by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, May 13, 2022) – The calendar might have said it was Friday the 13th, but that didn’t slow the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. As they were able to complete their six class racing program in just a little over 3 hours, with the final checkered flag falling at 10:05 PM. Which included a big candy dash at intermission, thanks to the night sponsor Darkside Tint & Graphix.

The 12 lap A.I.R.S. – American Iron Racing Series Cars feature took to the track first, with Walt King and Jeff Hollenbeck drawing the front row. King used his front row starting spot to his advantage by leading lap 1 over Bart Miller, who started 5th, and Ron Cook. However his lead lasted for 1 lap, as Miller slipped by on lap 2 to take over the top spot. While Miller paced the field out front, the rest of the field was racing two and even three wide for positions. On this night Miller was too strong, as he went on to score the win. Cook was 2nd, Dan Schmidt came from 7th to finish 3rd, Bruce Yoerger finished 4th after starting in 8th, with King holding on for 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model feature, with Darin Weisinger Jr. and Sam Halstead leading the field to green. Weisinger Jr. would jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Halstead and CJ Horn. Horn would follow in Weisinger Jr.’s tire tracks around the bottom, while Tommy Elston tried the top and middle to get around the lead duo. But Weisinger Jr. was able to hold them off each lap, that was until lap 16 when Horn was able to get under him for the top spot. Horn then pulled away over the final laps to pick up the win. Weisinger Jr. held off Elston for 2nd, Dennis Woodworth was 4th, with Jeff Guengerich coming home in 5th.

Luke Fraise and Patrick McKasson led the field to green in the 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Fraise grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Chevy Barnes and Brandon Reu. The lead for Fraise only lasted for 1 lap, as Chevy Barnes slipped by for the top spot. However Chevy Barnes lasted out front for 1 lap, as Reu got by him on lap 3 to become the third different leader in 3 laps. The action was slowed on lap 5, when third place runner Barry Taft clipped the tire in turn 2 and spun to bring out the yellow. On the restart Reu jumped back out front, with Josh Barnes and son Chevy Barnes glued to Reu’s back bumper. The father and son team hounded Reu for the top spot over the final laps, but Reu was able to hold them off to claim the win. Josh Barnes held off son Chevy for 2nd, Chandler Fullenkamp was 4th, with Kimberly Abbott coming from 9th to finish 5th.

The 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature was up next, with Chris Wibbell and Chad Krogmeier drawing the front row. Wibbell took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Krogmeier and Jason See. But Wibbell’s run out front only lasted for 1 lap, as Abe Huls slipped past on lap 2 to take the top spot. Then just after the lap was scored complete the first caution of the race appeared, as Eric Glass spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Huls jumped back out front, with See and Jeremy Pundt following. Huls and See raced side-by-side for the lead over the next three laps, before See took command on lap 5. See then had to work to hold off the field, when the second and final caution of the race came out on lap 10. Glass once again spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow, ending his night. On the restart See moved back out front, with Huls, David Brandies, who started  8th, and Cook looking for a way around See. Brandies would make a last lap challenge, but See was able to hold him off for the win. Cook got by Huls on the final lap to get 3rd, with Pundt coming home in 5th.

Mark Burgtorf and Bill Roberts Jr. made up the front row for the 18 lap Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modified feature, with Burgtorf jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Dennis LaVeine and Roberts Jr. While Burgtorf set a fast pace out front, Austen Becerra, who started 5th, worked his way into the runner up spot on lap 3. Becerra would work the bottom and top of the track to try and track down Burgtorf. Then Becerra was given some help on lap 13, as Jadin Fuller spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow and brought Burgtorf back to the rest of the field. On the restart Burgtorf moved back out front, with Becerra and LaVeine trying to stay close. On this night Burgtorf was too strong, as he went on to score the win. Becerra was 2nd, LaVeine edged out Mitch Boles by .02 seconds to finish 3rd, with Roberts Jr. completing the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMod feature, with Adam Birck and Nicholas Profeta on the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Trayton Buckallew spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Birck grabbed the top spot, with Profeta and Bob Cowman close behind. The action was slowed for the second and final time on lap 4, as Bobby Six spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Birck once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Brayton Carter, who started 7th, looking to slip by for the top spot. Carter would use the middle of the track coming off turn 2 on lap 6 to grab the lead away from Birck. Carter then pulled away over the final laps to claim the win. Birck was 2nd, Profeta was 3rd, Matt Tucker finished 4th after starting in 9th, with Cowman bringing home a top 5.

Coming up next Friday, May 20th will be another weekly points night. Featuring the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts, and Mini Hauler Trucks.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $10, Seniors $9, Veterans and Students (11-17) $5, with 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 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, May 13, 2022 – Darkside Tint & Graphix Weekly Points Opener

Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 2. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 3. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 5. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 6. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 7. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 8. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. 01-CJ Horn; 2. 54-Tommy Elston; 3. 84-Sam Halstead; 4. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 5. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 6. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 7. 07-Ray Raker; 8. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 9. 39-Ed Hollenbeck

Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 2. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 5. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 6. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 7. 81-Jesse Belez, Marengo, IA; 8. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. 33F-Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO (DNS)

Heat: 1. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 2. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 3. 22-Austen Becerra; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles; 5. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 6. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 7. 81-Jesse Belez; 8. K1-Cody Bowman; 9. 33F-Jardin Fuller

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 79S-Jason See, Albia, IA; 2. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 3. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 4. 30C-Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 6. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 8. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 9. 71L-Louis Lynch, Glenwood, MO; 10. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 11. 35-Leremy Jackson, Unionville, IA; 12. 35G-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO

Heat 1: 1. 3D-Jason Cook; 2. 71L-Louis Lynch; 3. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 4. 35-Leremy Jackson; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel; 6. 35G-Eric Glass

Heat 2: 1. 52-Chris Wibbell; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 3. 71-David Brandies; 4. 79S-Jason See; 5. 30C-Abe Huls; 6. 06-Jerry Jansen

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 3. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 4. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 5. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 6. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 7. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 8. 557-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 9. 03-Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, IA; 10. 1X-Rex Widmer, Keokuk, IA; 11. 6-Bobby Six, Warsaw, IL; 12. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO

Heat 1: 1. 01-Brayton Carter; 2. 112-Adam Birck; 3. 557-Barry Taft; 4. 6-Bobby Six; 5. 14-Bob Cowman; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater

Heat 2: 1. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 2. 00-Matt Tucker; 3. 1X-Rex Widmer; 4. 03-Rob Wilsey; 5. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 6. 14L-Brandon Lambert

AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 4. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 5. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 6. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 7. 24A-Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 8. 11-Patrick McKasson, Burlington, IA; 9. 7H-Michael Hornung, Keokuk, IA; 10. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 11. K1-Robert Bowman Jr., Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 13. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 14. 94X-Justin Stevenson, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 3. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 24A-Ashton Blain; 6. 94X-Justin Stevenson; 7. K1-Robert Bowman Jr.

Heat 2: 1. 57-Barry Taft; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 77K-Kyle Hamelton; 5. 11-Patrick McKasson; 6. 7H-Michael Hornung; 7. 11E-Ethan Prim

A.I.R.S. – American Iron Racing Series Cars

A-Feature: 1. 501-Bart Miller, Clarence, IA; 2. 17SR-Ron Cook, Clinton, IA; 3. 20S-Dan Schmidt, Cedar Rapids, IA; 4. 42-Bruce Yoerger, DeWitt, IA; 5. 05-Walt King, Preston, IA; 6. 01-Ethan Allen, Burlington, IA; 7. 5-Brian Gade, Clarence, IA; 8. 23-Dennis Etten, Wyoming, IA; 9. 55-Dennis Allen, Agency, IA; 10. 18-Jeff Hollenbeck, Muscatine, IA; 11. 29-Owen Hayes, Monmouth, IA; 12. 25-Scott Vanbuskirk, Batavia, IA

Heat 1: 1. 501-Bart Miller; 2. 23-Dennis Etten; 3. 42-Bruce Yoerger; 4. 05-Walt King; 5. 18-Jeff Hollenbeck; 6. 25-Scott Vanbuskirk

Heat 2: 1. 29-Owen Hayes; 2. 5-Brian Gade; 3. 17SR-Ron Cook; 4. 20S-Dan Schmidt; 5. 01-Ethan Allen; 6. 55-Dennis Allen