National Modified Championship Races at Hutchinson, Kansas on July 28, 1974

Eighteenth Annual National Modified Championship Races

On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the

Kansas State Fairgrounds

Hutchinson, Kansas

Sunday – July 28, 1974

Sanctioned by – National Championship Racing Association (N.C.R.A.)

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

Race Director – Jack Merrick of Dodge City, Kansas

Flagman / Starter – Al Alexander of Wichita, Kansas

Trophy Queen – Sheri Ann Fitzgerald of Hutchinson, Kansas

Attendance – 10,000

Track condition – “dry and very dusty”

Late model stock cars lined up in the north turn of the racetrack for the first heat race of the afternoon. # 5 Dave Conaway of Smith Center, Kansas on the pole and #13 Von Morton of Hutchinson is on the outside of the first row. #87 (with the two men leaning in the driver's window) Jerald Hedberg of Lindsborg, Kansas is inside of the second row with #1xx Dean Hudson of Kensington, Kansas on the outside of row two. #20 Tom Johnson of Liberal, Kansas is inside of the third row while #44 Rickey Blackburn of Hutchinson is on the outside. #18 Lonnie Chambers of Yates Center, Kansas is on the outside of row four while #70 Vyrl Warren of Pierceville, Kansas started on the outside of row five.- Billie Wells photo

#5 Dave Conaway of Smith Center, Kansas at lower left followed by #70 Vyrl Warren of

Pierceville, Kansas and two unidentified cars in the fourth turn the first late model heat race on this

afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#44 Rickey Blackburn of Hutchinson spins out in the northwest turn while #1xx Dean Hudson of Kensington, Kansas (in the lower left corner of the photo) and another unidentified car pass by on the outside during the first late model heat race of the afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#48 Sam Brittendall of Salina, Kansas leading #7 Dave Oltman of Salina, #86 Larry Miller of Dodge City, Kansas, #1x Garry Fuller, Sr. of Salina, and #77x Gary Holbert of Concordia (just entering the photo at far right) in the second late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#1x Garry Fuller, Sr. of Salina, Kansas, #59x Shelby Steenson of Abilene, Kansas, #2 Ray Riner

of Wichita, Kansas, #91 Jerry Soderberg of Dodge City, Kansas on the infield at Hutchinson on this day.

Billie Wells photo

#6x Larry Corisant of Beloit, Kansas and #15 J. D. Martin of Dodge City, Kansas up front,

#71 Ron Kudrna of Red Cloud, Nebraska on the outside of the second row, and

#7 Dave Oltman of Salina, Kansas on the inside of the third row as the cars are lined up for the

second late model stock car heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#48 Sam Brittendall of Salina, Kansas leads #6x Larry Croisant of Beloit, Kansas and #7 Dave Oltman of Salina, Kansas through one of the turns in the second late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

Unidentified late models exiting the northwest turn onto the front straightaway - Billie Wells photo

#26 Jim Kizzar of Chase, Kansas, #77x Gary Holbert of Concordia, Kansas, and #86 :Larry Miller

of Dodge City, Kansas mix it up during one of the races on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#6x Larry Croisant of Beloit, Kansas leading #8xx Craig Lockhart of Red Cloud, Nebraska and #15 J. D. Martin of Dodge City, Kansas through the fourth turn

in the second late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#01 Eddie Putman of Ebson, Kansas passing a spinning 6x Larry Croisant of Beloit, Kansas in

a late model heat race - Billie Wells photo

#5 Dave Conaway of Smith Center, Kansas at lower left followed by #70 Vyrl Warren of

Pierceville, Kansas and two unidentified cars in the fourth turn the first late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#14N Henry Martin of McPherson, Kansas spins out as #3A Thomas Parks of Hutchinson slips by

during one of the races on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#48 Sam Brittendall of Salina, Kansas and #6x Larry Corisant of Beloit, Kansas dodge a loose

wheel that had just come off of Corisant’s car. The man attempting to signal oncoming

drivers about the wheel, is Orville Clinton of Minneapolis, Kansas – Hutchinson News

#59x Shelby Steenson of Abilene, Kansas and #77 Jack Petty of Wichita, Kansas in one of the races on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#59x Shelby Steenson of Abilene, Kansas sliding a little high in one of the races on this afternoon – Billie Wells photo

The 1973 Ford Mustang driven by Jack Petty of Wichita, Kansas passing under starter

Al Alexander’s flag stand - Hutchinson News

#86x Steve Lutkie and #77 Jack Petty, both of Wichita, Kansas, tangled during the trophy dash - Billie Wells photo

Aftermath of the tangle between #86x Steve Lutkie and #77 Jack Petty during the trophy dash - Billie Wells photo

#88 C. H. Cave of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and an unidentified car try to find their way through the very thick dust on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

The only one of these drivers to be identified to date is #59 Tom Lutkie who is second back in line - Billie Wells photo

#52 Harold Clark leading #48 Sam Brittendall and #6x Larry Croisant - Billie Wells photo

#8 Don Kreie of Dodge City, Kansas leads 8xx Craig Lockhart and #71 Ron Kudrna, both of

Red Cloud, Nebraska through turn four to win the trophy dash on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#15 J. D. Martin of Dodge City, Kansas leads #71 Ron Kudrna of Red Cloud, Nebraska,

#7 Dave Oltman of Salina, Kansas, and #77x Gary Holbert of Concordia, Kansas through the

fourth turn in the second late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#131 Melvin McNutt passes the spun out #01 Eddie Putman - Billie Wells photo

#59x Shelby Steenson leading #77 Jack Petty

#8 Don Krie following an unidentified car - Billie Wells photo

#48 Sam Brittendall of Salina, Kansas leading #7 Dave Oltman of Salina, #86 Larry Miller of Dodge City, Kansas (on the outside), #1x Garry Fuller, Sr. of Salina, and #77x Gary Holbert of Concordia (just entering the photo at far right) in the second late model heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#5 Dave Conaway of Smith Center, Kansas leading #13 Von Morton of Hutchinson and two unidentified late models - Billie Wells photo

#44 Rickey Blackburn, inside of the second row, is the only driver identified so far in this pace lap photo - Billie Wells photo

#77 Gary Holbert of Concordia, Kansas and an unidentified car go by as #28 Norris Anderson

of Jamestown, Kansas slides off into the infield - Billie Wells photo

Winner of the 30-Lap Late Model Stock Car Feature

Driver Don Kreie left, trophy queen Sheri Ann Fitzgerld center, and car owner Bill Bell at right

1975 Hutchinson Nationals program

#29 Harold Leep, Jr. of Wichita, Kansas and #75 John Beeson of Scott City, Kansas on the back

stretch on the pace lap for their heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#38 Lee Martin of Oberlin, Kansas after having crashed in his heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#117 Gene See and three unidentified cars in the first super modified heat race - Billie Wells photo

#9 Randy Jones signals one more pace lap before the Championship race - Billie Wells photo

Starter Al Alexander doing driver introductions before the second super modified heat race.

#11x D. E. "Gene" Suggs of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and #112 Larry Dewell of Fowler, Kansas

Billie Wells photo

#8 David Brotherton of Oklahoma City, #112 Larry Dewell of Fowler, Kansas, and

#11x D. E. "Gene" Suggs of Oklahoma City, on the pace lap

for the second super modified heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#11 Jim Harkness of Ness City, Kansas; #86 Jon Johnson of Utica, Kansas; #4 Grady Wade of

Wichita, Kansas; #27 Terry Uehling of Ness City, Kansas; and #90 Johnny Boe of Gainesville, Texas

in the fourth turn before the third super modified heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#4 Grady Wade of Wichita, Kansas in front, #27 Terry Uehling of Ness City, Kansas in second, and #90 Johnny Boe of Gainesville, Texas third car back in the

fourth turn during one of the heat races on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#19 Ron Fowler of Chanute, Kansas and #6 Dale Reed of Wichita, Kansas in the fourth turn

during a heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

#90 Johnny Boe is on the inside second row and #4 Grady Wade is the fourth car in that line. The other cars have yet to be identified - Billie Wells photo

#15 Herb Copeland of Dodge City, Kansas; #4 Grady Wade of Wichita, Kansas; #19 Ron Fowler

of Chanute, Kansas; and at least one unidentified car slide together as #54 Bobby Walker of

Oklahoma City and #57 Terry Kowalsky of Great Bend, Kansas slip by in the

third heat race on this afternoon - Billie Wells photo

Jay Woodside of Wichita, Kansas in the Dale–Parsons–owned Chevrolet leads

Jim Harkness of Ness City, Kansas in the Les–Steinert–owned Chevrolet

in the third heat race on this ill-fated afternoon at Hutchinson

1975 Hutchinson Nationals program

The only car identified in this photo todate is the #90 driven by Johnny Boe on the outside of the second row - Billie Wells photo

#90 Johnny Boe, #11x D. E. “Gene” Suggs, and #112 Larry Dewell (just entering the photo) - Billie Wells photo

Pace Lap for the Super Modified Third Heat Race

#6 Dale Reed of Wichita, Kansas; #57 Terry Kowalsky of Great Bend, Kansas; #56 Frank Lies of Wichita, Kansas; and four unidentified cars - Billie Wells photo

#97 Don Frazier of Wichita, Kansas, spun into the infield during his heat race - Billie Wells photo

Some of the Cars Lined up for the Championship Race

#11x D. E. “Gene” Sugg, #112 Larry Dewell, #01 Aaron Madden, #96x Jack Petty, #90 Johnny Boe, and #79 Fred Hembree - Billie Wells photo

#117 Gene See in the first super modified heat race - Billie Wells photo

Late Model – First Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	1	Dean Hudson	Kensington, Kansas	1969 Ford
2	87	Jerald Hedberg	Lindsborg, Kansas	1965 Chevrolet
3	13	Von Morton	Hutchinson, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet
4	98	Rod Keller	Dodge City, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet
5	18	Lonnie Chambers	Yates Center, Kansas	1964 Chevrolet

Late Model – Second Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	86x	Steve Lutkie	Wichita, Kansas	1972 Chevrolet
2	8xx	Craig Lockhart	Red Cloud, Nebraska	1969 Chevrolet
3	15	J. D. Martin	Dodge City, Kansas	1964 Chevrolet
4	71	Ron Kudma	Red Cloud, Nebraska	1969 Chevrolet
5	7	Dave Oltman	Salina, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet

Late Model – Third Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	77	Jack Petty	Wichita, Kansas	1973 Ford Mustang
2	1	Oren Haas	Wichita, Kansas	1965 Chevrolet
3	8	Don Kreie	Dodge City, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet Camaro
4	3x	Dick Hendershot	Hutchinson, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet
5	12	Tim Wheaton	Dodge City, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet

Super Modified – First Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From
1		Scott Carson	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2	117	Gene See	Wichita, Kansas
3	7x	Dutch Ter Steege	Bethany, Oklahoma
4	30	Bill Carr	Garden City, Kansas
5	20	Wayne Wiseley	Bixby, Oklahoma

Carson started last and passed See for the lead coming out of the final turn of the race.

Super Modified – Second Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From
1	112	Larry Dewell	Fowler, Kansas
2	11x	D. E. “Gene” Suggs	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3	01	Aaron Madden	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
4	90	Johnny Boe	Gainesville, Texas
5	79	Fred Hembree	Ness City, Kansas

Super Modified – Third Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From
1	11	Jim Harkness	Ness City, Kansas
2	86	Jon Johnson	Utica, Kansas
3	4	Grady Wade	Wichita, Kansas
4	27	Terry Uehling	Ness City, Kansas
5	54	Bobby Walker	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
	68	Jay Woodside	Wichita, Kansas
	57	Terry Kowalsky	Great Bend, Kansas
	15	Herb Copeland	Dodge City, Kansas
	19	Ron Fowler	Chanute, Kansas

Late Model – Trophy Dash – 9 Cars – 5 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	8	Don Kreie	Dodge City, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet Camaro
2	8xx	Craig Lockhart	Red Cloud, Nebraska	1967 Chevrolet
3	71	Ron Kudma	Red Cloud, Nebraska	1969 Chevrolet
4	87	Jerald Hedberg	Lindsborg, Kansas	1965 Chevrolet
5	18	Lonnie Chambers	Yates Center, Kansas	1964 Chevrolet
DNF	77	Jack Petty	Wichita, Kansas	1973 Ford Mustang
DNF	86x	Steve Lutkie	Wichita, Kansas	1972 Chevrolet

Super Modified – Trophy Dash – 5 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From
1	112	Larry Dewell	Fowler, Kansas
2	11x	D. E. “Gene” Suggs	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3	4	Grady Wade	Wichita, Kansas
4	90	Johnny Boe	Gainesville, Texas
5	86	Jon Johnson	Utica, Kansas

Boe was leading at the beginning of the final lap but fell to fourth place by the finish.

Late Model – Consolation Race
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	11x	Jerry Mashaney	Maize, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet

Late Model – Feature Race – 30 Laps
Place	Car #	Driver	From	Car
1	8	Don Kreie	Dodge City, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet Camaro
2	3x	Dick Hendershot*	Hutchinson, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet
3	59	Tom Lutkie	Wichita, Kansas	1965 Chevrolet
4	77x	Gary Holbert	Concordia, Kansas	1967 Chevrolet
5	7	Dave Oltman	Salina, Kansas	1969 Chevrolet
6	19x	Charlie Laing	Wichita, Kansas	1965 Buick
7	71	Ron Kudrna	Red Cloud, Nebraska	1969 Chevrolet
8	55	Alan Combs	Herington, Kansas	1965 Chevrolet
9	52	Harold Clark	Wichita, Kansas	1955 Chevrolet
10	86	Larry Miller	Dodge City, Kansas	1964 Plymouth
	77	Jack Petty	Wichita, Kansas	1973 Ford Mustang
DNF	181	Bill Mills	Newton, Kansas	1968 Chevrolet

Mills crashed into the outside wall in the southwest turn.

Petty started on the pole position and led the first 17 laps before being passed by Kreie while exiting the southeast turn onto the back straightaway. Petty passed Kreie for the lead one lap later and led for another four laps. Petty completed the race despite his left rear tire blowing out on the 23^rd lap during contact between his car and that driven by Kreie.

Super Modified – Feature Race – 55 Cars Scheduled – 44 Cars Started – 50 Laps

There was a 13-car pileup and ensuing fire at the beginning of the second lap of this race that injured four drivers; three of them critically. The first three cars in the running order where #11 Jim Harkness, #86 Jon Johnson, and #4 Grady Wade when the race was stopped and the remainder of the race was canceled.

To view some photos of the fire from the

collections of Jerry Leep, the Hutchinson News

and World Wide Racing Fans, Inc.

To view photos of the fire taken by Jeff Nichols

These are from the Bartlett collection

To view photos of the fire taken by Billie Wells

To view a You-Tube video from the Oklahomatidbits collection that was taken by Roger Cornish

The First Two Rows Pull Away to Begin the Pace Lap for the Ill Fated Championship Race

#68 Jay Woodside of Wichita, Kansas; #86 Jon Johnson of Utica, Kansas; and #5 George Armstrong of Tulsa, Oklahoma - Billie Wells photo

This photo was taken after one lap of the championship race had been completed. Front to back are: #66 Jay Woodside of Wichita, Kansas; #86 Jon Johnson of Utica, Kansas; #11 Jim Harkness of Ness City, Kansas; and the fourth place car has yet to be identified - Billie Wells photo

* 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