1955 Race Results
Sat., May 21
Staley Wins Feature As Race Season Begins
Bob Staley, of Warsaw, won the first feature race of the 1955 stock car racing program at the Warsaw Speedway, flashing home ahead of the field in the 25-lap windup Saturday night. Jack Riley, of Huntington, and Arden Leiter, of Warsaw, finished second and third, respectively, in the feature race as a large crowd turned out for the season opener at the speedway, located at the county fairgrounds. Threatening weather failed to hold down the enthusiasm of the fans, and they were treated to some exciting races.
Staley had a great night. In addition to winning the feature event, he also won the race between the six fastest qualifiers and one of the four 10-lap heat races. Other heat winners were Leiter, Riley, and Ronnie Hile, of Columbia City.
Sat., June 11
Midgets Attract Big Crowd At Local Speedway
The midget race cars attracted a large crowd to the Warsaw Speedway Saturday night, with Bob McLean, of South Bend, winning the feature race after a close duel with Freddie Boggs, of Warsaw. The cars driven by McLean and Boggs raced practically bumper to bumper for several laps before McLean finally won. Tom Ward, of Lafayette, finished third. The heat races were won by George Renfro, of Finley, Ohio; Louie Herrold, of Three Rivers, Mich; Hank Dumon, of Lafayette; and Jim Deck, of Elwood. Renfro also won the race between the six fastest qualifiers.
There were many thrills, including a collision in which Cowboy Likes, of Millersburg, had his car bumped six or seven times. Likes had to be taken to the hospital due to a head injury, but it proved only minor and he returned to the track before the races were completed. The excitement evidently was too much for his wife, who fainted at her husband's mishap, and she, too, had to be taken to the hospital for treatment. Next Saturday night the stock cars will resume at the speedway.
Sat., June 18
Johnson Wins Stock Car Feature
Another fine evening of stock car racing was enjoyed by a large crowd Saturday night at the Warsaw Speedway, with a local favorite, Art Johnson, speeding home ahead of the field in the 25-lap feature race. Johnson's car finished ahead of Kenny Leiter, of Warsaw, who was second, and Jim Hullinger, of Bunker Hill, who was third. There were the usual thrills and spills, but no serious mishaps. Many new cars and drivers were on hand.
A Kentucky man, Don Neusbaum, of Newport, won the race between the six fastest qualifiers. There was a special eight-lap race for "jalopies", and this event was won by Paul Brown, of Warsaw. Leiter, in addition to being runner-up in the feature, also won the consolation race. Winners of heat races were Walt Potter, of Huntertown, harry Rhodes, of Plymouth, Archie Holle, of Warsaw, and Jim Hullinger, of Bunker Hill. Thirty minutes of the racing action are broadcast each Saturday night over Radio Stations WRSW AM and FM by the Lewis Oil Company, Perry Shell, and Sisk Shell, all of Warsaw, and Burch Shell, of near Silver Lake.
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!!
