corky johnson

The car races in Wall were held every other Tuesday. A track was laid out around the eastside boulevard. The boulevard was a naturally sloping oval from east to west with a ramp on each end; one low ramp west, one high east. On low/west end were the railroad tracks; on the high/east end stood a massive concrete dinosaur that was as big as a house.

In the heyday, racers would come from as far away as Midland, Eureka and Union Center. It was all about the sport. Fast cars, cheap hamburgers and soda-pop chicks; black boots, oily jeans and hair oil (Wildroot). This was trouble-town on every other Tuesday, worse than Kadoka and tougher than Pedro.

To race, you have to stop in at the Texaco to register. Even though it looks like rain.

Tuesday, September 2, 1963.
The Pennington County Courant (Les Ravelette Publications):

Corky Johnson races best yet.

Wall's Corky Johnson sped his car through the boulevard with alacrity on Tuesday night, astounding both friend and foe. Seemingly impervious to the conditions, Johnson defeated Midland racer Arlyn Gemple in the final lap on a dangerous bump and run. Both racers lost some paint, but Johnson held on for the win.

Results:

Name: Finish Laps Avg. MPH
1. Johnson, Corky (Wall Standard Oil) 1 122 46.7
2. Gemple, Arlyn (Midland-Center Coop) 2 122 46.5
3. Schuler, "Shorty" (Wall Standard Oil) 3 122 45.9
4. Wyant, Leeroy (Weiner's Bar-Wasta) 4 122 44.0
5. Simms, Alvie (Rancher's Supply-Wall) 5 122 33.6

Others (in order of finish): Deakman, Fred: Seiler, Jake: Babcock, Lionel; Severson, Barry; Lewis, Dale; Sharpe, Dennis; Pederson, Gordon; Hahn, Dave; Howell, Donnie.