Summer of streaks continues for Deery Brothers late models

WEST LIBERTY – With just four late model winners in 10 races so far this season in the IMCA Deery Brothers Summer Series, it would be easy to assume a few drivers are dominating the series.

But to ask series officials and drivers, that couldn't be farther from the truth.

“In all my years of racing, this is probably the most competitive year that I've (seen),” said Summer Series points leader Brian Harris. “The package that IMCA has brought to the series has raised the competition level tremendously.

“It's just circumstances (that leads to wins). You have to have luck on your side.”

Including last night's win by Justin Kay at West Liberty Raceway, the Summer Series has become home to winning streaks.

After Denny Eckrich won the season-opener at 34 Raceway in Burlington, the next three winners – Ray Guss Jr., Harris and Kay – won at least two in a row, including Harris' record-tying four-race winning streak and Kay's current three-race winning streak.

Despite the lack of variety in the winner's circle, Summer Series director Kevin Yoder isn't concerned about the competition level.

“We've got guys that are ready to break through, that are on the cusp,” Yoder said. “So the fact that we haven't had a lot of winners doesn't concern me because the racing has been so good.”

With some tracks coming up on the home stretch of the schedule that aren't often visited by the Summer Series, Yoder believes there will be some new faces taking the checkered flag.

“We hit some tracks coming up that are unique venues,” Yoder said. “I think we're going to see more guys winning races, and I think we're going to see just as competitive of a series the rest of the season as we've seen so far. There's going to be guys breaking through that you don't expect.”

Yoder pointed out that even with the three streaks, the winners of those races didn't necessarily lead the most laps. That point was illustrated by both Harris and Kay, who said any number of drivers could win on any given night.

“There's 10 guys that follow this (series) that are just hard to beat,” Kay said. “Then you get local guys at the track – they're at their own track. It's very, very tough competition.”

In the winner's circle after the win, Kay had an ear-to-ear grin across his face that proved how special winning against that competition was to him.

Kay fought off a hard charge from Harris – including a four-lap, side-by-side battle for the lead – but eventually pulled away, shaking his fist out the window in celebration as he took the checkers.

“To get one (at West Liberty), that's pretty cool,” Kay said. “(And) to be able to race with Brian like that – that was awesome. That makes this night even better yet.

“We've had a lot of second and third (place finishes); we've been right there to win them. It just didn't fall our way (then). Now it has (and) it's great.”