Modified Jalopy Races at Hutchinson, Kansas on September 15, 1968

Fourth Annual Kansas State Modified Jalopy Championship Races

On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the

Kansas State Fairgrounds

Hutchinson, Kansas

Sunday – September 15, 1968

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

Race director – Jack Merrick of Dodge City, Kansas

Newspaper ad advertising these races. The only drivers identified in the photos on this ad to date are #87 Bud Hatch of Yates Center, Kansas being followed by #83 Alvin Riley of Medora, Kansas in the top photo and #0 Vern Allen of Wichita, Kansas in the lower left hand photo - Mike Cornelison collection

First Heat Race – 8 Laps

Place	Driver	From
1	Leon Spain	Manhattan, Kansas
2	Roger McGary	Dodge City, Kansas
3	Jerry Stone	Wichita, Kansas
4	Charles Simpson	Pueblo, Colorado
5	Bill Lewis	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
6	Dick Walker	Arkansas City, Kansas
7	Jay Schrock	Hutchinson, Kansas
8	Alan Herbert	Dodge City, Kansas

One source states that the second place finisher in this race was Pinky Mullens of Wichita, Kansas

Second Heat Race – 8 Laps

Place	Driver	From
1	Frank Lies	Wichita, Kansas
2	Bill Rigsby	Wichita, Kansas
3	Dale Reed	Wichita, Kansas
4	Don Spreier	Larned, Kansas
5	Gordon Lucas	Wichita, Kansas
6	Walt McWhorter	Wichita, Kansas
7	Garry Harrison	Topeka, Kansas
8	Bill Bookout	Enid, Oklahoma

Third Heat Race – 8 Laps

Place	Driver	From
1	David Ross	Jetmore, Kansas
2	Garry Abell	Salina, Kansas
3	Forrest Coleman	Wichita, Kansas
4	Ken Myers	Wichita, Kansas
5	Dick Hendershot*	Hutchinson, Kansas
6	Tom Pickard	Edmond, Oklahoma
7	Jim Black	Enid, Oklahoma
8	Glen Kinsey	Hutchinson, Kansas
DNF	Lawrence Sinks	Manhattan, Kansas
DNF	H. A. Ratzlaff	Dodge City, Kansas
DNF	Bill Wilson	Salina, Kansas
DNF	Junior Garner	Muskogee, Oklahoma

Garner’s car spun out in the southeast turn on the first lap taking out the cars driven by Sinks, Ratzlaff, and Wilson with him.

Trophy Dash – 5 Laps

Place	Driver	From
1	Frank Lies	Wichita, Kansas
2	Pinky Mullens	Wichita, Kansas
3	Leon Spain	Manhattan, Kansas
4	David Ross	Jetmore, Kansas
5	Bill Rigsby	Wichita, Kansas
6	Garry Abell	Salina, Kansas
7	Dale Reed	Wichita, Kansas

B Feature – 15 Laps

Place	Driver	From
1	Melvin Rogers	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
2	Roy Bryant	Wichita, Kansas
3	Wylan Cattrell	Wichita, Kansas
4	Ed Whitney	Norton, Kansas
5	Bob Peck	Manhattan, Kansas
6	Les Angel, Jr.	Hutchinson, Kansas
7	H. A. Ratzlaff	Dodge City, Kansas

Bryant led this race until he was passed by Rogers on the last lap in the southeast turn.

A Feature – 20 Laps – Time: 8:38.3

Place	Driver	From
1	Frank Lies	Wichita, Kansas
2	David Ross	Jetmore, Kansas
3	Leon Spain	Manhattan, Kansas
4	Bill Rigsby	Wichita, Kansas
5	Dale Reed	Wichita, Kansas
6	Ken Myers	Wichita, Kansas
7	Pinky Mullens	Wichita, Kansas
8	Jerry Stone	Wichita, Kansas
9	Walt McWhorter	Wichita, Kansas
10	Don Spreier	Larned, Kansas
	Dale McGary	Dodge City, Kansas
	Forrest Coleman	Wichita, Kansas
	Garry Abell	Salina, Kansas

The cars driven by Coleman and Myers collided on the front straightaway just as the race was starting. As drivers took evasive measurers, the car driven by Abell crashed into the rear of the car driven by Ross. The damage to Ross’ car was repaired and he was able to restart the race from his pole position while Abell was not able to fix his in time.

Lies took the lead on the first lap of this race and steadily pulled away from second place Ross.