Labor Day 72-Lap Late Model Open Invitational |
|---|
|
Rockford Speedway
Jim Moc
September 4, 1972
Late-Models & Road-Runners
Labor Day 72-Lap Late Model Open Invitational
Release for Newspapers Only
A jubilant Danny Bellard of Beloit, Wisconsin came home winner in the 72-Lap Open Competition Invitational for Late-Model Stocks on the Rockford Speedway quarter-mile oval Monday afternoon.
Duane Walch of Madison, Wisconsin took the lead off the pole and held it for the first 29 laps. A 12th lap confrontation saw Speedway Champion and pre-race favorite, Joe Shear, end up in the pits. Bellard took over the lead in the 30th lap followed by Don Leach, also of Beloit. From there on it was their race with Leach trying to get by time after time. But Bellard seemed to have the edge on the short straights and held on for the win.
Bellard earlier captured the Trophy Dash, his 11th of the season, to add to his days honors. In his first turn on the Rockford asphalt, Jerry Eckhardt of Lake Mills, Wisconsin took the lone heat race and the Semi-Feature.
In Road-Runner Action, John Sturgill of Rockford took his first feature win of the year. Doug Moline, Ernie Billman, Jr. and Harlin Carter all took Heat trophies.
Late-Models
Time Trials
1. Joe Shear - South Beloit, Ill - 14.60
2. Don Leach - Beloit, Wis - 14.70
3. Dennis Burgan - Wadsworth, Ill - 14.80
Trophy Dash
1. Danny Bellard - Beloit, Wis 2. Burgan
3. Boyce Sparkman - Rockford, Ill
Semi-Feature
1. Eckhardt 2. Dale Cox - Loves Park, Ill 3. Wishard
Feature
1. Bellard 2. Leach 3. Larry O'Brien - Harvard, Ill
Road-Runners
1st Heat
1. Doug Moline - Rockford, Ill
2. Bruce Meshke - Rockford, Ill
3. Dennis Lundberg - Cherry Valley, Ill
2nd Heat
1. Ernie Billman Jr. - Loves Park, Ill
2. Bob Carter - Rockford, Ill
3. John Sturgill - Rockford, Ill
3rd Heat
1. Harlin Carter - Rockford, Ill;
2. Dennis Wittington - Rockford, Ill
3. Doug Buhmeyer - Beloit, Wis
Feature
1. Sturgill 2. Meschke 3. Dick Bowers - Rockford, Ill