IRISH HILLS 250 August 16, 1969

IRISH HILLS 250

Irish Hills, Mich. August 16, 1969

The 24 ^th Grand Touring race of 1969 was held at the Michigan International Speedway, a 2 mile paved superspeedway. Jim Paschal started on the pole and led the first 33 laps before Tiny Lund led the next 6 laps. Paschal went back out front on lap 41 but had engine failure on the 54 ^th lap that ended his day. Ken Rush then led his first laps of the day thru lap 65 when Phil Kendrick would lead 9 laps. From there it was Rush and Pete Hamilton swapping the lead. Hamilton had clocked the fastest qualifying lap but it was on the second day of qualifying. Rush led laps 76 thru 87, then Hamilton led laps 88 and 89. Rush went back out front for 2 laps then Hamilton led laps 93 thru 102 when he starting experiencing engine trouble. Rush would regain the lead and led laps 103 thru 125 to score his second victory of the year. The win also gave Ken the point lead over Frank Sessoms.

There were 6 cautions for 35 laps and only 11 of the 33 starters were running at the finish. Three cars were start and park entries. Twelve experienced engine failure with C. B. Gwyns engine letting go before he completed a lap. Wayne Andrews was credited with 34 ^th position as his engine popped in practice so he did not make the race.

Fin Srt Car # Driver Car Laps Reason out

1 9 44 Ken Rush 68 Camaro 125 Running

2 15 48 Phil Kendrick 68 Camaro 124 Running

3 12 98 Larry Bock 68 Dart 123 Running

4 13 10 Charlie Blanton 68 Camaro 120 Running

5 24 8 Phil Wills 68 Camaro 118 Running

6 25 54 Bobby Fleming 68 Camaro 117 Running

7 10 0 Martin Sharpe 68 Camaro 116 Running

8 29 13 Richard Childress 68 Camaro 116 Running

9 19 3 Jim Vandiver 68 Camaro 112 Running

10 17 69 Bob Wilcher '68 Camaro 109 Running

11 6 25 Pete Hamilton 68 Camaro 106 Bln Eng

12 23 4 Bob Brewer 68 Camaro 102 Running

13 22 9 Stan Starr, Jr. 68 Camaro 100 Over Heating

14 11 87 Buck Baker 69 Firebird 82 Bln Eng

15 14 2 Randy Hutchison 68 Camaro 73 Bln Eng

16 28 17 Ernie Shaw 68 Mustang 64 Wheel Brg.

17 5 88 T.C. Hunt 68 Camaro 60 Bln Eng

18 1 27 Jim Paschal 69 Javelin 53 Bln Eng

19 20 56 Les Covey 68 Camaro 49 Bln Eng

20 3 95 Butch Harben 68 Camaro 47 Over Heating

21 8 16 Tiny Lund 69 Cougar 43 Drop Valve

22 18 21 Frank Sessoms 68 Camaro 42 Bln Eng

23 16 74 Al Straub 69 Mustang 35 Bln Eng

24 2 67 Bunkie Blackburn 68 Camaro 32 Wrecked

25 26 52 Billy Hagan 68 Cougar 31 Bln Eng

26 4 71 Amos Johnson 68 Camaro 17 Bln Eng

27 27 31 Earl Canavan 69 Javelin 12 Ignition

28 7 94 Bob Tullius 69 Javelin 11 Wrecked

29 32 19 Bud Strickland 68 Camaro 6 Quit

30 33 81 Ed Smith 68 Camaro 5 Quit

31 30 39 Barry Boggero 68 Camaro 2 Steering

32 31 72 C. O. Pendley 68 Mustang 1 Quit

33 21 04 C. B. Gwyn 68 Cougar 0 Bln Eng

34 15 Wayne Andrews 68 Cougar DNS

#98 Larry Bock finished 3 ^rd and #31 Earl Canavan finished 27 ^th .

Can't explain the Dodge in the picture but it looks like Neil Castles Grand National car.

Jim Paschal started on the pole but blew an engine while leading.

Every time I see a picture of the Pete Hamilton Camaro, and the other GT cars too, it makes me long for race cars made out of real cars.

Qualifying report from Spartanburg Herald

Race report from Toledo Blade

The 2-mile M.I.S. layout was not kind to the small blocks.

You know, Dennis, I never read anything about 6th place finisher Bobby Fleming of Danville, Virginia , but at one time or another I watched him race just about anything NASCAR sanctioned, from Modified to Late Model Sportsman to GT/Grand American to GN/Cup - often at South Boston Speedway. If you have a photo of Bobby in your files I'd sure like to see it.

L adabouche Collection
Bobby Fleming, 1971 Photo

Catamount Stadium web site

Bobby Fleming at Richmond Fairgrounds- car #51 - in NASCAR LMS race - Woody Delbridge photo

Bobby Fleming sideways at Richmond's Southside Speedway being "helped" by Wayne Patterson in 1978 NASCAR late Model Sportsman action photo by David Allio

I only have two Dave.

From 1971 Bama 200

From a Grand National East event in '72 or '73

Dave, I think I have seen Bobby make a few comments on FB racing sites.

Thanks, Dennis. The #54 was Bobby's traditional car number when I was watching him in late 60s.

I think if they went back to simpler paint jobs without graphics on every surface you wouldn't mind it so much. I think all the stripes and decals work to make today's cars look less like stock cars than they really do. If you look at the introduction photos for the Charger and Fusion, they look pretty nice.

Andy, I often have the same thought.... way too much clutter.