DAVENPORT, IA -- Justin Diercks of Davenport, IA is coming off one of the biggest race weekends of his career heading into the NASCAR Auto Zone 200 Memorial Day afternoon at the Wisconsin International Raceway in Kaukauna. Qualifying starts at noon with racing at 1 p.m. on the D-shaped half-mile track. Last weekend Diercks won the regular Saturday night super late model feature at Madison International Speedway and then on Sunday took third in the Yellow Book USA Midwest AllStar late model opener at Kaukauna. "It was a great weekend for us. It was a brand new car we built this winter," Diercks said. "The car worked good all through the 100 laps at Kaukauna," Diercks said of the Yellow Book USA opener. I was actually faster at the end of the race than at the start. I was cutting some time off the leaders at the end. I think I could have won with some more laps. I didn't qualify as well as I should have. That gave us a poor starting spot, but I'm really confident at Kaukauna now," Diercks explained. "It's a good feeling to go into a track like Kaukauna and run with the local guys like Rod wheeler and Terry Baldry," he continued. "They know every trick about the track." "On Monday our setup will be pretty close to our MARS car. The MARS car is a little lighter, but I really think the confidence we gained is important. I felt really comfortable in the car," Diercks pointed out.

Diercks plans to campaign in both the NASCAR Auto Zone and Yellow Book USA Series. He could possibly win both series titles. He is sixth in the NASCAR Series and third in the Yellow Book USA Series after one event in each touring group. "I am really looking forward to the Miller 100 at Hawkeye Downs," Diercks said. He has won that race twice previously at the Cedar Rapids track and say the competition will be better than every this year. "The crowds are always big for that race. It's the biggest thing this year at Hawkeye Downs. It will be a really tough field of cars, but I'll go into it with the attitude that I can win it," Diercks stated. The Miller 100, which benefits local charities, is planned Friday, June 25.

Diercks raced go karts and mini cup cars before moving into a late model. He earned one fast qualifying time as a 16-year-old late model rookie and took his first Hawkeye Downs feature win at age 17. Diercks is among the youngest winners on the NASCAR Auto Zone Elite Tour. "Matt Kenseth was one month younger than me when he got his first NASCAR Tour win and Mark Martin was two months older. We were all 19 years old and they are both at the highest level now," Diercks said. Diercks hopes to run 25 to 30 events this year. During the day he works for his father, Steve, in the family construction and excavating business. "I operate everything from dump trucks to excavators during the day," he noted. "My dad used to race, but now he is my spotter." Monday's field of drivers includes the top two career feature win king pins in the series, Dick Trickle with 68 wins and Steve Carlson with 63 wins. Diercks is confident he can with both of them.

More info: Dean Strom, NASCAR Auto Zone Elite Divsion Midwest Series
Media Coordinator
414-328-0773

Story by: Gary Vercauteren
920-823-2856

Wisconsin International Raceway, Highway 55 at KK, Kaukauna, WI
920-766-5577