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IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Anyone have time for one more of these "back in my day" result threads? This one may be a little off the wall for any IOW'ers too young to remember when IMCA was sanctioning sprint car events, mostly in the upper midwest, with occasional forays into Indiana, Ohio, and Florida.
Time Trials - 29 Cars - Track Record was 19.59 held by Larry Dickson -2 Eddie Leavitt - 20.96 14 Benny Rapp - 21.85 16 Don Hewitt - 20.93 12 Johnny Auxter - 21.95 36 Sheldon Kinser - 21.18 29 Chuck Lynch - 20.84 46 Junior Smalley - 21.17 40 Dick Sutcliffe - 20.55 71 Dick Gaines - 21.29 26 James Murphy - 21.19 15 Len McIntosh - 21.64 4X Ronald Perkins - 21.23 73 Tom Anderson - 22.64 -0 Rick Ferkel - 20.61 -5 Jay Woodside - 20.43 55 J.D. Leas - 20.37 57 Ed Angle - 21.56 56 Danny Bowlen - 20.57 -7 Fred Linder - 20.94 19 George Harbor - 21.01 33 Jerry Blundy - 20.32 (Fast Time) 83 Mark Caldwell - 20.76 43 Bill Burkes - 21.52 24 Al Beale - 20.58 77 Herman Wise - 20.80 22 Bobby Kinser - 21.06 44 Darl Harrison - 21.05 63 Jerry Richert - DNQ 72 Hal Minyard - DNQ First Heat - 8 Laps - 10 Cars - No Time 1. 83 Mark Caldwell - From 4th 2. 33 Jerry Bluncy - From the Tail 3. 19 George Harbor - From the Pole 4. 29 Chuck Lynch - From 3rd 5. 40 Dick Sutcliffe - From 6th Second Heat - 8 Laps - 10 Cars - 3:30.13 1. -2 Eddie Leavitt - From 2nd 2. 77 Herman Wise - From 4th 3. 55 J.D. Leas - From the Tail 4. -0 Rick Ferkel - From 7th 5. 16 Don Hewitt - From 3rd Third Heat - 8 Laps - 10 Cars - 3:28.7 1. 71 Dick Gaines - From 5th 2. 57 Ed Angle - From 3rd 3. 26 James Murphy - From 6th 4. 22 Bobby Kinser - From the Tail 5. 36 Sheldon Kinser - From 7th Fast Car Dash 6 Laps - 6 Cars - 2:04.08 1. 40 Dick Sutcliffe - From 2nd 2. -0 Rick Ferkel - From 3rd 3. 55 J.D. Leas - From 5th 4. 33 Jerry Blundy - From the Tail 5. -5 Jay Woodside - From 4th 6. 56 Danny Bowlen - From the Pole Semi-Feature 12 Laps - 12 Cars - No Time 1. -7 Fred Linder - From 4th 2. -5 Jay Woodside - From the Pole 3. 56 Danny Bowlen - From 2nd 4. 46 Junior Smalley - From 6th 5. 42 Bill Burkes - From 7th Feature Race Lineup - 40 Laps - 20 Cars - No Time 56 Danny Bowlen................14 40 Dick Sutcliffe...................2 -0 Rick Ferkel.......................5 -5 Jay Woodside...................6 55 J.D. Leas.........................3 33 Jerry Blundy.....................1 - The WINNER 83 Mark Caldwell..................13 29 Chuck Lynch....................7 77 Herman Wise...................16 -7 Fred Linder......................12 16 Don Hewitt.......................4 19 George Harbor..................10 -2 Eddie Leavitt....................19 46 Junior Smalley...................8 22 Bobby Kinser....................17 71 Dick Gaines......................18 36 Sheldon Kinser...................9 26 James Murphy...................11 42 Bill Burkes.........................15 57 Ed Angle...........................20 +Tri-County Speedway was a 1/2 mile dirt track (later paved) north of Cincinnati (West Chester) just off the I-75 Cincinnati-Dayton Road exit as I recall. Kind of paper clip shaped with long straights and tight turns. Last I heard they had a truck driving school/CDL qualification site there. The original owner/promoter was named Redwine and he was an early version of D.A. It was not uncommon to hear hot laps commence while we stood out in the parking lot waiting for ticket selling to begin. Still, I never missed a USAC sprint, midget, stock car, or IMCA sprint event there, on dirt or pavement. +IMCA put on some great sprint car shows back in the day and some of the regular IMCA drivers listed above are enshrined in the Sprint Car HoF and others will or should be. +Dick Sutcliffe was a tall, bear of a man who could really man-handle a sprint car. The rougher the track, the better for him. Put me in mind of Sheldon Kinser. Many of you may recall that his son, Rick Sutcliffe, was an outstanding major league pitcher winning the Rookie of the Year Award with the Dodgers in '79 and the Cy Young Award with the Cubs in '84. He also had some good years with the Indians. I asked him once if he had ever considered following his father into sprint cars. He said his Dad had never discouraged him but always stressed just how tough a sport it could be, on the pocketbook and on the body, a fact he learned first hand traveling with the #40 team. +I don't remember why Jerry Richert was a DNQ that day but chances are I was really disappointed. He and Jerry "Scratch" Daniels were a formidable team for awhile in team Wagner cars, numbered 62 and 63 as I recall. +I believe George Harbor (sp?) was in Maude Smith's #19 car. smith19 can confirm or correct me. Hey, it was 38 years ago. :wink +I believe Al Beale was/is Rollie's brother. Anyone? +Hal Minyard had been a CRA champ and I seem to recall he had something to do with the McHal racing helmets of that time. Owner, spokesman, designer, something??? :confused: . +Blundy's win was no fluke. He was as tough as they come on any track, anywhere. Enough! :checkered: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Once again Marv, good stuff.
I didn't recall IMCA running there. I only went to USAC races at that track (20 minutes from home) and I think one ASA race there. The race that sticks in my mind most is the first USAC race ever won by a RE sprinter. #35 was driven by Dave Roarhig (sp?)as I recall. Or maybe not. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by Seadog: Edit: Upon further review I now see that you were saying the Roahrig win was the race that "sticks in your mind", not that it was the first race you watched there. Reading comprehension not my strong suit. :doh: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Hey Marv,
Didn't Bobby Grim get tossed out of a USAC midget at that track while it was still dirt? I recall attending only one event at that track -- an afternoon USAC sprint car show during the "Gary and Larry" days. Thanks for posting these "veteran" race results. (At my age, older is a dirty word). |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by Pat O'Connor Fan: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
FishBurger,
Thanks for posting this with the results. When I seen IMCA + 1970, I figured Jerry B would be in the mix somewhere. Sure enough He was. At the front! I would guess you were at this particular race. This was just a few years before I started going to races. I'm always looking for cool old tidbits for some of my fav 'boyhood' heroes. I'll post some links here in regards to Jerry Blundy. They may or may not interest someone here. I just found this cool old poster/program from 1969, about two months ago. It is a scan that is hanging in the 'office" out at Calistoga CA Raceway of JC Agajanian interviewing Jerry for the Second annual Sacto 100. This was definately a rare find for yours truly! Jerry won it all three years they had it. The last year being cut short on lap 35 when three people were killed. A sad day in racing for sure. If you look in the one posed shot you can see the IMCA sticker on the side of Jerry's car. Jerry always run the full length ' behind the rear axle headers'. Boy nothing sounded sweeter than that! By the way take a look at the air cleaners on the car:) http://www.eazylivin.net/jb-jc.jpg http://www.eazylivin.net/blundy-florida.jpg http://www.galesburg.com/homepage/x469075100 Take Care, BC |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
I was privileged to watch Jerry Blundy race many times, from Tampa, to the Little 500, to IMCA county-fair-type programs, and "super-modified" races around central Illinois.
My favorite Blundy story happened at Knoxville, IL during an IMCA sprint car event. He was entered in the red 33 sprinter sponsored by Weaver-Yemm Chevrolet of Galesburg. That car had mechanical problems in hot laps. Jerry rushed the few miles to his shop, and returned with the blue 33. This car was a "super-modified", not a true sprint car. IMCA did not allow roll cages, only roll bars. Jerry and the crew removed the detachable front portion of the cage with big hammers. This less than beautiful car now met IMCA's sprint car specs. Jerry proceeded to dominate the show! |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Fishburger,
I'm only 46, a whippersnapper I know, but thanks for the history lessons.You got to see the best there ever was, thats for sure.If you went to the hall of fame and got to pick a field for a race, everyone you post here would fit the bill. Once again, thanks for the history. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Marv,
Thanks for the race report. Wasn't Tri County Speedway converted to asphalt and re-named Queen City Speedway? I never had the opportunity to see this track as a dirt facility. I watched a number of ASA races over the years there as they normally opened the season at Queen City. I hated to see this speedway close as it always was a competitive place at least for the stock cars. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Mike, I think you're correct. But Marv can confirm, seeing that it was almost in his back yard.
I can barely recall it being dirt, but do remember the pavement. Thanks, Marv. Too many of us forget that the IMCA was once a premier sprint car sanctioning body. Signed, a much younger man :action-smiley-049: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by brc: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by FishBurger: I also recall being at a race there when it was still dirt when Jim Malloy got a rock thrown up into his face during the race. As his goggles filled up with blood, he continued and finished the race. He pulled into the pits, got out of the car and collapsed. They don't make them like that any more. Those Thursday night races of which you spoke - I could not attend as I worked Thursdays back then until 9 P.M. That really hurt not seeing those. Do I remember right that Steve Chassey won his first USAC sprint feature there too? |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
marv, that indeed is george harbour in our car. we won our first track championship that same year at atomic speedway. ran against jd leas and junior many times. i have one of those imca trophies somewhere . i think that little fella i bring to the races with me got a hold of it and his mom hid it (DAMAGE)= busted ass from his granny if she found out...george did a real good job for us with many wins. lived a block from jim doran who ran queen city speedway when it was paved. the place is leveled now.
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Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Steve,
In one of the last seasons Jerry raced full time, he would come over to the track at Champaign IL. on friday nights. I think it was '77 or '78, same red #44 Trevis chassis, he got in line for hot laps and a riot nearly broke out when a green and white chevy push truck came up behind him to push him off. To say he was a little superstitious would be an understatement. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by SUPERDUKE: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
I recall a summer or two when Jerry Blundy drove a "super" on Sunday nights (when he wasn't off racing sprint cars somewhere) at the little track at Lincoln, IL. The track, long gone, was just northeast of IL 10, across the street from the fairgrounds. I think the car was a #117 owned by an explosives guy named Jay Ellis. Those Sunday nights were almost like an ATM for Jerry.
Thanks to Marv for rekindling some great memories, but it does remind me that I am truly an oldtimer* now. *One of those darned gray-haired old coots always talking about the "good ol' days". |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Pat O'Connor Fan,
Thought I'd post a few more photos of Jerry for You and everyone here like myself being 'oldtimers' to feed on:) Don't mean to turn this initial posting into a J Blundy post,but its kinda neat to see some of these old moldie pics,if it's someone you seen race 'from way back'. Superduke, 10-4 on the 4x4 setup.If this thing didn't have a sound all of its own at the time,with the full length 3.5 inch headers. Sweet! Jerry actually engineered up most of the block stuff such as main caps etc. Jerry pretty much done everything on his own cars. Not many drivers can say that and still be competitive. Not a nicer guy either. But come race time Jerry was strictly business,having to do everything from stem to stern,in regards to maintaining the car. Here is one from Lincoln Ne '62. This would have been an IMCA race as well. Can't think of the flagman's name? How many flagman these days wears a tie to the races? How many women wear a dress anywhere,let alone to an auto race. This is Jerry with his wife Marge.I like this shot, Pretty classy. Marge passed away about two years ago BTW. http://www.eazylivin.net/margejerryblundylincoln.jpg Here is one from Sedailia Mo. '68 .1 mile track. Ray Lee Goodwin on the inside. http://www.eazylivin.net/blundygoodwinsedalia68.jpg This pic is taken not sure were. I'm guessing about '73 '74. Notice the 'roof' This was the year after Jerry got both arms broke,so hence, He had Floyd Trevis put a roof on it so his arms couldn't go outside the roll cage ,if he got knocked out.These old Trevis cars had some sweet lines on them, Full belly pan,grill,upholstery nicer than a Cadillac,weight jackers both sides, the whole 9 yards. This is not a real clear pic. http://www.eazylivin.net/BlundyCali.jpg Take Care, BC |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Thats gene vanwinkle from lincoln! Gene and al sweeney they ran imca national speedways and frank winkley had the rest of the imca races like st.paul and races in wis. (ect)
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Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by brc: i used to watch IMCA at plant field during the florida state fair in feb. it would have been around 1971 or 1972 |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
interpreter66,
The posed pictures of Jerry is at Plant Field Tampa, '72. I like that picture. He looks like he is ready to take numbers and kick,,,you know what!How many years did you attend races at Plant Field,anyway? What names do you remember most? Just curious.I'm not sure Jim Riddle even raced there? I would think he would have around this time. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by brc: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Thanks for posting this. Man did that list bring back some memories. I remember Jerry Blundy very well in the red 33. His son Cliff later drove and was in the family blue 33. I don't recall Cliff ever being as good as his Dad. Hal Minyard, along with an engineer, invented the McHal helmet out in California. In fact, I still have one that he gave me when I was 10 years old. It fit me perfect and wore it when I ran my mini bike. Hal drove for my Dad for almost 10 years and was inducted into the sprint car hall of fame last year at Knoxville.
Dick Sutcliff was a big dude and yes his son was an outstanding ball player. Junior Smalley was a blast to watch at Eldora. He used the wall just like Hewitt, before Jack started racing. Back then it was a steel guard rail so Junior would bounce off of it. He also wore one of those bubble shields on his helmet. I remember Danny Bowlen and I think he drove for my Dad once or twice. I wonder if the 56 he drove was the Shields car? Ed Angle was a hard charger and I got to watch him race a lot at Kokomo and Paragon. IMCA was my first introduction to sprint cars. We traveled all over with my Dad's car in tow. As a little kid, I got to go to a state fair about 4 times a year! George Wilkins |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
The first time I ever tried to prepare a race track (Lawrenceburg 1980) myself, I totally screwed it up! Jr Smalley jumped out of his sprinter (Vern Kunkel #4) and onto my road grader and saved the night for me. The track looked beautiful after I ran it in but, halfway through hot laps the turns looked like a set of curved steps!! That Monday Alan Barr came down and showed me how to set the grader and I never had a problem with the track after that. Jr and Alan are both great guys.
At one point in time 5 of the drivers from that list, Sheldon Kinser (Brewer Cadillac#14), Dick Gaines(Dizz Wilson#70), Bob Kinser(Shields Lumber#65), Junior Smalley(Kunkel#4) and Ed Angle(Dave Robinson#7), were regulars at Lawrenceburg. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Boy nothing sounded sweeter than that! By the way take a look at the air cleaners on the car.....Fishburger
http://www.eazylivin.net/blundy-florida.jpg Actually, that's not an air cleaner on the car. that is a sheath that was placed over the injectors, especially when towing the car to keep gravel etc out of the stacks. sometimes they would slip it back on between races. some teams would put red rubber balls on the stacks for the same reason. |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by nonwing: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by SUPERDUKE: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by brc: and my favorite chuck amati :respect: i think cagle and buzzy reutimann also, but not positive on those two they would let us out of school for fair day every year,i would take a bus to the fair while my other friend's went to the ride's i went across the street to watch them practice for the race's to be ran that nite. my dad worked for one of the sponsor's of the race(brook's-massey dodge) and we went to every race,as a boy of 10 year's old it was how i got the FEVER!!! |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
interpreter66,
I remember seeing in '73 ? Frank Riddle,and Ralph Laguiri at a special sprint race on the mile State Fair track at Springfield IL. There were several others from FL. area as well, I just cant think of the names right now.I think this was only held one time( since I had been going to races). This was the day Doc Dawson died as a result of a hot laps flip in turn one. A sad day there for sure. I can't honestly remember who did win that day. Wish I could remember who won now that I'm thinking about it:). Here is a very cool YouTube video of IMCA sprints at Tampa,FL. There is NO sound. I've posted this link at a couple other forums and everyone gets a kick out of trying to ID everyone.You'll see Chuck Amati in one of the two M A Brown cars. Chuck is in the yellow 44 and Bubby Jones is in the blue 44. BTW: I don't know if you read were Chuck Amati passed away just about three weeks ago. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcLxqhzN_BM Take Care, BC |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
brc
ive seen that before but it never get's old yes i knew about chuck ,very sad |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
I'm going to take a stab at some of these that are in the video.
#40 I think is Thad Dosher #6 Pancho #4x Opperman #1a Bobby Allen Of course you guys already mentioned Amati and Bubby - Man dig that long hair! I also saw Jerry Richert. George Wilkins |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by Pat O'Connor Fan: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
In addition who was already id'd in the video, Eddie Leavitt in the #40 Wayne House car, some unknown by the name of Weld in the Weikert Livestock 29, I never could figure out who was in Trostle's #18 car, maybe Thad Dosher ,or I seen Roger Larson sitting maybe,R Parkinson Sr. in the 65,Jimmy McElreath in the 14.If you noticed after the race standing next to Opp, Speedy Bill looks like a teenager!,:) I enjoyed seeing this video in seeing a brief glimpse of Gene Gennetten,sitting with his always present smile. Gene was always smiling ,win lose or draw. One of the nicest gentlemen I ever met. Not sure if I posted this here before, but Gene passed away in a boating accident about two years ago,at Lake of The Ozarks Mo. were He lived. Here is a nice shot of Gene at Tampa captured as only Al Consoli can do:
http://www.eazylivin.net/GG.jpg Take Care, BC |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Back to the original post. Al Beale was in fact Rollie's younger brother and passed away a couple of years ago. He had been working for some time as an official with ARCA.
I remember Tri-County well from the early days. The first USAC sprint article my wife ever wrote for NSSN was there. She wrote it in the car by flashlight on the way back to Toledo and then dictated it to Chris Economaki on the phone the next night. That tells you how long ago it was, no fax and no internet just the phone. Vern Plotts |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Tim Waechter found this picture in his archives taken in May 1969 at Tri County Speedway.
Any guesses as to the driver and skinny guy next to him?? Rob Hoffman |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
Originally Posted by Racerrob: |
Re: IMCA Sprints - Tri-County Speedway - 5/10/70
WELL ROB?:checkered:
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