Burgtorf sweeps Deery openers at 34 Raceway and Quincy Raceways

I had a great time Saturday and Sunday night kicking off the 2010 Deery Brothers Summer Series season at 34 Raceway and Quincy Raceways. Probably not as good of a time as Mark Burgtorf who won both events, but it was still good to get some late model racing under my belt.

Burgtorf was his usual “tough to beat” at 34 and Quincy, whether he drew 98 like he did Saturday, or a 2 like he did Sunday, it really didn’t matter where he started. It was obvious the Casey’s 7B was stout, and looks like it will be all season. It was also obvious, to me anyway, that the Deery schedule should be a good one this year.

34 Raceway A-Main - Burgtorf in victory lane. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Burgtorf back in victory lane. - BWJ photo

With 66 and 50 cars showing up on the first two nights, that sets the table for another big weekend coming up this Friday-Sunday at Davenport, Maquoketa and Dubuque. Burgtorf won’t win them all this season (I think), and there are plenty of other drivers that have a good shot at finding victory lane this year.

Saturday night, drivers showing some strength on their first night out included Nate Beuseling, Rob Toland, Tom Goble, Ryan Giles and Darrel DeFrance. Giles lead the feature for its early laps before being replaced at the front by Beuseling, who pulled away to a comfortable margin for several laps. Burgtorf was working his way through the field and eventually found himself in second when a caution flew with 26 laps complete. It took him until 41 laps were complete to make the pass on Beuseling, and he held on for the final nine for the win.

While the battle for the front was going on, Toland was rocketing to the front from the 22^nd starting spot. He covered a lot of ground in the second B main to make the transfer, but nothing compared to the run he made in the A.

Goble started tenth and would finish fourth. DeFrance started fifth and faded to tenth at the end, but won the second heat in a convincing fashion and looked good all night. Last year’s top three were a little off on Saturday, with 2009 champ Jeff Aikey finishing 18^th, 2009 second in points Jason Frankel finished 12^th, and 2009 third in points Ray Guss, Jr., finishing a hard-fought tenth. Frankel and Guss’ fortunes would change come Sunday, but Aikey’s slow start continued.

DeFrance would start on the pole at Quincy and mashed the gas to lead early. Frankel started seventh and soon fought his way to the front, getting around the sixth-starting Burgtorf for the advantage. A couple of cautions with 22 laps complete allowed Burgtorf to catch up to Frankel and he eventually grabbed the lead and motored on for the win. Frankel would take second, improving his Saturday fortunes, while Guss grabbed third, also improving from Saturday. Keith Pratt looked good at Quincy and had fourth place to show for it. Denny Woodworth rounded out the top five.

Tom Darbyshire and DeFrance finished sixth and seventh respectively, after they had a spirited race for several laps. No beating and banging, but they went side-by-side for at least the middle third of the race. Neither one gained, neither one lost ground, several laps looked identical as they came down the backstretch to turn three where I stood. It was fun to watch.

With two good races to start the season, I’m looking forward to this weekend’s shows and seeing who has the advantage with five races in the books.

34 Raceway A-Main - Nate Beuseling (46) and Ryan Giles (9) race for the lead. - BWJ photo

34 Raceway A-Main - Mark Preston (57) and Charlie McKenna (22) race for position. - BWJ photo

34 Raceway A-Main - Mark Burgtorf (7B) gains on Nate Beuseling (46) down the backstretch. - BWJ photo

34 Raceway A-Main - Tony Fraise (45), Tom Bowling, Jr., (14B) and Boone McLaughlin (14) battle down the backstretch. - BWJ photo

34 Raceway A-Main - Mark Burgtorf (7B) works underneath Nate Beuseling (46) in turn two. - BWJ photo

34 Raceway A-Main - Kevin Blum (54) races with Curt Martin(45) - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Darrel DeFrance (99d) led the early laps Sunday night. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Bill Genenbacher (72) and Denny Woodworth (45DW) race through turn three. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Tom Goble (69) and Jay Johnson (93) race for position. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Ray Guss, Jr., (58) challenged Mark Burgtorf (7B) as they moved to the front. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Kevin Blum's nose piece goes airborne, forcing him to leave Sunday's feature. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Tom Darbyshire (42) and Darrel DeFrance (99d) went side-by-side for several laps Sunday night. - BWJ photo

Quincy A-Main - Mark Burgtorf (7B) works under Jason Frankel (oF) for the lead Sunday night. - BWJ photo