USRA Modified top-5 (l-r): Mike Sorensen (5th), Nate Wasmund (4th), Neil Eckhart (3rd), Bob Timm (2nd) and Tim Donlinger (champion).

SPRING VALLEY, Minn. -- Grumpy’s Restaurant and the Meadow Ballroom was the place to be on Saturday night with over 350 people attending the annual awards banquet for Deer Creek Speedway. Over $32,000 in prize money, contingency gifts and door prizes were given out through the night’s activities. Every driver in attendance received a door prize that were donated from a great list of contingency sponsors. A great meal was served to all of those attending the banquet. Justin Queensland again presented some slide shows to start out the evening. The first presentation of the evening was a general overview of the improvements made to the speedway in 2005. It showed the new suite and deck building that went up over the winter, construction of the new bleachers and all of the concrete work that was done.

The Quality Auto Sales Classic Dwarf Cars which made their last regular appearance at the speedway were up first with a nifty presentation with the top 5 in points receiving trophies. Mike Gaines took home the championship with Drew Jech in second, Toger Torgerson, Rick Utley and Jeff Jech rounded out the top five drivers for the season. Drew Jech also received the most improved driver in the class award.

Up next were the Culvers of Rochester WISSOTA Street Stocks with Shaun Wehlage taking home the title in 2005 followed by Steve Eischens, Mark Zvorak, Chuck Nerland and Danny Hanson rounding out the top five. Wehlage also presented his crew chief with a replica of the trophy that he received for winning the points championship. Mark Zvorak was awarded the most improved driver in the class.

The top five in the Rochester Ford WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds pulled up to the stage next with Jason Cummins taking home the title, Kenny Wytaske second, Jeff Brauer, Ben Anderson and Bryan Hernandez rounded out the top five. Craig Bentzin took home the most improved driver in the class.

Dustin Nelson accepted the award for winning the title in the Culvers of Rochester WISSOTA Super Stocks. The title was one of four that Dustin won in the 2005 season. Cole Queensland came home second followed by Schatney Sanders, Kevin Hager and Dave Haberman. Queensland was awarded the most improved driver for the class.

Tim Donlinger’s dominance of the speedway in the middle part of the season assured him of the Bigelow Homes USRA Modfified title. Bob Timm finished second ahead of Neil Eckhart, Most Improved Driver Nate Wasmund and Mike Sorensen in fifth.

The Insty Prints of Rochester WISSOTA Late Models saw Mark Teske take home another title at the speedway with Paul Novotny in a close second. Nick Herrick, Barry Underdahl and Jerry Bloom rounded out the top five with Bloom receiving the most improved driver award.

Some big contingency awards were given out while the drivers were on the stage. Kramer Motorsports gave away a $200 certificate to a driver in the Street Stocks and Midwest Modifieds. They also gave away a $50.00 certificate to a Super Stock and Modified driver during the presentations.

Lou Fegers racing Equipment gave away a $1,000 certificate and a $2,000 certificate to the drivers in the WISSOTA Late Model division with Herrick receiving the $1,000 and Bloom the $2000 prize.

Dustin Nelson and Bob Timm both had their names drawn for $2,000 certificates towards the purchase of a new RJR super Stock and a new RJR Modified chassis.

Other presentations included Rookie of the Year to WISSOTA Super Stock driver Jason Gabrielson. Sportsmanship award to WISSOTA Super Stock driver Dustin Nelson and a Hard Luck award to WISSOTA Midwest Modified driver Joe Wernecke.

The final presentation of the night was the use of a 24’ US cargo Trailer fully loaded at no cost for the 2006 season to one lucky driver. After reviewing the sportsmanship, need, appearance and a few other areas Bobby Sorensen driver of the #54 USRA modified driver was selected as the recipient of the award. Sorensen was ecstatic about the award and looks forward to the use of this beautiful trailer as he pilots a new Fegers Modified for the 2006 season.

The Queensland family went over a few other items about rules and thanked everyone for coming as they released their 2006 racing schedule. The highlights of the schedule include a practice on April 5, racing action at the speedway commences every Saturday night starting on the 8th of April. The first special of the season will me Memorial Weekend with a double header event as the United States Modified Touring Series and the IRA Sprint cars invade the track for an exciting night of racing. The following week will see the 27th annual Gopher 50 race on Thursday June 1st with the World of Outlaw Late Models and the USRA modifieds.

July 4th weekend will see the 5th Annual Firecracker 40 event for WISSOTA Late Models. Thursday July 13th a new an exciting activity at speedway will see Sammy Kershaw live and in concert to entertain the fans. This event is running jointly with the Root River Antique Club next door as they hold the National Minneapolis Moline convention on their marching grounds.

September 2nd with be the Labor Day Dual with the World Dirt Racing League Late Models and the United States Modified Touring Series on hand. The season closes out with the 8th Annual Featherlite Fall Jamboree on September 20-23rd and the final race of the season will be the Fall Festival on the 29th of September.

No major improvements at the speedway were announced but smaller improvements will continue on the tradition of the Queensland family with the track surface getting resurfaced with a new supply of clay being brought in.