Encyclopedia Dubuque
"Encyclopedia Dubuque is the online authority for all things Dubuque, written by the people who know the city best.”
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HINDERMAN, John
JOHN HINDERMAN. In 1951 Hinderman established such a reputation for winning races that it led to a chemical analysis of his gasoline. The investigation was to see whether any ether, alcohol, or benzol had been added to the gasoline. His car, a 1941 Buick, had been driven with great success by Vern Hinderman until he had been called for military service. (1) No additives were found leading his critics to agree it was his skills. (2)
The 1951 investigation developed after the 22 year-old had achieved successes all summer at Dubuque and Farley stock tracks. He had the habit of starting last because he usually won the time trials. By midway through the race, however, he worked himself into first place where he stayed. He achieved possibly six feature victories at the Farley Speedway and at least that many in Dubuque.
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Source:
1. Key, Marley, " Key-Notes in Sports," Telegraph-Herald, September 5, 1951, p. 14
2. "Stocks Add New Event," The Telegraph-Herald, September 14, 1951, p. 11