Swift Wins Classic and retires

In the 1972 International Classic Yearbook, we made the statement that Nolan Swift is always the man to beat when it comes to the International Classic. This statement was looked upon with mixed emotions - but on Monday afternoon (delayed from Sunday due to rain) Nolan Swift reaffirmed the statement when he easily brought his Bill Wright prepared 10 pins home first, in the 16th Annual International Classic here at Oswego Speedway. For Swift, it was a most pleasing win coming after a season filled with several accidents and much hard luck. The 200 lap grind proved most satisfying for the veteran who was awarded a handsome $5,900 for his brilliant performance.

Jimmy Shampine, the 1972 Track Champ, started the Classic on pole position after turning the fastest time of the day during the time trial sessions on Saturday, clicking in a time of 18.56. The popular Clay, New York throttler was off and running at the start of the Classic building up a large early advantage. On came Jack Conley, Ken Andrews, Warren Coniam and Baldy Baker -- with Norm Mackereth, Swift, Johnny Spencer, and John logan making spirited runs at the leaders. At the end of 75 laps, Shampine looked well holding on to a slim lead as Conley and Swift made their presence felt. Swift started to make his move. He went on by the 27 and after the 8ball. Shampine seemed to have slowed the pace, as Swift went on by without much problem. laps later, Shampine spun out in turn four due to tire problems. In the meantime, Swift held a comfortable advantage over the rest of the field. As most attention was on the front runners, many people took notice of Jim Cheney and the 19, who started making his bid for the front after starting back in 32nd starting position.

Two very serious accidents resulted in lengthy delays to the program. First and without question most serious came in lap 145 when a three car mixup resulted in Chuck Partello, Paul Richardson and Warren Coniam in the lennox car 70 tangling at high speed in turn four. Partello's car vaulted to the outside wall and burst into flames. All three drivers scrambled to safety and the rest of the field did a fine job trying to avoid impact. Doug Syer, the popular pilot of the 72, smacked the outside wall to avoid impact and although he was momentarily shaken he was uninjured. The fire was held under control by our outstanding fire unit and the track was cleared and the race restarted. Just two laps later, Jack Conley and Baldy Baker brushed wheels going into one, forcing the 93 to spin in front of the on rushing pack. Nearly every driver spun to avoid contact but not so lucky was Kemp Dates who was forced into the inside hubrail. He was shaken, but not injured.

With the race restarted, Swift found Jim Cheney right on his rear bumper and in one lap had the 19 out front. Cheney couldn't pull away and Swift stayed right in striking distance, and that he did. On lap 157, the 10 pins was in front to stay. Each lap he built up a comfortable margin over the rest of the field and it was apparent that if mechanical failure or accident didn't cross his path, he would win the big 200 lapper.

The race wore on and Swift, the only man to ever repeat a win in the International Classic, won again. It was his sixth victory in the greatest race for supermodifieds ever staged in the world. When Swift was interviewed immediately after his accomplishment he announced that he would retire from racing. Thus, the greatest figure in the sport, retiring on a winning note.

Back in the pack, Jim Cheney took an impressive second place finish with the Holynski Brothers car 19. Another New Englander, Don Maclaren was awarded third with the Flyin' 5. Fourth place went to Canadian John Spencer in the Doug Duncan rear engine car 07, while the Rapid Ranier Special of Mark letcher took fifth in the 29.

Other finishers in order were: 62 Gordon Dukes, 7 Johnny logan, 12 Nick Rowe, 2 Andy Brown, 56 leon Wieske, 27 Jack Conley, 03 Ollie Silva, 96 Den Wheeler, 66 Mike loescher, 9 John Clapham, 39 Ed Molketin, 87 Bruce Kraft, 43 Scott Wilson, 0 Ronnie Wallace, 22 Gary Allbrittain, 52 Paul Richardson, 93 Baldy Baker, 28 Kempton Dates, 06 Paul Baumhauer, 72 Doug Syer, 18 George Friend, 70 Harv lennox, 49 Chuck Partello, 54 Marvin Carmen, 8 Jim Shampine, 46 Ron Neal, 80 Ron Matteson, 55 Ken Andrews, 04 Warren Coniam, 97 John Norton, 40 Norm Mackereth, 01 Brian Herb, 36 Bob Stelter, 35 Skip Manning and 99 Geoff Bodine.