Big Car Races on the
Historic Half-mile Racetrack at the
Kansas State Fairgrounds
Hutchinson, Kansas
Thursday – July 4, 1940
Races sanctioned by – Southern Racing Association
Race promoter – Tige Beal of Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sponsor – Hutchinson Junior Chamber of Commerce
Attendance – 2,000 by one reporter's estimate, 4,000 by another reporter's estimate
Track condition – “Poor”
This photo of Ralph Foster of Salina, Kansas was taken while he was seated in his Hisso on its trailer on June 30, 1940 but the placard was advertising these races in Hutchinson to be run on this July 4th - L. A. Ward photo form the Randy Pedersen collection
This photo of Clarence Merritt in the Peaches Campbell owned DO Hal car was taken after his feature race victory on this date at Hutchinson. That is Peaches Campbell standing at right – Darrin McKim collection
Time Trials – 1 Lap
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Clarence Merritt |
Chelsea, Oklahoma |
29.8 |
|
Art Thomas |
Independence, Missouri |
|
|
Waldo Barnett |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
|
Wesley McCracken |
|
|
|
Harry West |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
|
Claude Garin |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
|
|
Bill Hatcher |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
|
Jack Kannapel |
Newton, Kansas |
|
|
Angelo Howerton |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
|
Val Jameson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
|
Fred Bass |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
|
Jim Sherrill |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
|
Ralph Foster |
Salina, Kansas |
|
First Heat Race – 6 Cars - 10 Laps
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Clarence Merritt |
Chelsea, Oklahoma |
5:06.2 |
2 |
Art Thomas |
Independence, Missouri |
|
3 |
Waldo Barnett |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
4 |
Wesley McCracken |
|
|
Second Heat Race – 10 Laps
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Harry West |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
5:16.0 |
2 |
Claude Garin |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
|
3 |
Bill Hatchett |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
Consolation Race
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Jack Kannapel |
Newton, Kansas |
|
2 |
Angelo Howerton |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
3 |
Val Jameson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
|
Wesley McCracken |
|
DNF |
Wesley Irvan McCracken’s car burst into flames in front of the south end of the grandstand and McCracken huddled behind the cowl until the car slowed enough that he could jump to safety. He was not injured but his car was severely damaged.
Specialty Race – 5 Laps
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Waldo Barnett |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
2:39.2 |
Feature Race – 11 Cars - 15 Laps
Place |
Driver |
From |
Time |
1 |
Clarence Merritt |
Chelsea, Oklahoma |
7:54.0 |
2 |
Fred Bass |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
|
3 |
Claude Garin |
Wichita Falls, Texas |
|
|
Jim Sherrill |
Tulsa, Oklahoma |
DNF |
According to various newspaper accounts, C. T. “Jim” Sherrill arrived at the track late and his car failed the safety inspection. The feature race was the only event remaining on the program but officials ordered Sherrill's car removed from the premises. Sherrill talked to the gateman on his way out and convinced him to hold the gate open for him at the beginning this final event. When the cars began their pace lap, Sherrill started up his car in the parking lot, drove through the open gate, and joined the field at the back. He was trailing the field by quite some distance on the second lap when he lost control of his car in the northwest turn and crashed through the fence and then into the brick wall of the paddock. Sherrill was seriously injured and his car was destroyed in the accident.
L. A. Ward's account in National Auto Racing News said that Sherrill's car lost the nut that held the steering wheel in place leaving Sherrill no control and causing the car to crash. Crash helmets were not required at that time and Sherrill was not wearing one helping to account for the serious head injuries he suffered.
In his book, One Tough Circuit, Bill Hill tells the rest of the story. It seems that Sherrill’s car actually came to rest on top of a brick men’s restroom burning the occupant when the radiator burst. The incident thus earned Sherrill the nickname “Radiator” Sherrill.
Murray Earl of Hutchinson, Kansas is shown in a car that he owned in this photo that was taken at Hutchinson on this day. The car was driven by Waldo Barnett - Roy Eaton collection
Angelo Howerton “One Tough Circuit” by Bill Hill |
Fred Bass Roy Pulver collection |
Harry West Larry Sullivan photo |
Val Jameson Swart family collection |
Art Thomas
Elliott collection
Return to the Feature Race Winners at Hutchinson, Kansas web page
|