Post by Dirt Master on Jun 8, 2007 11:12:37 GMT -5
Contact: DIRT MotorSports d/b/a World Racing Group
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
704-254-7929 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
28th Annual Featherlite Trailers 'Gopher 50' Charity Late Model Race Set For Thurs., June 14, At Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway
SPRING VALLEY, MN - June 7, 2007 - Minnesota's prestigious Featherlite Trailers 'Gopher 50' Charity Late Model Race has found a perfect home in Deer Creek Speedway.
One of the country's longest-lasting and most unique dirt Late Model events, the 'Gopher 50' is scheduled for its 28th annual running - and third straight at Deer Creek - on Thurs., June 14.
This will also be the third consecutive year that the event will be part of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, which boasts a roster that includes some of the nation's most well-known dirt Late Model drivers.
The 'Gopher 50' was founded and is still promoted by the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club International, a 50-member group that uses the event as one of its largest fundraisers each year. The club ran the race at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn. (1980-81) and the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn. (1982-2004) before settling in at the Queensland family's spic-and-span, three-eighths-mile Deer Creek oval in 2005.
"We felt we had built a really prestigious event and needed a facility to match it," said Jerry Ingvalson, the Blooming Prairie Lions Club member who has overseen all aspects of the 'Gopher 50' since its inception. "We found that with Deer Creek Speedway. It's a beautiful racetrack, and working with the Queenslands to promote the event has really helped it grow."
Proceeds from the 'Gopher 50' have primarily helped the Blooming Prairie Lions Club fund youth and elderly programs, but the event has helped in other ways as well.
"One year we contributed money we earned with the race toward the purchase of an ambulance for our local rescue squad," said Ingvalson. "The 'Gopher 50' is definitely a charity race that has helped a lot of good causes over the years."
In a dirt Late Model marketplace that is filled with more special events every year, the 'Gopher 50' continues to stand out from the crowd. Much of the credit for that goes to sponsors like Featherlite Trailers and Miner's Outdoor & Recreation, two companies that are providing the backing for the racer-friendly programs that highlight this year's $10,000-to-win event.
Thanks to Featherlite Trailers, which is headquartered about a half-hour south of Deer Creek Speedway in Cresco, Iowa, the top-20 drivers in the dirt Late Model point standings at Deer Creek are eligible for free entry to the WoO LMS event. The list is headed by Keith Foss and Lance Mathees, both of Winona, Minn., and Jay Ihrke of Dover, Minn.
"It's a great incentive program for our regulars," said Ryan Queensland, the P.R. and marketing director of the speedway. "We'll see most of them compete because of it."
In addition, Featherlite and Miner's Outdoor & Rec will combine to give all dirt Late Model teams on hand a complimentary 'pre-race feed' the afternoon of the 'Gopher 50.' WoO LMS teams raved about the steak dinner they enjoyed prior to last year's 'Gopher 50,' and this year they'll partake in a feast in the track's hospitality area that Ingvalson said will likely feature Windsor Chops.
"The 'feed' is a way of saying 'thanks' to the Late Model teams for supporting the 'Gopher 50,' said Queensland. "It helps make the race a little more special."
Some of the top names in dirt Late Model racing have won the 'Gopher 50,' including three-time WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. Victor of a record five 'Gopher 50' features, Moyer has tentative plans to chase a sixth title on June 14.
Current WoO LMS title contenders Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. (2002), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (2005) and Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006) also own 'Gopher 50' victories.
Other WoO LMS standouts expected to chase 'Gopher 50' glory include points leader Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who won a tour event at Deer Creek last July; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who has won two of the last three WoO LMS events; 19-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.; Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va.; top rookie contender Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.
A host of regional talents have plans to enter the event, including 2004 'Gopher 50' winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa; 2006 Knoxville (Iowa) Late Model Nationals champion Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.; 2006 Deer Creek Speedway Late Model titlist Adam Hensel of Barron, Wis., who has been testing his skills in numerous WoO LMS events this season; and Terry Casey of New London, Wis.
Deer Creek's pit and grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. for the mid-week special. Racing will start at 6:30 p.m.
Adult pre-sale tickets are available for $25 through June 11. Ticket prices at the gate will be $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and pit passes are $30.
For more information visit www.deercreekspeedway.com or call 877-DCS-RACE or 507-754-6107.
Deer Creek Speedway is located 15 miles south of Rochester, Minn., on Highway 63.
The 'Gopher 50' will be part of a busy five-race, six-night tour of the Upper Midwest and America's Heartland for the WoO LMS. The swing kicks off on Tues., June 12, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.Dak., then rolls on to Deer Creek on Thurs., June 14; Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway on Fri., June 15; Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., on Sat., June 16; and the Belleville (Kan.) High Banks on Sun., June 17.
Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.
Kevin Kovac, World of Outlaws Late Model Series P.R. Director
704-254-7929 . kkovac@dirtmotorsports.com
28th Annual Featherlite Trailers 'Gopher 50' Charity Late Model Race Set For Thurs., June 14, At Minnesota's Deer Creek Speedway
SPRING VALLEY, MN - June 7, 2007 - Minnesota's prestigious Featherlite Trailers 'Gopher 50' Charity Late Model Race has found a perfect home in Deer Creek Speedway.
One of the country's longest-lasting and most unique dirt Late Model events, the 'Gopher 50' is scheduled for its 28th annual running - and third straight at Deer Creek - on Thurs., June 14.
This will also be the third consecutive year that the event will be part of the World of Outlaws Late Model Series, which boasts a roster that includes some of the nation's most well-known dirt Late Model drivers.
The 'Gopher 50' was founded and is still promoted by the Blooming Prairie (Minn.) Lions Club International, a 50-member group that uses the event as one of its largest fundraisers each year. The club ran the race at Chateau Speedway in Austin, Minn. (1980-81) and the Steele County Fairgrounds in Owatanna, Minn. (1982-2004) before settling in at the Queensland family's spic-and-span, three-eighths-mile Deer Creek oval in 2005.
"We felt we had built a really prestigious event and needed a facility to match it," said Jerry Ingvalson, the Blooming Prairie Lions Club member who has overseen all aspects of the 'Gopher 50' since its inception. "We found that with Deer Creek Speedway. It's a beautiful racetrack, and working with the Queenslands to promote the event has really helped it grow."
Proceeds from the 'Gopher 50' have primarily helped the Blooming Prairie Lions Club fund youth and elderly programs, but the event has helped in other ways as well.
"One year we contributed money we earned with the race toward the purchase of an ambulance for our local rescue squad," said Ingvalson. "The 'Gopher 50' is definitely a charity race that has helped a lot of good causes over the years."
In a dirt Late Model marketplace that is filled with more special events every year, the 'Gopher 50' continues to stand out from the crowd. Much of the credit for that goes to sponsors like Featherlite Trailers and Miner's Outdoor & Recreation, two companies that are providing the backing for the racer-friendly programs that highlight this year's $10,000-to-win event.
Thanks to Featherlite Trailers, which is headquartered about a half-hour south of Deer Creek Speedway in Cresco, Iowa, the top-20 drivers in the dirt Late Model point standings at Deer Creek are eligible for free entry to the WoO LMS event. The list is headed by Keith Foss and Lance Mathees, both of Winona, Minn., and Jay Ihrke of Dover, Minn.
"It's a great incentive program for our regulars," said Ryan Queensland, the P.R. and marketing director of the speedway. "We'll see most of them compete because of it."
In addition, Featherlite and Miner's Outdoor & Rec will combine to give all dirt Late Model teams on hand a complimentary 'pre-race feed' the afternoon of the 'Gopher 50.' WoO LMS teams raved about the steak dinner they enjoyed prior to last year's 'Gopher 50,' and this year they'll partake in a feast in the track's hospitality area that Ingvalson said will likely feature Windsor Chops.
"The 'feed' is a way of saying 'thanks' to the Late Model teams for supporting the 'Gopher 50,' said Queensland. "It helps make the race a little more special."
Some of the top names in dirt Late Model racing have won the 'Gopher 50,' including three-time WoO LMS champion Billy Moyer of Batesville, Ark. Victor of a record five 'Gopher 50' features, Moyer has tentative plans to chase a sixth title on June 14.
Current WoO LMS title contenders Shannon Babb of Moweaqua, Ill. (2002), Darrell Lanigan of Union, Ky. (2005) and Rick Eckert of York, Pa. (2006) also own 'Gopher 50' victories.
Other WoO LMS standouts expected to chase 'Gopher 50' glory include points leader Clint Smith of Senoia, Ga., who won a tour event at Deer Creek last July; Steve Francis of Ashland, Ky.; Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pa., who has won two of the last three WoO LMS events; 19-year-old Josh Richards of Shinnston, W.Va.; Shane Clanton of Locust Grove, Ga.; Chris Madden of Gray Court, S.C.; Eddie Carrier Jr. of Salt Rock, W.Va.; top rookie contender Tim Fuller of Watertown, N.Y.; and John Blankenship of Williamson, W.Va.
A host of regional talents have plans to enter the event, including 2004 'Gopher 50' winner Brian Birkhofer of Muscatine, Iowa; 2006 Knoxville (Iowa) Late Model Nationals champion Brian Shirley of Chatham, Ill.; 2006 Deer Creek Speedway Late Model titlist Adam Hensel of Barron, Wis., who has been testing his skills in numerous WoO LMS events this season; and Terry Casey of New London, Wis.
Deer Creek's pit and grandstand gates are scheduled to open at 3 p.m. for the mid-week special. Racing will start at 6:30 p.m.
Adult pre-sale tickets are available for $25 through June 11. Ticket prices at the gate will be $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under, and pit passes are $30.
For more information visit www.deercreekspeedway.com or call 877-DCS-RACE or 507-754-6107.
Deer Creek Speedway is located 15 miles south of Rochester, Minn., on Highway 63.
The 'Gopher 50' will be part of a busy five-race, six-night tour of the Upper Midwest and America's Heartland for the WoO LMS. The swing kicks off on Tues., June 12, at River Cities Speedway in Grand Forks, N.Dak., then rolls on to Deer Creek on Thurs., June 14; Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway on Fri., June 15; Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., on Sat., June 16; and the Belleville (Kan.) High Banks on Sun., June 17.
Additional info on the WoO LMS is available by logging on to www.worldofoutlaws.com.