by Denny Grabenbauer

OSKALOOSA, Iowa (June 13, 2001) - The strategy behind Mike Smith's win Wednesday night in the Deery Brothers Summer Series?

Tire management.

"That was key," said Smith, who re-gained the I.MC.A. Sunoco Late Model tour points lead with the victory at Southern Iowa Speedway. "I decided I would not use up my tires in the early laps and that I would save them for the last ones. Some of the other guys had that happen to them and they were fast early, but my car came to me and the track dur-ing the last 15 laps, so my plan worked for me."

From Jewell, the defending series champion won for the third time in seven events this season after taking the lead on the 39th of 50 circuits.

A lap 45 caution brought the field back together for the final time, and no one else had enough tire left to catch Smith.

Chris Smyser of Lancaster, Mo., was second, Terry Schlipman of Mendon, Ill., third and Boone McLaughlin of Me-diapolis was fourth.

Mark Burgtorf of Quincy, Ill., led the points race heading to Oskaloosa and ran eighth. He's now six points behind Smith.

Marshalltown's Darrel DeFrance built a big lead from his pole start early in the race. The first caution flag came out on the 15th lap and Smyser scooted past DeFrance on the ensuing re-start.

Smyser held off DeFrance's challenges before getting into lapped traffic. The yellow flag came out again on lap 23 because of debris on the track. Smyser continued to run in front until Smith made his move with 11 laps left.

Heat winners were Smith, DeFrance and Todd Cooney of Des Moines. Tom Darbyshire of Morning Sun won the "B" feature. DeFrance would managed a ninth place run in the main event despite a broken spindle.

A pair of Tuesday night shows re next on the series schedule, with the big pre-Independence Day event July 3 at the Quincy, Ill., Raceway and the annual race on pavement July 10 at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids.

RESULTS

Feature - 1. Mike Smith, Jewell; 2. Chris Smyser, Lancaster, Mo.; 3. Terry Schlipman, Mendon, Ill.; 4. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 5. Todd Cooney, Des Moines; 6. Jason Friesen, Sutton, Neb.; 7. Tommy Elston, Keokuk; 8. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, Ill.; 9. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown; 10. Terry Ryan, Davenport; 11. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Ill.; 12. Brian Hetzler, Davenport; 13. Dale Stolte, Springville; 14. Dave Schrader, Monroe; 15 Steve Borts, Ames; 16. Chris Spieker, Massena; 17. Gordon Grubb, Oskaloosa; 18. Todd Inman, Des Moines; 19. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun; 20. Chris Fontana, Pella; 21. Brenton Slocum, Burlington; 22. LaVern Carey, Ionia; 23. Rob Toland, Hillsdale, Ill.; 24. Brad Osborn, Janesville; 25. Rick Gustin, Marshalltown.