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Deery Series opens at 34 Raceway with first annual Slocum 50
memorial
by: Dana Royer
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (March 4) – A driver popular all
around the IMCA Late Model circuit will be remembered when his home track
hosts the opening event of the 2009 Deery Brothers Summer Series.
34 Raceway will be the site for the first annual Slocum 50, in honor of the
late Brent Slocum and his High Five Race Team, on Saturday, April 11.
Slocum died in a pit area accident at 34 on June 11, 2005. The 28- year-old
from Burlington was the defending track champion at 34 and had competed in
more than 80 Deery events at the time of his death.
“This has been a long time coming,” said Brad Stevens, who was one of
Slocum's best friends. “We want to keep Brent’s memory alive and give back
to his fellow Late Model competitors. This special race is the way to
accomplish both objectives."
High Five team members have contacted Slocum’s family and friends, as well
as area businesses, to raise an additional $6,000 for the main event purse.
The winner will go home with $2,500. A minimum of $500 will be paid to start
the 24-car feature, which boasts a $16,450 total purse. Non- qualifiers will
get $100 in tow money.
"Adding $6,000 to the purse allows Brent’s home track to host the two
highest paying Deery Brothers races of the year," Stevens said, “the
series-opening Slocum 50 in April and the Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals in
September.”
One dollar out of each grandstand admission ticket sold on opening night and
half the proceeds of the evening’s 50/50 raffle have been designated for a
Slocum 50 Scholarship Fund, to benefit area high school students.
Anyone interested in donating to that fund can contact Stevens at 319
759-9558. More information on scholarship applications will be available at
the www.34raceway.com website.
"We are excited to host this memorial event,” said Amy Laue, owner and
promoter of 34 Raceway. “Brent was a fierce competitor and a great guy, and
I’m sure the drivers who raced with him here and in the series will be proud
to attend. We are honored to help his family, friends and sponsors keep his
memory alive in this great racing community.”
Pit gates open at 4:30 p.m., the grandstands open at 5 p.m. and racing
starts at 7 p.m. for the Slocum 50.
Adult grandstand admission is $15, seniors and students are $13 and kids 10
and under get in free.
Also on the program are IMCA Modifieds and the first of six races in the
4-cylinder Dash For Cash series.
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