Johnny Mullink No. 27

Abpve this is Johnny in 1963.  Photo taken at a race at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids.  This

car would of been driven in the MVSC in 1963 we think...although another source showed this photo and said

It was 1965.  Here is what was said from Davenport Iowa history page- "John Mullink was from West Liberty. His jalopy, car No. 27 would later be sponsored by Barb's Tap of Coralville. He passed away on September 16, 2006, at the age of 76. H was a graduate of West Liberty High School in 1947 then served for 2 years with the United States Army during the Korean conflict. He was a millwright with Thatcher Plastics in Muscatine for 32 years. He raced jalopies from the 1950s to the late 1960's enjoying much success. Thanks to Midwest Racing Archive for the facebook

share of this photo.

Thanks to Jodi Ross Vantiger for sharing this on facebook.

Thanks to Tom Prymek for sharing the above photo on Facebook.

Below Posted by Kyle Ealy on facebook-

Caption correction....John Mullink is not from Webster City.

Mullink won the 20-lap Mississippi Valley Speed Club feature at West Liberty on August 5, 1967. Mullink finished a couple of car lengths ahead of John Moss and MVSC points leader Mark Mosier. The victory earned Mullink a trip for two to Florida.

Johnny Mullink was from West Liberty if I remember right. Not Webster City it was a missprint.  He was always a contender and had his share of wins.  I remember this car when I was young.  The photo says is was printed in October of 1967, so we will assume that this was taken in the Summer/fall of 1967.  It looks like it was taken at the Muscatine County Fairgrounds track in West Liberty.   Click on image to see it bigger.

This from the Muscatine Journal July 2, 1965

John Mullink Leads MVSC John Mullink of West Liberty leads the Mississippi Valley Speedway Club in total points scored with .1,070. Mark Mosier of Washington Is second with 750. Dick McClure of Burlington is third with 715. and Burlington's Bob Ensminger is fourth, totaling 680 points. Other point getters are John Moss. Iowa City, 500: Mel Morris. West Liberty, 500: Mike Niffenegger, Kalona, 445; Neil Mellenger, Burlington, 355; Bob Hindbaugh, Muscatine. 350; Bob Kleindolph, Muscatine, 350; Stan Crooks, Letts. 320; and Ron Hemsted, Lone Tree, 315.  Below you can see Johnny's car in the background,

Kyle Ealy shared the this photo below on facebook from HRN

Start talking about the Mississippi Valley Speed Club days and most likely, John Mullink's name will come up in the conversation. Here's John after he won a heat race at Columbus Junction on June 2, 1967.

Below is a photo of Ron Prymek who was driving for Johnny Mullink in 1968.  Thanks to Tom Prymek for sharing this on Facebook.

Ron Hemsted's car is in the background. Photo taken at West Liberty. 

Thanks to Gale Reed for the photo below of Johnny taken in 1963 or 64

That might be Chuck Smith's No. 38 driving behind Johnny's car.

This is a good photo of Johnny isn't it. Denny Poulson thinks John standing by the car, Earl Titterington ,Neal WIcks,and I think Don Pantel neeling by the car.

Below, Johnny's Car at Mt Pleasant track

John passed away in 2006.

John E. Mullink, 76, died Saturday, September 16, 2006, at Simpson Memorial Home in West Liberty, following an extended illness. Funeral services were Wednesday, September 20, at the Henderson-Barker Funeral Home in West Liberty, with Chris Wilson officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Oak Ridge Cemetery in West Liberty. Memorials may be made to the West Liberty Fire and Rescue Unit.

He was born August 18, 1930, in West Liberty, the son of Arnold and Mary Fuhs Mullink.

He was a graduate of West Liberty High School in 1947. He had served for two years with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.

On April 23, 1960, he was united in marriage to Fontelle Beinke in Rock Island, Illinois.

For 32 years, he had worked as a millwright with Thatcher Plastics in Muscatine, retiring in 1992.

He raced jalopies and stock cars upon returning home from Korea, from the 1950s through the late 1960s on many of Eastern Iowa’s dirt tracks, enjoying much success and many feature wins, as well as building roadsters and a sprint car.

He was a member of the American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Fontelle, of West Liberty; two sons, Mike (Donna) Mullink of West Liberty and Tony (Terri) Mullink of Iowa City; a grandson, Mick Mullink; and one brother, Arnold Mullink, of Muscatine.

He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Anna Belle; and a grandson, Ben.