Kansas State Auto Racing Champions
Until 1955, the Kansas State Champion was determined by the press using whatever criteria each member chose to use. That system only led to confusion as different members of the press occasionally named different drivers as the Kansas State Champion for the same year. Beginning in 1955, those champions were still determined by the press but they relied heavily on the race results from the races that had been run at the Kansas State Fair. The First Annual Kansas State Championship Races were run on the historic half-mile racetrack at the Kansas State Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Kansas during the 1965 Kansas State Fair. Every state champion since then has been determined from the results of that series of races, although not every class of race car competed every year at the Kansas State Fair.
Frank Lies was named the 1952 Kansas Stock Car Champion by National Speed Sport News. This plaque was presented to Lies by Emmett Carpenter who was a correspondent and columnist for National Speed Sport News for half a century. Note, on the first list below, that Bill Mears was named the 1952 Kansas State Champion by other representatives of the press including the Winfield Daily Courier in Winfield, Kansas Lies collection
Kansas State Champions
Open Wheel
(Jalopies / Modified Jalopies / Super Modified / Sprint Cars)
|
1951 |
Charlie Lutkie |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1952 |
Bill Mears |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1953 |
Will Forrest |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1954 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1955 |
Will Forrest |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1956 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1957 |
* |
|
|
1958 |
Jay Woodside |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1959 |
* |
|
|
1960 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1961 |
Bill Nelson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1962 |
Forrest Coleman |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1963 |
Grady Wade |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1964 |
Forrest Coleman |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1965 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1966 |
David Ross |
Jetmore, Kansas |
|
1967 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1968 |
Walt McWhorter |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1969 |
Herb Copeland |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1970 |
Frank Lies |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1971 |
Harold Leep, Sr. |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1972 |
Larry Dewell |
Fowler, Kansas |
|
1973 |
Jim Harkness |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1974 |
Larry Dewell |
Fowler, Kansas |
|
1975 |
Jim Harkness |
Ness City, Kansas |
|
1976 |
David Moore |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1977 |
Terry Uehling |
Ness City, Kansas |
|
1978 |
Roy Bryant |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1979 |
Terry Uehling |
Ness City, Kansas |
|
1980 |
Harold Leep, Sr. |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1981 |
Herb Copeland |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1982 |
Greg Wooley |
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |
|
1983 |
Herb Copeland |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1984 |
Jon Johnson |
Utica, Kansas |
|
1985 |
Garry Lee Maier |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Garry Lee Maier |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1987 |
Mike Peters |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1988 |
* |
|
|
1989 |
Garry Lee Maier |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1990 |
Garry Lee Maier |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Roger Thompson |
Junction City, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Clay Bontrager |
Hesston, Kansas |
|
1993 |
Clay Bontrager |
Hesston, Kansas |
|
1994 |
John Blurton |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Devlin Polkinghorn |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Jim Selenke |
Colwich, Kansas |
|
1997 |
Clay Bontrager |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1998 |
* |
|
|
1999 |
Jon Johnson |
Utica, Kansas |
|
2000 tie |
Jon Johnson |
Utica, Kansas |
|
2000 tie |
Steve King |
Jetmore, Kansas |
|
2001 |
C. J. Johnson |
Utica, Kansas |
|
2002 |
Steve King |
Jetmore, Kansas |
|
2003 |
Mike Woodruff |
Satanta, Kansas |
|
2004 |
Steve King |
Jetmore, Kansas |
|
2005 |
J. D. Johnson |
Goddard, Kansas |
|
2006 |
J. D. Johnson |
Goddard, Kansas |
|
2007 |
Shane Howard |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Kansas State Late Model Stock Car Champions
|
1970 |
Larry Miller |
Dodge City, Kansas |
|
1971 |
Dick Hendershot, Sr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1972 |
Dick Hendershot, Sr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1973 |
Terry Kowalsky |
Great Bend, Kansas |
|
1974 |
Oren Haas |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1975 |
Steve Kammerer |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1976 |
Shelby Steenson |
Abilene, Kansas |
|
1977 |
Gary Pletcher |
Sharon Springs, Kansas |
|
1978 |
Van Gemmill |
Ponca City, Oklahoma |
|
1979 |
Ferris Collier |
Lampe, Missouri |
|
1980 |
Terry Deatherage |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1981 |
Clay Bontrager |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1982 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1983 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1984 |
Larry McDaniels |
Park City, Kansas |
|
1985 |
Delbert Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1987 |
Don Davis, Jr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1988 1989 |
* |
|
|
1990 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Don Davis, Jr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Lonnie Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1993 tie |
David Brack |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1993 tie |
Lonnie Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1994 |
Deen Woods |
Beloit, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Delbert Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Delbert Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1997 |
Lonnie Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1998 |
* |
|
|
1999 |
Lonnie Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2000 2003 |
* |
|
|
2004 |
Ryan McAninch |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2005 2006 |
* |
|
|
2007 |
Ryan McAninch |
Wichita, Kansas |
Kansas State Sprint 4 Champions
|
1987 |
Shelby Steenson |
Abilene, Kansas |
|
1988 |
Jerry Wilson |
Wichita, Kansas |
Kansas State Modified Champions
|
1984 |
Steve Stults |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1987 |
Doug Clark |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1988 |
Delbert Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1990 |
Don Renfro |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Bobby Simmons |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1993 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1994 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Marc Hurd |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1997 |
Richard Wilson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1998 |
Troy Gemmill |
Ponca City, Oklahoma |
|
1999 |
Dan Daniels |
Humboldt, Kansas |
|
2000 |
Richard Wilson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2001 |
Greg Stephens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2002 |
Conner Ward |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2003 |
Zach Wood |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2004 |
Scott Green |
Derby, Kansas |
|
2005 |
Brent Burkhart |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
2006 |
Mike Jarvis |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2007 |
Troy Gemmill |
Ponca City, Kansas |
Kansas State Late Model Sportsman Champions
|
1982 |
John Arnce |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1983 |
Rob Glasse |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1984 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1985 |
Shelby Steenson |
Abilene, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Frank McGehee |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1987 |
Don Davis, Jr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1988 |
Al Purkey |
Coffeyville, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Larry McDaniels |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1990 |
* |
|
|
1991 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Ken Sweet |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1993 |
* |
|
|
1994 |
Larry Moore |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Steve Hamlin |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Steve Hamlin |
Douglass, Kansas |
|
1997 |
* |
|
|
1998 |
Lonnie Smith |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1999 2001 |
* |
|
|
2002 |
Ray Nulf |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
2003 |
Jeremy Massey |
Valley Center, Kansas |
|
2004 |
Jeremy Massey |
Valley Center, Kansas |
Kansas State Limited Sportsman Champions
|
1985 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Robbie Zink |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1987 |
* |
|
|
1988 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Buddy Mullens |
Wichita, Kansas |
Kansas State Mini-Modified Champions
|
1983 |
Jack Lamb |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1984 |
Steve Stults |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1985 |
Steve Stults |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Jerry Wilson |
Wichita, Kansas |
Kansas State Mini-Stock Champions
|
1988 |
Don Morris |
Junction City, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Doug Thompson |
Junction City, Kansas |
|
1990 |
Roly Bird, Jr. |
Salina, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Dan Wilkerson |
Newton, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Allan Unruh |
Valley Center, Kansas |
|
1993 |
G. W. Fuller |
Salina, Kansas |
|
1994 |
Billy Fuller |
Salina, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Bud Lee |
Salina, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Bruce Ward |
Oskaloosa, Kansas |
|
1997 |
* |
|
|
1998 |
G. W. Fuller |
Salina, Kansas |
|
1999 |
Billy Fuller |
Salina, Kansas |
|
2000 |
Brenn Wagner |
Baldwin City, Kansas |
Kansas State Thumper Champions
|
1987 |
Marc Robe |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1988 |
Carl Nelson |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Wes Mohr, Jr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1990 |
Ken Crissman |
St. John, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Rick Cochran |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Don Strahley |
Junction City, Kansas |
|
1993 |
Ralph Kerschner |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1994 |
Clint Smith |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Lance Burkhart |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Lance Burkhart |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1997 |
Bud Martinez |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1998 2003 |
* |
|
|
2004 |
Brad Krone |
Mt. Hope, Kansas |
|
2005 |
Kirk Karst |
Russell, Kansas |
|
2006 |
Dustin Carey |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
2007 |
Derrick Dornbush |
Park City, Kansas |
Kansas State Road Runner Champions
|
1984 |
Donovan Kundiger |
Westmoreland, Kansas |
|
1985 |
Alan Bullard |
Great Bend, Kansas |
|
1986 |
Alan Bullard |
Great Bend, Kansas |
|
1987 |
Marc Robe |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1988 |
Ricky Dunsworth |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1989 |
Wes Mohr, Jr. |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1990 |
Travis Patch |
Holton, Kansas |
|
1991 |
Scott Lehman |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1992 |
Scott Lehman |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1993 |
Gary Nulf |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1994 |
Gayle Smith |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1995 |
Scott Lehman |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1996 |
Greg Stephens |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1997 |
Gary Nulf |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Kansas State Pro-Stock Champion
|
1990 |
Carl Nelson |
St. John, Kansas |
Kansas State Street Stock Champions
|
1991 |
Mark Borecky |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1992 1997 |
* |
|
|
1998 |
Scott Miller |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
1999 |
Darren Moses |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2000 |
Tommy Miller |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
2001 |
Mike Miller |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2002 |
Craig Miller |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
|
2003 |
* |
|
|
2004 |
Harley Peery |
Goddard, Kansas |
|
2005 |
Jimmy Segraves |
Valley Center, Kansas |
|
2006 |
Darren Nelson |
Westmoreland, Kansas |
|
2007 |
Bobby Joe Scott |
Liberal, Kansas |
Kansas State Super Stock Champions
|
1998 |
Bud Martinez |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
1999 |
Mike Jarvis |
Wichita, Kansas |
|
2000 |
Brad Young |
Maize, Kansas |
|
2001 |
Gary Nulf |
Hutchinson, Kansas |
Kansas State Womens Mini-Stock Champion
|
1996 |
Kelly Barker |
Chanute, Kansas |
* No Kansas State Champion was named.