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CEDAR RAPIDS — The “iconic” Miller 100 is back.
For the first time since 2011, the Miller 100 — a 100-lap Super Late Model American Speed Association (ASA) Midwest Tour race — will run Saturday July, 12, 2025 at Hawkeye Downs Speedway.
“We’re going to have a stout field of cars,” Hawkeye Downs Race Director Brian Gibson said. “My goal was to have 20 cars — right now, we have 20 registered. Twenty good race cars are going to put on a great show.”
The Miller 100 is the fourth race of 10 scheduled in the ASA Midwest Tour’s 2025 season.
“The series has some really good competition,” Gibson said. “I watched the last race they ran up in Norway, Mich. (June 21), and probably the top 10 (drivers) are going to be down here.
“John Beale is going to be fast in the Gildan (Racing) car. Gabe Sommers is always fast. Justin Mondeik will be fast. Kody King will be fast, too.”
Former Iowa wrestler Mark Ironside is the only Cedar Rapids-area competitor in Saturday’s field, though King, of Clear Lake, is a regular participant in HD’s NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Racing Series Late Model class.
“He’s (King) racing with us every Friday night, so I’m going to call him local,” Gibson said.
It will be the 40th running of the Miller 100 at HD — a race that originated in 1973.
“I’m blessed that Dudley (Fleck) was willing to give us a go at the 40th running of this race for our 100th year to help us celebrate,” Gibson said. “It’s the iconic race of Hawkeye Downs that started as the Falstaff 100 and turned into the Miller 100 when the track transitioned through the dirt days onto asphalt.”
Fleck, executive vice president at Iowa Beverage (IBEV), is the son of Keith and Doris Fleck, founders of Fleck Sales (now IBEV).
Since the first running of the Miller 100, HD has partnered with the Fleck family to support the race and its history of charitable giving. With decades of partnership and fundraising efforts, the Fleck family and IBEV supported the race with sponsorship and lending the Miller name for many years.
Proceeds from Saturday’s 50-50 raffle will benefit Variety — the Children’s Charity of Iowa, continuing the philanthropic tradition in honor of Keith Fleck.
“That was one of our first topics Dudley and I talked about — Keith did this for a charity, so this needs to be charity-oriented,” Gibson said. “I think Variety was kind of a no-brainer as far as who to pick because they support all the kids’ events. And that’s what the Fleck family has been about.”
Spectator gates open at 4 p.m. with racing set to begin at 7 p.m.
“Having the Miller 100 back here and being just a part of the iconic event … I think we’re going to have a great night,” Gibson said.