SPRING VALLEY, Minn. -- Approximately 400 drivers, fans, staff and crew members attended the annual Deer Creek Speedway banquet on Saturday night the 20th at Grumpy’s in Grand Meadow Minnesota. As drivers entered the banquet facility they drew numbers for contingency awards that were given by track sponsors. With approximately $5,000 worth of contingency awards on hand every driver who attended the meal received an award which ranged from hats to jackets to discount certificates at racing businesses.

After an enjoyable meal prepared by the wonderful staff at Grumpy’s, the drivers received their hardware for their hard work over the 2004 racing season. As the second through tenth place drivers in each class made their way to the stage a slide show of the racing action in each class was shown. The slide show was a huge success with many cheers and loud ovations being rendered as each person’s favorite driver appeared on the screen.

The Pine Cone Restaurant Classic Dwarf cars were up first. Second place-Tate Bestor, Third place-Drew Jech, Fourth place-Jeff Jech, Fifth place-Corey Whalen, Sixth place-Rick Utley, Seventh place-Curtis Luhmann, Eighth place-Todd Kiehne, Ninth place-David Marso, Tenth place-Matt Aarsvold.

They were followed by the Pine Cone Restaurant WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds. Second place-Tim Siercks, Third place-Greg Pfeifer Jr., Fourth place-Albert Wytaske, Fifth place-Ryan Weber, Sixth place-Craig Bentzin, Seventh place-Vince Corbin, Eighth place-Bob Bunne, Ninth place-Bryan Hernandez, Tenth place-Nick Kramer

Next up to receive their accolades were the Culvers of Rochester WISSOTA Street Stocks. Second place-Steve Eischens, Third place-Chuck Nerland, Fourth place-Shaun Wehlage, Fifth place-Fred Prudoehl, Sixth place-Danny Hanson, Seventh place-Mike Sample, Eighth place-Tom McEldowney, Ninth place-Ron Rucker, Tenth place-Mark Hovland

The Culvers of Rochester Super Stock Drivers made their way to the stage next. Second place-Adam Stockhausen, Third place-Dave Haberman, Fourth place Dustin Nelson, Fifth place-Schatney Sanders, Sixth place-Kevin Hager, Seventh place-Matt Durnen, Eighth place-Bobby Swanson, Ninth place-Mark Oeltjenbruns, Tenth place-Cole Queensland

The Bigelow Enterprises USRA modifieds were greeted with a round of applause as Second place-Brad Waits, Third place-Bob Timm, Fourth place-Bruce Angst, Fifth place-Jay Ihrke, Sixth place-Bobby Sorensen, Seventh place-Nate Wasmund, Eighth place-Dave Siercks, Ninth place-Tim Donlinger and Tenth place Karl Fenske made their way to the stage.

The Insty Prints WISSOTA Late Models found Second place-Barry Underdahl, Third place-Jerry Bloom, Fourth place-Brad Waits, Fifth place-Lance Matthees, Sixth place-Paul Novotny, Seventh place-Jon Chrest, Eighth place-Ben Mattick, Ninth place-Josh Mattick and Tenth place-Joe Ludemann all making their way to the front.

The champions of each division were then crowned with Jeff Matjeka (WISSOTA Late Models), Mike Sorensen (USRA Modifieds), Chris Klinger(WISSOTA Super Stocks), Travis Krause (WISSOTA Street Stocks), Ron Houdek (WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds) and Brian Kiehne (Classic Dwarf Cars) on stage to receive their trophies and leather champion jackets from Deer Creek Speedway.

With and additional $5,000 from Hossier Tire each of the top ten drivers in the Street Stocks, Midwest Modifieds, Super Stocks and Late Models received a $100 bonus. The remaining $1000 were randomly drawn until 10 drivers received another $100 bonus.

The major contingency prizes were then awarded. EZ-Chassis gave a new super stock chassis to Kevin Hager who finished sixth in the final points. The first place driver received his name in the hat ten times and the tenth place driver once. Next the new EZ-Chassis Modified was selected which went to third place driver Bob Timm. The final two drawings were for the Late model division as Fegers Race Cars offered a $1,000 gift certificate and a $2000 certificate. Jeff Matejka took home the $1000 prize with Brad Waits receiving the $2000 award.

With the completion of the awards side of the program Randy Queensland took the stage along with the rest of the Queensland family. Randy thanked everyone on hand for a great season and then announced for the 2004 racing season that Deer Creek was honored by the WISSOTA Promoters Association as the 2004 WISSOTA Track of the Year. Randy then thanked all of the employees, fans, drivers and crew members on hand because without each of them none of this would be possible. A slide show was then presented showing individual members of the Deer Creek Speedway staff and a plaque was presented to the family by the staff saying thanks for everything they do. The Queensland family then received a standing ovation from everyone on hand to show their thanks for all of their hard work.

Randy then commented on the new construction for the 2005 race season as an additional suite and patio structure is being built on the north end of the front straight. This building will mirror the existing building on the south end of the speedway. The Speedway is looking at additional improvements that will be done as soon as possible.

The night then concluded with the announcement of the 2005 racing season schedule. Opener for the speedway will be on April 9th with racing at 5:00 for the month of April with racing every Saturday night. In May the start time will move back to the standard 6:00 start time. The first special on the schedule will be the May 28th USMTS modified Southern Minnesota Spring Challenge. Then on June 18th the WISSOTA Sprint Cars will be on hand. The ever popular July 2nd Fire Cracker 40. Thursday July 14th will be the Valley Transportation National Combine Demo Derby. The month of August will again be free for all kids 12 and under with the World Dirt Racing League returning on the 9th of August. Saturday September 3rd the USMTS will return for their final test as they gear up for the seventh annual Featherlite/USMTS Fall Jamboree on the 21st through the 24th of September. We will then finish up the season with the Fall Festival on October 1st. This schedule is tentative and is subject to change.

In the final announcement of the evening Jerry Ingvalsen joined Randy on the stage and announced that the 2005 edition of the prestigious Gopher 50 Late Model race will be held at the Deer Creek Speedway. Look for more information to be announced on this exciting event. Tentatively this event will be in mid July with a date and a sanctioning body to be announced shortly.

Everyone at Deer Creek thanks you for your support and hope everyone has a safe and prosperous off-season and we hope to see everyone on April 9th for the season opener at the Southern Minnesota Speedplant.