Deery Brothers Summer Series propelled by veterans

VINTON - For a racing series to have longevity, a few factors (among many) are crucial.

First, a sanctioning body has to be committed to drafting rules and seeing them through, while providing promotional support and venues at which to race. Second, the series has to have racing that fans will enjoy and seek out on a weekly basis.

And third, racers have to support the series for a long period of time.

Entering its 28th season, the IMCA Deery Brothers Late Model Summer Series checks off each of those items, and will hold its season opener at Davenport Speedway on April 11.

'Having veterans lends a lot of credibility to the series,” said series director and IMCA official Kevin Yoder. 'These guys have enjoyed it for the better part of 30 years, and they keep coming back. We've obviously created a place that they've enjoyed racing.

'It also bridges the gap between some of our younger, up-and-coming drivers, who can lean on them for wisdom and experience, and kind of learn from them as they do it.”

A group of racers have been with the Summer Series since its inception in 1987 and have competed on and off in every season since. The veteran group includes the series' first (and 3-time) champion, Jeff Aikey, as well as Darrel DeFrance, who has attempted to qualify for all 420 races held in the series' history.

Having names like Aikey, DeFrance, Jay Johnson, Greg Kastli and Gary Webb at the races every week gives fans name recognition, something Yoder believes strengthens the series.

Younger racers like Brian Harris, who won the 2013 championship, know they wouldn't be where they are now without being mentored by the older drivers - Harris being mentored specifically by Webb.

'They're the pioneers of the sport, people that younger guys look up to, learn from and watch how they handle themselves. They've all been good teachers,” Harris said. 'I would not be in the position I'm in without Gary Webb's help. From our very first car, to watching him on the track, to today - I still call him up and throw things at him. He's just a wealth of knowledge. You know when you ask a question, you're going to get a straightforward answer.”

Aikey, Webb and others know where they stand in the pit area and are happy to help bring along fellow racers because of how times have changed. When they started racing, teams built their own parts and did their own fabrication.

Today, those formerly in-house parts are all purchased, leveling the playing field. That, they said, has changed the culture in the pit area and made them more eager to help younger drivers while not giving away secrets.

'They probably say, ‘That sucker's getting old,'” Aikey said through laughter. 'But when we come to races, they know we're there to win. Once in a while guys will come up to you and want some pointers, and (I do because) we've got to have newcomers, or this sport won't ever last. I help ‘em out.”

DeFrance said he and the other older racers have the respect of the younger guys for a number of reasons.

The commitment DeFrance showed in preparing his car, loading it up and traveling to all those races over the years is noticed by everyone, and has rubbed off on a number of racers. Most of the racers, he said, understand what longevity means because they grew up around it.

'Most of the guys are pretty respectful,” DeFrance said. 'Some of the guys that have been around it, their dads raced. They kind of know more of the history of it than the youngest guys, who just came in.

'I know how important it is to them, the history of our sport.”

If anything, the veterans have shown younger racers the work ethic needed to be successful, both in the short- and long-term.

Aikey laughed when describing what it takes to be competitive. Without mentoring other drivers, he said, the sport's future won't be as bright as it can be.

'People still don't know exactly what it takes today, but there's enough people around to help these guys,” Aikey said. 'And that's what it's all about. You've got to help these younger dudes so they get their (stuff) going and keep things competitive.”

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