ST. CLOUD, Minn. -- At the WISSOTA Promoters Association¹s 2004 national awards banquet on Saturday, Deer Creek Speedway was named the newest WISSOTA Track of the Year. Deer Creek Speedway was the first track in the state of Minnesota to win the award; seven other tracks have been honored with the annual award since its inception.

The Queensland family, which operates Deer Creek Speedway, was on hand to accept the award after also attending the two-day WISSOTA annual meeting leading up to the banquet. Randy Queensland, who was elected to the WISSOTA board of directors on Saturday as well, was joined on stage by his wife, Debbie, to accept the award along with their three sons, Justin, Cole and Ryan, and Ryan¹s wife Susie.

Although the selection committee charged with determining the track of the year made its selection several weeks ago, the winner had been kept confidential until being unveiled at the national awards banquet.

The Queensland family received a $500 check from WISSOTA, a special leather promoters jacket sponsored by Hoosier Tire North and an attractive plaque sponsored by Racing Promotion Monthly, the idea newsletter for race track promoters in the United States. Deer Creek Speedway also received a free registration for the upcoming RPM Promoters Workshops for being named the Track of the Year. In addition, Deer Creek Speedway will receive one free full page ad in All The Dirt! Racing News in 2005 (valued at $525) and a free, custom designed and printed racing poster from Simes Graphic Designs of Mandan, ND for winning the prestigious award (valued at $500).

Criteria for the Track of the Year award, which were considered by a panel of five individuals outside the organization after they solicited hundreds of nominations from drivers, race promoters and a variety of well-traveled race fans, include the success and longevity of the track¹s operation, the image of the race track both within WISSOTA and within the community where the track is located, the overall reputation of the track and the promoters, and a concern for the betterment of the WISSOTA organization. The professionalism displayed the promoters and staff at the speedway are also included in the judging process.

In addition, the recipient of the award must meet other stringent criteria to be considered. The track must be in good standing with WISSOTA and have been a member for at least three years, and at least 50 percent of its weekly classes must be WISSOTA sanctioned. The track must also have attended and participated in the WISSOTA annual meeting during the previous three years and its management must have a demonstrated loyalty to the organization and its programs as well as having hosted a variety of special events for WISSOTA sanctioned racing divisions.

Deer Creek will celebrate the selection of the Track of the Year Award with its fans, drivers and staff at the annual Awards Banquet Saturday November 20th at Grumpy's in Grand Meadow, Minn.

Admission is free to the press or by contacting the speedway at 1-877-DCS-RACE. General tickets for the banquet are $20.00.