HomeMissouriLebanon I-44 SpeedwayDonahue was "Whelen" his Pro Late Model Saturday Night

Donahue was “Whelen” his Pro Late Model Saturday Night

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Lebanon-I-44-Speedway14 Year Old Donahue is 7th O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model Winner in 2014

Lebanon, Mo / July 29, 2014 – For Immediate Release

Kyle Donahue showed why he is the current NASCAR Whelen All American Series Missouri State Rookie leader as the 14 year old took command from leader Jimmy Vanzandt on lap 16 Saturday night. This was Donahue’s first O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model feature victory and happened on Whelen Engineering Night at the “High-Banks” of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway. Donahue is now the 7th different winner in 9 features during the 2014 season.

For the 2nd straight week, Jimmy Vanzandt grabbed the opening lead with Leawood, Kansas driver Brian Woods following closely along with Steve Holt, Payton Lucas and Donahue. By lap 3, Vanzandt had powered ahead of the pack as Woods and Holt were swapping the runner-up spot. With fast paced action in the pack, Holt moved into the 2nd place spot on lap 4 as young Donahue followed while they gave chase to the leader. The field would bunch-up as the yellow waved on lap 8 when rookie Austin Johnson broke a drive plate in the rear end and spun off turn 4.

On the restart, Donahue made a power move around Holt to only find it voided as Terry Limberopoulos was involved in a spin in turn 2 bringing all other competitors back to their previous lap positions. As the green waved again, Holt made a move on the leader Vanzandt but Jimmy fended off the surge. Again Vanzandt was setting a quick pace as point’s runner-up JC Newell and current point leader Kaleb Allison were trying to move up the leader board. On Circuit 13, Donahue made a move even with Holt as the duo went side by side with Donahue grabbing the 2nd place spot. At the 15 lap mark, Donahue had caught Vanzandt and put on the pressure with Holt quickly following as Jimmy went high and they both went to the low side of the race leader. Holt would put several attempts on the new race leader, but Donahue was able to hold off the veteran driver. As the lead duo pulled away, Vanzandt found both Newell and Allison putting on heavy pressure while Joe Ross and Payton Lucas were also in the pack for positions. On lap 19, Allison was able to use Vanzandt as a pick as he pulled even with Newell and then shot by both drivers to capture 3rd place spot while up front, Donahue was opening up another 4 car lengths lead on Holt. As the feature stayed green, Allison started to reel in Holt in the race for 2nd place while Newell, Ross, Brennon Willard, Vanzandt and Lucas were in a tight pack for 4th and back. Up Front it was all Donahue tonight as he crossed the stripe with his 1st ever Pro Late Model win while Allison gave chase to Holt, but Holt secured the runner-up spot followed by Allison, Newell and Ross.

“My dad had the car set-up great for long runs and tonight it played out for us. My brother’s car is close to being ready after the wreck last week so tonight he was on the radio with me and helping me to set-up the passes. The competition is very tough and both Steve and Jimmy gave me a lane to race with. We have been struggling lately, but tonight the car was like it was early in the season making it easy to drive.” Heat race wins were claimed by Vanzandt and Newell

Current Budweiser Modified point leader Stephen Counterman took the lead from Joe Bunkers on lap 4 and then had to fend several challenges from Tim Swearengin during the race in grabbing his 2nd feature win of the season. The feature event went caution free as Joe Bunkers jumped out to the opening lead with Chris Johnson and Brian Lewis in tow. Bunkers staying on the top side would find a 3 wide battle early behind him as Counterman, Swearengin and Richard Lewis took the race 3 wide for 3rd place for 2 straight laps. Counterman would power ahead of that tight pack and quickly closed in on Bunkers. Out in front Swearengin who is the former 3-time Late Model champion at I-44, kept the leader well within his sight as it was bumper to bumper action. While the lead duo were mixing it up, The Icenhower brothers Roderick and Ricky moved into the top 4 by lap 7 and began to close the gap. With fast paced lap’s ticking off, Ricky made a pass by younger brother Roderick on lap 18 after starting 11th in tonight’s feature event. On lap 20, Counterman was able to open-up a three car advantage over Swearengin as the 14 car was beginning to show some smoke while Icenhower had closed-up the distance and was trying to take 2nd place. Counterman used this to his advantage and pulled away a few more car lengths to secure his 2nd win of the season while Swearengin withstood the challenges of Icenhower to hold on to 2nd with Ricky Icenhower, Roderick Icenhower and Chris Johnson following. Counterman and Ricky Icenhower grabbed the heat race wins.

Monster Energy point leader Paul Jepsen grabbed his 7th feature win of the season after a race long duel with Justin Blake. Blake jumped out to the early command with Jepsen and JC Newell wheel to wheel. Blake was setting a quick pace early as the 2013 Road Warrior Champion was looking for his 1st win of the season. On lap 8, Jepsen pulled even with Blake as the duo were side by side until lap 12 when Jepsen would make the winning pass. Blake started to close-up some ground on lap 15, but scrapped the backstretch wall slowing his forward momentum. JC Newell would finish in 3rd spot. Jepsen took home the heat race win.

For former Pro Late Model driver Crispin Beaver, the Keyser Manufacturing Road Warrior feature, would be the 1st time in over 3 seasons he was behind the wheel of a race car in feature action. Beaver drove his cousin Geoff Ledford’s number 45 and became the 4th different feature winner this season. Beaver took the lead on the start and withstood several charges by point leader Carl Harlow in grabbing the win. The race started and then went yellow quickly as points runner-up Les Mallard spun in turn 1 with Michael Juergensen making contact sending Mallard to the pits for repairs. On the restart, Tony Johnson jumped to the opening lead with Beaver and Rick Sharp in tow. Beaver wasted no time in leading the 1st circuit as point leader Harlow was quietly moving up in the field. With Beaver setting a smooth pace, Harlow started to close the gap at the halfway point and was making it a tough race. Mallard was charging through the field and had caught teammate Rick Sharp for 3rd place by lap 8 while Tony Johnson was in the middle of the pack racing his way through. With 3 laps to go, Harlow tried the high line several times but Beaver was holding his own with the points leader. With 1 lap to go, Harlow was looking for the low groove move in turn one, but Beaver never bobbled and held him off for the win with Harlow, Sharp, Mallard and Johnson completing the top 5. Les Mallard captured the heat race win.

Defending Coca-Cola Charger Champion Jimmy Poindexter took his 2nd win of the season by overtaking leader Jason Walls on lap 2 and never looked back in the caution free event. Walls jumped to the opening lead from his outside front row starting spot as Poindexter followed. With Walls running the high groove, Poindexter kept the hammer down in the middle lane to make the pass as Jordan Nisbett and Lauren Buhr closed-in on Walls. Poindexter was never to be touched leaving the race for 2nd place. On lap 5, Buhr pulled even with Walls and the race was on. By lap 7, Buhr made the pass to secure the runner-up spot as Walls was holding a solid 3rd. Crossing the stripe at the finish was Poindexter, Buhr, Walls, Jordan Nisbett and John Hunn. Current point leader and last week’s winner Ben White suffered problems in the heat race and was a scratch for the feature leaving an extremely tight points battle with only eight weeks remaining in the season. Poindexter took home the heat race win.

Mark Bartley overtook Texas driver Eddy Legan on lap 4 and then had to withstand a late race caution. Legan’s late race surge in the Baby Grand/Legend Car Challenge led to great racing with David Jennings finishing in third and Steven Legan in fourth.

Action continues Saturday Night with YMCA Night at the races along with a kids ride along were kids 10 and under get to receive a lap in an actual racecar at intermission. Everybody through the gates gets a free 7 day pass to their local YMCA to experience the entire family friendly environment. Action features the O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Models, Budweiser Modifieds, Keyser Manufacturing Road Warriors, Monster Energy Sportsman and Coca-Cola Chargers competing in the Monster Energy Championship Chase and NASCAR Whelen All-American Track points with gates to open at 5 and racing at 7PM sharp.

For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and join the thousands of other that have liked our Facebook page for up to date information.

COCA-COLA CHARGER – HEAT

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 5 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo 25.00
2 2 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo 20.00
3 3 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo 15.00
4 6 11 Lauren Buhr – 10.00
5 1 22 Japheth Nisbett – 8.00
6 7 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo 6.00 DNF
7 4 15 John Hunn Rolla , Mo 5.00 DNF
COCA-COLA CHARGER – FEATURE

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 4 5 Jimmy Poindexter Willard , Mo 100.00
2 5 11 Lauren Buhr – 96.00
3 2 10 Jason Walls St. James, Mo 92.00
4 3 95 Jordan Nisbett Lebanon , Mo 88.00
5 6 15 John Hunn Rolla , Mo 84.00
6 1 22 Japheth Nisbett – 80.00
7 7 44 Benjamin White Rolla , Mo 0.00 DNS
KEYSER MANUFACTURING ROAD WARRIOR – HEAT

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 6 21 Leslie Mallard Fair Grove, Mo 25.00
2 8 45 Crispen Beaver – 20.00
3 2 0 Anthony Johnson Lebanon , Mo 15.00
4 4 5 Rick Sharp – 10.00
5 5 00 Michael Juergensen Lebanon , Mo 8.00
6 7 7 Carl Harlow Exeter , Mo 6.00
7 3 27 Nick Cherry – 5.00
8 1 2 Chris Shetler Lebanon , Mo 5.00
KEYSER MANUFACTURING ROAD WARRIOR – FEATURE

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 7 45 Crispen Beaver – 100.00
2 8 7 Carl Harlow Exeter , Mo 96.00
3 4 5 Rick Sharp – 92.00
4 6 21 Leslie Mallard Fair Grove, Mo 88.00
5 2 0 Anthony Johnson Lebanon , Mo 84.00
6 5 00 Michael Juergensen Lebanon , Mo 80.00
7 3 27 Nick Cherry – 76.00
8 1 2 Chris Shetler Lebanon , Mo 72.00
MONSTER ENERY SPORTSMAN – HEAT

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 3 44 Paul Jepsen Rolla , Mo 25.00
2 2 15 Robert Blake Lebanon , Mo 20.00
3 1 84 James Newell Decaturville , Mo 15.00
MONSTER ENERGY SPORTSMAN – FEATURE

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 3 44 Paul Jepsen Rolla , Mo 100.00
2 2 15 Robert Blake Lebanon , Mo 96.00
3 1 84 James Newell Decaturville , Mo 92.00
BUDWEISER MODIFIED – HEAT 1

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 6 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo 25.00
2 5 00 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo 20.00
3 2 9 Brian Lewis Willard , Mo 15.00
4 3 10 Joe Bunkers Harrisonville , Mo 10.00
5 4 11 Mark Riddle Springfield , Mo 8.00
6 1 64 David Strode Independence , Mo 6.00 DNF
BUDWEISER MODIFIED – HEAT 2

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 5 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo 25.00
2 2 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo 20.00
3 3 14 Tim Swearengin – 15.00
4 4 29 Roderick Icenhower – 10.00
5 1 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo 8.00
BUDWEISER MODIFIED – FEATURE

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 5 25 Stephen Counterman Fair Grove, Mo 100.00
2 8 14 Tim Swearengin – 96.00
3 11 7 Ricky Icenhower Fair Grove, Mo 92.00
4 9 29 Roderick Icenhower – 88.00
5 4 00 Christopher Johnson Lebanon , Mo 84.00
6 7 66 Terry Taylor Fair Grove, Mo 80.00
7 6 6 Richard Lewis Willard , Mo 76.00
8 2 10 Joe Bunkers Harrisonville , Mo 72.00
9 10 64 David Strode Independence , Mo 68.00
10 3 11 Mark Riddle Springfield , Mo 64.00
11 1 9 Brian Lewis Willard , Mo 60.00
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS PRO LATE MODEL – HEAT 1

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 2 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Fair Grove, Mo 25.00
2 6 2 Kyle Donahue Wildwood , Mo 20.00
3 3 35 Steve Holt Strafford , Mo 15.00
4 5 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, Mo 10.00
5 1 66 Brian Woods Leawood , Ks 8.00
6 4 26 Payton Lucas Fair Grove, Mo 6.00
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS PRO LATE MODEL – HEAT 2

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 5 15 Jc (james) Newell Stoutland , Mo 25.00
2 4 47 Kaleb Allison – 20.00
3 1 07 Terry Limberopoulos Long Beach,, Mo 15.00
4 2 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper , Mo 10.00
5 3 22 Austin Johnson Inola , Ok 8.00
O’REILLY AUTO PARTS LATE MODEL – FEATURE

Finish Start Car Driver Hometown Points
1 6 2 Kyle Donahue Wildwood , Mo 100.00
2 3 35 Steve Holt Strafford , Mo 96.00
3 10 47 Kaleb Allison – 92.00
4 11 15 Jc (james) Newell Stoutland , Mo 88.00
5 5 27 Joe Ross Kansas City, Mo 84.00
6 8 3 Brennon Willard Sleeper , Mo 80.00
7 2 67 Jimmy Vanzandt Fair Grove, Mo 76.00
8 4 26 Payton Lucas Fair Grove, Mo 72.00
9 7 07 Terry Limberopoulos Long Beach,, Mo 68.00
10 9 22 Austin Johnson Inola , Ok 64.00
11 1 66 Brian Woods Leawood , Ks 60.00

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About Lebanon I-44 Speedway

Lebanon I-44 Speedway is Missouri’s only NASCAR facility and weekly Asphalt Racing Oval settled nearly 300 miles from any other and proudly flies the NASCAR Whelen All American Series banner. Located in Lebanon, Missouri, along Interstate 44 on Route 66 adds easy access from any direction. Just about 45 minutes to the East of Springfield, Missouri on I-44 and just 2 hours West of St. Louis on I-44 as well as just 30 minutes south of Lake of the Ozarks.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway has a history of producing great racecar drivers, and some of the biggest stars in American motorsports honed their skills on our tracks high banked 3/8-mile asphalt oval. Legends such as the great Larry Phillips, the only 5-time national champion in NASCAR’s weekly racing series, along with NASCAR stars like Mike Wallace, Jamie McMurray, Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart and the late Tony Roper have either won races or even track championships over the years.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway has perhaps the smoothest racing surface of any weekly racing facility in the nation along with new aluminum backed Monster Energy Grandstand seating, Budweiser “Wild Side” tier parking that you can pull up in your car or tailgate in your pickup and enjoy all of the racing from a great view, the beautiful VIP Suites in the middle of the front stretch and entering turn one is the newest addition, the Budweiser Fan Deck.

Lebanon I-44 Speedway runs many special events throughout the race season as well as an exciting NASCAR weekly show that consists of Pro Late Models, Modifieds, Sportsman, Road Warriors and the Chargers with special appearances by the United States Super Truck Series, Pro National Baby Grand Cars, NASCAR racing special events and various Concerts.

For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and be sure to visit and like the ever growing Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for updated information as drivers from Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Kansas and Illinois compete each Saturday Night.

2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Official Partners:
NASCAR – National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing
Big Surf Water Park – Preferred Amusement Park
Budweiser – Official Beer
Caddy Shack Golf Cars – Official Golf Cars
Hampton Inn / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Holiday Inn Express / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel
Hoosier Tire – Official Race Tire
K&N Engineering – Preferred Performance Filter
Lindsay Auto Group – Official NASCAR Pace Vehicle
Mercy – Official Health Care Provider
Missouri Eagle – Official Beer, Energy Drink & Tea Supplier
Monster Energy – Official Energy Drink
O’Reilly Auto Parts – Preferred Auto Parts Store
Ozarks Coca-Cola Dr. Pepper – Official Supplier: Soft Drinks, Water, Sports Drinks
Peace Tea – Official Tea
Racing Electronics – Official Communications Supplier
Safety-Kleen – Preferred Environmental Services Company
Sportsland Accessories – Preferred Truck Accessories
Springfield Powersports – Official UTV & ATV Supplier
Sunoco – Official Racing Fuel
Super 8 / Lebanon – Preferred Hotel

2014 Lebanon I-44 Speedway Supporting Partners:
Auto Body Supply, Auto Meter, Commerce Bank, Cometic Gaskets, Dickey’s Barbecue, Emerson Climate Technologies, ESPN Radio, E-Z Disposal, Graven Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, Headley’s Value Tire Center, Helton’s Home Furnishings, Heritage Bank, Independent Stave Inc., JEGS, KZNN Superstation, Lebanon Ready Mix, Liberty Tire, McGunegill Engine Performance, Missouri Tool & Automation, Owens Sandblasting, Ozarks Harley Davidson, Regional Radio – KJEL, Reliable Toyota, Rock Auto, Royal Purple, Shadel’s Colonial Chapel, Sherwin Williams, Show Me Guns, Sprint, Starnes Auto, Totally You, Toyota Motorsports, Unilever, United Insurors, Waffle House, Whelen Engineering, Willard Asphalt, Z102.3 Radio, 107.9 The Coyote

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