34 Raceway
IMCA tour's richest event set for 34 Raceway
By Bill Martin
IMCA Late ModelsThe feature winner at 34 Raceway’s Pepsi USA Nationals Deery Brothers Summer Series feature will have 10,000 reasons to go home happy. Top prize in the Sept. 2-3 IMCA Late Model tour event is $10,000, the highest payday in the silver anniversary series. A minimum of $500 will be paid to make the 26-car starting grid at the track in West Burlington, Iowa.
Distance for the feature will be 99 laps, in memory of former track owner and promoter Johnny Johnson who died in February. Ninety-nine was Johnson’s number during his Late Model career, which included three victories on the Deery circuit.
“I can’t think of a better occasion or place to honor Johnny,” tour director Kevin Yoder said. “His support of IMCA Late Models in general and this series in particular were virtually unmatched.
“It was under Johnny’s guidance that this race really became the crown jewel of the tour,” he added, noting the all-time series record 71 cars entered in the 2006 Pepsi. “I anticipate this race being among the best Late Model events in the Midwest this season.”
Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., has won the Pepsi three times since it became part of the Deery Series in 1998. Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, is a two-time winner while Darren Miller of Chadwick, Ill., Curt Martin of Independence, Dennis Erb Jr. of Carpentersville, Ill., Rob Toland of Davenport, Terry Neal of Ely, Matt Strassheim of Morning Sun and Jason Frankel of Quincy have each taken home one Pepsi trophy.
Last year’s big check went unclaimed as the second night’s race program was rained out and could not be rescheduled.
The 15 drivers with perfect attendance through the first 13 series events will be entered in the $750 to win J & J Steel Ironman Challenge on Friday.
The opening night program also includes the Brian Hetrick Memorial for 305 sprint cars and mod lites. Karl Chevrolet Northern SportMods and 4-cylinders run on Saturday.
Pit gates at West Burlington open at 4 p.m. and the grandstand opens at 5 p.m. both days. Hot laps are at 6:15 p.m. on Friday and at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday. Qualifying starts at 7 p.m. on Friday while racing follows Saturday’s hot lap session.
Grandstand admission on Friday is $15 for adults and $13 for seniors and students. Saturday spectator admission is $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Two-night passes are $30 for adults and $26 for seniors and students.
Kids 10 and under get in free both nights when accompanying a paid adult.
Pit passes are $25 each night. More information is available at the www.34raceway.com website.
In conjunction with the Pepsi, the final Partnering For A Purpose cookout will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday at Deery Brothers of West Burlington.
Driver Charlie McKenna of Clear Lake will have his grill car, an otherwise IMCA legal Late Model with a grill replacing the fuel cell, at the dealership and the Fareway Stores provide the complimentary pork loins, hot dogs, potato chips and bottled water.
Funds raised at the cookout benefit the Karsyn’s Krusaders Kickin’ Cancer’s Butt One Lap At A Time organization.
