
1999 - Danny Lasoski
2000 - Terry McCarl
2001 - Not Run (what a shame)
2002 - Gregg Bakker
2003 - Justin Henderson
2004 - Jake Peters
2005 - Justin Henderson
2006 - Wade Nygaard
2007 - Wade Nygaard (prelim, final canc.)
2008 - Mark Dobmeier
2009 - Gregg Bakker
Chapter 7 - WISSOTA Championship 360 Sprint Car
Section:
In 1992, the WISSOTA Promoters Association decided to
sanction the 360 Championship Sprint Car Division. National sanctioning ran through the 2005
season when WISSOTA announced they would no longer sanction the sprints. National champions along with the Western 100
winners are listed.
WISSOTA Sprint Car Champions (1992-2005):
1992 - Chuck Swenson
1993 - Mike Sitzmann
1994 - Chuck Swenson
1995 - Lou Kennedy, Jr.
1996 - Donny Schatz
1997 - Travis Whitney
1998 - Mark Toews
1999 - Roger Rager
2000 - Tony Norem
2001 - Jimmy Kouba
2002 - Loren Langerud
2003 - Loren Langerud
2004 - Dustin Lindquist
2005 - Chuck Swenson
WISSOTA Western 100 Sprint Car Winners
(1994-2005):
1994 - Randi Miller (Black Hills Speedway)
1995 - Randi Miller (Black Hills Speedway)
1996 - Randi Miller (Brown County Speedway)
1997 - Curt Lund (Brown County Speedway)
1998 - Randi Miller (Black Hills Speedway)
1999 - Rik Sandberg (Brown County Speedway)
2000 - Wade Nygaard (Brown County Speedway)
2001 - Rained Out (Brown County Speedway)
2002 - Brad Pake (Brown County Speedway)
2003 - Brad Pake (Brown County Speedway)
2004 - Loren Langerud (Brown County Speedway)
2005 - Curt Lund (Brown County Speedway)
Chapter 8 - Gopher 50 Late Model Section:
Speaking of the late models, it's time to take a look
back at what most people would describe as Minnesota's most heralded late model
event, the Gopher State 50 Late Model Stock Car Race. The event actually started at the Chateau
Speedway in Lansing back in 1980 and 1981.
In 1982, it was moved to the Steele County Fairgrounds race track in
Owatonna to accommodate the fan and car turnouts. In 2005, the Deer Creek Speedway became the
new host for this long-running annual race and added sanctioning with the WoO
Late Models. This event is firmly
entrenched as part of the history of our great sport here in Minnesota. A summary of the past winners is listed
below.
Gopher State 50 Late Model Stock Car Race
Winners (1980-2009):
1980 - Leon Plank
1981 - Steve Kosiski
1982 - Steve Kosiski
1983 - Joe Kosiski
1984 - Willy Kraft
1985 - Leon Plank
1986 - Tom Steuding
1987 - Willy Kraft
1988 - Steve Kosiski
1989 - Billy Moyer
1990 - Scott Bloomquist
1991 - Rick Egersdorf (Freddy Smith was DQed for
weighing in light.)
1992 - Bob Hill
1993 - Billy Moyer
1994 - Willy Kraft
1995 - Bill Frye
1996 - Billy Moyer
1997 - Rick Aukland
1998 - Jay Johnson
1999 - Scott Bloomquist
2000 - Billy Moyer
2001 - Billy Moyer
2002 - Shannon Babb
2003 - Scott Bloomquist
2004 - Brian Birkhofer
2005 - Darrell Lanigan
2006 - Rick Eckert
2007 - Chub Frank
2008 - Brian Birkhofer
2009 - Darrell Lanigan
Chapter 9 - Cedar Lake Speedway Section:
For many Twin City area race fans, Cedar Lake Speedway
is their home track. CLS draws cars and
fans from a fairly large area each week.
The track has a long and storied history, having provided Saturday
racing action since June 29, 1957 on what is now a high-banked 3/8 mile
oval. This is a must for any history
project dealing with our local area. In
this analysis, we'll concentrate on reviewing the winners of the USA Late Model
Nationals, the MASTERS and the WISSOTA 100/Legendary 100 Late Model shows at
one of the nation's premier dirt tracks.
In 2006, the WISSOTA 100 event was no longer held at CLS. To continue the tradition of a mid September
special, CLS ran the first DTRA 100 and followed up with a name change in 2007
to The Legendary 100. 2007 brought the
50th Anniversary celebration! Since CLS
has hosted various open wheel racing events over the years, I'll close out this
section with a summary of World of Outlaws winners at CLS dating back to their
first appearance in 1983, a listing of the Jerry Richert Memorial IRA feature
winners along with a summary of other IRA sprint car winners during more recent
times, and finally a listing of the Billy Anderson Memorial winners. It should be noted that in 2006, CLS opted to
run their traditional July outlaw sprint car show under NST sanctioning. The WoO sprints returned once again in 2007.
USA (Outlaw) Late Model Nationals Winners
(1988-2009):
1988 - Billy Moyer
1989 - Billy Moyer
1990 - Billy Moyer
1991 - Rick Aukland
1992 - Billy Moyer
1993 - Billy Moyer
1994 - Jack Boggs
1995 - Jack Boggs
1996 - Jimmy Mars
1997 - Rick Aukland
1998 - Donnie Moran
1999 - Scott Bloomquist
2000 - Davey Johnson
2001 - Dale McDowell
2002 - Rick Eckert
2003 - Scott Bloomquist
2004 - Brian Birkhofer
2005 - Dale McDowell
2006 - Scott Bloomquist
2007 - Brian Birkhofer
2008 - Scott Bloomquist
2009 - Jimmy Mars
MASTERS Late Model Winners (1999-2009):
1999 - Wendell Wallace
2000 - Rick Aukland
2001 - Scott Bloomquist
2002 - Rick Eckert
2003 - Wendell Wallace
2004 - Earl Pearson, Jr.
2005 - Don O'Neal (WDRL)
2005 - Donnie Moran (NARA)
2006 - Earl Pearson, Jr. (Lucas/WDRL)
2007 - Jimmy Mars (WDRL)
2007 - Scott Bloomquist (WDRL)
2008 - Jimmy Mars (WDRL)
2008 - Brady Smith (WDRL, made up at USA Nationals)
2009 - Jimmy Mars (WDRL)
2009 - Jimmy Mars (WDRL)
WISSOTA 100 Late Model Winners at CLS
(1989-2005):
1989 - Jim Bruggeman
1990 - Rick Aukland
1991 - Mike Nutzmann
1992 - Tom Nesbitt
1993 - Tom Nesbitt
1994 - Rick Aukland
1995 - Joel Cryderman
1996 - Jimmy Mars
1997 - Steve Laursen
1998 - Rick Egersdorf
1999 - Rick Egersdorf
2000 - Harry Hanson
2001 - Eric Pember
2002 - Jerry Redetzke
2003 - Jerry Redetzke
2004 - John Kaanta
2005 - John Kaanta
DTRA/Legendary 100 Late Model Winners at
CLS (2006-2009):
2006 - Pat Doar
2007 - Pat Doar
2008 - Rained Out
2009 - Terry Anvelink
World of Outlaws Winners at CLS (1983-2005,
2007-2009):
7-11-83 - Steve Kinser
7-17-84 - Steve Kinser
7-15-85 - Bobby Davis, Jr.
7-14-86 - Steve Kinser
7-13-87 - Sammy Swindell
7-10-88 - Jeff Swindell
7-11-88 - Steve Kinser
5-01-89 - Jac Haudenschild
7-10-89 - Bobby Davis, Jr.
7-09-90 - Sammy Swindell
7-08-91 - Dave Blaney
7-13-92 - Sammy Swindell
5-09-93 - Dave Blaney
7-12-93 - Dave Blaney
7-11-94 - Sammy Swindell
7-10-95 - Sammy Swindell
7-09-96 - Mark Kinser
7-14-97 - Mark Kinser
7-13-98 - Stevie Smith
7-12-99 - Danny Lasoski
7-10-00 - Mark Kinser
7-09-01 - Mark Kinser
7-08-02 - Sammy Swindell
7-07-03 - Steve Kinser
7-12-04 - Craig Dollansky
7-04-05 - Brooke Tatnell
7-01-07 - Paul McMahon
6-29-08 - Donny Schatz
7-12-09 - Donny Schatz
National Sprint Tour Winner at CLS (2006):
7-10-06 - Tim Kaeding
Jerry Richert Memorial/IRA vs Knoxville
Challenge Winners (2001-2009):
6-02-01 - Kim Mock (1st Annual)
9-07-02 - Don Droud, Jr. (2nd Annual)
9-06-03 - Terry McCarl (3rd Annual)
9-06-04 - Terry McCarl (4th Annual)
9-10-05 - Justin Henderson (5th Annual)
9-09-06 - Mike Reinke (6th Annual)
9-08-07 - Mike Reinke (7th Annual)
9-06-08 - Brooke Tatnell (8th Annual)
9-12-09 - Brooke Tatnell (9th Annual)
Other IRA Sprint Car Winners at CLS
(1999-2009):
8-21-99 - Travis Whitney
6-03-00 - Joe Roe
5-04-02 - Travis Whitney
6-01-02 - John Sernett
6-07-03 - Jerry Richert, Jr.
6-05-04 - Rained Out
6-17-05 - Wayne Johnson (Masters)
6-18-05 - Scotty Neitzel (Masters)
6-15-06 - Rained Out (Masters)
6-16-06 - Travis Whitney (Masters)
6-14-07 - Travis Whitney (Masters, feature ran 6-15)
6-15-07 - Travis Whitney (Masters)
6-13-08 - Scott Winters (Masters)
6-14-08 - Scott Winters (Masters)
6-19-09 - Scott Winters (Masters)
6-20-09 - Scott Winters (Masters)
Billy Anderson Memorial Winners at CLS
(2002-2009):
4-20-02 - Tony Norem (1st Annual)
4-12-03 - Bill Boles (2nd Annual)
4-17-04 - Jerry Richert, Jr. (3rd Annual)
4-23-05 - Loren Langerud (4th Annual)
4-15-06 - Jake Peters (5th Annual)
7-14-07 - Chuck Swenson (6th Annual)
4-26-08 - Canc due to cold/wet weather (7th Annual)
9-13-08 - Make-up rained out
4-25-09 - Lou Kennedy, Jr. (8th Annual)
Also of interest to local area Cedar Lake Speedway
sprint car fans, I've compiled a summary of past WISSOTA 360 Sprint Car
Champions in the five seasons they ran at CLS.
Track champions included Kent Winters (1994 & 1995), Tony Norem
(1996), Jimmy Kouba (1997), and Mike Rich (1998). It was interesting to note that in the first
year at Cedar Lake, Kent Winters compiled an incredible record of finishing in
the top 10 in 17 out of the 18 feature races run! Kent won 5 features that year. For our late model fans, Rick Aukland claimed
three sprint car feature wins in 1994.
Chapter 10 - Red Cedar Speedway Section:
Located about an hour or so drive east of the Twin
Cities area is a race track that has been around for better than 30 years. The Red Cedar Speedway is located at the Dunn
County Rec Park in Menomonie, WI. They
have a long-standing tradition of providing stock car racing action on Friday
nights on the 1/3 mile fairly flat oval. In this summary, we'll take a look at their
big season ending event in memory and honor of a fallen racing champion. The event is called the Punky Manor Challenge
of Champions and is held in the latter part of September each year. The track has also played host to several
other special events throughout the years such as WDRL late models and IRA
sprint cars.
Punky Manor Challenge of Champions Late
Model Winners (1980-2009):
1980 - Leon Plank
1981 - Tom Nesbitt
1982 - Ron Schreiner
1983 - Red Steffen
1984 - Leon Plank
1985 - Lance Matthees
1986 - Rick Egersdorf
1987 - Rick Egersdorf
1988 - Rick Egersdorf
1989 - Tom Steuding
1990 - Jon Kurshinsky
1991 - Lance Matthees
1992 - Kerry Hansen
1993 - Jerry Redetzke
1994 - Jerry Redetzke
1995 - Joel Cryderman
1996 - Jimmy Mars
1997 - Jimmy Mars
1998 - Pat Doar
1999 - Rick Egersdorf
2000 - Ashley Anderson
2001 - Tony Bahr
2002 - John Kaanta
2003 - Justin Fegers
2004 - Jimmy Mars
2005 - Terry Casey
2006 - John Kaanta
2007 - Jimmy Mars
2008 - John Kaanta
2009 - A.J. Diemel
Chapter 11 - Proctor Speedway Silver 1000 Section:
The Proctor Speedway, located at the South St. Louis
County Fairgrounds in Proctor, has been running a weekly racing program for
very many years. They can lay claim to
one of the longest running special events amongst the various weekly race
tracks in operation in the state of Minnesota today. The Silver 1000 late model stock car race was
first run back in 1973. It got its name
by paying 1000 silver dollar coins to the winner! This tradition continued for many years. As the years have passed, the payout has
increased well beyond $1,000 to win. The
practice of paying the first place finisher in silver dollars was discontinued
quite some time ago; however, the event still retained its unique name. A look at Minnesota racing history would not
be complete if it did not include a summary of this event. Special thanks go to Dr. Troy Powers for
helping me complete my research on the early years of this race.
Proctor Speedway Silver 1000 Late Model
Race Winners (1973-2009):
1973 - Dave Bjorge
1974 - Wendell Kuehn
1975 - Leon Plank
1976 - Ed Sanger
1977 - Curt Hansen
1978 - Tom Nesbitt
1979 - John Jones
1980 - Leon Plank
1981 - Jeff Hinkemeyer
1982 - Jeff Hinkemeyer
1983 - Pete Parker
1984 - Jim Bruggeman
1985 - Leon Plank
1986 - Rick Egersdorf
1987 - Rick Popovich
1988 - Rick Aukland
1989 - Rick Aukland
1990 - Joel Cryderman
1991 - Rick Egersdorf
1992 - Jimmy Mars
1993 - Jerry Redetzke
1994 - Steve Laursen
1995 - Mitch Johnson
1996 - Rick Aukland
1997 - Mitch Johnson
1998 - Steve Laursen
1999 - Rick Egersdorf
2000 - Pat Doar
2001 - Tom Waseleski
2002 - Harry Hanson
2003 - John Kaanta
2004 - John Kaanta
2005 - Jeff Provinzino
2006 - Darrell Nelson
2007 - Terry Casey
2008 - Rained Out
2009 - Jeff Provinzino
Chapter 12 - Hibbing Raceway Labor Day Shootout
Section:
The Hibbing Raceway, located at the North St. Louis
County Fairgrounds in Hibbing, has been running a weekly racing program for
several decades. Located in the Iron
Range of Minnesota, this track has held numerous special events throughout the
years including a race dubbed the Iron Man Invitational amongst others. Their traditional Labor Day Weekend racing
action concludes each season at an event known as the Labor Day Shootout. In 1985, the event became a two day
affair. On a few occasions, rain has shortened
it to a one day event. Many top drivers
venture north on Labor Day Weekend to compete on the 3/8 mile semi-banked oval.
Hibbing Raceway Labor Day Shootout Late
Model Race Winners (1979-2009):
1979 - Leon Plank
1980 - Pete Parker
1981 - Jeff Hinkemeyer
1982 - Tom Nesbitt
1983 - Red Steffen
1984 - Bob Gherardi
1985 - Steve Laursen, Mitch Johnson
1986 - Rick Egersdorf
1987 - Steve Laursen, Rick Aukland
1988 - Tom Nesbitt, Tom Nesbitt
1989 - Tom Nesbitt
1990 - Brent Laursen, Harry Hanson
1991 - Rick Egersdorf, Steve Egersdorf
1992 - Rick Aukland, Rick Aukland
1993 - Mike Chamernick, Rick Egersdorf
1994 - Rick Aukland
1995 - Joel Cryderman, Rick Egersdorf
1996 - Jimmy Mars, Mitch Johnson
1997 - Pat Doar, Steve Egersdorf
1998 - Steve Laursen, Rick Egersdorf
1999 - Steve Laursen, Steve Laursen
2000 - Pete Wohlers, Hank Berry
2001 - Brady Smith, Mitch Johnson
2002 - Darrell Nelson, Rick Egersdorf
2003 - Harry Hanson, Brian Strand
2004 - Darrell Nelson
2005 - Joel Cryderman, Pat Doar
2006 - Mitch Johnson, John Kaanta
2007 - Steve Vesel, Harry Hanson
2008 - Pat Doar, Steve Laursen
2009 - Gregg Hill, Jake Redetzke
Chapter 13 - Superior Speedway Section:
Tri-State Speedway Russ Laursen Classic
Northwest Racing Classic
Superior Speedway Northern Nationals
Section:
Two other long running late model stock car specials
are held each year on the Wisconsin side of the Twin Ports area at the Superior
Speedway. For many years, the track was
called the Tri-State Speedway. The first
event we'll look into started out under the name given in memory and honor of
the great Russ Laursen from Cumberland, WI who lost his life in a 1970
accident. The event's name was later
changed to the Northwest Racing Classic in 1982, a name it held for several
years before finally being renamed under its current day title of the Northern
Nationals. From 1970 through 1981, the
sprint cars ran at this event. They were
off the card for many seasons, finally making a return appearance in 1995. They have been a part of the program since
then. The late models have been a part
of the program from the beginning. The
Russ Laursen Classic actually returned with its own separate night again in 2003
and 2004 but was rained out in 2005 and 2006 before Mother Nature allowed it to
run again in 2007.
The second major event in Superior history goes back
in time to 1963 when it was decided that the Tri State Speedway would hold a
late model invitational. The popularity
and success of this event grew as the years rolled by and it became an annual
event. The tradition was discontinued in
1990, but the event reappeared again in 1999 as the AMSOIL Invitational and was
held again in 2000. None have been held
since then, although the track has hosted AMSOIL Series events at various times.
I would like to thank Duane "Andy" Anderson
of Superior for his valuable assistance in helping me complete my research on
the Russ Laursen Classic and for his list of the Superior Late Model
Invitational winners.
Tri-State Speedway Russ Laursen Classic/Northwest
Racing Classic
Superior Speedway Northern Nationals Late
Model Winners (1970-2009):
1970 - Jerry Amundson
1971 - Harold Mueller
1972 - Don Roseen
1973 - Harold Mueller
1974 - Jim Eliason
1975 - Tom Steuding
1976 - Leon Plank
1977 - John Jones
1978 - John Jones
1979 - Tom Nesbitt
1980 - Gary Dorn
1981 - Phil Prusak
1982 - Rick Popovich
1983 - Steve Fegers
1984 - Jeff Hinkemeyer
1985 - Steve Laursen
1986 - Rick Egersdorf
1987 - Rick Popovich
1988 - Tom Nebitt
1989 - Tom Nesbitt
1990 - Larry Prochnow
1991 - Steve Fegers
1992 - Tom Waseleski
1993 - Tim McMann
1994 - Steve Laursen
1995 - Mike Chamernick
1996 - Tom Nesbitt
1997 - Mitch Johnson
1998 - Pat Doar
1999 - Lance Matthees
2000 - John Kaanta
2001 - Tony Bahr
2002 - Don Shaw
2003 - Pat Doar
2004 - Darrell Nelson
2005 - Tom Nesbitt
2006 - Pat Doar
2007 - Jake Redetzke
2008 - Adam Hensel
2009 - Adam Hensel
Tri-State Speedway Russ Laursen Classic
Sprint Car Winners (1970-1981):
1970 - Barry Kettering
1971 - Barry Kettering
1972 - Dave Skari
1973 - John Stevenson
1974 - Barry Kettering
1975 - Jerry Richert
1976 - John Stevenson
1977 - John Stevenson
1978 - Lyn McIntosh
1979 - Bob Hop
1980 - Billy Dollansky
1981 - Bob Hop
Superior Speedway Russ Laursen Classic Winners
(2003-2007):
2003 - Pat Doar (late models), Brad Pake (360 sprints)
2004 - Brady Smith (late models), Loren Langerud (360
sprints)
2005 - Rained Out
2006 - Rained Out
2007 - Pat Doar (late models)
Superior Speedway Northern Nationals Sprint
Car Winners (1995-2009):
1995 - Lou Kennedy, Jr. (WISSOTA 360s)
1996 - Donny Schatz (WISSOTA 360s)
1997 - Curt Lund (WISSOTA 360s)
1998 - Mark Toews (WISSOTA 360s)
1999 - Craig Dollansky (IRA 410s)
2000 - Craig Dollansky (IRA 410s)
2001 - Travis Whitney (IRA 410s)
2002 - Joe Roe (IRA 410s)
2003 - Danny Smith (IRA 410s)
2004 - Brooke Tatnell (IRA 410s)
2005 - Scotty Neitzel (IRA 410s)
2006 - Kerry Madsen (IRA 410s)
2007 - Travis Whitney (IRA 410s)
2008 - Rained Out (IRA 410s)
2009 - Terry McCarl (IRA 410s)
Tri-State Speedway/Superior Speedway
Late Model Invitational Winners
(1963-2000):
1963 - Bud Havel
1964 - Andy Riordan
1965 - Donald Aas
1966 - Dick Briesmeister
1967 - Johnny Aase
1968 - Harold Mueller
1969 - Mel Grile
1970 - Harold Mueller
1971 - Harold Mueller
1972 - Dave Morgan
1973 - Harold Mueller
1974 - Dave Bjorge
1975 - Tom Steuding
1976 - Ed Sanger
1977 - Dan Nesteby
1978 - John Jones
1979 - Steve Egersdorf
1980 - Charlie Swartz
1981 - Phil Prusak
1982 - Leon Plank
1983 - Rick Egersdorf
1984 - Tim McMann
1985 - Leon Plank
1986 - None
1987 - Willy Kraft
1988 - Rick Egersdorf
1989 - Rick Egersdorf
1990-1998 - No Invitationals Run
1999 - Steve Laursen (AMSOIL Series)
2000 - Steve Laursen
Chapter 14 - Princeton National Section:
In 2004, a new racing event debuted in the state of
Minnesota. Held at the historic 1/4 mile
high-banked Princeton Speedway, the event was dubbed the Princeton National and
had World of Outlaws sanctioning. Although
there was controversy and fist-t-cuffs involved, it was only fitting that a
Minnesota driver took the clean sweep during the inaugural running of the two
day show. The event was moved to the end
of July in 2005 and 2006. For 2007 and
2008, an early October appearance was in order.
The event was discontinued and not run in 2009.
5-21-04 - Craig Dollansky
5-22-04 - Craig Dollansky
7-29-05 - Brooke Tatnell
7-30-05 - Steve Kinser
7-28-06 - Daryn Pittman
7-29-06 - Daryn Pittman
10-5-07 - Rained Out
10-6-07 - Donny Schatz
10-4-08 - Donny Schatz
Chapter 15 - Viking Speedway Fall Classic Section:
In 2003, a new event emerged on the Minnesota racing
scene called the Viking Fall Classic. It
was held at the 1/2 mile Viking Speedway located on the Douglas County
Fairgrounds in Alexandria. It was an
immediate success with large car counts and a strong turnout of fans. The early October special for several WISSOTA
stock car classes has established itself as one of the top season-ending races
promoted by FYE Motorsports owner Chris Stepan.
Listed below is a summary of past winners in all divisions.
2003:
Late Models - Dave Zimmerman
Modifieds - Scot Danzeisen
Super Stocks - Scot Danzeisen
2004:
Late Models - John Kaanta
Modifieds - Craig Thatcher
Super Stocks - Scot Danzeisen
Street Stocks - Scott Paulson
Midwest Mods - Dale Mathison
2005:
Late Models - Don Shaw
Modifieds - Zach Johnson
Super Stocks - Dave Mass
Street Stocks - Jimmy Williams
Midwest Mods - Dan Wheeler
2006:
Late Models - Don Shaw
Modifieds - Craig Thatcher
Super Stocks - Don Shaw
Street Stocks - Keith Tourville
Midwest Mods - Dallas Gulbrandson
2007:
Late Models - Lance Matthees
Modifieds - Jamie Lemke
Super Stocks - Don Shaw
Street Stocks - Jason Vandekamp
Midwest Mods - Danny Bayer
2008:
Late Models - Zach Johnson
Modifieds - Pat Doar
Super Stocks - Don Shaw
Street Stocks - Cory Rosen
Midwest Mods - Ryan Mikkelson
2009:
Rained Out 3 weekends straight,
rescheduled for April 2010.
Chapter 16 - Riverview Raceway Barry Kettering
Memorial Section:
In memory of a great racing champion who tragically
lost his life in an accident at the Fairmont Raceway in June of 1976, the
Riverview Raceway in Thunder Bay, Ontario ran several Barry Kettering
Memorials. A fitting tribute done by
Jeff Caldwell from Thunder Bay is reprinted below with his permission. Great job Jeff! Following Jeff's article is a list of the
Barry Kettering Memorial Winners. Two
feature races comprised the makeup of the title, so one did not necessarily
have to win a feature in order to win the title (John Sernett did this in 1980
by finishing in third place in both features).
Barry Kettering
by
Jeff Caldwell
Thunder Bay,ON Canada
Barry
Kettering would start his racing career match racing Tom Dow at the Murillo
Fairgrounds behind the wheel of the Kings Special, a 1920-30's vintage
speedster in 1951-52. Barry was one of
the founding members of the Lakehead Stock Car Club in the fall of 1952, and
the first stock car he built was a 1934 Plymouth numbered 00. It was called "The Snitch Special"
as apparently that's how some of its parts were obtained. He would then move into Bud Heidrich's #47
"Bud's Thing" '47 Ford in 1953 and later a '32 Ford until 1957 when
he drove the Provincial Stock Car Club #57.
In 1958, Barry and brother Glen, with whom he was partners in a local
service station, built a 1934 Ford coupe powered by a 312 C.I. Ford. This car would carry Barry to his long sought
after track title. Barry, always the
tough but fair competitor, would again win its title in 1959 in the '34 Ford
and a cut down version of the same car carried him to the title again in 1960. Though Barry was leading the points &
defending his title in 1961, he sold his share in the service station and moved
from Fort William to Rice Lake, Wisconsin so that he could race more often.
Barry
had first ventured stateside to "see how they raced" in 1958 and left
a souvenier for the meeting room of the Indianhead Stock Car Racing Association
,a check in the amount of $15.00 for tow money which he refused to accept. Upon his return to Rice Lake, WI in the
spring of 1959, Barry "cleaned the boards" and started to leave his
mark south of the border. Barry Kettering's
gesture of refusing the tow money was a precursor to several others gestures he
would make through his racing career for the betterment of the sport. Barry
continued racing in modifieds, and the '34 Ford was retired with a new car
being built based on a '49 Ford frame with a Crosley body and a 390 C.I. Ford
powering it. Upon its completion in the
spring, Barry was looking to give it a test run. Finding Raceway Park in Shakopee, MN running,
Barry and his crew headed for the track to discover that it was asphalt. Undaunted and though the car was built for
dirt and Barry having no previous pavement experience, he threw the car
sideways through the corners as if he was racing on dirt thrilling those in
attendence. Barry returned to Shakopee
for its opening day show, won his heat, and ran out of gas on the white flag
lap of the feature while leading. Soon
the calls were going out "look out, here comes the Bear Cat!!". Through the years whenever Barry towed into
the pits, he would be regarded as one of the guys to beat.
During
the sixties, Barry would blossom into one of the top open wheel racers in the
Minnesota/Wisconsin area winning several big events, and he would take
"ownership" of the supermodifieds at Princeton ,MN. There he would win the title seven times
with three others coming at North Star Speedway near Blaine. In the year 1973, Barry was again part of a
racing club formation as he was one of the co-founders of the Midwest Sprint
Association (MSA) just as he had been with the Lakehead Stock Car Club. Thoughout the next three years, Barry served
as the association's President as well as its goodwill ambassador, dominating
driver and fan favorite. In the first year
of the clubs existence, it was dominated on the track by Kettering as he won 14
features and took the initial title. On
the way to the title, Barry won the unsanctioned Invitational Championships at
Riverview Raceway in his hometown of Thunder Bay,ON. Barry again took the MSA title in 1974 and
1975. While Barry would rarely travel
too far from home to race, when he did he was often rewarded with a win or a
top finish, such as starting at the rear in a 22 car field in Minot,ND and
crossing under the checkered flag first.
In 1976 ,Barry co-drove with Ron Larson in the famed Little 500 in
Anderson, IN running second when an oil leak close to the finish required
repairs relegating them to an eigth place finish. He was on his way to the 1976 title on Friday
June 11 of 1976 when he lost his life as he was thrown from his red & white
#57 in a roll over on lap 13 in corner two at Fairmont, MN.
Barry
Kettering was always a highly respected racer both on and off the race track,
popular with not only the fans but fellow competitors alike, and he always
willing to help the rookies or lend a needed part to a fellow competitor. The Sunday night race at North Star Speedway
in Blaine, MN following Barry's accident was green flagged with the pole
position left open in memory of the great racer. Always one to give for the betterment of the
sport and being one who raced for the love of it not the glory or prize money,
Barry was a great goodwill ambassador for racing! Barry would gladly hand out schedules at
winter car shows, let kids sit in the sprinter, tow to Austin, MN to promote an
upcoming MSA race for the small fee of gas money, and in a dispute regarding a
scoring decision at an MSA race at North Star Barry offered to pay the $100
difference out of his own pocket. Always
well spoken, clean cut Barry was very businesslike in his efforts to make the
MSA a viable and successful club. He
would meet fair board representatives in an effort to book MSA race dates. On that June evening racing lost one of its
greats. Though not nationally known,
Barry Kettering took on all comers in his area often sending the visitors home
empty handed. Both on and off the track,
Barry gave his all to make racing better.
From the stock cars in Fort William to the sprint cars in Minnesota, he
was a true racer and he is missed by both those he raced with and those who
watched him. Having given so much to the sport, it was perhaps best said by
fellow Fort William sprint racer Lyn McIntosh, when Riverview track management
decided not to hold the Barry Kettering Memorial in 1981, Lyn and his partners
Murray Robinson and Pat Slivinski chose to host it themselves with Lyn saying
" Barry gave too much to the sport for his memory to be forgotten".
Riverview Raceway Barry Kettering Memorial
Champions (1976-1981):
1976 - John Stevenson
1977 - John Stevenson
1978 - Jerry Richert
1979 - Bob Hop
1980 - John Sernett
1981 - Lyn McIntosh
This concludes my updated version in this 7th edition
of my look back at various racing history in and around our Minnesota
area. I am continuing to delve into the
past researching other racing events and tracks. Future updates will hopefully include some
additional event winner listings or some additional track research
information. Since my two favorite
classes are sprints and late models, I have not spent very much time with the
other classes. Maybe somebody else will
someday post some interesting summaries on the modifieds, supers, and various
other stock car classes which run at Minnesota and surrounding race
tracks. I hope everyone enjoyed reading
this and learned a little something about the past history of our great sport.
Researched & Compiled by Greg R Parent (GRP). Updated 02/14/2010.
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