1950 Race Results
Sat., June 3
Four-Car Crash At Local Races
A four-car crash in the feature event provided the highlight of thrills Saturday night at the stock car races held at the Warsaw Speedway, but fortunately the drivers escaped with only minor cuts and bruises.
Bernie Vondron, veteran Fort Wayne driver, came out on top in the feature, with Dick Hire running a close second. The yellow flag was out during a major portion of the event. The first crash came when Don Nusbaum, of Warsaw, went through the fence and struck the end of the concrete grandstand. Several laps later and at almost the same spot on the track, a car driven by Boots Lee, of Huntington, struck a disabled car which in turn hit a car driven by Don Plummer. The impact caused Plummer's car to climb the fence and overturn.
At this point, Bob Malcolm attempted to avoid the wreckage caused by the other three vehicles and also struck the fence in front of the grandstand. All four cars were disabled. During these hectic minutes, the crowd in the grandstand was on its feet screaming, racing cars were sliding in all directions to avoid the wreckage, and the official timer left the judges' stand in considerable haste and did not return until the race was ended. The judges' stand had been nipped during three or four races by skidding cars.
While the feature race provided most of the fireworks, the other events, too, had their exciting moments. Winners of the other races during the evening were Dick Hire, Jake Simmerman, Bob Silveus of Etna Green, and Jim Lozier of Warsaw. The "Powder Puff" derby was won by Mena Potter. These women drivers put on an exciting show, and Laverne Smith, of Huntertown, wrecked her car trying to take the lead. The speedway will be the scene of hot-rod races on Wednesday night.
Tues., July 4
Speedway Track Record Broken By Russ Brown
Russ Brown, of North Manchester, took another 0.3 seconds off his track record during the stock car races at the Warsaw Speedway Tuesday night and walked away with top honors by winning the feature event, a 25-lap race. Dick Heeter, of North Manchester, was second. Brown got his chance to win when Rusty Hartman, who was leading, threw a wheel in front of the grandstand and had to come into the infield. Francis Ruff finished third. Just last Saturday night, Brown had set a new track record with his lap of 19.28 seconds. Tuesday night he made it in 19.25 seconds.
Francis Ruff, of Laporte, won the first heat race, which lasted only seven of the scheduled 10 laps due to the fact that several of the 11 cars entered had collisions. Bud Shlater won the second heat, with Don Plummer finishing second and Jake Zimmerman, of Warsaw, third. Micky Potter won the third heat, ahead of Jack Higley and Joe Cutler. The fourth heat was won by Norm Wiese, with Rollin Smith second and Don Esterline third.
In the special "powder puff" race for women, the winner was Betty Smith, of North Manchester, Edna Tracy was second, and Pat Fraley, third. Rusty Hartman won the first consolation race, ahead of Bob Keller and Olin Friar. The second consolation was won by Art Smith. Dick Heeter was second and Clarence Rousch was third. The stock cars will race again at the Speedway on Saturday night, with time trials starting at 7 o'clock and the first race at 8:30.
1949-1959 Newspaper microfilm research conducted by
Marge Priser, Local Historical Researcher.
Without her hours of work, suggestions, and encouragement, this site would not be complete!!
Thanks Marge!!
