Stock Car Races
On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Memorial Day – Monday – May 30, 1955
Promotional company – Hamilton Attractions of Hutchinson, Kansas
Promoter – Verne Hamilton of Hutchinson, Kansas
The only car identified in this photo to date in this photo taken in the southwest turn is the #12 at left that was owned by Elmer Balzer of Newton, Kansas and driven by Troy Routh of Maize, Kansas. Routh swept the program on this afternoon winning the third heat race, the trophy dash, and the A feature. Note that the car nearest the camera still has its license plate on it – Tom Kelso photo from the Jim Kelso collection
First Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Chuck Jones |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Harold Leep |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Robin Roberts |
Newton, Kansas |
4 |
Jim McAmis |
Arkansas City, Kansas |
5 |
Harold Portlock |
Wichita, Kansas |
6 |
L. E. Hall |
Newton, Kansas |
7 |
Bill Laughlin |
Wichita, Kansas |
8 |
Ed McCaslin |
Wichita, Kansas |
9 |
Dean Sisson |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Second Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Jerry Collins |
Inman, Kansas |
2 |
Warren Brown |
Emporia, Kansas |
3 |
Lawrence "Larry" Beltz |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
4 |
Buck Fallsted |
Bentley, Kansas |
5 |
Bud Clifford |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
6 |
Jack Petty |
Wichita, Kansas |
7 |
Henry Ellington* |
South Hutchinson, Kansas |
8 |
Bill Bookout |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
Marvin Postier |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Postier received minor injuries when his car rolled over twice in the south turn.
Third Heat Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Troy Routh |
Maize, Kansas |
2 |
Bill Mears |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Buddy Quick |
Wichita, Kansas |
4 |
Wilbur "Willie" Berger |
Newton, Kansas |
5 |
George Turner |
Wichita, Kansas |
6 |
Evert Parker |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
7 |
Tom Price |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
8 |
Vern Morton |
Inman, Kansas |
9 |
Gene Keel |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Trophy Dash
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Troy Routh |
Maize, Kansas |
2 |
Jerry Collins |
Inman, Kansas |
3 |
Chuck Jones |
Wichita, Kansas |
B Feature Race – 16 Cars
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Ed McCaslin |
Wichita, Kansas |
2 |
Vester VanSickle |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
3 |
Gene Keel |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
4 |
Bob Ingram |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
5 |
Henry Ellington* |
South Hutchinson, Kansas |
6 |
A. J. Shepherd** |
Wichita, Kansas |
7 |
Bill Bookout |
Wichita, Kansas |
8 |
Harold Leep |
Wichita, Kansas |
9 |
Bryce Barth |
Wichita, Kansas |
10 |
Dale Reed |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
Chester Scott |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Barth was leading late in the race when a radiator hose broke on his car. Unable to see through the steam, Barth turned too sharply in the north turn and spun out. Reed, following closely behind, in second place, crashed into Barth’s stopped car. Shepherd was right behind Reed in third place and crashed into Reed’s car. Two other cars were involved before it was over.
Only 5 cars finished this race but it paid prize money 10 places back.
A Feature Race – 20 Laps
Place |
Driver |
From |
1 |
Troy Routh |
Maize, Kansas |
2 |
Bill Mears |
Wichita, Kansas |
3 |
Harold Leep |
Wichita, Kansas |
4 |
Chuck Jones |
Wichita, Kansas |
5 |
Wilbur "Willie" Berger |
Newton, Kansas |
6 |
Warren Brown |
Emporia, Kansas |
7 |
Jack Petty |
Wichita, Kansas |
8 |
Harold Portlock |
Wichita, Kansas |
9 |
Lawrence "Larry" Beltz |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
10 |
Jerry Collins |
Inman, Kansas |
11 |
Bill Laughlin |
Wichita, Kansas |
12 |
L. E. Hall |
Newton, Kansas |
Jack Petty Gary Virden collection |
Bill Mears Ralph Lowry collection |
Troy Routh Mary Ann Heaton photo |
Bob Ingram Mary Ann Heaton photo |
Dale Reed Loretta Cox collection |
Evert Parker Todd White collection |
Gene Keel Todd White collection |
Wilbur “Willie” Berger Todd White collection |
Henry Ellington Ellington collection |
A. J. Shepherd Willard Bodkins collection |
Bryce Barth Cokeley collection |
Warren Brown Warren Brown collection |
Harold Leep Gary Virden photo |
Jim McAmis Gary Virden photo |
Buddy Quick Gary Virden photo |
Jerry Collins Gary Shinkle collection |
* Henry Ellington (1919-1987) drove a 1936 Hudson in these, the first races he ever competed in. He had a new job paying a dollar per hour and had just gotten his first pay check. Since his first car was a ’36 Hudson and his first check was for $36, Ellington used the number 36 on his cars from that time on.
** Alvin Junior “A. J.” Shepherd (1926-2005) went on to compete in the Indianapolis “500” in 1961.
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page
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