Stock Car Races
On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Saturday – September 18, 1954
Promotional company – Hamilton Attractions of Hutchinson, Kansas
Promoter – Verne Hamilton of Hutchinson, Kansas
Starter / Flagman – Ted Davis of Junction City, Kansas
Trophy girl – Nancy Lee Hutchinson of Wichita, Kansas
Attendance – 8,000
Winner of the Trophy Dash
This photo was taken after the trophy dash on this day. Left to right: Nancy Lee Hutchinson, John Bush, and Ted Davis. Click your mouse on the photo above to see another photo of the same car - John Bush collection
94 cars were entered in these races which were marked by a number of spectacular flips, rollovers, and multi-car pile-ups. Eight drivers were injured (none seriously) with four being treated at the racetrack and four more being transported to the local hospital. Those injured were:
:
|
Driver |
From |
|
Bob Newman |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
John Marshall |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
Elmer “Red” Stock |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
Connie Gilhcrist |
Salina, Kansas |
|
Clyde Derringer |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
Wylan Cattrell |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
Dillard Klein |
Abilene, Kansas |
|
Bob Gass |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
First Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Bill Henson |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Buddy Quick |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Chuck Jones |
Wichita, Kansas |
Second Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
John Bush |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Al Williams |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Bill Mears* |
Wichita, Kansas |
Third Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Bill Nelson |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Bob Newman |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Bill Nichols |
Wichita, Kansas |
Trophy Dash
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
John Bush |
Wichita, Kansas |
B Feature Race – 40 Cars
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Will Forrest |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Max Naden |
Peabody, Kansas |
3 |
Glenn “Bud” Webster |
Winfield, Kansas |
4 |
Jed Nedbalck |
Mulvane, Kansas |
5 |
Ralph Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
6 |
Dick Hendershot** |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
John Riead |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
DNF |
Charlie Towner |
Solomon, Kansas |
Towner was driving one of several cars involved in an accident on the third lap of this race.
A Feature Race – 39 Cars
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Bill Mears* |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Walt McWhorter |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
John Bush |
Wichita, Kansas |
4 |
Al Williams |
Wichita, Kansas |
5 |
Gerald “Skeeter” McKinnie |
Newton, Kansas |
Charlie Towner warming up his Ford before the races on this afternoon - Charlie Towner collection
This photo was taken on this afternoon at Hutchinson. The #32 car was owned by K. O. Christian and driven by Buddy Quick. The #97 car was driven by Leon Bowman.
Charlie Towner collection
Accident on the third lap of the B feature. Car #49 was being driven by John Riead of Hutchinson.
“I hit a spun-out car head-on at 65 m.p.h. and really fixed everything.” – #48 Charlie Towner
Charlie Towner collection
Al Williams Larry Brooks collection |
Bill Mears Ralph Lowry collection |
Bill Nelson Willard Bodkins collection |
Bill Nichols Jim Edwards photo |
Glenn “Bud” Webster Willard Bodkins collection |
Max Naden Max Naden collection |
Ralph Lies Gary Virden photo |
Will Forrest Willard Bodkins collection |
Red Stock Todd White collection |
Skeeter McKinnie Tim Cornelius collection |
Dick Hendershot Todd White collection |
Clyde Darrenger Lies collection |
Bob Newman Ira Woodward photo |
Wylan Cattrell Wylan Cattrell collection |
Buddy Quick Gary Virden photo |
John Bush John Bush collection |
* Bill Mears is the father of former Indy drivers Rick and Roger Mears and the grandfather of Nextel Cup driver Casey Mears.
** Richard M. “Dick” Hendershot (1925-1976) was fatally injured in a racing accident at Salina, Kansas.
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page
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