BURLINGTON, Iowa (Sept. 18-19) - A couple weeks ago. I set out for a trip to the famed Eldora Speedway to take in the atmosphere of the historic 1/2-mile in Rossburg, Ohio. There were tons of race cars, thousands of fans and a certain mystique following my travels to Western Ohio as I was in great anticipation of what the weekend would bring. A new experience, great racing, the thought of saying I'd been to one of the most well-known tracks in the country built my anticipation for what was certainly going to be a monumental event. When that weekend was over, all expectations were met.
Last Friday, I traveled a couple hours from home to 34 Raceway in Burlington, Iowa, for the finale of the Deery Brothers Summer Series for I.M.C.A. Late Models and the 18th Annual Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals. Having followed the series throughout the season (I made it to seven or eight series races this season) and for the last 20-plus seasons, I knew the racing would be great, the fans would be friendly and the sights and sounds would be just as good as Ohio, only on a smaller level. Not only were my expectations met in Burlington, the racing I witnessed surpassed what I anticipated as I was present for one of the greatest Late Model features I'd ever seen. Rossburg was a lot of fun, but there's no place, and no racing, like right here at home.
On my way out of the gate that night, I heard numerous people saying it was the "best 100-lapper" they'd ever seen. A few more said it was the "best Late Model feature" they'd ever seen and even a few more who said the "best feature" they'd ever seen.
If you've read Jeff Broeg or Brian Neal's column on positivelyracing.com, or have seen the press release from Bill Martin of I.M.C.A., I'm sure you've already made yourself familiar with the on-track happenings from every angle. If you weren't there, you missed the best Late Model racing of the summer. I'll spare an in depth recap of the races and, instead, share my thoughts on the weekend at 34.
Anytime you attend an event that concludes with a 100-lap feature, questions abound concerning what to expect. Following time trials and qualifying on Friday night, to many it seemed a forgeone conclusion that Quincy, Ill., hotshoe Mark Burgtorf would walk away with the honors for the fourth time in the event's 18-year history. Afterall, Burgtorf won the second qualifying heat race, putting him on the outside pole position for the 100-lapper. While many not only put Burgtorf as the odds-on favorite to win, an equal number felt he was a lock to finish the weekend in victory lane. With 100 laps, however, just as many people were saying, "Anything can happen over 100 laps." Tire wear, track conditions, lapped traffic, and even a dash or two of luck are always to be considered for a race of such length.
While a great number of factors are considered for the prediction of the outcome of any race, what happened Saturday night was probably not expected by anyone in the house. I don't mean that the 100-lapper was slowed only twice for caution or that Burgtorf led most of the event without taking the checkers or even the fact that Jason Frankel made a late race pass to score the thrilling win. I'm talking about how exciting each and every of the 100 laps was for fans in attendance. While Burgtorf did try to make quick work of the field by taking the lead just two laps into the event, his largest lead was only a handful of car-lengths during the first quarter of the race. Challengers were always within sight of the race lead and, throughout much of the race, the top five on the track at any given time were within a straightaway of the lead. How many 100 lap features have you seen that can boast such a statistic? Nobody dominated. Nobody looked like a "lock" to win at any point. Nobody could have guessed how the race would end with even as few as five laps to go. I even heard a few Burgtorf fans following the race say how incredible the race was even though their guy didn't see the checkers first at the end.
Race announcer and fellow blogger Jeff Broeg made note during the lap 53 caution of how many lead changes there were during the first half of the event alone. You can check out his thoughts on the "Back Stretch." Even when the battle wasn't for the lead, Terry Neal, Jeff Aikey, Burgtorf, Lonnie Bailey, Frankel and Rob Toland each periodically found themselves at the front of the pack throughout the event three-wide for the lead.
Hats off to the entire field for putting on an impressive show this past weekend and also to track owner Jeff Laue for providing the racers and fans with a superb race track all weekend.
Pepsi Notes
Frankel's series win completed book-end wins this season as he also took the Deery opener this past April, also at 34 Raceway.
A trio of Late Model specials highlighted the racing weekend. While 64 cars made the trip to Burlington, I understand 49 made the tow to Farley for the Yankee and 26 were in Harlan for the Tiny Lund. While I'm glad I made the trip to Burlington, 139 Late Models competing in Iowa for three events on the same weekend is a good sign of the strength of Late Model racing in the Hawkeye State.
Jeff Aikey wrapped up the Deery Series title earlier in the month and didn't even have to compete to take the $5,000 champion's share back to Cedar Falls. In the end, he seemed just as excited for Frankel in victory lane as anyone else, even though he was in contention for the victory right down to the final lap.
Thanks to Broeg and regular track announcer Rich Adams for letting me announce a heat race on Friday night and allowing me to hang out with the crew atop the grandstands for the entire weekend's events. I appreciate them giving me the chance to use my "unused material" from this season to reference American Idol and Cash for Clunkers. I had a blast, guys! (I saved one more for you later in this blog.)
It was also nice to watch the Late Model feature with positivelyracing.com web mistress Sue McDaniel. The antics from the crow's nest are best left alone in the crow's nest, though!
The early part of my weekend consisted of helping 34's Facilities Director Jason Goble and his crew in the concession stand and other areas where they were short-handed. For those who think all the work for any race, let alone a big two-day show, begins when the gates open and ends with the final checkered flag, is sadly mistaken. Jason and his crew were there early on Friday to get the grounds in fan-friendly order and to prepare all the great food for race time. After spending time selling the fares and even assembling a few sandwiches, I helped stock the goods following Friday night's show in preparation for Saturday's finale. I had my first visit to the suites above the grandstand and Suite 34 in turn four to help get them ready for Saturday night. I even volunteered (was elected?) to complete restroom duty on the grandstand side, laundered the concession crew's work shirts and assisted Jason's right-hand man Jordan Mohr by washing windows on Suite 34 and stocking the pit concessions. It may seem odd to include those items here, but if you take for granted all the hard work that goes on "behind the scenes" by the crew when you visit your local track, be sure to think twice the next time you go. Thank the folks who are there preparing your food and getting the facility race ready. In fact, Jordan took a blower up to the grandstands to clean them out long after the races were over on Friday... before he picked up all the trash in the grandstand, pit and parking lot areas. A thankless job, perhaps, but that doesn't mean that their work and the work of others should go unnoticed for all they do to get ready for race night. While I enjoyed pitching in and helping out where needed, what I assisted with was only a small part of what the entire staff of 34 Raceway and any track goes through to make race night an enjoyable experience for both racers and fans. Thanks(?) to Jason and his crew for the eye-opening experience and for a fun weekend!
One side note on the appeal of the two-day shows... While we were getting the grounds ready for Saturday night, a number of folks were still awake enjoying their consumption of "adult beverages" and all that goes along with it (except, ironically, the part about acting like adults). Jason took it upon himself to hop onto the race track from a six foot jump via the gate under the flagstand to meet a pair of those individuals who took it upon themselves to take their street car on the track for a few laps after the 2 a.m. hour. I'm sure whoever was driving that car will think twice before his next post-race on-track drunken venture as I could see the fire in Jason's eyes from many feet away. A few others were tearing around the grounds on four wheelers and other vehicles "all in good fun." You know the saying, "It's all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out"... well, it would have been nice to poke out a few eyes on Friday night. Unfortunately, some folks see alcohol as an excuse. While it's nice to cut loose and have a good time, when it comes to disrespecting someone else's property and those who came for some good, clean fun, the behaviors of a few have been known to spoil it for many. Those who acted irresponsibily should be ashamed of themselves and took part in behaviors of which only Kanye West could be proud. (There's one more for you, Jeff and Rich!)
Next up for me will be the season championships for the Sprint Invaders Series next Saturday night, right back at 34 Raceway. Hope to see you there!
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