by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, May 26, 2023) – Finally mother nature provided the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa with a beautiful night for racing on Friday, May 26th. As A.C. Contracting helped to bring the third of seven qualifying rounds 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, Triple R Performance Engines, B&B Propane, Budweiser, Conrad Trucking, Donnellson Tire & Service, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. When the final checkered flag flew at 9:50 PM all five feature winner’s were no stranger to victory lane.

First to take to the track was the 15 lap Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compact feature, with Doug White and Barry Taft on the front row. Just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Noah Kayser spun in turn 1 and collected Kimberly Abott to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Taft edged out Josh Barnes to grab the lead on lap 1. Josh Barnes tried everything to work around Taft for the top spot over the next 3 laps, but Taft was able to hold him off. That was until lap 5, when Josh Barnes finally got by for the lead. Taft would get back by Josh Barnes on lap 8. On lap 11 Luke Fraise inherited the runner up spot when Josh Barnes pulled off with troubles. Fraise used the middle of the track to pull even with Taft going into turn 3 on the final lap. But Taft was able to hold him off at the line to pick up his second win of the season at the track. Chevy Barnes came from 10th to finish 3rd, Brandon Reu started 8th and finished 4th, with Chandler Fullenkamp completing the top 5 after starting in 9th.

Up next was the Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car 18 lap feature, with Kevin Koontz and Peter Stodgel leading the field to green. Koontz took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Chad Krogmeier and John Oliver Jr. The following lap saw Oliver Jr. slip under Koontz to take over the top spot. Jeremy Pundt, who started 9th, quickly worked his way into the runner up spot on lap 3 and went to work on Oliver Jr. for the lead. One lap later, tenth place starter Derrick Agee made it a three car battle for the top spot. The action was slowed on lap 9, as Cole Mather spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. moved back out front, with Pundt and Agee glued to his back bumper. Agee got past Pundt for the runner up spot on lap 11, and then went to work on Oliver Jr. Despite several challenges from Agee over the final laps, Oliver Jr. would hold on for his 100th IMCA sanctioned Stock Car feature win. Pundt was 3rd, Josh Foster was 4th, with Dakota Simonsen finishing 5th.

Jesse Belez and Dennis LaVeine made up the front row for the 18 lap J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modified feature, after Blaine Webster was a scratch and Michael Benjamin elected to go to the rear. Belez would edge out LaVeine at the line to grab the lead on lap 1. He then held the top spot until lap 4, when Drew Janssen slipped under him for the lead. While Janssen worked the bottom of the track, Austen Becerra, who started 9th, was up top. Becerra used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to take the top spot from Janssen on lap 7. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 10, as Brian Reed spun down the frontstretch to bring out the caution. On the restart Becerra jumped back out front, with Janssen and Mark Burgtorf, who started 8th, following. Benjamin would spin in turn 1 after the completion of lap 11 to bring the caution out. On the restart LaVeine spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Becerra jump back out front, with Janssen and Burgtorf trying to find a way by. Janssen made a last lap challenge of Becerra, with Becerra holding him off for his third win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Burgtorf was 3rd, Bill Roberts Jr. was 4th, with Mitch Boles rounding out the top 5.

The third round of the Iowa Corn Growers Association “Drive For 5” for the IMCA Late Models was up next, with Nick Marolf and Dennis Woodworth drawing the front row for the 25 lap event. Marolf took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Woodworth and CJ Horn. While Marolf started to pull away, the battle was for the runner up spot, as Woodworth, Horn, Chuck Hanna, and ninth place starter Tommy Elston raced in different grooves. The action was slowed on lap 12, as Ed Hollenbeck slowed in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Marolf jumped back out front, with Elston overtaking Woodworth, Horn and Hanna for the runner up spot. Elston tried to stay close to Marolf, when the second and final caution of the race slowed the action on lap 21. Contact from Darin Weisinger Jr. sent Gary Webb spinning in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Marolf once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Elston and Woodworth close behind. On this night Marolf was too strong, as he went on for second win of the season at the track. Elston was 2nd, Woodworth was 3rd, Jay Johnson was 4th, with Horn coming home in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, with Trayton Buckallew and Brandt Ames on the front row. Ames jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Brandon Lambert and Adam Birck. Then just after lap 1 was scored complete, Buckallew spun in turn 1 to bring out the caution. On the restart Ames edged out Birck and tenth place starter Brayton Carter to keep the lead. But Carter would go three wide through the middle off turn 2 to take the top spot away on lap 3. Carter then started to pull away, when the second and final caution of the event appeared on lap 15. This time Lambert spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Carter jumped back out front on the restart, with Brandon Dale and Birck challenging. With Carter working the bottom, Dale went to the top to try and get the lead. Coming off turn 4 to get the checkered flag, Dale tried to use the momentum off the top to beat Carter to the line. But Carter was able to edge him out for his fourth win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Birck was 3rd, Sean Wyett came from 9th to edge John Oliver Jr. at the line for 4th.

Coming up next Friday, June 2nd will be Darkside Tint & Graphix weekly points night. June is also AXALTA employee month, as employees can use their tickets during any racing event in June. In action will be the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts, A.I.R.S. Cars, 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 & 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, May 26, 2023 – A.C. Contracting Night

A-Feature: 1. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 2. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 4. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 5. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 6. 65-Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, IL; 7. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 8. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 9. 45-Jason Oenning, Ursa, IL; 10. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 11. 13JR-Colton Leal, Dubuque, IA; 12. 5J-Matt Jones, Monmouth, IL; 13. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 14. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 15. 35-Chance Huston, East Moline, IL; 16. 7C-Christian Miles, Paloma, IL; 17. 21-Derek Hollenstine, Quincy, IL; 18. W56-Gary Webb, Blue Grass, IA; 19. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA; 20. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 21. 32D-Jeffrey DeLonjay, Quincy, IL; 22. 00-Dan Kessler, Tipton, IA; 23. 72-James Dickerson, Hannibal, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 65-Chuck Hanna; 2. 93-Jay Johnson; 3. 13JR-Colton Leal; 4. 07-Ray Raker; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 6. 45-Jason Oenning; 7. 7C-Christian Miles; 8. 72-James Dickerson (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 3. 54-Tommy Elston; 4. 84-Sam Halstead; 5. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 6. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 7. 32D-Jeffrey DeLonjay; 8. 00-Dan Kessler

Heat 3: 1. 01-CJ Horn; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 35-Chance Huston; 4. W56-Gary Webb; 5. 21-Derek Hollenstine; 6. 60-Dalton Simonsen; 7. 5J-Matt Jones

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 127-Drew Janssen, Pella, IA; 3. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 4. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 5. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 6. 11-Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 7. 81-Jesse Belez, Marengo, IA; 8. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 9. 15RS-Reid Sammons, Kahoka, MO; 10. 51-Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 11. 46-Brian Reed, Palmyra, MO; 12. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 13. 7-Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA (DNS); 14. 26D-Matt Diaz, Quincy, IL (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 127-Drew Janssen; 2. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 3. 22-Austen Becerra; 4. 7-Blaine Webster; 5. 81-Jesse Belez; 6. 2R-Fisher Reese; 7. 26D-Matt Diaz (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 2. 11-Daniel Fellows; 3. 4B-Mitch Boles; 4. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 5. 51-Michael Benjamin; 6. 46-Brian Reed; 7. 15RS-Reid Sammons (DNS)

A-Feature: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 2. 14-Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 4. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 5. 60-Dakota Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 6. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 9. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 10. 35-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 11. 53-Ryan Aden Jr., Quincy, IL; 12. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 13. 74C-Cole Mather, Oelwein, IA

Heat 1: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 77-Josh Foster; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 06-Jerry Jansen; 5. 43-Kevin Koontz; 6. 74C-Cole Mather; 7. 35-Eric Glass (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 60-Dakota Simonsen; 2. 14-Derrick Agee; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor; 4. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel; 6. 53-Ryan Aden Jr.

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 3. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 4. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 5. 55-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 6. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 7. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 8. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 9. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 11. 55R-Steven Berry, Ottumwa, IA; 12. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 13. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO

Heat 1: 1. 12S-Sean Wyett; 2. 112-Adam Birck; 3. 12D-Brandon Dale; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 57-Brandt Ames; 6. 7R-Tom Ruble; 7. 55R-Steven Berry

Heat 2: 1. 01-Brayton Carter; 2. 55-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 4. 00-Matt Tucker; 5. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater

A-Feature: 1. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 2. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 3. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 4. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 5. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 6. 8K-Noah Kayser, Burlington, IA; 7. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 8. 77K-Kruze Miles, Paloma, IL; 9. 18L-Blaine Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 11. 09D-Doug White, Hannibal, MO; 12. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL

Heat 1: 1. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 8K-Noah Kayser; 4. 11E-Ethan Prim; 5. 09D-Doug White; 6. 77K-Kruze Miles (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 57-Barry Taft; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 6. 18L-Blaine Lambert