1903 – 1966

Autograph signed in 1921

 

 

            Earl Lonzo Hovenden, Sr. was born March 16, 1903 in Oklahoma, a son of Thomas Alonzo Hovenden (1878-1957) and his wife, Olga L. (Fredrickson) Hovenden (1885-1977).  He grew up at Anadarko, Oklahoma and served in the United States Navy Reserve Forces during World I.  He was working as an auto mechanic in Oklahoma City when he was first married in 1921 at Canadian, Oklahoma to Ruby Ida Stapp (1899-1998).  They had one daughter, Juanita Ruth (Hovenden) Christoffersen Herweh (1922-1980).  Earl and Ruby divorced and he was married second in 1926 at Logan, Oklahoma to Iva Lella (Spires) Thomas (1907-1966).  Earl and Iva were the parents of one son, Earl Lonzo Hovenden, Jr. (1927-1986).

          In 1926, the Hovendens moved to Arkansas City, Kansas where Earl went to work as an auto mechanic for the Moody brothers in their garage.  After that, they lived at Otis, Kansas; Siloam Springs, Arkansas and Duncan, Oklahoma before moving on to southern California by 1930   Hovenden supplemented his racing income in California by putting together an Auto Polo team named the Washington Grays to participate in those events which were very popular at the time.

          Earl Hovenden’s incomplete racing record:

 

December 26, 1921 – ½ mile dirt oval – Grady County Fairgrounds at Chickasha, Oklahoma

            Car:  Monroe special #7

Finish:  DNF in the 1st 5-car 8-lap heat race heat race when his car threw the right front wheel and crashed through the outside fence.  Hovenden received a cut on his chin in the accident that required 3 stitches.  This race was won by Johnny Lindsay of Oklahoma City in a Didge special.

Feature Race Winner:  Johnny Lindsay of Oklahoma City in a Dodge special.

  

June 4, 1922 – ½ mile dirt oval – Colcord Speedway at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on the east side of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Car:  Monroe special #7

Attendance:  10,000

Finish:  DNF, becoming the 1st car to drop out of the 9-car “Free-for-All” race.  He did so on the 19th lap of the 200-lap feature race with engine trouble and was credited with the 9th place finish behind winner Johnny Lee of Wichita, Kansas who was driving a Dodge special; Roy Fisher of Oklahoma City who was driving a Mercer; Ray “Frats” (“Fritz”, “Fratz”, “Fraty” or “Fat”)  Willard of Ponca City, Oklahoma who was driving a Willard special; Mat Mueller who was driving a Wallace special owned by R. J. “Jack” Wallace of Oklahoma City; John Boling of Cleveland, Oklahoma who was driving a Fronty Ford; K. O. Sprang of Tulsa, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford special; Matt Berg of Cushing, Oklahoma who was driving a Fronty Ford and Fred Morman of Oklahoma City who was driving a Jones special.

Feature race winner:  Johnny Lee of Wichita, Kansas driving his own 16-valve Dodge-powered “J.H.L. special” that he had built himself

 

August 1, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Wichita County Fairgrounds at Wichita Falls, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Chevrolet

Finish:  Hovenden’s car caught fire before the start of the 6-lap consolation race which was won by a car #61, the driver’s name not given.

Feature race winner:  Bill Tennell in a his own Fronty Ford #17

  

October 2, 1926 – ½ mile dirt oval – Colcord Speedway at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on the east side of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Car:  Chevrolet

Finish:  Results of these races have yet to be located.

 

July 4, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Speedway Park  one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Won 1st 6-mile heat race over Forest S. “Blackie” O’Bannon of Arkansas City, Kansas in a #4 Fronty Ford special.

              Won the 4-mile heat race over Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas in a Chevrolet special, in 4:38.0.

  Won the 15-mile sweepstakes race over Harley Wells who was driving a Ford Frontenac #27 owned by Ralph R. Scott of Miami, Oklahoma and sponsored by the Scott Motor Company of Miami, Oklahoma.  Hovenden’s time for the 30-laps was 15:40.8.

Feature Race Winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Arkansas City, Kansas driving the Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

 

July 23, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Anthony Downs in Anthony, Kansas

Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Entries:  19 cars were entered in these races

Finish:  Hovendon finished 3rd in the 1st 6-car, 10-lap heat race behind Charles Lebsack of Wichita, Kansas who was driving a Ford Frontenac #K1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas and Harley Wells of Miami, Oklahoma who was driving a Ford Frontenac #27 owned by Ralph R. Scott of Miami, Oklahoma and sponsored by the Scott Motor Company of Miami.

            Hovendon won the 5-car, 15-lap race in 9:53.4, finishing ahead of Roy O’Laughlin of Hutchinson, Kansas who was driving his own #7-11 Ford Frontenac.  Ralph Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas finished this race in 3rd place.

 Hovendon finished 3rd in the 25-lap Kansas Sweepstakes free-for-all race behind Charles Lebsack of Wichita, Kansas who was driving a Ford Frontenac #K1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas and Harley Wells who was driving a Ford Frontenac #27 owned by Ralph R. Scott of Miami, Oklahoma and sponsored by the Scott Motor Company of Miami, Oklahoma.

Feature race winner:  Charles Lebsack of Wichita, Kansas who was driving a Ford Frontenac # K1 owned Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

 

July 30, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Cowley County Fairgrounds at Winfield, Kansas

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas

Finish:  Hovendon won the 10-lap Class “B” race over Fred Lentz of Hutchinson, Kansas in his own #5 Lentz Dodge special, in 6:05.8.

  Hovendon finished 3rd in the 6-lap 3-cornered match race for the three fastest cars in time trials.  Hovenden finished behind Harley Wells of St. Joseph, Missouri in a #27 Ford Frontenac and Charles Lebsack of Wichita, Kansas in the Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

            Hovendon won the 5-car sweepstakes race scheduled for 25-laps but was ruled complete after a 3-car accident at the beginning of the 9th lap.  Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas finished 2nd in a #4 Chevrolet special.

Feature Race Winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Arkansas City, Kansas driving the Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

 

September 5, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Speedway Park  one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Kanotex special Laurel Ford #33 owned by Roy Hume and Roy Rinehart, both from Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovendon’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature Race Winner:  Ted Simpson of Los Angeles, California who was driving an 8-cylinder Miller special.

 

September 15, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Nobel County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden placed in one of the races but nothing more has been learned about these races including which race, or what place Hovenden placed in.

 

September 16, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Nobel County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden finished in 2nd place in the 10-lap race.

              Hovenden finished in 3rd place in the sweepstakes race.

 

September 17, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Nobel County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden finished in 2nd place in the 10-lap race anentered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 21, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Childress State Fairgrounds at Childress, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 22, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Childress State Fairgrounds at Childress, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 23, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

Feature Race Winner:  John Kreiger of Rochester, New York who was driving a car owned by Lloyd Fisher of Longmont, Colorado.

 

September 24, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 25, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

Feature race winner:  Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 

September 28, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 29, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

September 30, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 2, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Texas - Oklahoma Fairgrounds at Wichita Falls, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 3, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Texas - Oklahoma Fairgrounds at Wichita Falls, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 7, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Haskell Speedway at Haskell, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 8, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Haskell Speedway at Haskell, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 9, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – Douglas Fairgrounds at Douglas, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 14, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Tri-State Fairgrounds at Amarillo, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 15, 1927 – ⅝ mile dirt oval – Tri-State Fairgrounds at Amarillo, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October, 1927 – ½ mile dirt oval – San Angelo Fairgrounds at San Angelo, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Chevrolet special #2 owned by George Dwight Moody of Arkansas City, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but the results have yet to be located.

 

October 25, 1927 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Cotton Palace Fairgrounds in Waco, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Hovenden special #1

Finish:  2nd in the 1st 10-lap heat race 3 seconds behind winner Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

Feature race winner:  Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 

November 2, 1927 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Cotton Palace Fairgrounds in Waco, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Hovenden special #1

Finish:  2nd in the 1st 10-lap heat race 6.8 seconds behind winner Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 2nd in the 16-lap feature race 3 seconds behind winner #7-11 Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

            Feature race winner:  Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 

November 6, 1927 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Cotton Palace Fairgrounds in Waco, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Hovenden special #1

Finish:  2nd in the 1st 10-lap heat race 3.8 seconds behind winner Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 2nd in the 16-lap feature race 5.2 seconds behind winner #7-11 Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

            Feature race winner:  Eddie Neva of San Antonio, Texas in #7-11 Ford Frontenac Well-Brook special owned by Maxie L. Brooks & M. T. Wells.

 

May 30, 1928 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Speedway Park  one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  2nd in the 5-lap Oklahoma Dirt Track Championship race, finishing behind Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City.

 3rd in the 12-lap heat race that was won by Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City.

Won the 6-lap 3rd heat race in 3:22.0.  Bill Tennill of Taylor, Texas finished this race in 2nd place.

3rd in the 8-lap heat race behind Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City and Bill Tennill of Taylor, Texas.

            Feature race winner:  Lee Bammell of Taylor, Texas who was driving his Bammell special.

 

July 4, 1928 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Speedway Park at Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  3rd fastest 2-lap time trial of 59.0 which was only slower than the time trials run by John Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma who was driving the Calhoun special #26 owned by Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma; and Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City.

              2nd in the 3-lap Championship Dash, finishing behind Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City.

 Won the 1st 15-lap heat race in 7:54.1.  Russell D. Hill of Arkansas City, Kansas finished 2nd in a Laurel Ford special.

            Feature race winner:  Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving the #30-30 Gallivan special that Fuller co-owned with Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City..

 

August 28, 1928 – ½ mile dirt oval – Valley County Fairgrounds at Ord, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature race winner:  John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska.

 

August 29, 1928 – ½ mile dirt oval – Valley County Fairgrounds at Ord, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature race winner:  Willard C. Prentiss of Denver, Colorado.

 

August 30, 1928 – ½ mile dirt oval – Valley County Fairgrounds at Ord, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature race winner:  John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska.

 

September 3, 1928 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Speedway Park  one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:   Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  3rd in a 15-lap race behind George Lawhon of St. Joseph, Missouri who was driving his own X-3 Lawhon special; and Ira Thomas McIntire of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving a Rajo Ford special #44 owned by Joe Hutchinson who was also from Arkansas City.  Hovenden was able to collect $25 from the purse for this finish.

              Won a 10-lap race over Joe Taylor of Oklahoma City who was driving the Mayfield special #C-13 owned by Carl Mayfield who was also from Oklahoma City.  The victory paid Hovenden $40 from the purse.

              2nd in the 30-lap Cushing Sweepstakes behind John Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Hovenden collected $200 from the purse for his 2nd place finish.

Feature race winner:  John Boling of Tulsa, Oklahoma who was driving the Calhoun special owned by Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

 

September 6, 1928 – ½ mile dirt oval – Ottawa County Fairgrounds at Miami, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Attendance:  4,000

Finish:  2nd in the 2nd 10-lap heat race behind Harley Wells of St. Joseph, Missouri who was driving the Bammell special owned by Lee Bammell of Taylor, Texas.

                          Won the 3rd 10-lap heat race over Rae Bray of Hutchinson, Kansas in his Fronty Ford special.  Hovenden’s winning time was 5:54.0.

  2nd in the 24-lap Grand Sweepstakes race, one-second behind Vern McComb of North Chicago, Illinois driving a Lawhon special #X-3 owned by brothers George and Ernie Lawhon of St. Joseph, Missouri.  Hovenden’s total winnings for the day totaled $215.

Feature race winner:  Vern McComb of North Chicago, Illinois driving a Lawhon special owned by brothers George and Ernie Lawhon of St. Joseph, Missouri.

 

September 8, 1928 – ½ mile dirt oval – Ottawa County Fairgrounds at Miami, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Attendance:  2,000

Finish:  Ran the fastest 2-laps in time trials of 60.8 which died the 2-lap track record held by Dick Calhoun of Cleveland, Oklahoma.

                          2nd in the 1st 10-lap heat race behind Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri in the #700 B & B supercharged Fronty special owned by C. O. Bennett.

                          Won the 24-lap Miami Sweepstakes race over Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri in the #700 B & B supercharged Fronty special owned by C. O. Bennett, in 12:55.8.

Feature race winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Duncan, Oklahoma driving Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 special #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

 

September 29, 1928 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

            Finish:  2nd in the 8-lap 4th heat race behind Bill K. Spence of Los Angeles, California in a Fronty Ford.  The finish earned $40 from the purse for Hovenden.

Feature race winner:  Clyde Gilbert of Boulder, Colorado in a Baker special owned by Howard Baker.

  

April 21, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Fair Park at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  These races were postponed until April 28, 1929 due to cold weather.

  

April 28, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Fair Park at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on Eastern Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden crashed through the fence on the 1st turn of the 1st lap of the 1st 5-car, 10-lap heat race.  He was able to get back onto the racetrack but his car was too badly damaged to continue in the race so he was credited with finishing in 5th place behind Vern McComb of North Chicago, Illinois who was driving the #X3 Lawhon special owned by brothers George and Ernie Lawhon of St. Joseph, Missouri; Bill Spence of Los Angeles, California; Phil Pardec of Los Angeles, California and Joe Hutchinson of Arkansas City, Kansas.

              Won the 2nd 10-lap heat race over Johnny Kreiger of Los Angeles, California.  Hovenden’s winning time was 5:31.6.

Feature Race Winner:  Bill K. Spence of Los Angeles, California

  

May 5, 1929 – 1½ mile dirt oval – Gulf Coast Speedway at Bellaire, Texas – Sanctioned by B.A.R.

Car:  Dual Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Feature Race Winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Oklahoma City who was driving a Fronty Ford owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

 

July 4, 1929 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the scant race results that have been located to date.

Feature race winner:  Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri who was driving the #4 Fronty Ford owned by John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska

 

August 30, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Tillman County Fairgrounds at Frederick, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Won a heat race.

              Won the sweepstakes race.

Feature Race Winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Duncan, Oklahoma

 

September 2, 1929 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Arkansas City Speedway west of Arkansas City, Kansas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Purse:  $590.20 of which $210 was won by Hovenden.

Finish:  Tied with Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving a Gallivan special he co-owned with Joe Hutchinson of Arkansas City, Kansas in time trials, each running one lap of 31.1.  That also tied Fuller’s track record set on July 4, 1929.

  Won the 6-car, 6-lap “Home National Bank Sweepstakes” match race for the 6 fastest cars in time trials over August “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas in a #32 Chrysler special owned by William J. Mahovel, Sr. of Houston, Texas.

             Won the 20-lap “Kanotex Sweepstakes” race over August “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas in a #32 Chrysler special owned by William J. Mahovel, Sr. of Houston, Texas.

Feature Race Winner:  Earl L. Hovenden of Duncan, Oklahoma

 

September 10, 1929 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Speedway Park  one mile north of Cushing, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Won the 2nd 6-lap heat race, finishing only 1½ feet in front of Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving a Gallivan Ford special he co-owned with Joe Hutchinson of Arkansas City, Kansas

  4th in the 6-car sweepstakes race behind Augustus “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas who was driving a Chrysler special #32 owned by William J. “Willie” Mahovel, Sr. of Houston, Texas; Andrew “Cokey” Fuller of Arkansas City, Kansas who was driving a Gallivan Ford special he co-owned with Joe Hutchinson of Arkansas City, Kansas; and George Barringer of Wichita Falls, Texas who was driving the Bammel special owned by Lee Bammel of Taylor, Texas.  The 1st five finishers in this race were “bunched in a length of 50 or 60 yards.”

Feature race winner:  Augustus “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas who was driving a Chrysler special #32 owned by William J. “Willie” Mahovil, Sr. of Houston, Texas.

 

September 12, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Collingsworth County Fairgrounds at Wellington, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Results of these races have yet to be located.

 

September 14, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Collingsworth County Fairgrounds at Wellington, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Results of these races have yet to be located.

 

September 17, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Noble County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature Race Winner:  Sam Hoffman of Sioux City, Iowa

 

September 18, 1929 – ½ mile dirt oval – Noble County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own Single Overhead Cam Fronty Ford #1

Finish:  Hovenden suffered mechanical trouble during the warmup laps and was unable to start any of the events on this afternoon.

Feature Race Winner:  Johnny Kreiger of Rochester, New York who was driving the #7 dual overhead cam Fronty Ford owned by Lloyd Fisher of Longmont, Colorado

 

September 25, 1929 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the brief race results that have been located to date.

Feature race winner:  Chet Gardner of Denver, Colorado who was driving the #47 “Buckeye Duesenberg” owned by Gibson Bradfield

  

December 8, 1929 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published race results of these races.

            Feature race winner:  Wilburn Hartwell “Stubby” Stubbefield of Los Angeles, California in his #18 Simplex Piston Ring special.

 

February 9, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  #40 owned by Ted Simpson.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the brief race results that have been located to date.

Feature race winner:  Swede Smith who was driving the #24 Begg special owned by the Begg brothers.

 

February 23, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  #40 owned by Ted Simpson.

Finish:  Won the 24-lap consolation race over Hermann Schurch.

 Hovenden was involved in a 3-car crash on the on the south turn 17th lap of the 100-lap feature race involving Fred Frame of Los Angeles, California and Johnny Kreiger of Rochester, that put him out of the race, New York.  Frame received minor injuries while the other two drivers escaped unscathed.  That race was won by Walt May of Los Angeles, California who was driving the #7 Deulin special owned by Guy Deulin.

Feature race winner:  Walt May of Los Angeles, California who was driving the #7 Deulin special owned by Guy Deulin.

 

March 9, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Francis Quinn passed both Hovenden and William “Shorty” Cantlon of Los Angeles, California on the final lap to win the 3-car, 2-lap helmet dash by inches but newspaper reports do not say which of the other two competitors finished in 2nd place and which finished in 3rd place.

Feature race winner:  Francis Quinn of Los Angeles, California who drove his own #8 “Dayton Thoroughbred” Miller.

 

March 23, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Won a 5-lap heat race over Mel McKee.

  Won a special 5-lap race over Curley Grandell.

Feature race winner:  Wilburn Hartwell “Stubby” Stubbefield of Los Angeles, California.

 

April 20, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Won the 20-lap consolation race over Jimmy Sharp in 10:26.0.

Feature race winner:  Walt May of Los Angelis, California who was driving the #7 Deulin special owned by Guy Deulin.

 

April 26, 1930 – 1 mile dirt oval – Fresno District Fairgrounds at Fresno, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Won the 20-lap consolation race over Jimmy Sharp in 10:26.0.

Feature race winner:  Walt May of Los Angeles, California who was driving the #7 Deulin special owned by Guy Deulin.

 

May 18, 1930 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the brief race results that have been located to date.

Feature race winner:  Jimmy Sharp driving the #3 car owned by Russell Garnant.

 

May 28, 1930 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Noble County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Results of these races have yet to be located.

 

May 30, 1930 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Noble County Fairgrounds at Duncan, Oklahoma – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Results of these races have yet to be located.

  

June 1, 1930 – ½ mile dirt oval – Fair Park at the Old Oklahoma State Fairgrounds on Eastern Avenue in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the brief race results that have been located to date.

Feature Race Winner:  Mac MaNally of Oklahoma City.

 

June 8, 1930 ½ mile dirt oval Creve Coeur Lake Speedway a.k.a. the Greater St. Louis Speedway at Upper Creve Coeur, Missouri

Finish:  3rd in the 2nd 10-lap heat race behind Sherman “Red” Campbell of Iowa City, Iowa in the #7 Davis special owned by Ed Davis and Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri in the #700 supercharged Fronty Ford owned by Charles O. Bennett.

 DNF in the 60-lap feature race but was awarded 7th place behind Sherman “Red” Campbell of Iowa City, Iowa in the #7 Davis special owned by Ed Davis; Harold Denman “Pete” Alberts of Vincennes, Indiana in a Chevrolet; Howard “ Speed” Adams of Des Moines, Iowa in the #300 Kinsey special owned by Joe Kinsey; Bryan Saulpaugh in the #100 Howe Hisso owned by William T. “Bill” Howe; Howard Omar “Howdy” Wilcox of Indianapolis, Indiana in the #1 Chevrolet Brothers Fronty Ford and Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri in the #700 supercharged Fronty Ford owned by Charles O. Bennett.

Feature race winner:  Sherman “Red” Campbell of Iowa City, Iowa in the #7 Davis special owned by Ed Davis.

  

July 4, 1930 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – West Texas State Fairgrounds at Abilene, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden entered his own S-R Fronty Ford #50 built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas, for driver Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth of Houston, Texas to drive.

Finish:  Did not compete as he participated a driver’s strike for a guaranteed purse proposed to include larger purses plus $100 for each of the strike participants.

Feature race winner:  Francis Quinn of Los Angeles, California who drove his own #8 “Dayton Thoroughbred” Miller.

 

July 13, 1930 – 5/8 mile dirt oval – Oil Belt Speedway at Breckenridge, Texas – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Hovenden entered his own S-R Fronty Ford #50 built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas, for driver Anthony M. “Booby” DeMuth of Houston, Texas to drive.

            Feature race winner:  Anthony Madison “Booby” DeMuth of Houston, Texas in the S-R Fronty Ford #50 built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas and owned by Hovenden.

 

August 22, 1930 – ½ mile dirt oval – Dawson County Fairgrounds at Lexington, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden entered his own S-R Fronty Ford #50 built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  4th in the 20-lap feature race behind Bert Ficken of Omaha, Nebraska who was driving the a dual overhead cam Fronty Ford owned by John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska; Sam Hoffman of Sioux City, Iowa driving a dual overhead cam Fronty Ford owned by Felix B. Morosco and Johnny Kreiger of Rochester, New York who was driving a Miller owned by Vic Felt of Deer Trail, Colorado.

Feature race winner:  Bert Ficken of Omaha, Nebraska who was driving a dual overhead cam Fronty Ford owned by John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska

 

August 26, 1930 – ½ mile dirt oval – Valley County Fairgrounds at Ord, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Fronty Ford #69 built and owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  4th in time trials with a 1-lap time of 28.64 which was only slower than the times turned in by Sam Hoffman of Sioux City, Iowa in a dual overhead cam Fronty Ford owned by Felix B. Morosco; John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special and Johnny Kreiger of Rochester, New York who was driving a dual overhead cam Fronty Ford.

            Won the 2nd 10-lap heat race over Bert Ficken of Omaha, Nebraska in 4:57.14.

              2nd in the 20-lap feature race behind John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

Feature race winner:  John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

 

August 27, 1930 – ½ mile dirt oval – Valley County Fairgrounds at Ord, Nebraska – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Attendance:  10,000

Car:  Fronty Ford #69 built and owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish:  2nd in the 2nd 10-lap heat race behind Lew Reynolds of St. Joseph, Missouri.

 DNF in the 14-car, 20-lap feature race.  “During the feature, Hovenden lost control in Kerb’s car, cut off a 12-inch post, went through the three-foot guard fence and over the bank of the track.  He was on his feet when aid reached him.  He had gashes on his face and neck but no bones (were) broken.” - - - quote by John Gerber from his book, “Outlaw Sprint Car Racer”.  A report on the same incident in the Columbus Telegram newspaper, Columbus, Nebraska contradicted that reporting that he suffered a broken jaw.

Feature race winner:  John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

 

September 5, 1930 – ½ mile dirt oval – Boulder County Fairgrounds at Longmont, Colorado – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Hovenden’s own S-R Fronty Ford #50 that had been built by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas.

Finish: “The crash occurred at the west end of the track during the 7th lap of the 10-mile (feature) race.  According to race officials, Clyde Gilbert of Brighton, (Colorado,) driving #3 (owned by Howard Baker) skidded at the turn and, while straightening out, crashed with Earl Hovenden of Otis, Kans., in #50.  (Vern) Anderson (of Greeley, Colorado), who was driving behind the two (in a car owned by Lloyd Fisher of Longmont, Colorado), was unable to avoid their machines.  Some say Anderson’s machine turned over three times.  Gilbert and Hovenden escaped with slight bruises, but all three machines were considerably damaged.”  Anderson was seriously injured. - - - quote from the September 8, 1930 issue of the Greeley (Colorado) Daily Tribune, page 6.

 

September 14, 1930 – 144-mile road – International Highway between Laredo, Texas and Monterrey, Mexico

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the limited published results of this race.

Feature race winner:  Bill Campbell of San Antonio, Texas driving a Chrysler roadster.

 

            Hovenden appears to have sold his S-R Fronty Ford #50 around the end of 1930 to George Young a.k.a. “The Fox Point Flash”, who was a single, 26-year-old garage mechanic that had moved to Southern California from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to compete in the A.A.A. sanctioned races in the area.  With the #50 still painted on the car, Young managed to qualify for the first 100-lap feature race of the 1931 racing season at Legion Ascot Speedway on January 25, 1931.  On the 29th lap of that race, Young was involved in a 4-car accident that took his life.

  

January 25, 1931 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Bullock Boring special #76 owned by Noel E. Bullock of Los Angeles, California.

Finish:  3rd in the 100-lap feature race behind William “Shorty” Cantlon of Los Angeles, California and Mauri Rose who was also from Los Angeles, California.  George Young of Milwaukee, Wisconsin was fatally injured in a 3-car crash on the 29th lap of this race.

            Feature race winner:  William “Shorty” Cantlon of Los Angeles, California driving the #4 Miller owned by “Hollywood” Bill White.

  

February 1, 1931 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

Car:  Bullock Boring special #76 owned by Noel E. Bullock of Los Angeles, California.

Finish:  3rd in the 40-lap feature race behind Bill Cummings of Indianapolis, Indiana in the blue #35 Fronty Ford owned by W. B. Hewson and Wilburn Hartwell “Stubby” Stubbefield of Los Angeles, California in the #5 car owned by Art Sparks..

            Feature race winner:  Bill Cummings of Indianapolis, Indiana

  

February 22, 1931 – 5/8 mile oiled dirt oval – Legion Ascot Speedway at Lincoln Heights, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Bullock Boring special #76 owned by Noel E. Bullock of Los Angeles, California.

Finish:  3rd in the 2nd 10-lap heat race behind Lou Moore in the #22 Gilmore Lion owned by Peter de Paolo and Chris Vest and the #24 owned by Fred Engbarth.

DNF but credited with a 12th place finish in the 25-mile feature race behind Ernie Triplett of Belvedere, California in the #6 Allen special owned by D. J. McCarthy; Wilburn Hartwell “Stubby” Stubbefield of Los Angeles, California in the #5 owned by Art Sparks; Chet Gardner in the #47 Miller owned by G. D. Harrison; Lou Moore in the #22 Gilmore Lion owned by Peter de Paolo; Billy Winn in the #36 Fronty Ford owned by Eddie Sejnost; Bill Cummings of Indianapolis, Indiana in the #35 Fronty Ford owned by W. B. Hewson; Herman Schurch driving the #29 Western Super special Clemons owned by Eddie Sejnost; Mel Kenealy driving the #18 owned by John Sticker; Chris Vest driving the #24 owned by Fred Engbarth; Al Gordon driving the #7 owned by Eddie Meyer and Walt May driving the #3 owned by Francis M. Quinn.

            Feature race winner:  Ernie Triplett of Belvedere, California in the #6 Allen special owned by D. J. McCarthy.

 

March 1, 1931 1 mile dirt oval Kern County Fairgrounds at Bakersfield, California – Sanctioned by A.A.A.

            Car:  Bullock Boring special #76 owned by Noel E. Bullock of Los Angeles, California.

Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature race winner:  Ernie Triplett of Belvedere, California in the #6 Allen special owned by D. J. McCarthy.

 

May 30, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – Stull Speedway south of Lamar, Colorado

           Finish:  Hovenden’s name does not appear in the published results of these races.

Feature race winner:  Bill Epps of Oakley, Kansas who was driving the P.E.B. special owned by brothers Pete and Ernie Bertrand.

 

May 31, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – Stull Speedway south of Lamar, Colorado

            Feature race winner:  Earl Hovenden of Los Angeles, California.

 

June 5, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – Smithville Fairgrounds at Smithville, Missouri – Sanctioned by I.M.C.A.

           Attendance:  3,500

Car:  Frontenac Ford special #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas

Finish:  3rd in time trials behind Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri and John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his own #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

                         Won the 2nd heat race over Maynard Clark.

            3rd in in the 30-lap feature race behind John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa in his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special, and Bert Ficken of Omaha, Nebraska driving a car owned by John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska.

            Feature race winner:  John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his own #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

 

June 28, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – Smithville Fairgrounds at Smithville, Missouri – Sanctioned by I.M.C.A.

           Car:  Frontenac Ford special #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas

Finish:  3rd in time trials behind Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri and John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his own #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

                         Won the 2nd heat race over Maynard Clark.

            3rd in in the 30-lap feature race behind John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa in his #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special, and Bert Ficken of Omaha, Nebraska driving a car owned by John Bagley of Omaha, Nebraska.

            Feature race winner:  John Gerber of Stanwood, Iowa driving his own #15 Chevrolet special being passed off as a Whippet special.

 

July 26, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – Airway Park at Clovis, New Mexico – Sanctioned by M.R.A.

Finish:  Hovenden entered these races but his name does not appear in the race results

Feature race winner:  Matt Ward of Duncan, Oklahoma who was driving car #11.

  

August 2, 1931 – ½ mile dirt oval – American Legion Speedway at Oakley, Kansas – Sanctioned by C.A.R.A.

            Car:  Frontenac Ford special #K-1 owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas

Finish:  Few results of these races have been located to date.

Feature race winner:  Pat Cunningham of St. Joseph, Missouri driving a Kerbs special owned by Leonard Kerbs of Otis, Kansas  [Note:  Although both cars entered by Leonard Kerbs in these races were Fronty Fords with the same car number, they were two different cars.]

 

Hovenden finished in sixth place in the 1931 A.A.A. Pacific Coast Championship behind Ernie Triplett, Wilburn Hartwell “Stubby” Stubbefield, William “Shorty” Cantlon, Bill Cummings and Mauri Rose but the contest board of the American Automobile Association (A.A.A.) had met in the spring of 1931 and acted on a petition by D. H. Jefferies, who had been the A.A.A. representative at the races at Abilene, Texas on July 4, 1930.  The contest board handed out lifetime suspensions from A.A.A. sanctioned races, to the strike leaders and lesser suspensions to the others who took part.  The four leaders of the strike called on that date were identified as: Harry Milburn of Ft. Worth, Texas; Lee Bammel of Taylor, Texas; Johnny Lee of San Angelo, Texas and Augustus “Cotton” Grable of Houston, Texas.  The other participants in the action were identified as: Gene Frederick of Dallas, Texas; M. T. Wells of San Antonio, Texas; George Barringer of Duncan, Oklahoma; Earl Hovenden of Duncan, Oklahoma; Maxie Brooks of San Antonio, Texas; M. H. Evans of Dallas, Texas and W. E. Granger of Dallas, Texas.

The A.A.A. contest board’s ruling left him unable to continue racing on a professional level, so the Hovendens moved to Los Griegos, New Mexico where they made their new home.

In the spring of 1939, former driver, Johnny Lee, separated from his wife and moved from San Angelo, Texas to Albuquerque, New Mexico to try his hand at promoting auto races.  Lee approached Hovenden to see if he would be interested in becoming the official flagman / starter for the stock car and midget races that Lee planned to promote at the Hell’s Half Acre racetrack at Albuquerque and the Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New, Mexico.  Hovenden excepted Lee’s offer and served as flagman for him that summer.  Probably the best-known competitor in Johnny Lee’s promotions that summer was Jerome Henry “Jerry” Henry Unser, Sr. (1899-1967), patriarch of the famous racing Unser family of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Johnny Lee’s foray into auto racing promotion was not successful and, by August 21, 1939, both racetracks had closed.

Earl Hovenden, Sr. appears to have had a little trouble completely retiring from driving race cars:

 

July 30, 1939 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.

Cars:  Midgets

Finish:  Floyd Roberts won the 2nd 7-lap heat race in 3:58.0 followed by Earl Hovenden, Jerry Unser, Sr. and Aaron Baca.

  Ernie Burnett won the 5-lap match race in 2:40.0.  Earl Hovenden finished in 2nd place.

  Floyd Roberts won the 15-lap handicap race in 9:06.0.  He was followed by Henry Puccetti in Jerry Unser’s Unser special and Earl Hovenden.

Feature Race Winner:  Floyd Roberts of Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

August 20, 1939 – ½ mile oiled dirt oval – Navajo Speedway at Elkins, New Mexico – Sanctioned by A.A.R.C.

Car:  Midget

Finish:  2nd in the 2nd 4-car, 7-lap heat race behind Floyd Roberts.

  2nd in the 2-car, 5-lap match race behind Ernie Burnett in the Kubby special from El Paso, Texas.

  3rd in the 5-car, 35-lap handicap sweepstakes race behind Floyd Roberts and Henry Puccetti who was driving Jerry Unser’s car.

Feature Race Winner:  Floyd Roberts of Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

November 5, 1939 – ½ mile dirt oval – Coronado Gardens west of Albuquerque, New Mexico

Car:  Graham special #18 midget

Attendance:  1,200

Finish:  9th fastest lap in time trials of 44.0 seconds.  That was only slower than the times turned in by Ernie Burnett, Aaron Baca (who was driving a midget owned by the race’s promoter, Jerry Unser), Charles Bergin, Ervin Hadley, Shorty Barnett, George Roberts, Lon Robinson and Bill Graham.

Feature Race Winner:  Ernie Burnett of Albuquerque, New Mexico

 

On the morning of August 29, 1955, Earl Hovenden, Sr. was working for the Lembke, Clough & King construction company who were contractors building a new sewage disposal plant at Farmington, New Mexico.  That day, Hovenden fell 17 feet from a scaffolding and was hospitalized with serious head injuries.  By that night, he was reported to be at least “resting comfortably.”

When Hovenden recovered from his injuries, he sued Lembke, Clough & King and then went to work as an installer / repairman for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Later, he changed occupations and became an “Iron worker”.

On February 12, 1966, Earl L. Hovenden, Jr., who resided with his parents, came home to discover the bodies of his parents and their dog in the family home at Tijeras, New Mexico.  Apparently, they had been asphyxiated by a leak in their portable butane heater.  Earl Hovenden, Sr. is buried in Sunset Memorial Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  His brother, Pearl Paul “Mike” Hovenden (1905-1978), is buried beside him and Earl’s wife, Iva L. Hovenden, is also buried beside Earl, although her grave is not marked.

If you know anything more about Earl Hovenden, Sr. and his involvement in auto racing, please contact Bob Lawrence at: sprintguy @ cox.net