Despite all the aches and pains setting in from a serious seven car smashup at the New York State Fair - 100 mile Stock Car race that afternoon, Jimmy Shampine managed to put his eight ball in victory lane once again last Saturday night. It made the 4th feature in a row for Jim and his flying Ford. Last week's feature had a wild beginning as they entered the first turn on the first lap - the 90 of Ron Wallace bobbled and Joe Hlywka and Norm Mackereth who were running the high groove had no place to go. Hlywka managed to get the No. 9 spun around but Mackereth hit the outside fence head on virtually wiping out the front end of the 40.
The race was completely restarted and Red Barnhart looked like his old self in the 66 as he opened up a commanding lead. Bryan Osgood was running second and fighting for third place at the time were Nolan Johncock in the 7 and Ken Andrews in the 55, with Shampine right there to take advantage of somebody's mistake and he certainly got his chance as going into turn two Johncock broke loose for an instant but it was too late - Andrews caught the right corner of the 7, catapulted into the fence, flipped over and slid on his top down the track. Johncock was able to keep going.
When the race was restarted, Jimmy Shampine quickly worked his way to the front, and the battle of the evening switched to second place with 09 of Bryan Osgood, the 66 of Red Barnhart, and the Gioia 9 of Hlywka. The 9 came away with it, coming from the back of the pack after the first lap accident, and started after Shampine. He was closing the gap - but a caution flag and restart which most people thought would help Joe actually hindered him for Shampine got a chance to rest and now he knew that Hlywka was a threat.
Jim began building up another lead and took the checkered flag first, followed by Hlywka in the No.9 and farther back a battle royal for third saw Michigan driver Nick Rowe in the No. 12 beat out fellow Michigan ace Eldon Schrader in the Ernie June 59. John Clapham in the Rutledge Rocket - minus a few Spark plug wires -coasted in for fifth spot.
The balance of the field were paid off in the following order: Jim Muldoon 23, Jim Gray 31, Red Barnhart 66, Jim Winks 32, John Spencer 07, Fred Graves 37, Nolan Johncock 7, Wayne Landon 83, Ronnie Wallace 90, John Burkholder 1, Bryan Osgood 09, Lou Dabrowski 85, Jack Lindout 62, Ken Andrews 55, Mark Letcher 29, Don Stevenson 47, Bob Stelter 04, and Norm Mackereth 40.
Heat races were won by Norm Mackereth and John Clapham , with the Semis going to Norm Mackereth and Ken Andrews. Wayne Landon won the consi.