Sports : IMCA Late Models to make 25th appearance at Independence

Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models to make 25th appearance at Independence
The nation’s longest-running Late Model touring series will be making its 25th visit to Independence Motor Speedway this summer. Now in its 26th season, the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models will invade the 3/8-mile oval on Monday, July 2.
The region’s top Late Model drivers are expected to compete, including two-time defending tour champion Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill., all-time series feature wins leader Jeff Aikey of Waterloo, tour Iron Man Darrel DeFrance of Marshalltown, who has never missed a series event, and Curt Martin of Independence, whose five career series wins at Independence is the best among all drivers in tour history.
The series has seen five different winners in its last five appearances at the speedway, which averaged over 45 cars during those visits. The most recent winners include Jeremy Grady (2007), Boone McLaughlin (2008), Terry Neal (2009), Rob Toland (2010) and Aikey, last year’s winner.
In recognition of its 25th appearance, the winner’s share for the event will be increased from the standard $2,000 to $2,525.
Also competing on July 2 will be IMCA SportMods and IMCA Hobby Stocks. Both will be IMCA sanctioned for state, regional and national points, however track points will not be awarded. Line-ups for those divisions will be determined by a draw/redraw format.
Both the SportMods and Hobby Stocks will be competing for increased purse money. The SportMods will pay $400-to-win and the Hobby Stocks $300. Complete payouts for all three divisions are available at www.independencemotorspeedway.com and clicking on the Rules tab.
Gates will open at 5 p.m. on July 2, with hot laps scheduled for 6:45 and racing to follow. Grandstand admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors (62 and older). The ticket price for students (12-17) is also $10. Children ages 11 and under will be admitted free into the grandstands if accompanied by a paid adult. Pit passes are $25.
For more information, visit the track’s web site, e-mail indeeracing@yahoo.com or call Ryan Clark at (319) 361-3795. For weather updates on race day, call the track phone at (319) 334-9287 or visit the speedway facebook page.