Picture at 34 Raceway Burlington

Darren Ackerman

#53

Darren Ackerman drives the #53 Late Model Class car.  His home track is Independence Motor Speedway but he can also be found racing at 34 Raceway, Benton County Speedway, Highway 3 Raceway, Cresco Speedway and the Deery Series.  He lives in Waterloo, IA.  People who help Darren are:  Dad is the pit crew and car owner.   Jeff Lawless, Dean Wagner, and Greg Kastli also help Darren.

He started racing in 1994 in the Hobby Stock Class at Benton County Speedway because his Dad owned a car that Dean Wagner drove.  Darren has had wheels under him since he was 5, which was a 3 wheeler dirt bike.  His first win was in 1996 in the Hobby Stock Class at Benton County Speedway.  Career  highlights include 1996 - 2nd in Points at Benton County Speedway, 2001 - win at Indy, 3 wins at Highway 3 Raceway and the Season Championship race, 2004 - 2 wins and Independence Track Champion.

His most exciting racing moment was the first win at Indy in Late Model in 2000 plus his Track Championship, of which he's most proud.

Darren's racing hero is Davey Allison.

Of racing, Darren says, "Racing is a family sport.  Even my grandparents come.  It teaches hard work and perseverance~".

His favorite racing website is www.racerpm.com