Jackson’s own Marv DeWall was the winner of the inaugural Jackson Grand Nationals on Aug. 25, 1979.
He started sixth but made his way to the front of the field for the win at Jackson VFW Speedway, earning the $5,000 first-place prize money and $60 in lap money provided by Jackson merchants.
DeWall stayed among the leaders in the early going, but once the field was strung out, he began picking off the front-runners. He moved in to challenge race leader Bob Geldner of St. Peter and would shoot past him and into the lead on lap 20.
Gary Scott of Holts Summit, Mo., got past Geldner for second place and managed to close the gap on DeWall, but was unable to mount a serious challenge in the late stages.
Two-time Knoxville Nationals champion Eddie Leavitt of Kearney, Mo., was fourth and Keith Frantzen of Windom was fifth.
Marv’s son, Gary, placed 16th. Gary won the Jackson Nationals in 1991.
There were two other drivers from Windom, as Bob Hanson placed 10th and Jerry Frantzen 18th. Miles Grein of Lakefield was 15th.
A crowd of about 7,000 fans attended.
1979 Jackson Grand Nationals results
1. Marv DeWall, Jackson
2. Gary Scott, Holts Summit, Mo.
3. Bob Geldner, St. Peter
4. Eddie Leavitt, Kearney, Mo.
5. Keith Frantzen, Windom
6. Don Weyrich, Norfolk, Neb.
7. Jack McCorkell, Redwood Falls
8. Mike Foley, Sioux Falls
9. Jerry Richert, Forest Lake
10. Bob Hanson, Windom
11. Randy Smith, Norwalk, Iowa
12. Gene Brudigan, Hoskins, Neb.
13. Randy Kinser, Waynetown, Ind.
14. Art Smith, Estherville
15. Miles Grein, Lakefield
16. Gary DeWall, Jackson
17. Mike Thomas, Des Moines
18. Jerry Frantzen, Windom
19. Shane Carson, Oklahoma City
20. Dick Forbrook, Morgan
21. Leland Van Emmrick, Salem, S.D.
22. Lenard McCarl, Des Moines