VINTON, Iowa – One era in IMCA late model racing is ending while another one is beginning.

The IMCA’s Deery Brothers Summer Series will become a part of the Omaha, Neb.-based Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series, owned by Joe and Steve Kosiski, next season.

“It has been a great 33-year ride for this series and our traveling late model drivers,” IMCA President Brett Root. “The growth in late models sanctions, however, in 2019 demonstrated that we needed to commit our time and resources to further developing national and weekly race programs for that division.

“I firmly believe late model touring series across the Midwest need unification,” Root added. “The Malvern Bank Super Late Model Series has rules that accommodate IMCA late model members and this is a positive step in the right direction for those drivers who want to be part of touring events.

“I can’t adequately thank the many drivers and track promoters who have supported this series for so many years. Summer Series events have been season highlights at a lot of tracks for a lot of years,” he concluded. “That same thanks goes to the Deery Brothers Automotive Group, the title sponsor for the series the last 28 years.”

The longest running late model series in the Midwest, the Deery Brothers Summer Series was launched in 1987 as a way to give the weekly competitor the opportunities to race at different tracks they might not get to otherwise.

The series sanctioned 499 events throughout its history.

The first Summer Series event was held on April 11, 1987 at 34 Raceway in West Burlington, Iowa, which has now been the site of 50 tour races, more than any other venue.

The series traveled to 42 different tracks primarily in Iowa and Illinois, with occasional visits to speedplants in Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin. A typical car count of 35 entries vied at the average of better than 15 events held each season.

One hundred and two different drivers won Summer Series features and 18 different drivers won the series title at least once. Jeff Aikey lead the way in both career categories, with 70 feature wins and seven series championships.

The most notable series achievement, however, can be credited to Darrel DeFrance. DeFrance competed at every event in tour history, arriving late to the track on several occasions while winning 14 features.