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NAPA Auto Parts Gopher 50 Set For Deer Creek

Spring Valley, MN - By: Todd Narveson:  The annual summer racing tradition for Late Model fans is coming to the Deer Creek Speedway on Saturday, July 9. NAPA Auto Parts will present the 37th Annual Gopher 50 along with the Blooming Prairie Lions and Miner’s Outdoor & Rec of Blooming Prairie.

The event will feature the World Of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series for the 12th straight year at Deer Creek. Four current stars of the series have NAPA Gopher 50 titles on their resume. They include Rick Eckert of York, Pennsylvania in 2006, Chub Frank of Bear Lake, Pennsylvania in 2007, Josh Richards of Clarksburg, West Virginia in 2011 and Shane Clanton of Zebulon, Georgia in 2012. There have been seven different winners in the 11-prior Gopher 50’s at the speedway.

The Late Model drivers will gun for a possible $11,000 to win payday at the end of the 50-lap feature race. New this year will be a $1000 to win Non-Qualifier race as well. Some of the other drivers that have the race on their schedule include Frank Heckenast Jr. of Frankford, Illinois; Brian Shirley from Chatham, Illinois; Billy Moyer Jr. of Batesville, Arkansas; Brandon Overton of Evans, Georgia, Chase Junghans of Manhattan, Kansas and regional stars Chad Simpson of Mt. Vernon, Iowa along with Chris Simpson of Oxford, Iowa.

Also on the card that night will be the NAPA Auto Care Center USRA Modified division. Look for a big field of Modifieds who will shoot for the $4000 check that awaits the winner. Since the race moved to “The Creek�, there have been 10-different winners in the 11-races held. Only Brandon Davis of Medford, Minnesota is a repeat winner. Last year, Late Model star Jimmy Mars of Menomonie, Wisconsin jumped into Dale White’s car and came home on top of the heap.

The day kicks off when the ticket window opens at 2:30 p.m. At 3:00 p.m. the front gate opens along with the tailgate tent. Then at 5:00 p.m. there will be a driver autograph session in the courtyard behind the grandstand. There fans can not only get their autographs, they can also vote for their favorite driver to win a chance at $250. Hot laps and time trials will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by opening ceremonies and the first green flag is at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets are available at www.deercreekspeedway.com or by contacting the track office at (507) 754-6107. Adult tickets are $30 and ages 12 and under are $15 with pit admission on race day $35. For more information on this event, visit www.deercreekspeedway.com for further updates. Also “Like� their Facebook page, follow them on Twitter @DeerCreekSpeed (#TheCreek) or view some previous season’s action on the YouTube channel.

To find out more about NAPA Auto Parts visit www.napaonline.com. To find out where your nearest NAPA Auto Care Center is located, check out www.napaautocare.com. To see and learn more about Miner’s Outdoor & Rec and Husqvarna equipment see their website at www.minersoutdoor.com. To follow the World Of Outlaws Craftsman Late Model Series go to www.woolms.com

Do not miss this great annual summer tradition on Saturday, July 9 when the 37th Annual NAPA Gopher 50 revs up the Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota.

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