Eckrich and Long Claim “Drive For 5” Qualifier Wins at the Lee County Speedway

by Brian Neal

Donnellson, IA (Friday, July 2, 2021) – After two straight weeks of mother nature claiming the racing action at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, the track was finally able to get a night of action in on Friday, July 2nd. As it was round four of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” qualifying nights, presented by Ideal Ready Mix, Floyd’s Waste Systems, J.J. Nichting Company Case IH, Triple Seven Trucking, Woodworth Attorney at Law, Triple R Performance Engines, Old Barn Taxidermy, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1.

The 15 lap AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compact feature was the first to take to the track, with David Prim and Craig Bangert leading the field to green. Bangert would take advantage of his starting spot by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Brandon Reu and Jason Ash, who started 6th. While the rest of the field raced for positions behind Bangert and Ash, the lead duo started to pull away. Ash tried to work by Bangert for the top spot over the next several laps, but Bangert was able to hold him off each lap. That was until lap 11, when Ash got under him coming off turn 4 to grab the lead. Bangert would then try to get back by Ash over the final laps. But Ash was able to hold him off in a caution free race, for his first win of the season at the track. Josh Barnes came from 15th to finish 3rd, Reu was 4th, with Adam Christy coming from 13th to round out the top 5.

Up next was the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the IMCA Late Models, with Ron Klein and Dave Eckrich drawing the front row. Just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Nick Marlof clipped a tire in turn 1 and spun to bring out the caution. On the next attempt to get the feature started, Jacob Waterman would spin in turn 2 to bring the caution light back on. The following attempt at a start saw Klein jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Eckrich and Jay Johnson. Klein would only hold the top spot for 1 lap, as Eckrich used the momentum off the top of the track coming out of turn 4 to take over the lead on lap 2. The pace that Eckrich was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 9, which would allow Klein, Gary Webb, and Johnson to quickly close in. Disaster would strike fourth place runner Johnson on lap 11, as he spun under the flagstand and collected eighth place running Logan Duffy to bring out the caution. On the restart Eckrich jumped back out front, with Klein and Webb close behind. Then just after the lap was scored complete, Kevin Peters spun in turn 4 and collected Ray Raker to bring out caution.

Eckrich once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Tommy Elston, who started 8th, working his way to the runner up spot. Five laps later, lap 18, the final caution of the race appeared as a tire in turn 2 was clipped onto the track to bring out the yellow. On the restart Eckrich moved back out front, with Klein getting back by Elston for second. While Klein and Elston battled for second, this allowed Eckrich to go on to claim the $1,000 win. Klein won the battle for 2nd, Elston was 3rd, Chuck Hanna came from 9th to finish 4th, with Andy Nezworski finishing 5th after starting in 11th.

Jason Cook and John Oliver Jr. led the field to green in the 16 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Oliver Jr. grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Cook and Jeremy Pundt. The battle for the top spot would change on the completion of lap 2, as Cook got into Oliver Jr. in turn 2 which resulted in Oliver Jr. spinning to bring out the caution. Pundt would inherit the top spot on the restart, with Chris Wibbell and Jerry Jansen following. Just as Pundt started to pull away from the rest of the field, the second and final caution of the race appeared on lap 7. As Jake Powers and Chad Krogmeier spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Pundt moved back out front, with Oliver Jr. recovering from the lap 2 spin to take over the runner up spot. Oliver Jr. tried to work under and around Pundt for the lead over the next 8 laps, but Pundt was able to hold him off each lap. That was until coming off turn 4 for the white flag, as Oliver Jr. got under Pundt to take over the top spot. Oliver Jr. then held on to claim the win. Pundt was 2nd, Jansen was 3rd, Cook came back up to finish 4th, with Wibbell coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 22 lap Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the IMCA Modifieds, with Adam Shelman and Michael Long drawing the front row. Long would take advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Shelman and Blake Woodruff. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 6, as rookie driver Fisher Reese spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Mark Burgtorf and Denny Eckrich close behind. Another lap was scored complete when the second caution of the race slowed the action, this time Shelman spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Long once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Eckrich and Burgtorf battling for second. While the rest of the field battled for positions, Long would start to pull away. But when Cody Bowman spun in turn 4 on lap 17 to bring out the final caution of the race, this would bring the rest of the field back to Long’s back bumper. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Eckrich working to hold off Cayden Carter, who started 12th, for the runner up spot. Carter would overtake Eckrich for second on lap 19 and then went to work on Long for the lead. While Long worked the top of the track, Carter worked the bottom. Coming to the white flag Carter was able to pull up beside Long, but Long would hold him off to claim another $1,000 “Drive For 5” win. Eckrich was 3rd, Burgtorf was 4th, with Brandon Dale rounding out the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, with Tom Bowling Jr. and Logan Cumby making up the front row. Just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come back on, as gear fluid was dropped on the track in turns 1 and 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Bowling Jr. used his front row starting spot to his advantage by moving out front on lap 1 over Cumby and AJ Tournear. While Bowling Jr. set the pace out front, Tanner Klingele and Austen Becerra were working their way towards the front. Klingele would move into the runner up spot on lap 6, as Becerra grabbed third on lap 7. These two then went to work on Bowling Jr. for the top spot. Bowling Jr. would get into lapped traffic on lap 10, which allowed Klingele to quickly close in. Klingele would use lap traffic to his advantage to grab the lead away from Bowling Jr. on lap 13. Two laps later, lap 15, Colton Bowman would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Klingele jumped back out front, with Becerra overtaking Bowling Jr. for second. Becerra tried high and low to get by Klingele over the final laps. But Klingele was able to hold him off to score his second win in a row at the Lee County Speedway. Bowling Jr. was 3rd, Sean Wyett came from 12th to finish 4th, with Jadin Fuller coming home in 5th.

For more information about the 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
Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, July 2, 2021 – Pilot Grove Savings Bank “Drive For 5” Qualifier Night

A-Feature: 1. 58-Dave Eckrich, Oxford, IA; 2. 12-Ron Klein, Sherrill, IA; 3. 45-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4. 65-Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, IL; 5. 7-Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, IA; 6. 56W-Gary Webb, Blue Grass, IA; 7. 20-Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, IL; 8. 15R-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 9. 84-Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 10. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 11. 01-Chris Horn, Marion, IA; 12. 10-Jacob Waterman, Colona, IL; 13. 74-Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 14. 7B-Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 15. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 16. 1H-Mike Haines, Davenport, IA; 17. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 18. 22-Jill George, Cedar Falls, IA; 19. 41-Robbie Jorgensen, Elkhorn, NE; 20. 1J-David Jorgensen, Ilkhorn, NE; 21. 07R-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 22. 33R-Brandon Rothzen, Gladstone, IL; 23. 105-Kevin Peters, Monmouth, IL; 24. 14-Logan Duffy, Independence, IA; 25. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 26. 120-Kevin Miller, Freeport, IL (DNS); 27. 07-Matt Ryan, Davenport, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 20-Dustin Griffin; 2. 33-Nick Marolf; 3. 12-Ron Klein; 4. 56W-Gary Webb; 5. 74-Ron Boyse; 6. 105-Kevin Peters; 7. 07R-Ray Raker; 8. 120-Kevin Miller (DNS); 9. 07-Matt Ryan (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 7-Andy Nezworski; 2. 15R-Mark Burgtorf; 3. 84-Sam Halstead; 4. 14-Logan Duffy; 5. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 6. 33R-Brandon Rothzen; 7. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 8. 7B-Matt Strassheim; 9. 1H-Mike Haines

Heat 3: 1. 58-Dave Eckrich; 2. 65-Chuck Hanna; 3. 45-Tommy Elston; 4. 93-Jay Johnson; 5. 01-Chris Horn; 6. 41-Robbie Jorgensen; 7. 10-Jacob Waterman; 8. 22-Jill George; 9. 1J-David Jorgensen

Hinkle Auto Sales IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 18L-Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. 10C-Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 3. 50-Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, IA; 4. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 6. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 7. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 8. 1-Eric Barnes, Colona, IL; 9. 71W-Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 10. 3-Dustin Smith, Eldridge, IA; 11. 4B-Scott Boles, New London, IA; 12. 17A-Austin Howes, Memphis, MO; 13. 87-Blake Woodruff, Knoxville, IL; 14. 11-Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 15. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 16. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 17. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 18. 3S-Adam Shelman, Traer, IA; 19. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 20. 00Z-Steve Picou, High Ridge, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 10C-Cayden Carter; 2. 50-Denny Eckrich; 3. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 4. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 5. 1-Eric Barnes; 6. 19J-Levi Smith; 7. K1-Cody Bowman

Heat 2: 1. 17A-Austin Howes; 2. 12D-Brandon Dale; 3. 87-Blake Woodruff; 4. 3S-Adam Shelman; 5. 3-Dustin Smith; 6. 71W-Jeff Waterman; 7. 2R-Fisher Reese

Heat 3: 1. 18L-Michael Long; 2. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 00Z-Steve Picou; 5. 11-Daniel Fellows; 6. 4B-Scott Boles

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 3. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 4. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 6. 19X-Jake Wenig, Burlington, IA; 7. 19-Donnie Pearson, Oskaloosa, IA; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 9. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 10. 0-Jake Powers, Plainville, IL; 11. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 3D-Jason Cook; 3. 06-Jerry Jansen; 4. 19-Donnie Pearson; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel; 6. 2T-Beau Taylor (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 52-Chris Wibbell; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 3. 0-Jake Powers; 4. 19X-Jake Wenig; 5. 12-Chad Krogmeier

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 73X-Tanner Klingele, Quincy, IL; 2. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 3. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr., Danville, IA; 4. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 5. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 6. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 7. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 8. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 9. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 10. 20B-Joe Bliven, Quincy, IL; 11. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 12. 51-Mike Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 13. 27-Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA; 14. T17-Tom Rawlins, Kellogg, IA; 15. 75R-Joe Roller, Morning Sun, IA; 16. 23-Colton Bowman, Burlington, IA; 17. 15-Cody Benjamin, Hamilton, IL; 18. 54-Quinton Shelton, Quincy, IL; 19. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 20. 55-Derek Goble, Burlington, IA; 21. 5-Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 22. 10D-Dakota Anderson, Basco, IL; 23. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 8C-Logan Cumby; 2. 5-Josh Holtman; 3. 57-Barry Taft; 4. 20B-Joe Bliven; 5. 27-Dave Kraus; 6. 15-Cody Benjamin; 7. 14-Bob Cowman; 8. 112-Adam Birck

Heat 2: 1. 22-Austen Becerra; 2. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 3. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 4. 10D-Dakota Anderson; 5. 51-Mike Benjamin; 6. 23-Colton Bowman; 7. T17-Tom Rawlins; 8. 54-Quinton Shelton

Heat 3: 1. 12S-Sean Wyett; 2. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr.; 3. 73X-Tanner Klingele; 4. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 5. 75R-Joe Roller; 6. 00-Matt Tucker; 7. 55-Derek Goble

AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 3JH-Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 2. 5B-Craig Bangert, Golden, IL; 3. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 4. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 5. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 6. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 7. 2B-Dyllan Bonk, Golden, IL; 8. 28-Kaycee McGregor, Ft. Madison, IA; 9. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 10. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 11. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 12. 24A-Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 13. 11-Patrick McKasson, Burlington, IA; 14. 746-Garrett Porter, Libertyville, IA; 15. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 16. 11P-David Prim, Elvaston, IL

Heat 1: 1. 5B-Craig Bangert; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 2B-Dyllan Bonk; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 11P-David Prim; 6. 746-Garrett Porter; 7. 13C-Chevy Barnes (DNS); 8. 24A-Ashton Blain (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 3JH-Jason Ash; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 28-Kaycee McGregor; 4. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 5. 11-Patrick McKasson; 6. 77K-Kyle Hamelton; 7. 3A-Adam Christy; 8. 13B-Josh Barnes (DNS)