by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, July 22, 2022) – Finally mother nature gave the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa a bright and sunny day, however it turned out to be hot and humid. But that didn’t stop the driver’s from putting on some great racing, with some close finishes on Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa Night.

The scheduled 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMod feature was first to take to the track, and they would struggle to get the laps completed. As five cautions over the final dozen laps would slow the action, and would also cause the event to go into a green-white-checkered overtime finish. Bobby Six took advantage of his pole starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1. By lap 6, Six and John Oliver Jr., who started 7th, and Brayton Carter, who started 11th, raced three wide for the top spot. Oliver Jr. would edge out front on lap 8, and then held it until lap 13 when Carter cleared him for the top spot. On the final restart Carter jumped back out front, while Sean Wyett, who started 10th, raced side-by-side with Oliver Jr. for the runner up spot. This would allow Carter to hold on for his fifth win of the season at the track. Wyett was 2nd, Oliver Jr. was 3rd, Dakota Girard started 8th and finished 4th, with Brandon Lambert finishing 5th.

Up next was the 12 lap Mini Hauler Trucks feature, with Tucker Richardson and Jacob Ruble drawing the front row. Richardson used his starting spot to his advantage and grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Brian Tipps, and Jim Ruble. The lead for Richardson lasted for 2 laps, as Tipps slipped by on lap 3 to take over the top spot. Richardson would follow in Tipps tire tracks over the next 8 laps, before getting under Tipps for the lead on the white flag lap. Richardson then held off Tipps on the final lap to claim his third win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Jim Ruble was 3rd, Tim Wagner was 4th, with Sheldon Brocket coming home in 5th.

Ed Hollenbeck and Ray Raker led the field to green in the 20 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model feature, with Hollenbeck edging out Raker to lead lap 1. Raker would slip past Hollenbeck on lap 2 to take over the top spot. The fast pace Raker was setting allowed him to start to pull away from the field, and just when it looked like he was going to pick up his first career IMCA Late Model feature win, the one and only caution appeared on lap 13. Sam Halstead would spin in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Raker jumped back out front, with Jeremy Pundt and Tommy Elston, who started 10th, close behind. Elston would look under Raker on laps 15 and 16, but wasn’t able to make the pass. Then coming off turn 4 to complete lap 17 Elston was finally able to clear Raker for the top spot. Elston then held on over the laps to score his third win of the season at the track. Raker was 2nd, Darin Weisinger Jr. finished 3rd after starting in 8th, Pundt was 4th, with Jay Johnson completing the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modified feature, with Mitch Boles and Bill Roberts Jr. on the front row. Roberts Jr. would edge out Boles to lead lap 1, and then held it until lap 6 when Austen Becerra slid under to take over the top spot. Roberts Jr. and Mark Burgtorf tried to keep pace with Becerra, but Becerra would hold on to claim nhis fourth win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Roberts Jr. was 2nd, Burgtorf was 3rd, Boles was 4th, with Dennis LaVeine rounding out the top 5.

Chris Wibbell and Beau Taylor led the field to green in the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature. But it was third place starter David Brandies who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Taylor and Jeremy Pundt. While Brandies worked to hold off Taylor for the top spot, Dustin Vis, who started 9th, was working his way towards the front. On lap 8 Vis cleared Taylor for the runner up spot, and then went to work on Brandies for the lead. Vis slid under Brandies to grab the top spot on lap 10, as the two raced side-by-side over the next 4 laps. Brandies would be credited with leading lap 13, only to have Vis edge him out on lap 14 to get the top spot back. Then just after lap 14 was scored complete the first and only caution appeared to slow the action. On the restart Vis jumped back out front, with Taylor and Brandies racing side-by-side for the runner up spot. This would allow Vis to go on to claim his third win of the season at the track. Taylor won the battle for 2nd, Brandies was 3rd, John Oliver Jr.started 10th and finished 4th, with Jason Cook coming home in 5th.

Perhaps the best feature of the night was the final one, and that was the 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts. Kimberly Abbott and Chevy Barnes made up the front row, with Abbott edging out Chevy Barnes and Barry Taft to lead lap 1. While Abbott paced the field out front, Taft and Josh Barnes raced side-by-side for the runner up spot. Abbott and Taft worked the top of the track, while Josh Barnes worked the middle. When Abbott bobbled in turn 4 on lap 13, this allowed Josh Barnes to edge out front, only to have Abbott to get the top spot back coming to the white flag. Coming off turn 4 to get the checkered flag Abbott was high, with Taft pushing her, while Josh Barnes pulled even with Abbott. The push from Taft allowed Abbott to claim her first win of the season by .035 seconds. Josh Barnes was 2nd, Taft was 3rd, Chevy Barnes was 4th, with Brandon Reu finishing 5th.

The Lee County Speedway will sit idle next Friday, July 29th, and will return to action Friday, August 5th. Which will be the sixth and final qualifying round of the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model “Drive For 5”, presented by Floyd’s Waste Systems, JJ Nichting Company Case IH Company, Ideal Ready Mix, Triple 777 Trucking, Woodworth Attorney at Law, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. Plus the B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5”, presented by Kohlmorgan Hauling, Golden Eagle Distributing Co – Budweiser dealer, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, Hinkle Auto Sales, and JandJ Ag Auto & Truck. And the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3”, presented by TONUP Inc., Xpert Automotive & Sales, and Conrad Trucking Inc.. In action will be the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, and AVIS Car Rental Sport Compacts.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $10, Seniors $9, Veterans & 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, IA
Friday, July 22, 2022 – Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa Night

A-Feature: 1. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 2. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 3. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 4. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 5. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 6. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 7. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 8. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 9. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA; 10. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA

Heat 1: 1. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 2. 93-Jay Johnson; 3. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 4. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 5. 60-Dalton Simonsen

Heat 2: 1. 07-Ray Raker; 2. 54-Tommy Elston; 3. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 4. 84-Sam Halstead; 5. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.

Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 3. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 5. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 6. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 7. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA

Heat: 1. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 2. 4B-Mitch Boles; 3. 22-Austen Becerra; 4. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 5. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 6. 19J-Levi Smith; 7. 2R-Fisher Reese

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 20V-Dustin Vis, Martelle, IA; 2. 13-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 3. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 4. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 5. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 6. 10G-Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick, IA; 7. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 8. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 9. 79S-Jason See, Albia, IA; 10. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 11. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 12. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 13. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 14. 35G-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 20V-Dustin Vis; 2. 71-David Brandies; 3. 3D-Jason Cook; 4. 79S-Jason See; 5. 52-Chris Wibbell; 6. 06-Jerry Jansen; 7. 82-Peter Stodgel

Heat 2: 1. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 13-Beau Taylor; 4. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 5. 10G-Dustin Griffiths; 6. 43-Kevin Koontz; 7. 35G-Eric Glass

A-Feature: 1. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 3. 557-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 4. 0-Dakota Girard, Moberly, MO; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 6. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 7. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 8. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. 03-Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, IA; 10. 77F-John Rockwood, Moulton, IA; 11. 6-Bobby Six, Warsaw, IL; 12. 84B-Trent Brink, Bussey, IA; 13. 3-Matt Thomas, Danville, IA; 14. 5-Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 15. 00X-Kyler Girard, Moberly, MO; 16. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 17. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 18. 1SR-Carson Shondel, Moulton, IA

Heat 1: 1. 5-Josh Holtman; 2. 01-Brayton Carter; 3. 57-Brandt Ames; 4. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 5. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 6. 1SR-Carson Shondel

Heat 2: 1. 557-John Oliver Jr.,; 2. 84B-Trent Brink; 3. 00-Matt Tucker; 4. 00X-Kyler Girard; 5. 14-Bob Cowman; 6. 77F-John Rockwood

Heat 3: 1. 6-Bobby Six; 2. 0-Dakota Girard; 3. 12S-Sean Wyett; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 3-Matt Thomas; 6. 03-Rob Wilsey

AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 2. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 48-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 4. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 5. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 6. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 7. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 8. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 9. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL (DNS)

Heat: 1. 48-Barry Taft; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 13B-Josh Barnes; 4. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 5. 3A-Adam Christy; 6. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 7. 9-Luke Fraise; 8. 27-Brandon Reu; 9. 11E-Ethan Prim (DNS)

A-Feature: 1. 28-Tucker Richardson, Morning Sun, IA; 2. 20-Brian Tipps, Wapello, IA; 3. 82-Jim Ruble, Burlington, IA; 4. 95-Tim Wagner, Wapello, IA; 5. 74-Sheldon Brocket, Burlington, IA; 6. 82JR-Jacob Ruble, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 7. 141-Darin Ronner, Gladstone, IL; 8. 10-Jeff Bockes, Morning Sun, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. 20-Brian Tipps; 2. 28-Tucker Richardson; 3. 82JR-Jacob Ruble; 4. 82-Jim Ruble; 5. 74-Sheldon Brocket; 6. 95-Tim Wagner; 7. 141-Darin Ronner; 8. 10-Jeff Bockes (DNS)