USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Bruce Harrison asked about posting results for this race on the previous THAT thread. I figure that anyone who lives "just outside Anchorage, AK" deserves some warm sunny weather diversion, so here goes:

Qualifications - 33 Cars - (TR Johnny Rutherford 22.76 on 8/15/65)
-1 Gary Bettenhausen - 23.55
82 Carl Williams - 23.70
83 Sammy Sessions - Spun on Both Laps
76 Doc Dawson - 25.39
84 Tom Bigelow - 24.60
65 Johnny Capels - 24.73 - Bignotti Sprinter
99 Duke Cook - 24.60
11 Rollie Beale - 24.52
69 Sonny Ates - 24.39
15 Johnny Rutherford - 23.83
30 Dee Jones - 24.49
-2 Larry Dickson - 23.27 Quick Time
32 Larry Cannon - 25.31
50 Ronnie Burke - 25.15
37 Chuck Booth - 24.81
42 Ralph Liguori - 24.48
51 Bill Compton - 24.71
16 Al Smith - 24.96
55 Gordy Lee - 24.91
-4 Greg Weld - 24.26
35 Jerry Karl - 24.72
29 Bruce Walkup - 24.02
95 Karl Busson - 24.47
49 Andy Brown - 25.51
43 Charlie Masters - 25.54
80 Lennie Waldo - 24.30
71 Don Nordhorn - 24.31
60 Bill Puterbaugh - 23.83
52 Butch Wilkerson - 25.44
77 Salt Walther - 24.91
47 Bentley Warren - 26.32
-5 Jerry Poland - 25.50
81 Al Beale - DNQ

First Heat - 7 Cars - 10 Laps - No Time (TR Greg Weld 4:04.41 on 6/21/70)
32 Larry Cannon.......................3
55 Gordy Lee...........................7
51 Bill Compton........................6
30 Dee Jones...........................1
71 Don Nordhorn.......................5
60 Bill Puterbaugh.....................4
-2 Larry Dickson.......................2

Second Heat - 7 Cars - 10 Laps - No Time
76 Doc Dawson........................5
77 Salt Walther........................6
35 Jerry Karl............................7
11 Rollie Beale..........................2
69 Sonny Ates.........................3
29 Bruce Walkup.......................1
-1 Gary Bettenhausen................4

Third Heat - 7 Cars - 10 Laps - 4:11.96
52 Butch Wilkerson....................6
16 Al Smith..............................4
65 Johnny Capels......................5
84 Tom Bigelow.........................7
95 Karl Busson..........................2
-4 Greg Weld............................1
82 Carl Williams.........................2

Fourth Heat - 7 Cars - 10 Laps - No Time
-5 Jerry Poland.........................4
50 Ronnie Burke........................1
37 Chuck Booth........................5
99 Duke Cook...........................3
42 Ralph Liguori........................7
80 Lennie Waldo.......................6
15 Johnny Rutherford.................2

Semi-Feature - 12 Cars - 12 Laps - No Time (TR Larry Dickson 4:57.25 on 6/21/70)
80 Lennie Waldo........................6
71 Don Nordhorn.......................2
42 Ralph Liguori.........................1
51 Bill Compton.........................5
35 Jerry Karl............................12
65 Johnny Capels......................10
37 Chuck Booth..........................8
55 Gordy Lee.............................7
77 Salt Walther..........................9
76 Doc Dawson..........................4
43 Sammy Sessions.....................3
49 Andy Brown..........................11

Feature - 20 Cars - 40 Laps - 18:39.97 (NTR for 40 Laps)
29 Bruce Walkup................The WINNER
60 Bill Puterbaugh........................4
15 Johnny Rutherford...................9
82 Carl Williams...........................5
-1 Gary Bettenhausen..................3
-2 Larry Dickson..........................2
-4 Greg Weld..............................6
71 Don Nordhorn.........................7
69 Sonny Ates...........................20
95 Karl Busson...........................17
42 Ralph Liguori..........................16
30 Dee Jones.............................11
11 Rollie Beale.............................8
99 Duke Cook.............................18
16 Al Smith................................13
50 Ronnie Burke..........................19
32 Larry Cannon..........................15
76 Doc Dawson...........................14
-5 Jerry Poland...........................12
43 Sammy Sessions.....................10 - Hard Charger Award

+This must have been the first time that a 40 lapper had gone from green to checkers, as the previous TR was listed as "Jim McElreath GAPCO Spl. 6/21/70 NO TIME".
+Noteworthy that the 8/9/70 Feature Winner, Dick Tobias, didn't show for this event. Neither did Johnny Parsons, Jr., Jim McElreath, Todd Gibson,Jimmy Oskie,Mel Cornett, Lee Brayton, Merle Bettenhausen, or George Snider. OTOH, feature winner this day, Bruce Walkup plus Johnny Capels, Dee Jones, Ronnie Burke, Al Smith, Jerry Karl, Andy Brown, Butch Wilkerson, Salt Walther, Bentley Warren, and Al Beale were in pits for this show but missing on 8/9/70.
+I believe Andy Brown was also a goalie for the Indianapolis Racers hockey team. I might have him confused with another driver though.
+I thought back then that Al Smith would be the first "Smith" to race in the Indy 500. He was a tough competitor, especially on pavement. Didn't happen. I gave up on Indy after '03 but I'm not sure there has been a "Smith" qualify there to this day. Not many Brazilians named "Smith" I guess. :wink Maybe an English or Aussie "Smitty" will come along to break the "Smith" barrier.
+Doc Dawson was a good guy and a very competent sprint car shoe. One of my good racing friends back then was Jim VanMeter from Springfield, OH. Jim had a sprint car he ran in the local shows and his very good friend Doc was always after him early in his career to let him drive the car. Jim never relented, saying that if Doc ever got hurt in his car he'd never forgive himself and neither would Jim's wife, Maridelle. Tragically, Doc was later killed in someone else's car on 10/3/76 at the Illinois State Fairgrounds. (Courtesy of GOOGLE lookup)
Jim has also been deceased for a number of years and I miss the VanMeters a lot.
+In the previous THAT thread I mentioned some autograph gathering by my ex-wife. On this day, Tom Bigelow signed but instead of on the program cover he insisted on affixing his little mouse sig inside the backpage showing a full page twelve photo sequence of himself in a nasty tumble he rode out in the Midwest Mfg. #84 at in a previous THAT event.
+Enough!!! :checkered:

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by FishBurger:
+I believe Andy Brown was also a goalie for the Indianapolis Racers hockey team. I might have him confused with another driver though.

Yes, "Animal" Andy was that goalie. In fact, he was one of, if not the, very last pro (minor league or NHL) goalie to play without a mask!

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Doc Dawson was killed in a sprint car in the Springfield mile's first turn hotlapping in 1976 or 1978. It happened right in front of my grandpa. A torsion stop broke on Doc's car.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Sorry, didn't see your edit.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Thanks for the "sunshine", Marv! :D

The photo below were taken by our own Al Consoli...

The #52 driven by Butch Wilkerson on that day was this rear-engined car that showed up on occasion-sometimes driven by Ed Angle.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...ilkersonJa.jpg

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Doc was killed in mac clingan's car #18.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Marv,

Wish I had kept detailed records such as yours. I checked my little book and it showed that I was there, then went to Haubstadt that night, but got rained out.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Actually, you are partially right. Doc was killed in the car that formerly belonged to my Dad, Mack Clingan. Dad sold the race team at the end of the prior season and Doc went with the new owner. Doc always wanted to race at Springfield but Dad never would take the team there. Doc's death is still the subject of controversy. My Dad knew that the new owners would not take extra care to make sure the car was safe and it wasn't. I miss Doc and remember him well.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

I realise this thread's about THAT. Was ref made to Sprint Cars on Springfield mile ?
Just curious - could today's Sprint Cars run safely on the flat dirt miles ?
If yes, how would you structure the race ? How would it wear on the motors ?
Just curious. Always wondered.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Marv, your post has taught me something I never knew about Bentley Warren, that he could be the slowest car in the field. I have known Bentley most of my life an the only word I have always associated with Ben is lightningfast.

Steve Turner knows the same "Animal" Andy Brown I saw wheel a supermodified around the Big O. I was always in awe of him playing hockey without wearing a face mask.

Patti

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by randyrad:
I realise this thread's about THAT. Was ref made to Sprint Cars on Springfield mile ?
Just curious - could today's Sprint Cars run safely on the flat dirt miles ?
If yes, how would you structure the race ? How would it wear on the motors ?
Just curious. Always wondered.

I'm dying to see it happen, but I really doubt it ever will.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Thanks for posting this thread, I always read them!

History is important

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by fishburger:
bruce harrison asked about posting results for this race on the previous that thread. I figure that anyone who lives "just outside anchorage, ak" deserves some warm sunny weather diversion, so here goes:

qualifications - 33 cars - (tr johnny rutherford 22.76 on 8/15/65)
-1 gary bettenhausen - 23.55
82 carl williams - 23.70
83 sammy sessions - spun on both laps
76 doc dawson - 25.39
84 tom bigelow - 24.60
65 johnny capels - 24.73 - bignotti sprinter
99 duke cook - 24.60
11 rollie beale - 24.52
69 sonny ates - 24.39
15 johnny rutherford - 23.83
30 dee jones - 24.49
-2 larry dickson - 23.27 quick time
32 larry cannon - 25.31
50 ronnie burke - 25.15
37 chuck booth - 24.81
42 ralph liguori - 24.48
51 bill compton - 24.71
16 al smith - 24.96
55 gordy lee - 24.91
-4 greg weld - 24.26
35 jerry karl - 24.72
29 bruce walkup - 24.02
95 karl busson - 24.47
49 andy brown - 25.51
43 charlie masters - 25.54
80 lennie waldo - 24.30
71 don nordhorn - 24.31
60 bill puterbaugh - 23.83
52 butch wilkerson - 25.44
77 salt walther - 24.91
47 bentley warren - 26.32
-5 jerry poland - 25.50
81 al beale - dnq

first heat - 7 cars - 10 laps - no time (tr greg weld 4:04.41 on 6/21/70)
32 larry cannon.......................3
55 gordy lee...........................7
51 bill compton........................6
30 dee jones...........................1
71 don nordhorn.......................5
60 bill puterbaugh.....................4
-2 larry dickson.......................2

second heat - 7 cars - 10 laps - no time
76 doc dawson........................5
77 salt walther........................6
35 jerry karl............................7
11 rollie beale..........................2
69 sonny ates.........................3
29 bruce walkup.......................1
-1 gary bettenhausen................4

third heat - 7 cars - 10 laps - 4:11.96
52 butch wilkerson....................6
16 al smith..............................4
65 johnny capels......................5
84 tom bigelow.........................7
95 karl busson..........................2
-4 greg weld............................1
82 carl williams.........................2

fourth heat - 7 cars - 10 laps - no time
-5 jerry poland.........................4
50 ronnie burke........................1
37 chuck booth........................5
99 duke cook...........................3
42 ralph liguori........................7
80 lennie waldo.......................6
15 johnny rutherford.................2

semi-feature - 12 cars - 12 laps - no time (tr larry dickson 4:57.25 on 6/21/70)
80 lennie waldo........................6
71 don nordhorn.......................2
42 ralph liguori.........................1
51 bill compton.........................5
35 jerry karl............................12
65 johnny capels......................10
37 chuck booth..........................8
55 gordy lee.............................7
77 salt walther..........................9
76 doc dawson..........................4
43 sammy sessions.....................3
49 andy brown..........................11

feature - 20 cars - 40 laps - 18:39.97 (ntr for 40 laps)
29 bruce walkup................the winner
60 bill puterbaugh........................4
15 johnny rutherford...................9
82 carl williams...........................5
-1 gary bettenhausen..................3
-2 larry dickson..........................2
-4 greg weld..............................6
71 don nordhorn.........................7
69 sonny ates...........................20
95 karl busson...........................17
42 ralph liguori..........................16
30 dee jones.............................11
11 rollie beale.............................8
99 duke cook.............................18
16 al smith................................13
50 ronnie burke..........................19
32 larry cannon..........................15
76 doc dawson...........................14
-5 jerry poland...........................12
43 sammy sessions.....................10 - hard charger award

+this must have been the first time that a 40 lapper had gone from green to checkers, as the previous tr was listed as "jim mcelreath gapco spl. 6/21/70 no time".
+noteworthy that the 8/9/70 feature winner, dick tobias, didn't show for this event. Neither did johnny parsons, jr., jim mcelreath, todd gibson,jimmy oskie,mel cornett, lee brayton, merle bettenhausen, or george snider. Otoh, feature winner this day, bruce walkup plus johnny capels, dee jones, ronnie burke, al smith, jerry karl, andy brown, butch wilkerson, salt walther, bentley warren, and al beale were in pits for this show but missing on 8/9/70.
+i believe andy brown was also a goalie for the indianapolis racers hockey team. I might have him confused with another driver though.
+i thought back then that al smith would be the first "smith" to race in the indy 500. He was a tough competitor, especially on pavement. Didn't happen. I gave up on indy after '03 but i'm not sure there has been a "smith" qualify there to this day. Not many brazilians named "smith" i guess. :wink maybe an english or aussie "smitty" will come along to break the "smith" barrier.
+doc dawson was a good guy and a very competent sprint car shoe. One of my good racing friends back then was jim vanmeter from springfield, oh. Jim had a sprint car he ran in the local shows and his very good friend doc was always after him early in his career to let him drive the car. Jim never relented, saying that if doc ever got hurt in his car he'd never forgive himself and neither would jim's wife, maridelle. Tragically, doc was later killed in someone else's car on 10/3/76 at the illinois state fairgrounds. (courtesy of google lookup)
jim has also been deceased for a number of years and i miss the vanmeters a lot.
+in the previous that thread i mentioned some autograph gathering by my ex-wife. On this day, tom bigelow signed but instead of on the program cover he insisted on affixing his little mouse sig inside the backpage showing a full page twelve photo sequence of himself in a nasty tumble he rode out in the midwest mfg. #84 at in a previous that event.
+enough!!! :checkered:

is this our superduck..i mean superduke;)

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

http://www.legendsofhockey.net:8080/...p?player=18454

http://www.retrorockets.org/1/htmllib/oswb0044.htm

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by Wallsracing:
is this our superduck..i mean superduke;)

The one and only, driving Gene Besecker's purple #99

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Brought back to the top to see if this is the race posted about in a newer thread.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

The Bignotti car that Capels was driving, is this the former Al Unser owned sprinter?

Also, why Jerry ******? Are we at war with a European country or something?:3:

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by ronmil:
Marv,

Wish I had kept detailed records such as yours. I checked my little book and it showed that I was there, then went to Haubstadt that night, but got rained out.

Ron...I'm really disappointed. I thought you kept all those stats, etc. in your memory. I didn't think you would ever rely on a "little book". :3:

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by Al Pierce:
Ron...I'm really disappointed. I thought you kept all those stats, etc. in your memory. I didn't think you would ever rely on a "little book". :3:

As I get older I need to have that "little book" just to remember things.:10: In fact, that "little book" has become an entire set of encyclopedias.:14::18:

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Was the Jerry ******, is that Blundy. As to the springfiels mile, I have watched the sprint cars run there, if they brought them back I would be there. There was nothing like the mile on sunday afternoon and Joes on sunday night, Wow I miss that place.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Not Blundy.
but maybe P o l a n d ?

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Didn't Johnny Capels end up being Johnny Rutherford's crew chief in camp cars? I'm thinking the Alex Brothers #21.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

I really don't think we will ever see sprint cars again on a mile. USAC stopped running sprints on mile long tracks after Leon Thickston's son, Jeff was killed coming out of turn four at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It was a really sad day and I was there sitting with my parents in the grandstand. Its also sad that sprint cars without wings will not run again on miles. I grew up watching my dad's Helliguass Offy running with IMCA and dad always thought sprint cars were only to run on miles and half miles and never on quarter miles.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by Al Pierce:
Ron...I'm really disappointed. I thought you kept all those stats, etc. in your memory. I didn't think you would ever rely on a "little book". :3:

Al,

I just write down the track and date of the event. I use to write down qualifying times and results for USAC races separate from my little book, but that got to be too much like a job, so I quit doing it. Wish I had kept a record of all the races I've attended. Didn't start writing them down in a "little book" until 1970. I do remember the "biggies" from earlier years, such as USAC at Salem, Terre Haute, DuQuoin, and IRP, and of course Indianapolis 500's, and Nascar at Daytona and Atlanta. Apparently Marv really kept some detailed records. I have a friend from Beecher City, IL who keeps detailed records of the races. I noticed at Putnamville that he still does it. There are a few people who write down qualifying times, lineups, etc., but not near as many as there use to be.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by nonwing:
I really don't think we will ever see sprint cars again on a mile. USAC stopped running sprints on mile long tracks after Leon Thickston's son, Jeff was killed coming out of turn four at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.

Maybe sprint cars won't run on dirt miles anymore, but USAC Sprints were still running on the paved miles at Milwaukee, Pikes Peak, and Nazareth up until about 2005. The sprints also ran on the Phoenix mile up until the late 1990s.

I particularly remember the USAC tripleheader at Milwaukee in 2004 with the IndyCar weekend. I believe Bobby East won the sprint portion of the program in the Klatt #5.

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Originally Posted by kart31rac:
Was the Jerry ******, is that Blundy. As to the springfiels mile, I have watched the sprint cars run there, if they brought them back I would be there. There was nothing like the mile on sunday afternoon and Joes on sunday night, Wow I miss that place.

We ran Joe's (Little Springfield) on Friday and Sat, then on the mile Sunday afternoon........no Sunday night during "Super Weekend".

Steve Thomas

Re: USAC Sprints - Terre Haute - 9/13/70
 

Thanks Steve it is bad to get old I just remember it was a great weekend. just like state fair weeked.