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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.
Nemaha County Historical Society
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