Nichols Crashes Party Intended for Vukovich

Many among the 5,516 spectators at Saugus Speedway on Saturday night were there to see the U. S. Auto Club Super-Modifieds race.

More specifically, they were there to see Billy Vukovich III, who was voted this year’s Indy 500 rookie of the year.

But Vukovich was involved in an accident on Lap 8 of the 40-lap main event and was unable to return, so it was up to others to provide the highlights.

Ken Nichols started the main event in sixth place but took advantage of the crash between leader Robert Tartaglia of Reedley, Calif., and Vukovich to take the lead and hold on to win the race by less than half a car length.

Nichols built his lead into one-third of a lap, but an accident on Lap 36 closed the gap between him and eventual runner-up Mike Swanson.

“They were telling me on the radio he was closing,” Nichols said. “It’s always easier to run ahead of someone then run behind him.”

Nichols took the points lead at 186 with the win. Swanson is next at 184.

Vukovich was not injured in the accident.

The first half of the night was dominated by an outsider, Mark Ekberg of Reedley, Calif. Ekberg, who was not among the USAC points leaders entering the night, wound up taking the winners’ heat race and a standard heat race in the first half of the night’s bill.

Ekberg started the winners’ heat race in the No. 1 position and held off a challenge from Lance Tarto of Madera, Calif., who finished second.

In other action, Mitch Thompson of Sylmar won the 15-lap Street Stock figure 8 main event and Dean Johnson of Hidden Hills won the 15-lap Street Stock oval semi-main event.