1972 USAC MIDGET REVIEW: PANCHO THE STUDENT BECOMES PANCHO THE PROFESSOR
By: Richie Murray – USAC Media
In his first full year on the USAC National Midget trail, Duane Carter Jr., better known as “Pancho,” won the 1972 USAC National Midget championship after a season-long struggle that went down to the final race meet at Ascot Park.
Proudly watching Pancho from a pit side vantage point was his father, Duane Sr., USAC's first director of competition and the 1950 AAA Midwest Sprint Car champion. Through his eyes, he witnessed his 22-year-old hard-charging son cap the title by a mere nine points with a third-place finish in the Turkey Night Grand Prix at Ascot Park.
The Huntington Beach, Calif. phenom scored eight feature victories in 34 starts and placed inside the top-ten on 29 occasions. Among his eight wins were the Night Before the 500 at the Indy Mile and the Hut 100 at Terre Haute.
A quick study in the classroom and on the racetrack, throughout 1972, Pancho was a senior student at California State University at Long Beach and continued to commute via the airlines between school and the track until earning his degree.
Pancho prevailed in the tight yearlong battle over Billy Engelhart who stayed in contention right up to the final race. Engelhart had three wins and led the standings longer than anyone else throughout the season.
Entrant champs Gene and Bob Shannon had been involved in racing since the late 1940s. Starting in 1964, the team, including mechanic Bob Higman, had a sixth, a fifth, two fourths, a third, and three seconds before their 1972 crown.
Mike Hill of Kansas City, Kan. was fatally injured at Charleston (Ill.) Speedway when he rode over the wheel of another car and flipped numerous times with four laps remaining in the feature on July 4. The talented 21-year-old captured the 1971 Saint Louis Midget Racing Association title and had finished inside the top-10 in each of his first seven USAC starts.
West coast wheelman Tommy Astone was named Rookie of the Year while the Most Improved Driver honor went to the champion, Pancho, who advanced 34 positions from his 35th place standing the year prior in 1971. In January, Lee Kunzman became the first driver to win the first two USAC National Midget features to begin a season.
Single overhead cam engines up to 140 c.i. were now permitted, allowing the entry of Pinto and Vega. Also approved was a requirement that participants must be 21 or older to be licensed, which was necessary because of insurance reasons.
Bill Hill was named the division’s public relations representative while Shim Malone was tabbed as the supervisor of the series. Steve Dailey relinquished the full-time post due to increased responsibilities as the manager of Schott Buick in Cincinnati, Ohio. However, he still headed up the division on weekends when Malone was flagging championship races.
Lowell Sachs, a three-time winner between 1964-1966, died in Long Beach, Calif. of leukemia at age 45. John Saeman, 56, long-time USAC midget car owner, died of a heart attack in Whitley County Hospital in Columbia City, Ind. Don Lancaster, USAC Midget registrar for two years, died of a heart attack in a Cincinnati, Ohio hospital shortly after surgery.
USAC handed down one-year suspensions to drivers Don Vogler and Rich Vogler and to car owner Harry Turner after an altercation at Quad City Raceway on Aug. 24. Driver Rick Goudy was suspended for six months after competing in a non-USAC race, which he neither requested nor had been granted permission to compete in. He later got back in good graces with USAC after posting a $250 bond and his suspension was reduced to 30 days. Tommy Astone was levied a hefty $25 fine for rough driving in an incident that sent Merle Bettenhausen flipping at Rockford (III.) Speedway on June 1.
For the first time in series history, a race was held on a 1.5-mile “oval,” when the series made their visit to the newly reconfigured Trenton (N.J.) Speedway in September for twin 50-mile, caution free races each won by a single car length margin by Mel Kenyon and Tom Bigelow on a track that featured a prominent dogleg to the right on the back straightaway.
Jimmy Caruthers tested a USAC midget owned by his father at Ontario (Calif.) Motor Speedway on Oct. 16. The purpose was to determine the feasibility of running midgets on its 2.68-mile road course. His best lap was registered at 88.35 mph. Caruthers also tried the midget on the 2.5-mile oval and hit a speed of 135 mph.
The midgets ran 49 programs in 1972, paying a total of $210,890 for a record average purse per race of $4,793. Carter also topped the money standings with $13,078. Engelhart was second with $12,023.
==================
1972 USAC National Midget Driver Points
POS. PTS. DRIVER
1 711 Pancho Carter, Huntington Beach, Calif.
2 702 Billy Engelhart, Madison, Wis.
3 668 Larry Rice, Linden, Ind.
4 571 Tom Bigelow, Whitewater, Wis.
5 516 Dave Strickland, Pleasant Hill, Calif.
6 458 Jimmy Caruthers, Anaheim, Calif.
7 448 Gary Ponzini, Morgan Hill, Calif.
8 376 Tommy Astone, Fresno, Calif.
9 371 Steve Cannon, Danville, Ill.
10 345 Mel Kenyon, Lebanon, Ind.
11 295 Johnny Parsons, Speedway, Ind.
12 281 Rick Goudy, Norwalk, Calif.
13 269 John Batts, Jamestown, Ind.
14 263 Rich Vogler, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
15 262 Bill Renshaw, Murphysboro, Ill.
16 248 Roger West, Joliet, Ill.
17 230 Joe Saldana, Lincoln, Neb.
18 221 Bob Wente, Saint Louis, Mo.
19 215 Lee Kunzman, Guttenberg, Iowa
20 160 Merle Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, Ill.
21 158 Tom Steiner, Orland Park, Ill.
22 154 Dennis Carrier, Jackson, Mich.
23 154 Gary Bettenhausen, Tinley Park, Ill.
24 153 Larry Dickson, Marietta, Ohio
25 135 Les Scott, Livonia, Mich.
26 133 Jim McClean, Joliet, Ill.
27 131 Mike Hill, Prairie Village, Kan.
28 123 Bob Lithgow, Streator, Ill.
29 122 Sonny Ates, Sellersburg, Ind.
30 116 John Toth, Northfield, Ohio
31 110 Sammy Sauer, Arvada, Colo.
32 110 Jerry Weeks, Anaheim, Calif.
33 108 Butch Haisman, San Gabriel, Calif.
34 95 Johnny W. Anderson, Sacramento, Calif.
35 94 Hank Butcher, Hayward, Calif.
36 93 Jerry Stone, Wichita, Kan.
37 89 Tony Simon, Upland, Calif.
38 86 Eddie Jackson, Denver, Colo.
39 83 Larry Cannon, Danville, Ill.
40 80 Danny O'Neill, Santa Clara, Calif.
41 78 Arnie Knepper, Belleville, Ill.
42 75 Bobby Olivero, Lakewood, Calif.
43 74 George Kladis, Chicago, Ill.
44 67 George Snider, Fresno, Calif.
45 66 Ray Elliott, Lockport, Ill.
46 65 George Benson, San Jose, Calif.
47 65 Don “Spyder” Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo.
48 62 Bob Evans, Long Beach, Calif.
49 59 Chuck Arnold, Stamford, Conn.
50 58 Duke Cook, Sidney, Ohio
51 54 Ron Eden, Crawfordsville, Ind.
52 53 Don Vogler, Glen Ellyn, Ill.
53 52 Ken Petersen, Maple Valley, Wash.
54 52 Wally Dallenbach, East Brunswick, N.J.
55 50 Steve Troxell, Denver, Colo.
56 48 Ronnie Burke, Houston, Texas
57 44 Bob Clements, Madison, Wis.
58 44 Keith Thomas, Madison, Wis.
59 44 Dick Jones, Whitewater, Wis.
60 43 Bill Puterbaugh, Roxana, Ill.
61 42 Ken Molica, San Jose, Calif.
62 42 Danny McKnight, Glendora, Calif.
63 40 Steve Lotshaw, Indianapolis, Ind.
64 40 Sammy Sessions, Nashville, Mich.
65 40 Ralph Liguori, Tampa, Fla.
66 38 Terry Caves, Fresno, Calif.
67 35 Jimmy Kirk, Charlestown, W.Va.
68 34 Lealand McSpadden, Tempe, Ariz.
69 34 Larry McCoy, Bristol, Pa.
70 33 Wally Lambert, Manhattan, Ill.
71 32 Mel Cornett, Wauwatosa, Wis.
72 31 Bob Jones, Muncie, Ind.
73 30 Jigger Sirois, Shelby, Ind.
74 30 Larry Mayhew, Schererville, Ind.
75 29 Jack Walker, Mountain View, Calif.
76 29 Bubby Jones, Danville, Ill.
77 29 Dick Pole, Harvey, Ill.
78 28 Billy Vukovich, Fresno, Calif.
79 27 George McBeath, Spring Grove, Ill.
80 27 Don Carmichael, Berwyn, Ill.
81 25 Bob Richards, Lockport, Ill.
82 25 Jim Beckley, Englewood, Colo.
83 24 Bruce Walkup, Downey, Calif.
84 23 K.V. Weiland, Chicago, Ill.
85 23 Don Hawley, Los Angeles, Calif.
86 21 Mike Gregg, Vancouver, Wash.
87 20 Rick Davidson, Indianapolis, Ind.
88 20 Jerry Karl, Manchester, Pa.
89 19 Jay Brosius, Tinley Park, Ill.
90 18 Dennis Dorsey, Cicero, Ill.
91 18 Al Willey, Silvis, Ill.
92 17 Bob Hare, Lyons, Ill.
93 17 Art Bisch, Mesa, Ariz.
94 17 Buddy Taylor, Albuquerque, N.M.
95 16 Rob Greentree, Sydney, N.S.W.
96 15 Gene Force, New Madison, Ohio
97 15 Gary Byers, Logansport, Ind.
98 15 Dean Thompson, Torrance, Calif.
99 14 Jackie Burke, Houston, Texas
100 14 Kevin Olson, Rockford, Ill.
101 11 Bob Mitchoff, Bryan, Ohio
102 11 Ken Gidney, La Habra, Calif.
103 10 Fred Hight, Speedway, Ind.
104 10 Bing Metz, Easton, Pa.
105 9 Jim Hettinger, Ypsilanti, Mich.
106 8 Harry Beck, Indianapolis, Ind.
107 8 Bob Twitty, Bakersfield, Calif.
108 8 Jim Gates, Plano, Ill.
109 8 Tom DuPont, Belvedere, Calif.
110 8 Rich Scettrini, San Rafael, Calif.
111 6 Bill Mehner, Portland, Ore.
112 6 Bill Compton, Toledo, Ohio
113 6 Freddy Charles, Bloomsburg, Pa.
114 5 Burt Foland, Mountain View, Calif.
115 5 Greg Staab, Cincinnati, Ohio
116 5 Mike Dannenfeldt, Davenport, Iowa
117 5 Ed Shefchik, Puyallup, Wash.
118 4 Gary Irvin, West Lafayette, Ind.
119 4 Denny Stewart, Charleston, Ill.
120 4 Karl Busson, Toledo, Ohio
121 4 Dick Zimmerman, Anaheim, Calif.
122 3 Dennis Devea, Joliet, Ill.
123 3 Dickie Deis, Fresno, Calif.
124 3 Johnny Rutherford, Fort Worth, Texas
125 2 Jack Duffy, Boonton, N.J.
126 2 Chuck Gurney, Livermore, Calif.
127 2 Gary Jenkins, Brenton, Ill.
128 2 George Bell, Cincinnati, Ohio
129 2 John Redican, Cypress, Calif.
130 1 Lonnie Cole, Fort Wayne, Ind.
131 1 Sam Isenhower, Joliet, Ill.
132 1 Jackie Howerton, Tulsa, Okla.
133 1 Dick Simon, Sandy, Utah
1972 USAC National Midget Entrant Points
POS. PTS. ENTRANT, TEAM LOCATION
1 666 Bob & Gene Shannon, Dayton, Ohio (#22)
2 639 Doug Caruthers, Anaheim, Calif. (#2)
3 638 Jim Rieder, Weehawken, N.J. (#81)
4 621 David Birmingham, Scottsdale, Ariz. (#4)
5 518 Junior Knepper, Belleville, Ill. (#25)
6 510 Roger Mauro, Lakewood, Colo. (#3)
7 417 Cliff Cornell, Hinsdale, Ill. (#8)
8 409 Math Schneider, Lockport, Ill. (#67)
9 375 Howard Lehmann, Springfield, Ill. (#27)
10 340 Dave Tyler, Mokena, Ill. (#59)
11 316 Tom Astone, Fresno, Calif. (#82)
12 313 Harry Turner, Kenosha, Wis. (#82)
13 246 3-K Racing, Lebanon, Ind. (#61)
14 245 Stan Lee, Playa Del Rey, Calif. (#66)
15 230 George Middleton, Florissant, Mo. (#15)
16 208 Bob Willey, Moline, Ill. (#74)
17 202 Howard Linne, Mendota, Ill. (#96)
18 195 Gamester Racing, Lombard, Ill. (#10)
19 193 Leonard Faas, Yorba Linda, Calif. (#16)
20 183 Leonard Faas, Yorba Linda, Calif. (#15)
21 176 Jack Fitzpatrick, Newport Beach, Calif. (#26)
22 176 Bud Doty, Davenport, Iowa (#50)
23 170 Doug Caruthers, Anaheim, Calif. (#8)
24 164 John Batts, Jamestown, Ind. (#95)
25 157 Robert Miller, Campbell, Calif. (#99)
26 154 Dennis Carrier, Jackson, Mich. (#78)
27 149 Gene Willman, Hales Corners, Wis. (#71)
28 133 Bob Lockard, Joliet, Ill. (#69)
29 130 Mel Koehler, New Albany, Ind. (#51)
30 125 Gary Bettenhausen, Monrovia, Ind. (#16)
31 123 Bob Lithgow, Streator, Ill. (#28)
32 122 Don Vogler, Glen Ellyn, Ill. (#29)
33 116 John Toth, Northfield, Ohio (#22)
34 110 Harry Conklin, Denver, Colo. (#16D)
35 110 Clancy Wright, Orange, Calif. (#80)
36 109 Dale Hampson, Grand Ridge, Ill. (#88)
37 108 Robert Haisman, San Gabriel, Calif. (#46)
38 93 M.C. Stone, Wichita, Kan. (#54)
39 92 Howard Linne, Mendota, Ill. (#99)
40 86 Vern Shaver, Colorado Springs, Colo. (#55)
41 80 Danny O'Neill, Santa Clara, Calif. (#2x)
42 79 Sim Clark, Santa Clara, Calif. (#14)
43 66 Lou Cooper, Orland Park, Ill. (#23)
44 65 Don “Spyder” Anderson, Colorado Springs, Colo. (#41)
45 61 L.T. Caruthers, Corona Del Mar, Calif. (#78)
46 60 Don Kischell, Downey, Calif. (#12)
47 59 Arnie Knepper, Belleville, Ill. (#31)
48 54 Bob Steffes, Elwood, Ill. (#96)
49 54 Larry Ammerman, Crawfordsville, Ind. (#49)
50 53 Walt Schweitzer, Bakersfield, Calif. (#60)
51 52 Jim Glenn, Tacoma, Wash. (#161)
52 48 Earl Lightfoot, Pasadena, Texas (#86)
53 44 Keith Thomas, Madison, Wis. (#42)
54 44 Gene Berg, Niles, Ill. (#41)
55 44 Gus Sohm, Saint Louis, Mo. (#90)
56 42 Ken Molica, San Jose, Calif. (#97)
57 42 Leonard Faas Jr., Placentia, Calif. (#37)
58 41 George McBeath, Chicago, Ill. (#47)
59 41 Ed Darrell, Clark, N.J. (#12)
60 40 J.L. Johnson, Saint Charles, Mo. (#16)
61 37 K.V. Weiland, Chicago, Ill. (#84)
62 36 Frank Berlott, Santa Clara, Calif. (#117)
63 35 Ron Bennett, Livingston, N.J. (#22)
64 34 Larry McCoy, Bristol, Pa. (#63)
65 32 L. Gene Hamilton, Robinson, Ill. (#55)
66 32 Tom DuPont, Belvedere, Calif. (#3x)
67 31 Bob Jones, Muncie, Ind. (#80)
68 30 Magill Auto Dynamics, Schererville, Ind. (#64)
69 30 Bud Trainor, Phoenix, Ariz. (#24A)
70 29 Gamester Racing, Lombard, Ill. (#20)
71 28 Gary Irvin, West Lafayette, Ind. (#42)
72 27 Krueger & Krueger, Countryside, Ill. (#57)
73 26 Bill Cooper, Chicago, Ill. (#34)
74 25 Bob Richards, Lockport, Ill. (#56)
75 25 Rich Scettrini, San Rafael, Calif. (#44)
76 24 Bob Rosen, Oakland, Calif. (#25R)
77 23 Bob Rice, Linden, Ind. (#14)
78 21 Art Shanoian, Colma, Calif. (#17)
79 21 Jack Ziegler, San Francisco, Calif. (#5x)
80 20 Ed Loniewski, LaPorte, Ind. (#87)
81 19 Dick Brosius, Chicago, Ill. (#52)
82 19 Robin Powell, Downey, Calif. (#54)
83 18 George Haller, Langhorne, Pa. (#54)
84 18 Richard Heerboth, Villa Park, Ill. (#48)
85 18 Elbert Willey, Moline, Ill. (#64)
86 17 T.D. Enterprises, Joliet, Ill. (#32)
87 17 Bud Hoppe, Saint Louis, Mo. (#115x)
88 17 Dale Polnau, Phoenix, Ariz. (#34)
89 16 Jack Schenk, Chicago, Ill. (#126)
90 16 Kim Gary, Upland, Calif. (#15x)
91 16 Rob Greentree, Indianapolis, Ind. (#21)
92 15 John Davidson, Muncie, Ind. (#39)
93 15 Parnelli Jones, Torrance, Calif. (#98)
94 14 Jackie Burke, Houston, Texas (#70)
95 14 3-K Racing, Lebanon, Ind. (#62)
96 13 Les Scott, Ossian, Ind. (#7)
97 13 Tom McKnight, Pomona, Calif. (#84)
98 12 D.K. Cumberworth, Santa Ana, Calif. (#41)
99 11 Jerry Maier, Harrisburg, Pa. (#14)
100 11 Jim Newman, Bryan, Ohio (#40)
101 10 Fred Hight, Speedway, Ind. (#24)
102 9 Jim Hettinger, Ypsilanti, Mich. (#87)
103 9 Len Tetrault, Tinley Park, Ill. (#68)
104 8 Harry Starner, Colton, Calif. (#59)
105 7 Harold Gates, Waterman, Ill. (#39)
106 6 Bob Tezak, Joliet, Ill. (#60)
107 6 Dick Kistler, Findlay, Ohio (#85)
108 6 Roy Koehler, Gardner, Ill. (#38)
109 5 Jack London, Oakland, Calif. (#4x)
110 5 Jim Crews, Tacoma, Wash. (#192)
111 5 Stan Staab, Cincinnati, Ohio (#44)
112 5 Mike Dannenfeldt, Davenport, Iowa (#98)
113 4 Scott Hunter, Wichita Falls, Texas (#66)
114 4 Denny Stewart, Charleston, Ill. (#64)
115 3 Bob Tezak, Joliet, Ill. (#45)
116 3 Ralph Baiza, Coalinga, Calif. (#36)
117 3 Leonard Faas Jr., Placentia, Calif. (#32)
118 2 Mataka Brothers, Maplewood, N.J. (#3n1)
119 2 Lennie Gonsel, Hayward, Calif. (#39)
120 2 Wanda Knepper, Belleville, Ill. (#37)
121 2 George Bell, Cincinnati, Ohio (#85)
122 2 Ed Holestine, Independence, Kan. (#131)
123 2 Bob Christopher, Phoenix, Ariz. (#44)
124 1 Lonnie Cole, Fort Wayne, Ind. (#92)
==================
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: January 9, 1972 – Allen County Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, Indiana
FEATURE: (75 laps) 1. Lee Kunzman (Bob Steffes #96), 2. Sonny Ates, 3. Mel Kenyon, 4. Tom Steiner, 5. Roger West, 6. Gene Force, 7. Bob Hare, 8. Jimmy Caruthers, 9. Rich Vogler, 10. Bill Renshaw, 11. Jim Hettinger, 12. John Batts. FQ: Mel Kenyon (8.830)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: January 30, 1972 – Allen County Memorial Coliseum – Fort Wayne, Indiana
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Lee Kunzman (Bob Steffes #96), 2. Mel Kenyon, 3. Jimmy Caruthers, 4. John Batts, 5. Tom Bigelow, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Sonny Ates, 8. George Kladis, 9. Bobby Olivero, 10. Ray Elliott, 11. Billy Engelhart, 12. Roger West. FQ: Jimmy Caruthers (8.545)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: February 20, 1972 – San Jose Speedway – San Jose, California
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (Doug Caruthers #8), 2. Lee Kunzman, 3. Jimmy Caruthers, 4. George Benson, 5. Rick Davidson, 6. Bill Renshaw, 7. Sammy Sauer, 8. Ken Petersen, 9. Terry Caves, 10. Danny O'Neill, 11. Gary Ponzini, 12. Tommy Astone, 13. John Batts, 14. Tom Steiner, 15. Burt Foland, 16. Mel Kenyon, 17. Johnny W. Anderson, 18. Chuck Gurney. FQ: Bill Renshaw (15.309)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: March 11, 1972 – Astrodome – Houston, Texas
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (Gary Bettenhausen #16), 2. Bob Evans, 3. Rich Vogler, 4. Johnny Parsons, 5. A.J. Foyt, 6. Merle Bettenhausen, 7. Sammy Sessions, 8. Bill Puterbaugh, 9. Jimmy Caruthers, 10. Jim McClean, 11. Bruce Walkup, 12. Bob Lithgow, 13. Tom Bigelow, 14. Sonny Ates, 15. Larry Dickson, 16. Joe Saldana, 17. Johnny Rutherford, 18. Jim Hurtubise, 19. Billy Engelhart, 20. Mel Kenyon, 21. Bob Wente, 22. Pancho Carter, 23. Larry Rice, 24. George Snider, 25. Rick Goudy, 26. Lee Kunzman. FQ: Bill Puterbaugh (14.280)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: March 17, 1972 – Manzanita Speedway – Phoenix, Arizona
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Merle Bettenhausen (Gary Bettenhausen #16), 2. Jimmy Caruthers, 3. George Snider, 4. Pancho Carter, 5. Billy Engelhart, 6. Johnny W. Anderson, 7. Lee Kunzman, 8. Tony Simon, 9. Bill Renshaw, 10. Bill Puterbaugh, 11. Joe Saldana, 12. Tommy Astone, 13. John Batts, 14. Terry Caves, 15. Lealand McSpadden, 16. Bruce Walkup, 17. Eddie Jackson, 18. Dave Strickland. FQ: Lee Kunzman (22.450)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: April 22, 1972 – Charleston Speedway – Charleston, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Billy Engelhart (3-K Racing #61), 2. Merle Bettenhausen, 3. John Batts, 4. Roger West, 5. Bob Wente, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Rich Vogler, 8. Bobby Olivero, 9. Ray Elliott, 10. Duke Cook, 11. Tom Steiner, 12. Don Vogler, 13. Dave Strickland, 14. Bubby Jones, 15. Jay Brosius, 16. Wally Lambert, 17. Mike Dannenfeldt, 18. Lonnie Cole. FQ: Tom Steiner (16.430)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 19, 1972 – Santa Fe Speedway – Hinsdale, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jack Fitzpatrick #26), 2. Les Scott, 3. Tom Bigelow, 4. Johnny Parsons, 5. Bob Lithgow, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Chuck Arnold, 8. John Batts, 9. Ray Elliott, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. Dick Jones, 12. Larry Cannon, 13. Tom Steiner, 14. Billy Engelhart, 15. Jim Gates, 16. Rich Vogler, 17. Tommy Astone, 18. Butch Haisman. FQ: Tom Bigelow (15.120)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 26, 1972 – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Indianapolis, Indiana – Night Before the 500
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Pancho Carter, 3. Sonny Ates, 4. Larry Rice, 5. Chuck Arnold, 6. Gary Ponzini, 7. Tommy Astone, 8. Larry Cannon, 9. Tom Steiner, 10. Ralph Liguori, 11. Lealand McSpadden, 12. Bruce Walkup, 13. Ronnie Burke, 14. Larry McCoy, 15. Rick Goudy, 16. Roger West, 17. Bill Renshaw, 18. Jigger Sirois, 19. Les Scott, 20. Keith Thomas, 21. Bob Lithgow, 22. Wally Lambert, 23. Butch Haisman, 24. Bobby Jones, 25. Bill Mehner, 26. Ron Eden, 27. Dennis Carrier, 28. Joe Saldana, 29. Don Hawley, 30. Jim McClean, 31. Bill Compton, 32. Billy Engelhart, 33. Steve Cannon, 34. Jimmy Kirk, 35. Dave Strickland, 36. Jim Gates, 37. Jackie Burke, 38. Rob Greentree, 39. Merle Bettenhausen, 40. John Batts, 41. Harry Beck, 42. Dick Jones. FQ: Tom Bigelow (36.090)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 26, 1972 – Indiana State Fairgrounds – Indianapolis, Indiana – Night Before the 500
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Tom Bigelow, 3. Jigger Sirois, 4. Jimmy Kirk, 5. Joe Saldana, 6. Merle Bettenhausen, 7. Bill Renshaw, 8. Rick Goudy, 9. Larry McCoy, 10. Ralph Liguori, 11. Dennis Carrier, 12. Dick Jones, 13. Keith Thomas, 14. Tommy Astone, 15. George McBeath, 16. Bobby Jones, 17. Ron Eden, 18. Larry Rice, 19. Butch Haisman, 20. Bob Lithgow, 21. Wally Lambert, 22. Dave Strickland, 23. Bill Compton, 24. Les Scott, 25. Ronnie Burke, 26. Larry Cannon, 27. Billy Engelhart, 28. Bruce Walkup, 29. John Batts, 30. Rob Greentree, 31. Roger West, 32. Denny Stewart, 33. Bob Mitchoff, 34. Lealand McSpadden, 35. Tom Steiner, 36. Harry Beck, 37. Gary Ponzini, 38. Greg Staab, 39. Bill Mehner, 40. Chuck Arnold, 41. Jackie Burke. FQ: None
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 28, 1972 – Whitewater Valley Speedway – Liberty, Indiana
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Merle Bettenhausen (Howard Lehmann #27), 2. Larry Rice, 3. Dave Strickland, 4. Larry Dickson, 5. Tom Steiner, 6. Tommy Astone, 7. Wally Lambert, 8. John Toth, 9. John Batts, 10. Bobby Jones, 11. Bill Renshaw, 12. Bob Mitchoff, 13. Rich Vogler, 14. Rick Goudy, 15. Ronnie Burke, 16. Gary Ponzini, 17. Jay Brosius, 18. Larry McCoy. FQ: Rick Goudy (17.220)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: May 29, 1972 – Salem Speedway – Salem, Indiana
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Mel Kenyon (3-K Racing #61), 2. Tom Bigelow, 3. Sonny Ates, 4. Sammy Sessions, 5. Bob Evans, 6. Pancho Carter, 7. Rick Goudy, 8. Jimmy Caruthers, 9. Dick Pole, 10. Gary Ponzini, 11. Bill Renshaw, 12. Larry Rice, 13. John Batts, 14. Wally Lambert, 15. Rich Vogler, 16. Ronnie Burke, 17. Gary Bettenhausen, 18. Larry Dickson. FQ: Tom Bigelow (18.680)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 1, 1972 – Rockford Speedway – Rockford, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Lee Kunzman (Howard Linne #96), 2. Tommy Astone, 3. Billy Engelhart, 4. Bob Richards, 5. Pancho Carter, 6. Dick Pole, 7. Tom Steiner, 8. Gary Ponzini, 9. Mike Hill, 10. Butch Haisman, 11. Keith Thomas, 12. Dave Strickland, 13. Merle Bettenhausen, 14. Mel Kenyon, 15. Rich Vogler, 16. John Batts, 17. Larry Rice, 18. Dennis Carrier. FQ: Bob Richards (14.050)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 4, 1972 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Roger West (Gene Willman #71), 2. Mel Kenyon, 3. Lee Kunzman, 4. Tommy Astone, 5. Mike Hill, 6. Bob Clements, 7. Bob Lithgow, 8. Dave Strickland, 9. Les Scott, 10. Ron Eden, 11. John Toth, 12. Rob Greentree, 13. Mel Cornett, 14. Rich Vogler, 15. Jim McClean, 16. George McBeath, 17. John Batts, 18. Don Vogler. FQ: Mike Hill (16.730)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 8, 1972 – Spokane Speedway – Spokane, Washington
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Danny O’Neill (Danny O'Neill #2x), 2. J.P. Standley, 3. Jerry Weeks, 4. Mike Hill, 5. George Benson, 6. Billy Engelhart, 7. Larry Rice, 8. Jimmy Caruthers, 9. Dave Strickland, 10. Jack Walker, 11. Les Scott, 12. Dick Morrison, 13. Jim Hendricks, 14. Sonny Hanson, 15. Palmer Crowell, 16. Bob Twitty, 17. Eddie Jackson, 18. Ken Petersen. FQ: Eddie Jackson (17.555)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 11, 1972 – Olympia-Tenino Speedway – Olympia, Washington
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Hank Butcher (Sim Clark #14), 2. Jimmy Caruthers, 3. Bobby Olivero, 4. Dave Strickland, 5. Ken Molica, 6. Eddie Jackson, 7. Danny O’Neill, 8. Mike Hill, 9. Larry Rice, 10. George Benson, 11. Ken Petersen, 12. Jack Walker, 13. Jerry Weeks, 14. Palmer Crowell, 15. Billy Engelhart, 16. Ron Roberts, 17. Les Scott, 18. Jim Hendricks. FQ: George Benson (15.101)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 12, 1972 – Spanaway Speedway – Spanaway, Washington
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. J.P. Standley (Ralph Young #60), 2. Jimmy Caruthers, 3. Billy Engelhart, 4. Ken Molica, 5. Jerry Weeks, 6. Mike Hill, 7. Ken Petersen, 8. Les Scott, 9. Hank Butcher, 10. Larry Rice, 11. Jack Walker, 12. Dick Morrison, 13. Bobby Olivero, 14. Mel McGaughy, 15. Dennis Long, 16. Ron Roberts, 17. George Benson, 18. Danny O’Neill. FQ: J.P. Standley (14.364)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 23, 1972 – Santa Fe Speedway – Hinsdale, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Gary Ponzini (Cliff Cornell #8), 2. Larry Rice, 3. Roger West, 4. Billy Engelhart, 5. Jim McClean, 6. Bubby Jones, 7. Tom Steiner, 8. Ray Elliott, 9. George McBeath, 10. John Batts, 11. Dick Jones, 12. Dennis Cullick, 13. Rich Vogler, 14. Steve Cannon, 15. Bob Lithgow, 16. Tommy Astone, 17. Rob Greentree, 18. Ron Eden. FQ: Billy Engelhart (14.860)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 28, 1972 – Lakeside Speedway – Denver, Colorado
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Billy Engelhart (David Birmingham #4), 2. Dave Strickland, 3. Steve Troxell, 4. Jim Beckley, 5. Johnny Parsons, 6. Don “Spyder” Anderson, 7. Tommy Astone, 8. Mike Hill, 9. Jerry Weeks, 10. Les Scott, 11. Bill Renshaw, 12. Cal Chambers, 13. Duane Harr, 14. Tony Simon, 15. Sammy Sauer, 16. Gene Pastor, 17. Eddie Jackson, 18. Don Wilson. FQ: Sammy Sauer (12.730)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 30, 1972 – Century 21 Speedway – Denver, Colorado
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Dave Strickland (Roger Mauro #3), 2. Johnny Parsons, 3. Eddie Jackson, 4. Sammy Sauer, 5. Tom Steiner, 6. Mike Hill, 7. Don “Spyder” Anderson, 8. Rick Goudy, 9. Steve Troxell, 10. Jerry Weeks, 11. Butch Haisman, 12. Lealand McSpadden, 13. John Batts, 14. Jerry Stone, 15. Tommy Astone, 16. Larry Rice, 17. Wayne Rutherford, 18. Jim Beckley, 19. Billy Engelhart, 20. Duke Cook. FQ: Tommy Astone (15.840)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: June 30, 1972 – Century 21 Speedway – Denver, Colorado
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Sammy Sauer (Harry Conklin #16D), 2. Billy Engelhart, 3. Eddie Jackson, 4. Johnny Parsons, 5. Steve Troxell, 6. Dave Strickland, 7. Tom Steiner, 8. Don “Spyder” Anderson, 9. Tommy Astone, 10. Butch Haisman, 11. Bill Renshaw, 12. Lealand McSpadden, 13. Rick Goudy, 14. Duane Harr, 15. Mike Hill, 16. Jerry Stone, 17. Jerry Weeks, 18. Bobby Olivero, 19. John Batts, 20. Larry Rice. FQ: None
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 3, 1972 – Springfield Speedway – Springfield, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Gary Ponzini (Cliff Cornell #8), 2. Bob Wente, 3. Larry Cannon, 4. Steve Cannon, 5. Arnie Knepper, 6. Pancho Carter, 7. Rich Vogler, 8. Tommy Astone, 9. Billy Engelhart, 10. Jerry Stone, 11. John Toth, 12. Dave Strickland, 13. John Batts, 14. Don Vogler, 15. Larry Rice, 16. Dennis Dorsey, 17. Jim McClean, 18. Jimmy Caruthers, 19. Art Bisch Jr., 20. Ron Eden. FQ: Jimmy Caruthers (12.710)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 4, 1972 – Charleston Speedway – Charleston, Illinois
FEATURE: (40 laps, shortened to 36 laps due to Mike Hill’s fatal accident) 1. Joe Saldana (Gamester Racing #10), 2. Pancho Carter, 3. Rich Vogler, 4. Jimmy Caruthers, 5. Roger West, 6. Gary Ponzini, 7. Larry Rice, 8. Billy Engelhart, 9. Tommy Astone, 10. John Batts, 11. Art Bisch Jr., 12. Mike Hill, 13. Bob Wente, 14. Merle Bettenhausen, 15. Dave Strickland, 16. Mel Kenyon, 17. Butch Haisman, 18. Don Vogler, 19. Steve Cannon, 20. Larry McCoy. FQ: Gary Ponzini (15.930)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 7, 1972 – Hales Corners Speedway – Hales Corners, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Billy Engelhart, 3. Gary Ponzini, 4. Jimmy Caruthers, 5. Pancho Carter, 6. Dave Strickland, 7. Chuck Arnold, 8. Ray Elliott, 9. Bob Lithgow, 10. John Batts, 11. Ken Weiland, 12. Les Scott, 13. Joe Saldana, 14. Jerry Stone, 15. Merle Bettenhausen, 16. Larry Rice, 17. Tommy Astone, 18. Steve Cannon, 19. Butch Haisman, 20. Jackie Howerton. FQ: Pancho Carter (17.560)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 9, 1972 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Jimmy Caruthers, 3. Billy Engelhart, 4. Mel Cornett, 5. Tom Bigelow, 6. Bob Wente, 7. Larry Rice, 8. Steve Cannon, 9. Bill Renshaw, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. John Batts, 12. Jim McClean, 13. Bob Lithgow, 14. Art Bisch Jr., 15. Don Carmichael, 16. Mel Kenyon, 17. Chuck Arnold, 18. Gary Jenkins, 19. Tommy Astone, 20. Les Scott. FQ: Tom Bigelow (17.010)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 16, 1972 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Steve Cannon, 3. Tommy Astone, 4. Bob Clements, 5. Larry Rice, 6. Bill Renshaw, 7. Billy Engelhart, 8. Jim McClean, 9. Dave Strickland, 10. Dick Jones, 11. Bob Lithgow, 12. Gary Ponzini, 13. Gary Byers, 14. Rich Vogler, 15. Keith Thomas, 16. Pancho Carter, 17. John Batts, 18. Jimmy Caruthers, 19. Joe Saldana, 20. Jay Brosius. FQ: Tom Bigelow (16.550)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 22, 1972 – JFK Memorial Stadium – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (Howard Linne #96), 2. Jerry Wall, 3. Billy Engelhart, 4. Dave Strickland, 5. Tommy Astone, 6. Pancho Carter, 7. Jimmy Caruthers, 8. Johnny Parsons, 9. Bob Wente, 10. Bob Lithgow, 11. Tom Bigelow, 12. Billy Vukovich, 13. Bob Clements, 14. Jim McClean, 15. Bill Renshaw, 16. Mel Kenyon, 17. Johnny Rutherford, 18. Butch Haisman, 19. Bing Metz, 20. Jimmy Kirk, 21. Johnny Coy, 22. Johnny Mann, 23. Jim Gates, 24. John Batts. FQ: Gary Bettenhausen (14.660)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 26, 1972 – Fairgrounds Motor Speedway – Louisville, Kentucky
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Johnny Parsons, 3. Billy Engelhart, 4. Dave Strickland, 5. Bill Renshaw, 6. John Batts, 7. Sonny Ates, 8. Tommy Astone, 9. Gary Ponzini, 10. Larry Rice, 11. Butch Haisman, 12. Jackie Burke, 13. Dennis Carrier, 14. John Toth, 15. Fred Hight, 16. Les Scott, 17. Ron Eden, 18. Greg Staab, 19. Jerry Stone, 20. George Bell. FQ: Johnny Parsons (15.060)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 28, 1972 – Santa Fe Speedway – Hinsdale, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Jim McClean (Mid-Northern Transfer #88), 2. Pancho Carter, 3. Gary Ponzini, 4. Jerry Stone, 5. Roger West, 6. Tommy Astone, 7. Bill Renshaw, 8. Larry Rice, 9. Don Vogler, 10. Billy Engelhart, 11. Dick Jones, 12. Dave Strickland, 13. Dennis Dorsey, 14. George McBeath, 15. John Batts, 16. Duke Cook, 17. Steve Cannon, 18. Johnny Parsons, 19. Rich Vogler, 20. Joe Saldana. FQ: Tom Bigelow (15.040)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: July 29, 1972 – Springfield Speedway – Springfield, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Rick Goudy (Leonard Faas #16), 2. Larry Rice, 3. Larry Cannon, 4. Pancho Carter, 5. Johnny Parsons, 6. Tom Bigelow, 7. Billy Engelhart, 8. Roger West, 9. Steve Cannon, 10. Gary Ponzini, 11. Tommy Astone, 12. Larry Mayhew, 13. Butch Haisman, 14. Dave Strickland, 15. Les Scott, 16. Jerry Stone, 17. Joe Saldana, 18. Dennis Carrier, 19. Rich Vogler, 20. Ron Eden. FQ: Tom Bigelow (12.440)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 2, 1972 – Buchanan County Fairgrounds – Independence, Iowa
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Gary Bettenhausen (Harry Turner #82), 2. Larry Rice, 3. Pancho Carter, 4. Tom Bigelow, 5. Steve Cannon, 6. Billy Engelhart, 7. Tommy Astone, 8. John Toth, 9. Dennis Carrier, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. Larry Mayhew, 12. Keith Thomas, 13. Lee Kunzman, 14. Butch Haisman, 15. Ron Eden, 16. Bill Renshaw, 17. John Batts, 18. Gary Ponzini, 19. Johnny Parsons, 20. Jerry Stone. FQ: Johnny Parsons (16.620)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 3, 1972 – Quad City Raceway – East Moline, Illinois
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Steve Cannon (Math Schneider #67), 2. Gary Ponzini, 3. Bob Wente, 4. Pancho Carter, 5. Bill Renshaw, 6. Billy Engelhart, 7. Larry Rice, 8. Gary Bettenhausen, 9. Dave Strickland, 10. Tom Bigelow, 11. John Toth, 12. Rich Vogler, 13. Joe Saldana, 14. Ron Eden, 15. Dennis Carrier, 16. Jay Brosius, 17. Mike Dannenfeldt, 18. John Batts, 19. Larry Mayhew, 20. Butch Haisman. FQ: Dave Strickland (14.740)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 11, 1972 – Hales Corners Speedway – Hales Corners, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Gary Ponzini, 3. Rich Vogler, 4. Tommy Astone, 5. Jim McClean, 6. Bill Renshaw, 7. Steve Cannon, 8. John Batts, 9. Dave Strickland, 10. Jerry Stone, 11. Larry Rice, 12. Johnny Parsons, 13. Rick Goudy, 14. Dennis Dorsey, 15. Mel Cornett, 16. Billy Engelhart, 17. Joe Saldana, 18. Larry Mayhew, 19. Dick Jones, 20. Ken Weiland. FQ: Rich Vogler (16.970)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 13, 1972 – Angell Park Speedway – Sun Prairie, Wisconsin
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Rich Vogler (Harry Turner #82), 2. George Snider, 3. Gary Ponzini, 4. Roger West, 5. Larry Rice, 6. Pancho Carter, 7. Joe Saldana, 8. Rick Goudy, 9. Jim McClean, 10. George Kladis, 11. Tommy Astone, 12. Steve Cannon, 13. Keith Thomas, 14. Ken Weiland, 15. Billy Engelhart, 16. Mel Kenyon, 17. Bill Renshaw, 18. Don Vogler, 19. Don Carmichael, 20. Tom Bigelow. FQ: Billy Engelhart (16.970)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 18, 1972 – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Larry Dickson (Dave Tyler #59), 2. Johnny Parsons, 3. Tom Bigelow, 4. Bob Wente, 5. Tommy Astone, 6. Steve Cannon, 7. George Kladis, 8. Gary Ponzini, 9. Butch Haisman, 10. Rich Vogler, 11. Dave Strickland, 12. Dennis Carrier, 13. Billy Engelhart, 14. Larry Rice, 15. Bill Renshaw, 16. Steve Lotshaw, 17. Billy Vukovich, 18. Lee Kunzman, 19. Pancho Carter, 20. Ronnie Burke, 21. Don Hawley, 22. Bob Evans, 23. Rick Goudy, 24. Arnie Knepper, 25. Gary Irvin, 26. Sonny Ates, 27. Joe Saldana, 28. Ron Eden. FQ: Larry Dickson (35.050)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 18, 1972 – Illinois State Fairgrounds – Springfield, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Joe Saldana, 3. Johnny Parsons, 4. Steve Cannon, 5. Dave Strickland, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Lee Kunzman, 8. Bill Puterbaugh, 9. George Kladis, 10. Rich Vogler, 11. Gary Ponzini, 12. Billy Engelhart, 13. Steve Lotshaw, 14. Butch Haisman, 15. Ronnie Burke, 16. Dennis Carrier, 17. Arnie Knepper, 18. Rick Goudy, 19. Bob Wente, 20. Roger West, 21. Tommy Astone, 22. Don Hawley, 23. Larry Dickson, 24. Don Carmichael, 25. Bob Evans, 26. Sonny Ates, 27. Billy Vukovich, 28. Ron Eden. FQ: None
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 19, 1972 – Springfield Speedway – Springfield, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Billy Engelhart (David Birmingham #4), 2. Larry Rice, 3. Bob Wente, 4. Roger West, 5. Tom Bigelow, 6. Steve Cannon, 7. Dave Strickland, 8. Don Vogler, 9. Jerry Stone, 10. John Toth, 11. Don Carmichael, 12. Kevin Olson, 13. John Batts, 14. Dennis Carrier, 15. Rich Vogler, 16. Joe Saldana, 17. Gary Ponzini, 18. Ronnie Burke, 19. Arnie Knepper, 20. Larry Cannon. FQ: Billy Engelhart (12.570)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 24, 1972 – Quad City Raceway – East Moline, Illinois
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Rich Vogler (Harry Turner #82), 2. Steve Cannon, 3. Dave Strickland, 4. Larry Rice, 5. Gary Ponzini, 6. Billy Engelhart, 7. Rick Goudy, 8. Dennis Carrier, 9. Jerry Stone, 10. Al Willey, 11. Don Vogler, 12. John Batts, 13. Jay Brosius, 14. Pancho Carter, 15. John Toth, 16. Tommy Astone, 17. Kevin Olson, 18. Butch Haisman, 19. Roger West, 20. Denny Stewart. FQ: Rick Goudy (15.160)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: August 26, 1972 – Kokomo Speedway – Kokomo, Indiana
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Doug Caruthers #2), 2. Joe Saldana, 3. Larry Rice, 4. Steve Cannon, 5. Roger West, 6. Rick Goudy, 7. Jim McClean, 8. Gary Ponzini, 9. Billy Engelhart, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. John Toth, 12. Ron Eden, 13. Tommy Astone, 14. Bill Renshaw, 15. Jerry Stone, 16. George Kladis, 17. Larry Mayhew, 18. Kevin Olson, 19. Ken Weiland, 20. John Batts. FQ: Pancho Carter (17.600)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 2, 1972 – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Du Quoin, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Larry Dickson, 3. Bob Wente, 4. Les Scott, 5. Joe Saldana, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Pancho Carter, 8. Arnie Knepper, 9. Billy Engelhart, 10. Ronnie Burke, 11. Don Hawley, 12. Steve Cannon, 13. Dave Strickland, 14. Duke Cook, 15. Gary Ponzini, 16. Rick Goudy, 17. Bob Lithgow, 18. Bobby Jones, 19. Dennis Carrier, 20. John Batts, 21. Steve Lotshaw, 22. George Kladis, 23. Gary Byers, 24. Tommy Astone, 25. Bill Renshaw, 26. Bob Evans, 27. Bill Puterbaugh, 28. Ralph Liguori. FQ: Larry Dickson (34.870)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 2, 1972 – Du Quoin State Fairgrounds – Du Quoin, Illinois
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Larry Dickson, 3. Arnie Knepper, 4. Billy Engelhart, 5. Pancho Carter, 6. Rick Goudy, 7. Steve Cannon, 8. Duke Cook, 9. Roger West, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. Steve Lotshaw, 12. Dennis Carrier, 13. John Batts, 14. Bobby Jones, 15. George Kladis, 16. Les Scott, 17. Karl Busson, 18. Bob Lithgow, 19. Ronnie Burke, 20. Dick Pole, 21. Joe Saldana, 22. Don Hawley, 23. Bob Wente, 24. Gary Ponzini, 25. Ralph Liguori, 26. Bob Evans, 27. Gary Byers, 28. Larry Rice. None
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 10, 1972 – Terre Haute Action Track – Terre Haute, Indiana – Hut 100
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Rick Goudy, 3. Bob Wente, 4. Mel Kenyon, 5. Tom Bigelow, 6. Larry Rice, 7. Sammy Sessions, 8. Billy Engelhart, 9. Steve Lotshaw, 10. Dave Strickland, 11. Bob Lithgow, 12. Al Willey, 13. Johnny Parsons, 14. Bruce Walkup, 15. Fred Hight, 16. George Kladis, 17. Dick Jones, 18. Dennis Dorsey, 19. Larry Mayhew, 20. Steve Cannon, 21. Roger West, 22. Joe Saldana, 23. John Toth, 24. Larry Dickson, 25. Jay Brosius, 26. Bill Puterbaugh, 27. Bill Renshaw, 28. Dennis Carrier, 29. Ron Eden, 30. Duke Cook, 31. Larry Cannon, 32. John Batts, 33. Jerry Stone. FQ: Joe Saldana (23.770)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 17, 1972 – Trenton Speedway – Trenton, New Jersey
FEATURE (34 laps) 1. Mel Kenyon (Junior Knepper #25), 2. Jan Opperman, 3. Larry Rice, 4. Pancho Carter, 5. Wally Dallenbach, 6. Tom Bigelow, 7. Jimmy Caruthers, 8. Jerry Stover, 9. Dennis Carrier, 10. Jim Maguire, 11. John Toth, 12. Billy Hughes, 13. Johnny Coy, 14. Sonny Ates, 15. Jerry Karl, 16. Russ Klar, 17. Hank Rogers Jr., 18. Wayne Woodward, 19. Bing Metz, 20. Lew Blair, 21. Joe Conti, 22. Freddy Charles, 23. Midge Miller, 24. Larry McCoy, 25. Chuck Kauffman, 26. Jerry Wall, 27. Billy Engelhart, 28. Johnny Rutherford, 29. Jimmy Kirk, 30. Ernie McCoy, 31. Frank Swan, 32. Frank Holz. FQ: Mel Kenyon (39.950)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 17, 1972 – Trenton Speedway – Trenton, New Jersey
FEATURE (34 laps) 1. Tom Bigelow (Howard Lehmann #27), 2. Wally Dallenbach, 3. Jimmy Caruthers, 4. Pancho Carter, 5. Dennis Carrier, 6. Larry Rice, 7. John Toth, 8. Jerry Stover, 9. Jerry Karl, 10. Billy Hughes, 11. Jan Opperman, 12. Jim Maguire, 13. Billy Engelhart, 14. Russ Klar, 15. Bing Metz, 16. Lew Blair, 17. Chuck Kauffman, 18. Wayne Woodward, 19. Midge Miller, 20. Freddy Charles, 21. Ernie McCoy, 22. Larry McCoy, 23. Joe Conti, 24. Hank Rogers Jr., 25. Jerry Wall, 26. Mel Kenyon, 27. Jimmy Kirk, 28. Frank Swan. FQ: None
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: September 30, 1972 – Tri-City Speedway – Granite City, Illinois
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Pancho Carter (Jim Rieder #81), 2. Steve Cannon, 3. Jimmy Caruthers, 4. Dennis Carrier, 5. Bill Renshaw, 6. Duke Cook, 7. Gary Ponzini, 8. Larry Rice, 9. Larry Dickson, 10. Bob Lithgow, 11. Arnie Knepper, 12. Don Carmichael, 13. Tom Bigelow, 14. Bob Wente, 15. John Batts, 16. Larry Mayhew, 17. Joe Saldana, 18. Ralph Liguori, 19. Billy Engelhart, 20. Gary Byers. FQ: Jimmy Caruthers (24.610)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: October 7, 1972 – Suntana Speedway – Springville, Utah
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Mel Kenyon (Stan Lee #66), 2. Sammy Sauer, 3. Dave Strickland, 4. Jimmy Caruthers, 5. Larry Rice, 6. Don “Spyder” Anderson, 7. Billy Engelhart, 8. Johnny W. Anderson, 9. Bobby Olivero, 10. Pancho Carter, 11. Dennis Carrier, 12. Butch Haisman, 13. Tom DuPont, 14. Jim Tunstad, 15. Rick Goudy, 16. Danny O'Neill. FQ: Dave Strickland (18.160)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: October 13, 1972 – South Bay Speedway – Chula Vista, California
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Larry Rice (Bob & Gene Shannon #22), 2. Billy Engelhart, 3. Dave Strickland, 4. Johnny W. Anderson, 5. Mel Kenyon, 6. Pancho Carter, 7. Steve Cannon, 8. Terry Caves, 9. Dean Thompson, 10. Tommy Astone, 11. Rick Goudy, 12. Mike Gregg, 13. Gary Ponzini, 14. Hank Butcher, 15. Bill Renshaw, 16. Ken Gidney, 17. Jimmy Caruthers, 18. Danny McKnight, 19. Jerry Weeks, 20. Johnny Parsons. FQ: Dave Strickland (24.730)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: October 14, 1972 – Ascot Park – Gardena, California
FEATURE: (50 laps) 1. Mel Kenyon (Stan Lee #66), 2. Gary Ponzini, 3. Johnny Parsons, 4. Jimmy Caruthers, 5. Pancho Carter, 6. Johnny W. Anderson, 7. Steve Cannon, 8. Hank Butcher, 9. Jerry Weeks, 10. Tommy Astone, 11. Tony Simon, 12. Dave Strickland, 13. Danny McKnight, 14. Billy Engelhart, 15. Larry Rice, 16. Terry Caves, 17. Ken Gidney, 18. John Redican, 19. Rick Goudy, 20. Mike Gregg. FQ: Gary Ponzini (22.310)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: November 3, 1972 – Manzanita Speedway – Phoenix, Arizona
FEATURE: (40 laps) 1. Rick Goudy (Leonard Faas #15), 2. Mel Kenyon, 3. Hank Butcher, 4. Tony Simon, 5. Larry Rice, 6. Lee Kunzman, 7. Buddy Taylor, 8. Tom Bigelow, 9. Gary Bettenhausen, 10. Billy Engelhart, 11. Danny McKnight, 12. Jerry Weeks, 13. Joe Saldana, 14. Dave Strickland, 15. Pancho Carter, 16. Bobby Olivero, 17. Jimmy Caruthers, 18. Gary Ponzini, 19. Mike Gregg, 20. Dean Thompson. FQ: Gary Ponzini (22.800)
USAC NATIONAL MIDGET RACE RESULTS: November 23, 1972 – Ascot Park – Gardena, California – Turkey Night Grand Prix
FEATURE: (100 laps) 1. Tony Simon (Leonard Faas #16), 2. Mel Kenyon, 3. Pancho Carter, 4. Billy Vukovich, 5. Danny McKnight, 6. Billy Engelhart, 7. George Snider, 8. Johnny W. Anderson, 9. Dave Strickland, 10. Jimmy Caruthers, 11. Ralph Liguori, 12. Rich Scettrini, 13. Rick Goudy, 14. Bob Evans, 15. Lee Kunzman, 16. Dick Zimmerman, 17. Bruce Walkup, 18. Larry Rice, 19. Gary Bettenhausen, 20. Mike Gregg, 21. Joe Saldana, 22. Tom Bigelow, 23. Tommy Astone, 24. Steve Cannon. FQ: Rick Goudy (21.983)
