1966 Opening Night Morris Wins Feature

April 30, 1966 West Liberty- Hometowner Mel Morris grabbed most of the honors on the first stock car racing program here Saturday night.

Morris started in the 2nd fastest qualifying time, won the trophy dash and a heat race and the 20 lap feature event.

The grandstand was nearly filled on a chilly night for the opening program of "new look" races sanctioned by the Mississippi Valley

Speedway Club.

Rules were explained this year to permit drivers to use up through 1957 models. Modifacations may be made to the older "jalopies"

to enable them to compete with the newer cars.

Defending driver point champ, Mark Mosier of Washington, switched from a Buick to a 57 Pontiac this year, lead the time trials by turning

the half mile track in 25.50 seconds. However he tore the transmission out of his car getting away from a standing start on the trophy dash.

Trouble also plagued the no 3 qualifier, Johnny Moss of Iowa City, as he ripped the rear end out of his car as the trophy dash started. Mosier and Moss were finished for the night and Morris showed that his 57 Chevrolet was the hottest thing on the track. He got a close battle from Bob Ensminger of Burlington in the trophy dash but had an easier time in the heat race and feature in which Ensminger was also second. Ensminger won one heat race to be the only non Muscatine area driver to do so. Other winners were veteran John Mullink of West Liberty and Walt Carney of West Branch and rookie Dave Dodder of Letts.

The three and a half hour program had only a few minor mishaps. First driver to be involved in a rollover was Ron Johnson of Iowa City who filipped his car coming out of the number 2 turn.

Races will be held Saturday night in Columbus Junction and return to West Liberty on Saturday, May 14.

Opening night results:

Fastest Qualifiers- 1. Mark Mosier, Washington 25.50 2. Mel Morris, West Liberty 26.04 3. John Moss, Iowa City 26.51 4. Bob Ensminger, Burlington 26.76 5. Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree 26.79

Trophy Dash- 1. Mel Morris 2. Ensminger 3. Ron Johnson, Iowa City.

1st Heat- 1. John Mullink, West Liberty 2. Mike Neffenegger, Kalona, 3. Ora Pearson, Iowa City 4. Bill Pollmeier, La Harpe, ILL.

2nd Heat- 1. Morris 2. Bill Newman, Burlinton 3. Johnson 4. John Brumley, Iowa City

3rd Heat- 1. Walt Carney, West Branch 2. Bob Smith, Mt Pleasant 3. Jim Mitchell, Burlinton 4. George Mulvaney, West Liberty

4th Heat- 1. Ensminger 2. Tom Stewart, Washington 3. Harvey Starman, Lockridge 4. Richard Burhop, Muscatine

Semi Main- 1, Dave Dodder, Letts, 2. Stan Crooks, Letts 3. Ron Leicander, Burlington 4. Jesse Haller, Muscatin

Feature- 1. Morris 2. Ensminger 3.Mullink 4. Smith 5. Newman