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BURLINGTON,
IA (April 10, 2011) – The first night of the 2011 racing season at 34
Raceway saw special tributes along with racing action when the IMCA Deery
Brothers Series made its second stop of the season at the 3/8 mile for the
"Slocum 50". In it’s third year, the race honors former local late model
racer Brent Slocum who was killed in an accident in the pit area in 2005. A
missing man formation parade lap by the late model feature qualifiers and
the large crowd on their feet with hands raised showing five fingers (for
his car number) paid tribute to Slocum. Along with
racing in three classes including late models, W.T. Gabeline and Sons
Trucking 305 sprints and I-Wireless/Louisa Communications 4 cylinders fans
also paid tribute to the 389th
Engineering Company which is being called to duty April 21 and deployed
April 24 to the Middle East. The track filled with race cars with American
flags in hand for the playing of the National Anthym as three members of the
389th presented the colours in front of the stands . Also
recognized were Austin Allen and Luke Griffis, members of the New London
Fire Department which provides fire safety at the track each week. Allen and
Griffis will also be deployed with the unit.
The third annual Slocum 50 saw Matt Ryan,
Davenport, not only got his first Deery Brothers Summer Series feature win,
he also got his first ever feature win 34 Raceway, since he began racing
in the late 1990’s. His win would not be an easy one fighting off Boone
McLaughlin, Mediapolis at the end and taking the checkered flag for a
thrilling finish for the fans.
Forty-seven late models checked in to the pit
area for the chance to qualify for the 50 lap, 24 car feature that paid
$3000 to the winner, with $500 to start the race. After 5 heats and 2
B-Mains, the field was set with Denny Woodwarth and Billy Tuckwell on the
front row. Woodwarth would lead the field for the first five laps, only to
give it up to Rob Toland on lap six. Toland led the field for the next
three laps before pulling in to the pits giving Woodwarth the lead again.
Toland would return but would be at the back of the field. Midway through
the race, McLaughlin and Ryan would give chase with Woodwarth pulling away.
But a caution on lap 32 would close up the field and Ryan would challenge
for the lead. On lap 34, the leader, Woodwarth, would pull into the pits
with a flat tire and Ryan would get his first lead of the race with
McLaughlin and Mark Burgtorf not far behind. With just three laps to go,
McLaughlin was closing in. The two were bumper to bumper on the back stretch
on the final lap. As they came out of turn four, and headed for the
checkered flag, McLaughlin would give it one last shot pulling up along side
Ryan as they passed the stands. But Ryan gave it his all and would take the
checkered flag by just a 1/2 car length.
The W.T. Gabeline and Sons Trucking 305 Sprints
saw Jayson Ditsworth, Gladstone, Il., getting his first win this year taking
the checkered flag in the 25 lap feature. Seventeen cars set the field with
Bobby Mincer and Justin Parrish on the front row. Parrish quickly took the
lead before the race was stopped on lap fifteen. On the restart the red flag
was brought out for Matt Krieger and Andy Huston who flipped off turn one.
The red flag was again brought out on the second restart for Nick Guernsey
also also took a serious roll. When racing resumed Parrish held his lead
for the next twenty laps. Ditsworth would move into the second spot with
nine laps to go and was gaining on the leader. With just three laps to go
Ditsworth would pass Parrish for the lead in turn two and went on to take
the checkered flag.
The I-Wireless/Louisa Communications made their
first stop at 34 Raceway with Morning Sun’s Nick Wilkerson getting the win.
Wilkerson would make a last lap move racing side by side with Noble on the
front stretch and edged out the victory by inches.
Coming Up
Coming up Saturday, April 16 will be the Pepsi
Sprint Invaders and Mod Shoot Out. The 360 Sprint Invaders ($1200 to win)
will be in action for the first time this season as well as Miller Lite
IMCA Modifieds ($1000 to win) and new this year, Weikert Iron and Metal IMCA
Sport Mods will be in action.
Mark your calendars, for Friday, May 13 when the
Lucas Oil Late Models will take on 34 Raceway. Reserve your tickets now.
www.34raceway.com Raceway
Results from April 9, 2011 SLOCUM 50/DEERY
BROTHER LATE MODEL SUMMER SERIES W.T.
GABELINE AND SONS TRUCKING 305 SPRINTS
I-WIRELESS/LOUISA COMMUNICATIONS 4 CYLINERS FEATURE: 1.
Nick Wilkerson, Morning Sun, 2. Wayne Noble, Wapello, 3. Darin Smith,
Wapello, 4. Brad Chandler, Cedar Rapids, 5. Jacob Darbyshire, Morning Sun,
6. Nathan Chandler, Norway, 7. Tyler Whalen, Riverside, 8. Todd Nelson,
Springfield, Il., 9. Gabe Schrader, Lanark, Il., 10. Cjay Loring, Keokuk,
11. Kenny Foor, Wapello, 12. John Whalen, Ainsworth, 13. Bill Whalen,
Riverside, 14. Cory Sheetz, Keota, 15. Mike Hornung, Keokuk, 16. Andrew
Davis, Keokuk, 17, Jason Delzell, Wapello, 19. David Helenthad, 20. Joe Laue,
Wapello, 21. Matt Marshall, Burlington, 22. Jerrod Nichols, Stronghurst,
Il., 23. Chuck Fullenkamp, Ft. Madison, 24. Bryce Bailey, Cedar Rapids, 25.
Kevin Mortimer, Biggsville, Il., 26. Trevor Bookman, Milledgeville, Il. HEAT
WINNERS: T. Whalen, Helenthad, Smith.
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