Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125789
'" I N .... '" ..... > 3 .., -~ COLUMBUS, OHIO, June 25, 1972 _ Mert Lawwill waited until lap 17 of the 20-lap Charity Newsies Half-Mile National to take the lead by passing Gary Scott in turn three. It was the same spot where Scott had gtabbed the lead from Lawwill on the seventh lap. Lawwill held off the rookie to put Harley in the wmner's circle for the Milwaukee firm's third National win in four weeks. "Gary went wide in tum two and I got a good run on him down the back straigh t," was how Lawwill described his taking Scott in tum three. Lawwill was backed up in the pits and in the winner's circle by last year's Newsies winner, Bart Markel. Markel had originally planned to be back in action today but, on doctor's advice, will wait a few more weeks before getting back into competition. The race for third, fourth and fifth was a tight contest between Chuck Palmgren, Don Castro, Gene Romero, and Dick·Mann. Gene Romero (Tri) sat on the pole (inside) by virtue of his fast heat win. Dick Mann (BSA) and Gary Scott (Tri) also heat winners, lined up along side with Norton rider Frank Gillespie, Triumph mounted John Hateley, and Mert Law~iIl (H-D) rounding out the front row. Harley dominated the back row with Rex Beauchamp, Dave Seh, Cal Rayborn, and Larry Darr all riding the Milwaukee brand. Chuck Palmgren w Z W ..J U >U Two form.". National Champs; both have won the Columbus Half Mile. Bart Markel did it last year. Rex Beauchamp ended up tenth. This Trlump/l suffered • drop in c:omprealOn when 111 cylinder broke. (Yam) and Don Castro (Tri) rounded out the field. Lawwill dove in to tum One from the ou tside pole. to take the -lead with everyone bunched behind_ Mann passed Romero on the back straight for second only to lose it to Romero, Scott, and Palmgren after going wide in tum four. Across the line, it was Lawwill by five bike lengths followed by Romero, Scott closing in, Chuck Palmgren, Dick Mann, and Rex Beauchamp. Scott made his move on lap seven, going under Lawwill in tum three, and it began to look like Scott might pick up his fIrst National. Lawwill appeared to have motor on Scott and stayed close waiting for the rookie to make a mistake. Romero and Palmgren played "pass 'em" and "who has third?" to the large crowd's deligh t. Mann began to have trouble with his line again and fell back to seventh place on lap ten. Scott went wide again on lap 17 and this time Lawwill rolled it on to pull Scott on the back straight and dive first into turn three, taking over the lead. Meanwhile, Don Castro made his move to get by Romero and Mann began to press, also. Romero wen t wide on lap 19 and lost more ground, suddenly fmding himself in seventh place after challenging for most of the race. Lawwill and Scott continued their duel un til the last lap when Mert widened his lead to win by a healthy margin. The new alloy Harley obviously bas motor on everybody. Chuck Palmgren held a safe third, with Cutro