1954 Race Results
Art Johnson receiving the "Fitch Award" from Hoot Gibson on 09/06/54
Sat., May 29 & Mon., May 31
Holle, Johnson Win Races Here Over Holidays
Archie Holle, veteran Warsaw stock car race driver, used his brand new car to win the feature event yesterday afternoon during the holiday racing program at the Warsaw Speedway. Art Johnson, of Warsaw, who had won the feature race on Saturday night, finished second behind Holle, and Dick Briggs, of Coesse, was third.
During the time trials, Cecil Grossnickle's car hit the wall head-on. Grossnickle, of North Manchester, was not hurt, but the front of his car was practically demolished. It was announced that the races will be held on Saturday nights instead of on Fridays, starting this week. Highlights of the racing program are broadcast over Radio Stations WRSW AM and FM each week.
The races last Saturday night were held due to rain on Friday night. Johnson won the feature event, and was followed across the finish line by Bob Staley, of Warsaw, and Ronnie Hile. The first three cars were close all the way. Heat winners Saturday night were Bob France, of Wabash, Bob Staley, Red Creech, of Columbia City, Cecil Grossnickle and Dick Briggs. In the feature race Saturday, Gale Smith, of Warsaw, while fighting for second place, hit the wall on the last lap. He was not injured.
Sat., June 5
Johnson Wins Feature Race
Three Warsaw drivers finished one-two-three in the feature stock car race Saturday night at the Warsaw Speedway, with Art Johnson crossing the finish line first, ahead of Archie Holle and Gale Smith in the 25-lap event. The track was in good condition, and the races were excellent. Several of the events found the first two or three cars practically side by side at the finish line. A large field of entries was on hand, including some whose appearances were unexpected.
All of the drivers are fighting for points which will determine the winner of the huge trophy at the end of the season. A fine card of racing is anticipated for next Saturday night over WRSW AM and FM. Heat winners last Saturday were Forest Enger, of Columbia City, Tony Viera, of Marion, J.R. Dear, Columbia City, and Jim Salesman, also of Columbia City.
Johnson, in addition to winning the feature race, also won the six lap event between the six fastest qualifiers. Art Riley, of Marion, won the race between the six slowest qualifiers, and Cecil Grossnickle, of North Manchester, was first in the 15-lap consolation race.
Sat., June 12
Columbia City Driver Wins 50-Lap Feature
A large crowd was on hand at the Warsaw Speedway Saturday night to see this area's best stock car race drivers compete for various trophies donated by merchants. The big race, of course, was the special 50-lap feature, and the winner was Junior Dear, of Columbia City, who finished ahead of Art Johnson and Gale Smith, who were second and third, respectively. Dear thus captured the first place trophy and also received a beautiful wrist watch from Ward's Jewelry store.
The races provided many thrills and the usual amount of collisions, but there were no injuries. The track was "lightening fast", having been baked under 90 degree temperatures during the day. Winners of 10-lap heat races were Jim Salesman, of Churubusco, Mike Klingerman, of Warsaw, Art Johnson, of Warsaw, and Ned Spaz, of Huntington. Bob Staley, of Warsaw, won the six-lap event between the six fastest qualifiers, and Bob Morris, of Wabash, crossed the finish line first in the race for the six slowest qualifiers. The 15-lap consolation race was won by Red Creech, of Columbia City.
Sat., June 19
Rain Washes Out Stock Car Races, Baseball Game
The rain storm Saturday night forced cancellation of the scheduled stock car races at the Warsaw Speedway and also the American Legion junior baseball game at the city park diamond between Warsaw and Ligonier.
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!!
