Donnellson, IA (Friday, May 31, 2019) – For the second week in a row mother nature tried to put a damper of the Friday night action at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, as over 4 inches of rain was dropped on the grounds over the week. But with plenty of sun and wind on Thursday and Friday, along with the warm weather, the crew was able to get things dried out to allow for racing to go on. At the end of the night, which was brought to you by Radio Keokuk and Buford Dozing & Excavating. Two driver’s picked up their first wins of the season at the track, one of those was his first of his career in the division he races in. While three other driver’s score multiple wins of the season at the track, with one of those driver’s extended his winning streak to four in a row.
The first feature to take to the track on the night was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, with Jim Walker and Josh Holtman leading the field to green. But it was third place starter Ron Kibbe who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Adam Birck and Walker. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 4, when Brian Bergheger and Jim Powell collided down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Kibbe jumped back out front, with Daniel Fellows, who started 8th, and Blaine Webster, who started 11th, moving into second and third. Kibbe’s run up front came to an end on lap 6, as he spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Derek Goble and Kibbe got together down the front stretch to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart brought out another caution, as debris in turn 4 would be the cause of the yellow. Fellows moved back out front on the next restart, with Brandon Dale, who started 6th, and Webster battling for the runner up spot. Just as Fellows started to pull away from the battle behind, another caution appeared on lap 11 to slow his pace down. Holtman would spin down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. Back under green Fellows jumped back out front, with Webster and Dale continuing their battle for second. Another lap put into the books produced another caution, as a cone in turn 4 brought out the yellow. On the restart Fellows moved back out front, with Webster and Dale close behind. Again Fellows tried to pull away from the field, when the caution on lap 17 slowed him, a cone in turn 4 would bring out the yellow. Walker and Trent Brink got together off turn 4 on the restart, with Brink spinning to bring out the yellow. Fellows jumped back out front on the restart and held on over the final laps to score his fourth win in a row at the track. Webster won the battle for 2nd, Dale was 3rd, Kibbe recovered from his spin on lap 6 to come back up to finish 4th, with Birck coming home in 5th.
Up next was the 15 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts feature, with Ricky Miller Jr. and Larry Miller making up the front row for the event. Just as the green flag waved the caution light came on, as Cody Bowman stopped down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Larry Miller grabbed the lead from his outside front row starting spot, with David Prim and Ricky Miller Jr. following. After lap 1 was scored complete, Mike Hornung Jr. stopped in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Larry Miller jumped back out front, with Brandon Reu, who started 7th, and Prim close behind. One more lap was completed before another caution appeared, as Colton Keck lost a right front tire off turn 4 and collected Trent Orwig to bring out the yellow. Reu would slip under Larry Miller on the restart to take over the top spot, with Jason Ash and Jacob Houston, who started 10th, battling for third. The action up front was slowed on lap 6, when Hornung Jr. stopped in turn 4 to bring out another yellow. Reu jumped back out front on the restart, with Houston over taking Larry Miller for the runner up spot. Larry Miller’s run up front came to an end on the completion of lap 7, as he dropped fluids down on the track in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Reu moved back out front, with Houston and Ash close behind. Brandon Allison, who started 10th, worked his way up to the front on lap 11 to make it a four car battle. On lap 13 Allison over took Houston for the runner up spot, and then went to work on Reu for the top spot. Coming off turn 4 for the checkered flag, Allison went to the top to try and get the win from Reu. But Reu was able to hold him off to claim his second win of the season at the track. Allison settled for 2nd, Houston was 3rd, Ash was 4th, with Cody Staley coming from 20th to round out the top 5.
Mike Van Genderen and Dean McGee led the field to green in the 20 lap Budweiser IMCA Modified feature, with Bill Roberts Jr. and Dennis LaVeine close behind. Just after lap 1 was scored complete John Oliver Jr. spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Van Genderen moved back out front, with LaVeine and Roberts Jr. battling for second. Disaster would strike Roberts Jr. on the completion of lap 2, as he spun in turn 3 and collected Derrick Stewart to bring out the yellow. Van Genderen once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with LaVeine and Jeff Waterman close behind. With the battled going on behind him, Van Genderen started to pull away from the field. His pace was slowed on lap 8, when Nick Marolf, who started 11th and was running 3rd, slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Van Genderen jumped back out front, with Dakota Simmons and LaVeine following. Simmons tried to look under Van Genderen over the next 5 laps, before another caution slowed the action on lap 15. LaVeine, who was running 4th, slowed to a stop in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Van Genderen grabbed the lead on the restart, with Kurt Kile, who started 10th over taking Simmons for the runner up spot. Then after the lap was scored complete Simmons stopped in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Once again Van Genderen moved back out front on the restart, with Kile and Oliver Jr., who recovered from his spin on 1 lap, close behind. Kile tried to work under Van Genderen in turn 1, as contacted sent Van Genderen up the track into the guardrail in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Oliver Jr. inherited the lead on the restart, with Brandon Banks, who started 17th, and Matt Bodman, who started 9th, close behind. The final caution of the race appeared on lap 19, as Van Genderen got into the back of Kile in turn 2 and spun him to bring out the yellow. This would bring the event past the time limit, which brought out the checkered flag. Oliver Jr. would score his first career IMCA Modified win. Banks was scored 2nd, Bodman was 3rd, Dugan Thye came from 14th to finish 4th, with Mitch Boles coming from 13th to round out the top 5.
Up next was the 20 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Chad Krogmeier and Derrick Agee on the front row. Agee took advantage of his starting spot to jump out front on lap 1 over Krogmeier and Abe Huls. Huls tried to work under Agee for the top spot over the next three laps, but Agee would hold him off each lap. Finally on lap 5 Huls was able to get under Agee for the lead. Agee’s run up front came to an end on lap 6, as he slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Huls moved back out front, with Jason See and Beau Taylor close behind. See tried to work under Huls for the lead over the next several laps, but when he slipped in turn 2 on lap 13 this allowed Dustin Griffiths, who started 8th, to take over the runner up spot. Two laps later, lap 16, Brett Lowry clipped a tire in turn 2 and got up on his side to bring out the red. He climbed out okay. On the restart Huls jumped back out front, with Griffiths and See following. Despite a few challenges from Griffiths over the final laps, Huls was able to hold on to claim his third win of the season at the track. Griffiths was 2nd, See was 3rd, Jeremy Pundt was 4th, with Taylor completing the top 5.
The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap I-Smile Silver IMCA Late Models, with Nick Marolf and Blaire Barton drawing the front row. Marolf would take advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Ron Boyse and Matt Strassheim. Boyse tried to stay in Marolf’s tire tracks over the next 5 laps, when the action was slowed on lap 6. Brandon Queen would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Barton spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Marolf jump back out front, with Strassheim and Jay Johnson slipping past Boyse for second and third. Just after the lap was scored complete, Jake Dietrich got into the guardrail in turn 2 and stopped to bring out the yellow. Marolf once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Strassheim and Andy Eckrich, who started 9th, following. Eckrich tried to work under Marolf over the next several laps, and when he couldn’t make the pass he would try the high side coming off turn 4 for a few laps. But Marolf was able to hold off all Eckrich’s challenges. The battle up front was slowed for the final time on lap 12, as debris in turn 2 brought out the yellow. On the restart Marolf moved back out front, with Eckrich and Strassheim close behind. Eckrich again tried the low and high side of the track to get the lead away from Marolf over the final laps. But Marolf would hold him off to score his first win of the season at the track. Eckrich settled for 2nd, Tommy Elston started 7th and finished 3rd, Strassheim was 4th, with Boyse rounding out the top 5.
Coming up next Friday, June 7th will be the return of the MOWA Sprint Cars to the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. It has been since 2010 since the MOWA Sprint Cars have been at the track, with Midwest Performance & Power helping to bring the action. Also battling for points on the night will be the Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, and Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts.
Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing at 7:30 PM. Grandstand admission will be Adults $15, Seniors (60+) $13, Veterans $10, Students (11-17) $8, and Kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes will be $30, ages (7-13) $20, ages (4-6) $10, and ages (3 & under) $5.
For more information about the Pepsi Lee County Speedway you can visit their website at www.leecountyspeedway.com, like them on Facebook, or call Brian Gaylord at 319-371-6744.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Pepsi Lee County Speedway – Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, May 31, 2019 – Radio Keokuk and Buford Dozing & Excavating Night
I-Smile Silver IMCA Late Models
A-Feature: 1. Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 2. Andy Eckrich, Cosgrove, IA; 3. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4. Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 5. Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 6. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 7. Ray Raker, Burlington, IA; 8. Brandon Queen, Keokuk, IA; 9. Chris Richard, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 10. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. Blaire Barton, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12. Stacy Griffis, Solon, IA; 13. Jake Dietrich, Keokuk, IA
Heat 1: 1. Matt Strassheim; 2. Nick Marolf; 3. Tommy Elston; 4. Blaire Barton; 5. Stacy Griffis; 6. Jake Dietrich; 7. Brandon Queen
Heat 2: 1. Jay Johnson; 2. Ron Boyse; 3. Andy Eckrich; 4. Ray Raker; 5. Darin Weisinger Jr.; 6. Chris Richard
Budwesier IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. Brandon Banks, Washington, IA; 3. Matt Bodman, Muscatine, IA; 4. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 5. Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 6. Craig Spegal, New London, MO; 7. Chad Giberson, Richland, IA; 8. Kurt Kile, Nichols, IA; 9. Mike Van Genderen, Newton, IA; 10. Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 11. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 12. Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 13. Andrew Schroeder, Fremont, IA; 14. Kyle Madden, Oxford, IA; 15. Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 16. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 17. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 18. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 19. Derrick Stewart, Ainsworth, IA
Heat 1: 1. Bill Roberts Jr.; 2. Andrew Schroeder; 3. Kurt Kile; 4. Jeff Waterman; 5. Mitch Boles; 6. Levi Smith; 7. Kyle Madden
Heat 2: 1. Mike Van Genderen; 2. Dakota Simmons; 3. John Oliver Jr.; 4. Derrick Stewart; 5. Dugan Thye; 6. Brandon Banks
Heat 3: 1. Dennis LaVeine; 2. Matt Bodman; 3. Nick Marolf; 4. Dean McGee; 5. Craig Spegal; 6. Chad Giberson
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 2. Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick, IA; 3. Jason See, Albia, IA; 4. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 5. Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 6. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. Cody McClure, Bloomfield, IA; 8. Corey Strothman, Mt. Union, IA; 9. Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 10. John Hemsted, Lone Tree, IA; 11. Brett Lowry, Ottumwa, IA; 12. Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 13. Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 14. Brandon Jay, Columbus Junction, IA; 15. Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO
Heat 1: 1. Jeremy Pundt; 2. Chad Krogmeier; 3. Beau Taylor; 4. Brandon Jay; 5. John Hemsted; 6. Les Blakley; 7. Cody McClure; 8. Peter Stodgel
Heat 2: 1. Abe Huls; 2. Derrick Agee; 3. Jason See; 4. Dustin Griffiths; 5. Brett Lowry; 6. Corey Strothman; 7. Jerry Jansen
Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods
A-Feature: 1. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 2. Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 3. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 4. Ron Kibbe, Danville, IA; 5. Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 6. Jarrett VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa, IA; 7. Troy Philpott, Muscatine, IA; 8. Steven Berry, Ottumwa, IA; 9. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 10. Barry Dugan, Letts, IA; 11. Josh Holtman, Quincy, IA; 12. Trent Brink, Bussey, IA; 13. Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 14. Derek Goble, Burlington, IA; 15. James Chesmore, Wapello, IA; 16. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 17. Bobby Six, Warsaw, IA; 18. Ryan Miller, Carman, IL; 19. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 20. Jim Powell, Hannibal, MO; 21. Andrew Swailes, Riverside, IA (DNS); 22. Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Daniel Fellows; 2. Adam Birck; 3. Trent Brink; 4. Ryan Miller; 5. Derek Goble; 6. Jim Powell; 7. Kyle Hamelton (DNS); 8. Steven Berry (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. Austen Becerra; 2. Tom Lathrop; 3. Jarrett VanDenBerg; 4. Josh Holtman; 5. Brian Bergheger; 6. Troy Philpott; 7. Barry Dugan (DQ)
Heat 3: 1. Jim Walker; 2. Brandon Dale; 3. Blaine Webster; 4. Ron Kibbe; 5. James Chesmore; 6. Bobby Six; 7. Andrew Swailes
Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. Brandon Allison, Oskaloosa, IA; 3. Jacob Houston, Burlington, IA; 4. Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 5. Cody Staley, Muscatine, IA; 6. James Roose, Grandview, IA; 7. Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 8. Wesley Talley, Monmouth, IL; 9. Alan Raleigh, Kahoka, MO; 10. TJ Weyls, Burlington, IA; 11. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 12. Larry Miller, Burlington, IA; 13. David Prim, Elvaston, IL; 14. Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 15. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 16. Colton Keck, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 17. Trent Orwig, Ottumwa, IA; 18. Ricky Miller Jr., Gorin, MO; 19. William Michel, Columbus Junction, IA; 20. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Jacob Houston; 2. David Prim; 3. Ricky Miller Jr.; 4. Cody Bowman; 5. James Roose; 6. Alan Raleigh; 7. Barry Taft; 8. Josh Barnes; 9. Mike Hornung Jr.; 10. William Michel
Heat 2: 1. Brandon Reu; 2. Larry Miller; 3. Trent Orwig; 4. Jason Ash; 5. Brandon Allison; 6. Colton Keck; 7. Kimberly Abbott; 8. TJ Weyls; 9. Wesley Talley; 10. Cody Staley (DNS)