DUBUQUE, Iowa (March 25) – Dubuque Fairgrounds Speedway is the center of the IMCA Late Model racing universe on Saturday, April 2, when the Deery Brothers Summer Series comes to town.
The first event in the 25th annual tour sees pit gates opening at 4 p.m. and the grandstand opening at 5 p.m. Hot laps are at 6:30 p.m. with racing to follow. The main event pays $2,000 to win and a minimum of $250 to start.
Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., begins defense of his 2010 Deery title against the likes of six-time champion Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, last season’s rookie of the year Andy Eckrich of Iowa City and Darrel DeFrance of Marshalltown, who has competed at all 367 events in series history.
Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., was the winner when the tour made its first-ever visit to Dubuque last April. That race drew 44 cars.
“We are humbled and excited to be embarking on our 25th season of this series,” Tour Director Kevin Yoder said, “and with the increased purses, added contingency programs and special races at the end of the season, there’s no doubt it will be our most competitive and entertaining season ever.”
Grandstand admission at Dubuque will be $16 for adults, $13 for seniors, $11 for students ages 13-18 with school ID and free for kids 12 and under attending with a paid adult. Pit passes are $25. Local stock car and 4-cylinder classes are also on the program.
More information is available by calling promoter Keith Simmons at 563 744-3620 and at the www.simmonspromotionsinc.com website.
RACEceivers are required at all Deery Series events this season; the frequency to be used on opening night will be announced during the drivers’ meeting. Yoder suggested drivers still looking to purchase the one-way radios contact JR Motorsports, Performance Bodies, Speedway Motors or another retailer.
Nineteen events are on the 2011 schedule, including six dates during a busy April preceding the start of IMCA’s regular weekly point season for Late Models.
34 Raceway at West Burlington hosts the $3,000 to win Slocum 50 Deery show on Saturday, April 9. One dollar from each adult grandstand ticket sold will be donated to the scholarship fund established in memory of the late IMCA Late Model driver.
The second half of the weekend twinbill is Sunday, April 10 at Quincy, Ill., Raceway.
Completing the early flurry is a tripleheader of races Friday, April 15 at Davenport Speedway; Saturday, April 16 at Jackson County Speedway in Maquoketa; and Sunday, April 17 at Quad City Speedway in East Moline, Ill.
A point fund of $20,400 will be paid to eligible drivers in final top 15 point standings. 2011 is also the 20th consecutive season for the Deery Brothers Automotive Group as title sponsor of the tour.
2010 Deery Brothers Summer Series top 20 point standings – 1. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill., 717; 2. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls, 625; 3. Andy Eckrich, Iowa City, 622; 4. Terry Neal, Ely, 594; 5. Tyler Bruening, Decorah, 543; 6. Josh Most, Red Oak, 536; 7. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, 511; 8. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake, 499; 9. Kevin Blum, Colona, Ill., 487; 10. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill., 486; 11. Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque, 485; 12. Mark Preston, Port Byron, Ill., 461; 13. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, 451; 14. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun, 450; 15. Todd Malmstrom, Silvis, Ill., 436; 16. T.J. Criss, Oskaloosa, 435; 17. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis, 409; 18. Rob Toland, Davenport, 403; 19. Tom Goble, Burlington, 372; 20. Joel Callahan, Dubuque, and Jason Rauen, Farley, both 356.