Sprint Car Races
On the Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Tuesday – September 18, 1956
Sanctioned by – International Motor Contest Association (I.M.C.A.)
Promotional company – Auto Racing Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota
Race Promoter – Frank R. Winkley of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Race Announcer – Jack “Nick” Nachicas of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Scorekeeper – Verna Winkley of Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Jack Jordan Tom Madison collection |
Buzz Barton Floyd Seago collection |
Harry Ross One Tough Circuit by Bill Hill |
Don Hutchinson Tom Madison collection |
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Jerry Shumaker Tom Madison collection |
Charlie Lutkie Big Car Thunder by Bob Mays |
Gordon Shuck L. A. Ward photo from the book Big Car Thunder by Bob Mays |
Mickey McCormick L. A. Ward photo |
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Bert Hellmueller Bob Stolze collection |
Walt McWhorter Big Car Thunder by Bob Mays |
A. J. Foyt Tom Madison collection |
Marvin Faw Tommy Madison collection |
Published List of Entries
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|
Driver |
From |
Car # |
Engine |
|
|
Johnny Pouelson |
Gardena, California |
7 |
Offenhauser |
|
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Willard “Mickey” McCormick |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
4 |
Offenhauser |
|
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Gordon Shuck |
Edgar, Nebraska |
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Lloyd Ruby* |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
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Leroy Neumayer |
Compton, California |
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Offenhauser |
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Walt McWhorter |
Wichita, Kansas |
25 |
Chevrolet V8 |
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Harry Ross |
Houston, Texas |
|
Offenhauser |
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Jack Jordan |
Alhambra, California |
2 |
Offenhauser |
|
|
Bert Hellmueller |
Louisville, Kentucky |
48 |
Ranger |
|
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Don Hutchinson |
Kansas City, Missouri |
19 |
Offenhauser |
|
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Bill Chennault |
Kansas City, Missouri |
|
Offenhauser |
|
|
Bud Randall |
Fairmont, Indiana |
|
Offenhauser |
|
|
Emmett “Buzz” Barton |
Tampa, Florida |
70 |
Offenhauser |
|
|
A. J. Foyt** |
Houston, Texas |
24 |
Offenhauser |
|
|
Charlie Lutkie |
Wichita, Kansas |
28 |
Studebaker V8 |
|
|
Harold Burns |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|
Offenhauser |
|
|
Marvin Faw |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|
Offenhauser |
|
|
John Golden |
Des Moines, Iowa |
|
Ranger |
|
|
Jerry Shumaker |
Wichita, Kansas |
39 |
GMC |
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Jim Wegscheider |
St. Louis, Missouri |
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First Heat Race - 7 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
|
|
1 |
Harry Ross |
Houston, Texas |
|
|
2 |
Leroy Neumayer |
Compton, California |
|
|
3 |
Walt McWhorter |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
|
|
A. J. Foyt** |
Houston, Texas |
DNF |
|
|
Don Hutchinson |
Kansas City, Missouri |
DNF |
Hutchinson was leading with Foyt in second place when their cars bumped wheels in the north turn on the 6th lap sending Hutchinson’s car tumbling through the fence. Foyt’s car spun into a guard rail. Foyt received minor head injuries while Hutchinson’s injuries were fatal. The race was not restart.
Second Heat Race – 7 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
|
1 |
Marvin Faw |
Minneapolis, Indiana |
3:27.40 |
|
2 |
Gordon Shuck |
Edgar, Nebraska |
|
|
3 |
Jim Wegscheider |
St. Louis, Missouri |
|
Third Heat Race – 7 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
|
1 |
Johnny Pouelson |
Gardena, California |
3:15.81 |
|
2 |
Willard “Mickey” McCormick |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
|
3 |
Emmett “Buzz” Barton |
Tampa, Florida |
|
Trophy Dash – 4 Laps
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
|
1 |
Leroy Neumayer |
Compton, California |
2:01.80 |
|
2 |
Johnny Pouelson |
Gardena, California |
3:15.81 |
Feature Race
|
Place |
Driver |
From |
|
|
1 |
Johnny Pouelson |
Gardena, California |
|
|
2 |
Emmett “Buzz” Barton |
Tampa, Florida |
|
|
3 |
Willard “Mickey” McCormick |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
|
4 |
Gordon Shuck |
Edgar, Nebraska |
|
|
5 |
Harold Burns |
Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|
|
6 |
Jerry Shumaker |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
|
7 |
Lloyd Ruby* |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
|
|
|
Leroy Neumayer |
Compton, California |
|
No time was recorded for this race as Neumayer spun out in the south turn.
Barton struggled to control his car and slid wide in turns twice ending his chances to challenge Pouelson for the lead.
A. J. Foyt in the Les Vaughn #24 lining up next to Don Hutchinson in the Bill Mansell #19 for the first heat race. The two drivers would get together on the sixth lap of that race with Hutchinson suffering fatal injuries.
Vernon George Cunningham photo
Officials and bystanders set Don Hutchinson’s sprint car back on its wheels after a tangle with a car driven by A. J. Foyt in the first heat race
Hutchinson News-Herald photo
* Lloyd Ruby (1928-2009) went on to compete in the Indianapolis “500” 18 times.
** A. J. Foyt went on to win the Indianapolis “500” four times as a driver and is still very active in the sport today.
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page
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