Hot Rod Races

On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the

Kansas State Fairgrounds

 Hutchinson, Kansas

Monday – September 20, 1948

 

 

Promoter – Frank Winkley of Minneapolis, Minnesota

 

Attendance – 15,000

 

 

 

 

 

Time Trials – 26 Cars – 1 Lap

The 16^th fastest driver in time trials turned the ½ mile racetrack in 33.55 seconds but just which of the drivers named above that was is unknown.  Only these 16 fastest drivers were allowed to compete in the rest of the racing program.

 

 

  

First Heat Race – 7 Laps

 

 

   

Second Heat Race – 7 Laps

 

 

   

Novelty Race – 4 Laps

            Drivers raced around the racetrack for four laps, stopped, got out, drank a Coke and ate a piece of pie.  Everhart completed the four laps first but Thompson was able to finish his food and drink before Everhart and was thus declared the winner of the race.

 

 

 

Consolation Race – 7 Laps

 

 

 

Australian Pursuit – 15 Laps

            Eldon crashed through the inside fence on the north turn on the 11^th lap but did not stop.  He just continued driving across the infield to the pits.

 

 

 

Feature Race – 11 Cars - 20 Laps

            Lutkie’s Mercury powered hot rod threw a wheel in the south turn on the 4^th lap but he managed to bring the car to a safe stop against the outside fence.  The other non-finishers suffered engine trouble.

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

            “Frank Winkley, race promoter, reported the hot rod drivers went on strike shortly before the program was scheduled to get underway.

            ”They looked at the packed grandstand – didn’t realize apparently that many of the spectators were there just because it was children’s day at the fair and that many had not paid admission.  The drivers demanded exactly double what their signed contracts called for in the races.  I had advertised hot rod races and wouldn’t cheat the public.  I had to agree to their terms but I’m not promoting more hot rod races.  Sam Mitchell, state fair secretary, told me all drivers who participated in the strike will forever be barred from the state fair track.  I’ve heard they pulled a similar stunt not long ago.  I lost money on today’s program and that’s all the hot rod racing we’re going to have.

            “Big cars will be run Thursday afternoon (September 23, 1948) in the spot originally reserved for the hot rods.” – Hutchinson News-Herald

 

 

 

Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page