34 Raceway Practice Day

I was unable to make the trip out to Nebraska to catch one of the two big Modified shows out there this weekend so instead I popped down to 34 Raceway for a bit today to take in some of their practice. At least sixty cars were on hand including around eighteen late models on a chilly day with a stiff wind blowing across the track and into the pits. There was also a nice little gathering of spectators who enjoyed the free grandstand as they prepared for the track’s season opener next Saturday April 3rd. The track was in great shape, but the parking lot would have been an adventure if this would have been an actual race day. With a favorable weather forecast for the week ahead, everything should be a "go" for next Saturday and you can find the details in the ad on the front page of PositivelyRacing.com.

I was amazed at how far some of the drivers traveled in for a practice day, but with 34 Raceway hosting the season opener for the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models on April 10th (details also in the ad on the homepage) I guess that I shouldn’t have been surprised. Several Quad City area drivers were on hand, Brian Hunter pulled down from Independence and Charlie McKenna came all the way down from Clear Lake. One the storylines for IMCA Late Models this year will be the emergence of the SPI regulars as they make the transition and it was good to see Andy Eckrich on hand getting some laps at 34 as he prepares for the Deery opener here.

If you are looking for news from Nebraska stop by TapFan’s Tours on PositivelyRacing as he was in McCool Junction and I am guessing that we will see some news out of Beatrice soon on the 4d Fan Report. Here are some pics from Burlington taken with my little digital Canon.

This brought back memories of days long ago. Waiting on a train behind a non-wing Sprint Car on an open trailer.
Seth Woodruff airing up the right front on his Four Cylinder

Jeff Waterman

Nick Guernsey

Tony Davis

John Ahlers

2009 All Iowa Points Late Model Champion Ray Guss Jr.

Mike Zemo Jr.

Brian Hunter

Nate Buesling

Andy Eckrich (56) and Leroy Brenner (53)

Denny Woodworth (45) and Todd Malmstrom (75)

Denny Woodworth

Clayton Deppe pulled his IMCA Stock Car down from Kellogg IA

"SuperDave" Schrier

Derek St. Clair making the move to an IMCA Stock Car in 2010

Jeff Mueller