Modified Jalopy Races

On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the

Kansas State Fairgrounds

 Hutchinson, Kansas

Thursday – September 21, 1961

 

 

(These cars were known regionally as “rails)

 

 

Promotional Company – Merrick Racing Promotions (M.R.P.)

Race Director – Jack Merrick of Dodge City, Kansas

Flagman / Starter – Al Alexander of Wichita, Kansas

Tech Official – Elmer Balzer of Newton, Kansas

Trophy Queen – Wilda Jeffery of Great Bend, Kansas

 Total Purse – $1,250

 

No time trials – Starting places in the heat races were based on the date and time entry black was received

 

Attendance - “a small crowd”

 

 

 

This photograph was taken on the front straightaway after the Trophy dash on this day.

Left to right:  Al Alexander, Wilda Jeffery, Bill Nelson and Elmer Balzer – Hutchinson News photo

 

 

 

First Heat Race – 10 Laps – Purse: $135

Nelson was driving a #15 car owned by “Georgia Bob” Garner of Wichita, Kansas.

Although only the first three places in this race were reported in the local newspaper, this race paid prize money 15 places back: 1^st $22.50, 2^nd $17.50, 3^rd $15.00, 4^th $12, 5^th $10, 6^th $7.50, 7^th $7.50, 8^th $6.00, 9^th $6.00, 10^th $5.50, 11^th $5.50, 12^th $5.00, 13^th $5.00, 14^th 5.00, 15^th $5.00.

 

 

  

Second Heat Race – 10 Laps – Purse: $135

 Although only the first three places in this race were reported in the local newspaper, this race paid prize money 15 places back: 1^st $22.50, 2^nd $17.50, 3^rd $15.00, 4^th $12, 5^th $10, 6^th $7.50, 7^th $7.50, 8^th $6.00, 9^th $6.00, 10^th $5.50, 11^th $5.50, 12^th $5.00, 13^th $5.00, 14^th 5.00, 15^th $5.00.

 

 

  

Third Heat Race – 10 Laps – Purse: $135

Beckel was leading this race when his car struck a berm around the inside of the racetrack and spun out.  Several cars just missed Beckel’s spinning car but none him.  Beckel then drove his #98 Hudson over the berm and cut across the infield, a move that disqualified him from the race for taking a shortcut.

Although only the first three places in this race were reported in the local newspaper, this race paid prize money 15 places back: 1^st $22.50, 2^nd $17.50, 3^rd $15.00, 4^th $12, 5^th $10, 6^th $7.50, 7^th $7.50, 8^th $6.00, 9^th $6.00, 10^th $5.50, 11^th $5.50, 12^th $5.00, 13^th $5.00, 14^th 5.00, 15^th $5.00.

 

 

  

Trophy Dash – 5 Laps – Purse: $20

 Besides the trophy to the winner, this race also paid prize money to the first three finishers:  1^st $10.00, 2^nd $6.50, 3^rd $3.50.

 

 

  

B Feature Race – 15 Laps – Purse: $350

McClelland’s #11 car and Riead’s #49 car collided in the northeast turn with Riead’s car overturning several times coming to rest against the outside fence.  McClelland’s car came to rest on top of the berm around the inside of the racetrack.  Neither driver was injured.

Although only the first three places in this race were reported in the local newspaper, this race paid prize money 15 places back: 1^st $65.00, 2^nd $55.00, 3^rd $45.00, 4^th $35.00, 5^th $30.00, 6^th $25.00, 7^th $22.50, 8^th $17.50, 9^th $12.50, $10^th $8.50, 11^th $7.50, 12^th $7.50, 13^th $7.00, 14^th $6.00, 15^th $6.00.

 

 

 

A Feature Race – 20 Laps – Purse: $475

Nelson led every lap and was never seriously challenged 

Although only the first three places in this race were reported in the local newspaper, this race paid prize money 15 places back: 1^st $100.00, 2^nd $80.00, 3^rd $60.00, 4^th $40.00, 5^th $35.00, 6^th $30.00, 7^th $27.50, 8^th $22.50, 9^th $20.00, 10^th $15.00, 11^th $12.50, 12^th $10.00, 13^th $7.50, 14^th $7.50, 15^th $7.50.

 

 

 

 Merrick Racing Incorporated utilized pit passes they had left over from the 1960 National Jalopy Championship for these races by simply stamping the current date on them - Loepp collection

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Richard M. “Dick” Hendershot (1925-1976) was fatally injured in a racing accident at Salina, Kansas.

 

** Kenneth Ovid “K. O.” Christian (1914-1961) was fatally injured in a racing accident at Wichita, Kansas just a few weeks after these races were run in Hutchinson.

 

 

 

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