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Deer Creek Banquet
November 20, 2005
By Bill Nelson
Grumpy’s Restaurant and the Meadow Ballroom was the place to be on Saturday
night with over 350 people attending the annual awards banquet for Deer Creek
Speedway. Over $32,000 in prize money, contingency gifts and door prizes
were given out through the night’s activities. Every driver in
attendance received a door prize that were donated from a great list of
contingency sponsors. A great meal was served to all of those attending
the banquet. Justin Queensland again presented some slide shows to start
out the evening. The first presentation of the evening was a general
overview of the improvements made to the speedway in 2005. It showed the
new suite and deck building that went up over the winter, construction of the
new bleachers and all of the concrete work that was done.
The Quality Auto Sales Classic Dwarf Cars which made their last regular
appearance at the speedway were up first with a nifty presentation with the
top 5 in points receiving trophies. Mike Gaines took home the championship
with Drew Jech in second, Toger Torgerson, Rick Utley and Jeff Jech rounded
out the top five drivers for the season. Drew Jech also received the
most improved driver in the class award.
Up next were the Culvers of Rochester WISSOTA Street Stocks with Shaun Wehlage
taking home the title in 2005 followed by Steve Eischens, Mark Zvorak, Chuck
Nerland and Danny Hanson rounding out the top five. Wehlage also presented his
crew chief with a replica of the trophy that he received for winning the
points championship. Mark Zvorak was awarded the most improved driver in
the class.
The top five in the Rochester Ford WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds pulled up to the
stage next with Jason Cummins taking home the title, Kenny Wytaske second,
Jeff Brauer, Ben Anderson and Bryan Hernandez rounded out the top five.
Craig Bentzin took home the most improved driver in the class.
Dustin Nelson accepted the award for winning the title in the Culvers of
Rochester WISSOTA Super Stocks. The title was one of four that Dustin
won in the 2005 season. Cole Queensland came home second followed by
Schatney Sanders, Kevin Hager and Dave Haberman. Queensland was awarded
the most improved driver for the class.
Tim Donlinger’s dominance of the speedway in the middle part of the season
assured him of the Bigelow Homes USRA Modfified title. Bob Timm finished
second ahead of Neil Eckhart, Most Improved Driver Nate Wasmund and Mike
Sorensen in fifth.
The Insty Prints of Rochester WISSOTA Late Models saw Mark Teske take home
another title at the speedway with Paul Novotny in a close second. Nick
Herrick, Barry Underdahl and Jerry Bloom rounded out the top five with Bloom
receiving the most improved driver award.
Some big contingency awards were given out while the drivers were on the
stage. Kramer Motorsports gave away a $200 certificate to a driver in
the Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds. They also gave away a $50.00
certificate to a Super Stock and Modified driver during the presentations.
Lou Fegers racing Equipment gave away a $1,000 certificate and a $2,000
certificate to the drivers in the WISSOTA Late Model division with
Herrick receiving the $1,000 and Bloom the $2000 prize.
Dustin Nelson and Bob Timm both had their names drawn for $2,000 certificates
towards the purchase of a new RJR super Stock and a new RJR Modified chassis.
Other presentations included Rookie of the Year to WISSOTA Super Stock driver
Jason Gabrielson. Sportsmanship award to WISSOTA Super Stock driver
Dustin Nelson and a Hard Luck award to WISSOTA Midwest Modified driver Joe
Wernecke.
The final presentation of the night was the use of a 24’ US cargo Trailer
fully loaded at no cost for the 2006 season to one lucky driver. After
reviewing the sportsmanship, need, appearance and a few other areas Bobby
Sorensen driver of the #54 USRA modified driver was selected as the recipient
of the award. Sorensen was ecstatic about the award and looks forward to
the use of this beautiful trailer as he pilots a new Fegers Modified for the
2006 season.
The Queensland family went over a few other items about rules and thanked
everyone for coming as they released their 2006 racing schedule. The
highlights of the schedule include a practice on April 5, racing action at the
speedway commences every Saturday night starting on the 8th of April.
The first special of the season will me Memorial Weekend with a double header
event as the United States Modified Touring Series and the IRA Sprint cars
invade the track for an exciting night of racing. The following week
will see the 27th annual Gopher 50 race on Thursday June 1st with the World of
Outlaw Late Models and the USRA modifieds.
July 4th weekend will see the 5th Annual Firecracker 40 event for WISSOTA Late
Models. Thursday July 13th a new an exciting activity at speedway will
see Sammy Kershaw live and in concert to entertain the fans. This event
is running jointly with the Root River Antique Club next door as they hold the
National Minneapolis Moline convention on their marching grounds.
September 2nd with be the Labor Day Dual with the World Dirt Racing League
Late Models and the United States Modified Touring Series on hand. The
season closes out with the 8th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree on September
20-23rd and the final race of the season will be the Fall Festival on the 29th
of September.
No major improvements at the speedway were announced but smaller improvements
will continue on the tradition of the Queensland family with the track surface
getting resurfaced with a new supply of clay being brought in.
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