34 Raceway Banquet Honors Driver’s, Also Brings a End to One Era And Usher’s in a New Era
by Brian Neal
West Burlington, IA (Saturday, November 4, 2017) – On Saturday, November 4th 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa honored their 2017 track champions during the awards banquet bash held at the Comfort Suites Hotel & Conference Center in Burlington, Iowa. Along with the track champions being honored, those drivers who finished in the top 10 in points were also handed plaques and points fund checks for the efforts. In order to be eligible to receive their awards for 2017 the drivers must have competed in 75% of the points racing events. That would consist of 59 drivers in the 8 classes that competed and earned points during the season.
The night would start off with Amy Laue introducing the crowd to the 2017 34 Raceway track champions, which consisted of Jarrod Schneiderman in the WT Gabeline & Sons Trucking 305 Sprints, Dennis LaVeine in the Victory Lane Suspensions IMCA Modifieds, John Oliver Jr. in the Pepsi IMCA Stock Cars, Austen Becerra in the Casebine Credit Union IMCA SportMods, Adam Taylor in the Deery Brothers IMRA Midgets, Jason Masengarb in the Sunoco Fuels Mod Lites, Brandon Lambert in the Sonny’s Market 4-Cylinders, and Drake Fenton in the Coyote Crazy Mini Hauler Trucks. That was followed up with Amy thanking the many sponsors, fans, track crew workers, drivers and their crews for the support they have given to them during the 11 years they have owned and promoted 34 Raceway. Amy went on to tell the crowd that more then $500,000 in prize money was paid out during the 2017 racing season, along with more then $12,000 paid out to the drivers at this years banquet.
First to be honored was Jarrod Schneiderman, who earned his second consecutive WT Gabeline & Sons Trucking 305 Sprint track title. Also earning plaques and points fund checks in the class included Ben Wagoner who was 2nd in points, third place points finisher Nick Guernsey, Daniel Bergquist who was 4th in points, and Dave Getchell who was 5th in points. Finishing out the top 10 that were honored included Tanner Gebhardt who was 6th in points, seventh place in points Colton Fisher, Shane Quam who was 8th in points, ninth place points getter Wyatt Wilkerson, and Andy Krieger who was 10th in points.
Dennis LaVeine, who earned the Victory Lane Suspensions IMCA Modified track champion was the next to receive his awards. Those finishing 2nd thru 9th were also awarded their plaques and checks. They included Dugan Thye who was 2nd in points, Bill Roberts Jr. who was 3rd in points, fourth place in points Dustin Smith, and Chadwick Giberson who was 5th in points. Finishing out the top 9 was Darrow Lillie in 6th, seventh in points Dean McGee, Brandon Rothzen who was 8th in points, and Rich Smith who was ninth in points.
Up next to be honored was Austen Becerra, who won the Casebine Credit Union IMCA SportMod track title. Following him in points who earned awards were Kyle Hill who was 2nd in points, third place finisher in points Sean Wyett, John Oliver Jr. who was 4th in points, and Daniel Keltner who was 5th in points. Finishing out those who raced 75% of the races were Jacob Whittington who was 6th in points, and Tom Lathrop who was 7th in points.
The next to be honored was John Oliver Jr., who earned the Pepsi IMCA Stock Car track title. Also earning plaques and points fund checks in the class included Tom Bowling Jr. who was 2nd in points, third place points finisher Ray Raker, Chad Krogmeier who was 4th in points, and Jake Wenig who was 5th in points. Finishing out the top 8 that were honored included Derek Schwandt who was 6th in points, seventh place in points Mark Bowman, and Cody Washburne who was 8th in points.
Adam Taylor, who earned the Deery Brothers IMRA Midget track champion was the next to receive his awards. Those finishing 2nd thru 5th were also awarded their plaques and checks. They included Dillon Morley who was 2nd in points, Jacob Sollenberger who was 3rd in points, fourth place in points Chase McDermand, and Jeremy Hull who was 5th in points.
Up next to be honored was Darke Fenton, who won the Coyote Crazy Mini Hauler Truck track title. Following him in points who earned awards were Dylan Reverend who was 2nd in points, and third place finisher in points Lance Applegarth.
Next to be honored was Jason Masengarb, who earned the Sunoco Fuels Mod Lite track title. Also earning plaques and points fund checks in the class included Devon Rouse who was 2nd in points, third place points finisher Mike Morrill, Michael Dominguez who was 4th in points, and Brian Tipps who was 5th in points. Finishing out the top 7 that were honored included Austin Bowling who was 6th in points, and seventh place in points Scott Sappington Jr.
The final drivers to earn their awards was Brandon Lambert, who earned the Sonny’s Market 4-Cylinder track championship. Those finishing 2nd thru 10th were also awarded their plaques and checks. They included Larry Miller who was 2nd in points, Kimberly Abbott who was 3rd in points, fourth place in points Eric Eye, and Jerrod Nichols who was 5th in points. Finishing out the top 10 was David Prim in 6th, seventh in points Ashton Blain, Wesley Talley who was 8th in points, ninth place finisher Cody Bowman, and Wayne Chamblee who was ninth in points.
Following all the drivers being honored, Amy would recognize Micheil and Danica Farr, Dennis Krieger, and John Vass for their photo contribution to many media outlines. Also being honored for the media contribution was Dana Royer of Louisa Publishing Company, Matt Levins of the Burlington Hawkeye, and Brian Neal, who wrote all the tracks press releases for 2017.
To end the night Amy would introduce those in attendance to Brad Stevens, who is the new owner of 34 Raceway. After 11 years of owning and promoting Southeast Iowa’s premiere track, Jeff and Amy Laue, Tom and Sue Bowling, and Scott and Lorrie Parish announced at the last race in September that they had sold the track. Brad will be assisted by girlfriend Jessi Mynatt in the promoting of the track for many years to come. Brad told the crowd that there would be a few changes for 2018, but for the most part everything would remain the same. To keep up with all the information about 34 Raceway for 2018 be sure to like them on Facebook, or keep an eye on the tracks website at www.34raceway.com.
Category: Iowa
