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Speedway Drivers

Below is a consolidated list combining the partial driver’s list and the program entry list. Where the same driver appears on multiple lists, I combined the information. If there are differences between the sources, I preserved both.

DriverCar Number(s)MotorCity / State
Richard Ashby76β€”St. Joseph, MO
Von E. Beckβ€”β€”β€”
Leon Becker2Lβ€”Centralia, KS
Bill Bennett4Bβ€”Seneca, KS
Jerry Bergman33Β½β€”β€”
Vernie Bergman71FordBaileyville/Seneca, KS (program: Seneca, KS)
Leland Bickford77JR, 77 Jr.ChevroletHolton, KS
Bob Beers44FordSt. Joseph, MO
Herbert “Herbie” Bontrager7β€”Seneca, KS
Darvin “Shorty” Burkholder00/F1/149, 00FordGoff, KS
Freddy Brown5β€”β€”
Larry Capsey33β€”Soldier, KS (typed list misspells as “Solider”)
Leo Crevier4FordSeneca, KS
Albert ChauzaX6β€”Bern, KS
Roger Christensen / Christenson1/7JR/63/F6, 1, 7 Jr.FordHiawatha/Topeka, KS (typed list); Hiawatha, KS (program)
Stanley Cry62/72, 72FordHiawatha, KS
Don Elliott11β€”Topeka, KS
George Fairchildβ€”β€”β€”
Gary Fairchild / Fairfield17/Sweet 16, Sweet 16FordHolton, KS
Junior Freeman149/211, 211FordGoff/Fairview, KS (typed list); Fairview, KS (program)
Ray Funk2 Tonβ€”Oneida, KS
Allen Grose2 Ton, 2TONBuick (with Funk)Oneida, KS
Fred Gauchot101 BlackFordAuburn, NE
Bob GentryK9/44/Chey11, 44FordGoff, KS
James Goodsonβ€”β€”Auburn, NE
Jerry Hayesβ€”β€”Topeka, KS
Raymond HawleyF11β€”Goff, KS
Jack Harper36β€”Tecumseh, KS
Louis Hoppe83JR/1/IH, 83 Jr.FordGoff/Sabetha, KS (typed list); Sabetha, KS (program)
Dallas Hoffmanβ€”β€”Netawaka, KS
Larry JarrettChevy IIβ€”Seneca, KS
Pete Joslin3/1H, 3FordHiawatha, KS
Derold Johnstone61β€”Goff, KS
Wally Kathrens7β€”Holton, KS
Chuck Kloepper59ChevroletHiawatha, KS
Bert Koch101/202β€”Fairview, KS
Koch & Meyer101FordFairview, KS
Stan Kreie72β€”Hiawatha, KS
Frank Lewis111FordManhattan, KS
Joe LoveK-9β€”Seneca, KS
Dick Lux11/1/5β€”Valley Falls, KS
Jack LuxBloody 13β€”β€”
Duane McDougal5/1/2, 5Β½FordDeSoto, KS
Jack McLaughlin340ChevroletSeneca, KS
Ray Marrsβ€”β€”Kansas City, KS
Marvin MerrittFrosty 0β€”Goff, KS
Andy Melburn8 Juniorβ€”β€”
Gale Nightingaleβ€”β€”Corning, KS
Mack Nightingaleβ€”β€”Corning, KS
Bob OlberdingLazy 1β€”Corning, KS
Bob Pack77β€”β€”
Kenny (Kenneth) Palmer7FordSeneca, KS
Bill Reynolds76FordSt. Joseph, MO
Larry Rilinger2Lβ€”Goff, KS
Dwight Robertsonβ€”β€”Hiawatha, KS
Dale Rock4R/3Bottles, 4BFordFairview, KS (typed list); Seneca, KS (program)
Clyde Salvinβ€”β€”St. Joseph, MO
Wesley SelmanXXXDodgeHiawatha, KS
Norman Shields111/IH/211, 111FordFairview, KS
Ralph Simon10/22, 10FordPowhattan, KS (typed list); Horton, KS (program)
Albert SkochRed Ballβ€”Sabetha, KS
Joe Smithβ€”β€”Pawnee City, NE
Ed Smith77JRβ€”Holton, KS
Steve Smith21FordTroy, KS
Frances (Francis) SelmanRed BallFordSabetha, KS
Cletus “Chief” Samqua / Sanequa441/11, 441FordPowhattan/Topeka, KS (typed list); Sabetha, KS (program)
Leon Spain11β€”β€”
Rasty Stevensβ€”β€”β€”
Floyd VanDongeF1FordSoldier, KS
Squirrel Worley11 Jr.DodgeSeneca, KS
Bill Weese10%FordSt. Joseph, MO
Stanley Widman800PlymouthHiawatha, KS

Interesting observations

  • The program list appears to be a snapshot of a particular race or season, while the driver list spans several years. That explains differences in car numbers and hometowns.
  • Several drivers are shown with multiple car numbers, suggesting they changed cars or classes over time:
    • Roger Christensen
    • Junior Freeman
    • Bob Gentry
    • Ralph Simon
    • Cletus “Chief” Samqua
    • Darvin “Shorty” Burkholder
  • There are a few spelling variations:
    • Christensen / Christenson
    • Fairchild / Fairfield
    • Francis / Frances Selman
    • Samqua / Sanequa
    • Kenny / Kenneth Palmer
  • Some apparent hometown changes (e.g., Dale Rock, Ralph Simon, Chief Samqua) may reflect either errors, moves, or differences between the event program and the later compiled list.