Throwback Thursday: Santa Rosa ‘69
Larry Lawrence | February 1, 2018
In this week’s Throwback we go back to the Summer of ’69 and the Santa Rosa (CA) Mile. Gary Nixon leads the start on his Triumph. Giving chase are fellow Triumph riders Chuck Palmgren (hidden behind Nixon) and Eddie Mulder (12) and Harley-Davidson mounted Mert Lawwill (18) and Jimmy Odom (77). You can also just make out Dusty Coppage (32) behind Odom. Coming around the high line is Dick Mann (2) on his BSA.
Palmgren would go on to win the race over Gene Romero and Lawwill.
This would be a tough day for Nixon. He hit a false neutral while downshifting one lap and crashed into an unprotected barrier, breaking his leg. It was a bad enough break that after he recovered Nixon began focusing more and more on road racing.
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