by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 27, 2021) – It’s hard to believe it’s time to crown track champions for the 2021 racing season. But that’s exactly what the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa did on Friday, August 27th. While Tommy Elston (IMCA Late Models), Michael Long (IMCA Modifieds), Jason Cook (IMCA Stock Cars), Austen Becerra (IMCA Northern SportMods), and Brandon Reu (IMCA Sport Compacts) were crowned track champions, Nick Marolf (IMCA Late Models), Michael Long (IMCA Modifieds), Jason See (IMCA Stock Cars), Austen Becerra (IMCA Northern SportMods), Adam Christy (IMCA Sport Compacts), and Steve Johnson (American Iron Racing Series – A.I.R.S. Cars) picked up feature wins.

The 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature took to the track first, with Erick Knutsen and Jason See leading the field to the drop of the green flag.  See took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Knutsen and Jerry Jansen. While See set a fast pace out front, Chris Wibbell, who started 7th, John Oliver Jr., who started 8th, and Abe Huls, who started 9th, were working their way towards the front. On lap 7 Huls took over the runner up spot and then went to work on cutting into See’s half a track lead. Despite no cautions to bunch the field up, Huls was able to close within See’s back bumper coming to the white flag. But See was able to hold off Huls at the line to claim his first win of the season at the track. Oliver Jr. was 3rd, Wibbell was 4th. with Jansen finishing 5th. Jason Cook’s 9th place finish was enough to earn him the track championship.

Up next was the 18 lap Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modified feature, with Chad Giberson and Jerry Reese making up the front row. Giberson shot out into the lead from his pole starting position, with Reese and Blake Woodruff following. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 3, as Jesse Belez spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Giberson moved back out front, as Michael Long, who started 8th, went three wide to move into the runner up spot. One lap later Long slid past Giberson to take over the top spot. The second and final caution appeared on lap 7, as Bill Roberts Jr. spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Long grabbed the lead on the restart, with Mark Burgtorf, who started 9th, overtaking Giberson for second. Burgtorf tried to keep pace with Long over the final half of the race. But wasn’t able to mount a challenge, as Long went on to pick up the win and the track championship. Dennis LaVeine charged from 12th to finish in 3rd, Jeff Waterman was 4th, with Brandon Dale coming from 11th to finish in 5th.

Dan Thompson and Todd Ness drew the front row for the 12 lap American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S. Cars) feature, with Ness jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Dennis Etten and Thompson. On lap 3 Brian Gade took the top spot away from Ness, and only held it for one lap. As Etten slipped past to take the lead. Etten then held the top spot until lap 7 when Steve Johnson edged him out a the line to take the lead. Bart Miller would move into the runner up spot on lap 8 and then went to work on Johnson for the top spot. But Johnson was able to hold him off in a caution free race to claim the win. Etten was 3rd, Bruce Yoerger, who started 8th, was 4th, with Ron Cook coming from 10th to round out the top 5.

Up next was the 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Chevy Barnes and Luke Fraise leading the field to green. But it was third place starter Adam Christy who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Josh Barnes, who started 5th, and Chevy Barnes. Christy would hold off Josh Barnes until lap 4, when Josh slipped past him for the top spot. One lap later the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Brandon Crawley slowed to a stop in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Christy got under Josh Barnes to take the lead back. Josh tried to mount a challenge on Christy over the final laps, but Christy was able to hold him off to pick up the win. Chuck Fullenkamp finished 3rd after starting in 7th, Chevy Barnes was 4th, with Kimberly Abbott coming home in 5th. Brandon Reu’s 7th place finish was enough to secure him the track championship.

Ray Raker and Nick Marolf led the field to green in the 20 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model feature, with Marolf jumping out front on lap 1 over Raker and Jay Johnson, While Marolf set a fast pace out front, the rest of the field raced two and even three wide for positions behind him. Without a caution to bunch the field, there was no catching Marolf. Who cruised to his first win of the season at the track. Johnson was 2nd, CJ Horn was 3rd, Tommy Elston came from 10th to finish 4th, which was enough to give him the track championship, with Mark Burgtorf 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 Josh Holtman making up the front row. Just as the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as Matt Tucker spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Bowling Jr. jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Barry Taft and Holtman. Brandon Savage, who started 5th, and Tanner Klingele, who started 6th, would move in to challenge Bowling Jr. for the top spot on lap 2. The lead trio would race two and even three wide at times for the top spot, with Bowling Jr. being scored the leader on each lap. That was until lap 10 when Savage grabbed the lead away. Two laps later Austen Becerra, who started 9th, slid past Klingele and Bowling Jr. to move into the runner up spot. Becerra would look under Savage for the lead on laps 13 and 14, but Savage was able to hold him off. Then Savage slipped up in turn 2 on lap 15, which allowed Becerra to finally grab the lead. Becerra then held on for the win, which helped him secure the track championship. Savage was 2nd, Bowling Jr. was 3rd, Klingele was 4th, with Adam Birck finishing 5th after starting in 13th.

The next scheduled event at the Lee County Speedway is Iowa Corn Growers Association “Drive For 5” Finale for the IMCA Late Models on Saturday, September 11th, with Henniges Automotive helping to bring the action. On the card will be the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, Sprint Invaders, Roberts Tire Center SportMods, and AVIS Car Rentals Sport Compacts. Thirteen IMCA Late Models driver’s will have a chance to take home a top prize of $5,000 if they can win their feature event. If none of them are able to get the job done, the winner will still take home a top prize of $2,000 to win. More information about this event will be released soon.

Gates open at 4:30 PM, Hot Laps at 6 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $15, Seniors $13, Veterans and Students (11-17) $10, with Kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes will be $35, ages (7-13) $20, ages (4-6) $10, and ages (3 & under) $5.

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, August 27, 2021 – Darkside Tint & Graphix Season Championship Night

A-Feature: 1. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 2. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 3. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 4. 45-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 5. 15R-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 6. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 7. 20-Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, IL; 8. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 9. 56W-Gary Webb, Blue Grass, IA; 10. 7B-Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 11. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 12. 84-Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 13. 15X-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 14. 7A-Ryan Barton, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 15. 25-Austin Townsend, Bloomfield, IA

Heat 1: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 45-Tommy Elston; 3. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 4. 15R-Mark Burgtorf; 5. 01-CJ Horn; 6. 15X-Jeremy Pundt; 7. 7B-Matt Strassheim; 8. 25-Austin Townsend

Heat 2: 1. 93-Jay Johnson; 2. 07-Ray Raker; 3. 20-Dustin Griffin; 4. 56W-Gary Webb; 5. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 6. 84-Sam Halstead; 7. 7A-Ryan Barton

A-Feature: 1. 11-Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 4. 71W-Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 5. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 6. 11C-Ray Cox Jr., Maquoketa, IA; 7. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 8. 409-Chad Giberson, Richland, IA; 9. 2R-Jerry Reese, Memphis, MO; 10. 81-Jesse Belez, Marengo, IA; 11. 87-Blake Woodruff, Knoxville, IL; 12. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 13. 17A-Austin Howes, Memphis, MO; 14. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 15. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA

Heat 1: 1. 87-Blake Woodruff; 2. 409-Chad Giberson; 3. 81-Jesse Belez; 4. 71W-Jeff Waterman; 5. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 6. 12D-Brandon Dale; 7. 11C-Ray Cox Jr.; 8. 19J-Levi Smith

Heat 2: 1. 11-Michael Long; 2. 2R-Jerry Reese; 3. 4B-Mitch Boles; 4. 17A-Austin Howes; 5. K1-Cody Bowman; 6. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 7. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.

A-Feature: 1. 79S-Jason See, Albia, IA; 2. 30C-Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 3. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 4. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 6. 99-Erick Knutsen, Cedar Rapids, IA; 7. 22R-Todd Reitzler, Grinnell, IA; 8. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 9. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 10. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL

Heat 1: 1. 30C-Abe Huls; 2. 52-Chris Wibbell; 3. 99-Erick Knutsen; 4. 06-Jerry Jansen; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel

Heat 2: 1. 79S-Jason See; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 4. 22R-Todd Reitzler; 5. 3D-Jason Cook

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 47S-Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 3. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr., Danville, IA; 4. 73X-Tanner Klingele, Quincy, IL; 5. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 6. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 7. 55-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 8. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. 84B-Trent Brink, Bussey, IA; 10. 5-Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 11. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 12. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 13. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer, Liberty, IL; 14. 79-Nathan Bringer, Lewistown, MO; 15. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 16. 27-Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA; 17. 10D-Dakota Anderson, Basco, IL; 18. 51-Mike Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 19. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 20. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 21. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 22. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 73X-Tanner Klingele; 2. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 3. 12S-Sean Wyett; 4. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 5. 7R-Tom Ruble; 6. 51-Mike Benjamin; 7. 00-Matt Tucker; 8. 20-Nicholas Profeta

Heat 2: 1. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer; 2. 5-Josh Holtman; 3. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr.; 4. 8C-Logan Cumby; 5. 112-Adam Birck; 6. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 7. 27-Dave Kraus

Heat 3: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 55-Barry Taft; 4. 84B-Trent Brink; 5. 10D-Dakota Anderson; 6. 14-Bob Cowman; 7. 79-Nathan Bringer

Rookie Rally: 1. 8C-Logan Cumby; 2. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 3. 5-Josh Holtman; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer; 6. 14-Bob Cowman; 7. 10D-Dakota Anderson; 8. 7R-Tom Ruble; 9. 27-Dave Kraus; 10. 84B-Trent Brink; 11. 00-Matt Tucker; 12. 10C-Cole Gillenwater

A-Feature: 1. 3JH-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 2. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 48-Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 4. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 5. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 6. 2B-Dyllan Bonk, Golden, IL; 7. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 8. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 9. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 10. 10-Logan Clausen, Atkins, IA; 11. 219-Aaron Berry, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12. 2X-Brandon Crawley, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 3JH-Adam Christy; 3. 48-Chuck Fullenkamp; 4. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 5. 2X-Brandon Crawley; 6. 77K-Kyle Hamelton

Heat 2: 1. 9-Luke Fraise; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 4. 2B-Dyllan Bonk; 5. 10-Logan Clausen; 6. 219-Aaron Berry

A-Feature: 1. 77J-Steve Johnson, Camanche, IA; 2. 501-Bart Miller, Clarence, IA; 3. 23-Dennis Etten, Wyoming, IA; 4. 42-Bruce Yoerger, DeWitt, IA; 5. 17SR-Ron Cook, Clinton, IA; 6. 17-Mallet Meyer, York, NE; 7. 6-Todd Ness, Cedar Rapids, IA; 8. 0-Dan Thompson, Cedar Rapids, IA; 9. 01-Doak Allen, West Burlington, IA; 10. 16-Robin Atkins, Clarence, IA; 11. 5-Brian Gade, Clarence, IA; 12. 25-Scott Vanbuskirk, Batavia, IA (DNS); 13. 18-Jeff Hollenbeck, Muscatine, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 16-Robin Atkins; 2. 501-Bart Miller; 3. 77J-Steve Johnson; 4. 0-Dan Thompson; 5. 42-Bruce Yoerger; 6. 01-Doak Allen; 7. 17-Mallet Meyer

Heat 2: 1. 23-Dennis Etten; 2. 25-Scott Vanbuskirk; 3. 17SR-Ron Cook; 4. 6-Todd Ness; 5. 5-Brian Gade; 6. 18-Jeff Hollenbeck