Donald "Don" Hutchinson (Don Hutchinson’s short spectacular and tragic ending all began in 1949 when Don moved to Kansas City two years after graduating from high school in Joplin. He started working as a welder at a motorcycle shop which led him into Motorcycle racing, first as a Novice, Amateur, then Expert. At Lakeside Stadium, Don went on to win lots of races and set many world records across the country with American Motorcycle Association. The United States Army took Don out of circulation until 1954. Don then got a “yen” to drive race cars. Bill Mansell put up the money to purchase a car once driven by Bob Slater, IMCA champion in 1953 and 1954 who was killed in a racing accident. During his racing career, Don broke two IMCA World Sprint car records at Lakeside Stadium. In 1956, Don would take Lee Sloan midget to two wins in KCMARA at Lakeside Stadium. Don died at the age of 27, on September 18, 1956, at the wheel of his race car, while battling with AJ Foyt for the lead at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, KS (IMCA). Although his career was short, he captured the hearts of many at Lakeside Stadium. In a life that lasted only 27 years, Don Hutchinson left a lasting impression for all those that crossed his path. A veteran of the Korean War, Husband, and Father, Hutchinson squeezed every ounce of life out of his brief time on this planet. On the racetracks of America, he was a true juggernaut on the National scene racing Motorcycles, Sprint Cars, and Midgets. While finishing as high as second place in the National AMA Standings in 1954, and sixth place in IMCA National Standings in 1955, earning Rookie of the Year Honors before his untimely passing in 1956. Ironically, Don was presented the Bob Slater Memorial Trophy in 1956 at Lakeside Stadium. After he won the Dash Award in Memory of the KC driver Bob Slater. This was presented by Al Sweeney (IMCA) and W.C. Conner, Manager of Lakeside Stadium. )
