Burgtorf races to third Pepsi USA Nationals win, Grady takes Deery Brothers Summer Series title

WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa (Sept. 15) – Only the rain slowed Mark Burgtorf’s drive to the front of the field in Saturday’s Pepsi USA
Nationals Deery Brothers Summer Series feature at 34 Raceway.

Burgtorf took charge after midway in the 100-lap IMCA Sunoco Late Model main event, holding off Jason Frankel late in the contest to become the first three-time winner in Pepsi history and earn the $10,000 top prize. Ray Guss Jr. made some noise late in the race before ending in third.

Jeremy Grady was fourth in the official results, following the disqualifications of Lonnie Bailey and Joey Gower in post-race tech, to clinch his first career Deery championship and a $5,000 share of the series point fund. Grady had gone into the tour finale with an eight point advantage over Darrel DeFrance, who ran fifth.

Fifteen laps were in the books before the feature was interrupted by a 45-minute rain delay. After racing re sumed, Frankel passed Bailey for the front spot on lap 29 and brought Burgtorf along into lapped traffic.

The front pair weaved through the pack throughout a lengthy green flag session before Frankel got stuck be hind a back runner and Burgtorf sailed past on the higher line.

Burgtorf and Frankel continued to distance themselves from the rest of the field, with the third place car half a lap behind when the first caution came on the 68th circuit. They’d pull away again following the re-start, with Guss advancing to third before the second and final yellow appeared with 14 laps left.

Frankel remained a threat to the checkers, staying on Burgtorf’s back bumper to the finish. The victory was the Deery career 19th for Burgtorf, who also won the Pepsi in 2000 and last year.

Terry Neal was sixth while Andy Nezworski, the winner of the J & J Steel Ironman Challenge held during Fri day’s opening night program, improved 16 spots from his original start for seventh. Luke Goedert was 13th in capturing series rookie of the year honors.

Hershel Roberts won the drawing for feature qualifiers for a set of Brodix cylinder heads. Tim Lance won the Brodix drawing for non- qualifying drivers.

Feature Results –
1. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.;
2. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill.;
3. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.;
4. Jeremy Grady, Story City;
5. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown;
6. Terry Neal, Ely;
7. Andy Nezworski, Buffalo;
8. Hershel Roberts, East Moline, Ill.;
9. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis;
10. Nick Ingalls, Quincy, Ill.;
11. Tom Bowling Jr., Danville;
12. Jeff Bair, Solon;
13. Luke Goedert, Holy Cross;
14. Stephan Kammerer, Blue Grass;
15. Sam Halstead, New London;
16. Robby Warner, Quincy, Ill.;
17. Jon Merfeld, Peosta;
18. Matt Strassheim, Burlington;
19. Jay Johnson, West Burlington;
20. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Ill.;
21. Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill.;
22. Mike Murphy Jr., Colona, Ill.;
23. Johnny Johnson, West Burlington;
24. Matt Ryan, Davenport.
1st heat (top three) – 1. Lonnie Bailey; 2. Roberts; 3. Kammerer. 2nd
heat – 1. Strassheim; 2. Guss; 3. War ner. 3rd heat – 1. Frankel; 2.
Grady; 3. McLaughlin. 4th heat – 1. Joey Gower; 2. Ingalls; 3. Bair.
5th heat – 1. Burgtorf; 2. Ryan; 3. Johnny Johnson. 1st “B” feature
(top three) – 1. Jay Johnson; 2. DeFrance; 3. Mur phy. 2nd “B” – 1.
Bowling; 2. Neal; 3. Reed.

J & J Steel Ironman Challenge Results –
1. Nezworski;
2. Neal;
3. DeFrance;
4. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake;
5. Ben Nading, Des Moines;
6. McLaughlin;
7. Grady;
8. Bobby Hansen, Center Point;
9. Rob Petsche, Peosta;
10. Goedert;
11. Cory Goldbeck, Camanche;
12. Merfeld;
13. Joe Zrostlik, Long Grove.