by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, October 26, 2018) – When the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa lost their two day Fall Extravaganza event a couple of weeks ago to weather, they decided to add a Friday night of racing to the 20th Annual Shiverfest. The cloudy and cool conditions didn’t stop the 102 race teams that were signed in for Friday, October 26th from providing the fans with some hot racing action. At the end of the night, which was provided by Casey’s General Stores, Midwest Performance & Power, Donnellson Tire & Service, and Happs CNC, five new driver’s were standing in victory lane for the first time in the 2018 season at the track.
The 14 lap Armstrong Tractor Sport Compact feature was the first to take to the track, with Alex Hayes and Alyssa Steele drawing the front row. Hayes would take advantage of his starting spot to edge out Steele at the line to lead lap 1. But Steele would slip past Hayes to take over the top spot on lap 2. While Steele tried to pull away from the field, Kimberly Abbott, who started 9th, and Chuck Fullenkamp, who started 8th, were working their way towards the front. On lap 6 Abbott would work herself into the runner up spot, with Fullenkamp taking over third one lap later, lap 7. Those two then went to work on chasing down Steele for the lead. With about 4 laps to go both Abbott and Fullenkamp closed in on Steele’s back bumper to make it a three car battle for the top spot. Coming to the white flag Abbott was able to get under Steele coming off turn 4 to edge her at the line for the lead. But then coming off turn 2 contact between the two lady driver’s sent Steele spinning into the infield. This would allow Abbott to cross the line first, but was penalized behind Steele, who was able to recover to cross the line in third. This would give the win to Fullenkamp, which was his first of the season at the track. Steele was going to be credited with 2nd. But when she decided to use her car as a weapon on the cool down lap, she was disqualified. This would move Abbott up to 2nd, David Prim, who started 7th, was moved up to 3rd, Cody Bowman was moved up to 4th, with Darin Weisinger Jr., who started 11th, being moved up to the 5th spot.
Up next was the 18 lap Discount Tire & Service SportMod feature, with John Oliver Jr. and Reed Wolfmeyer leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But just as the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as Wolfmeyer got sideways on the top of turn 2 and collected Kyle Olson, Tyler Soppe, and Barry Dugan to bring out the yellow. On the next restart Austin Heacock jumped out front to lead lap 1 over John Oliver Jr. and Logan Anderson. Then after lap 1 was scored complete the caution would appear, as Colton Livezey, who was running 5th, spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Heacock moved back out front on the restart, with Tony Olson and Anderson putting pressure on him for the top spot. While Olson worked the top of the track to try and get the lead away from Heacock, Brayton Carter, who went to the pits for repairs after receiving damage on the start, was quickly working his way back to the front. The lead trio would race two and even three wide for the top spot, until the final caution of the race slowed the battle on lap 10. Lee Rouse would spin in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Carter grabbed the top spot from Heacock, and then pulled away to claim his first win of the season at the track. Heacock was 2nd, Tony Olson was 3rd, Anderson was 4th, with Livezey recovering from the spin on lap 1 to come back up to finish in 5th.
Dustin Griffiths and Todd Reitzler drew the front row for the 20 lap Donnellson Tire & Service Stock Car feature, with Reitzler grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Jeremy Pundt and Griffiths. While Reitzler worked the top of the track, Jason Cook was working the bottom to try and get the lead away from Reitzler. The action up front was slowed for the first and only time on lap 12, when Jason See, who was running 4th, spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Reiztler moved back out front, but now had Johnny Spaw, Cook, and Abe Huls challenging him for the lead. While the top four raced two, three and even four wide for the top spot, John Oliver Jr., who started 19th, worked his way into the battle on lap 16. Coming off turn 2 to complete lap 19 Spaw would use the momentum off the top of turn 2 to take the lead, while Huls squeezed under Reitzler to grabbed the runner up spot. Then going into turn 3 on the final lap Huls drove under Spaw, with Spaw edging between Huls and the wall off the topside to nip him out at the line to claim his first win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Huls settled for a close 2nd, Reitzler was 3rd, Cook was 4th, with Oliver Jr. coming home in 5th.
Up next was the 20 lap Steffes Late Model feature, with Brian Harris and Chuck Hanna leading the field to green. Harris would take advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Hanna and Tommy Elston. While Harris worked the top of the track, Hanna would work the bottom. Which paid off for Hanna on lap 7, as he edged out Harris at the line to take over the top spot. Then just as Hanna started to pull away from the field, he was slowed for the first and only time on lap 17. Terry Gallaher would slow in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Hanna jumped back out front, but now had Elston and Harris close behind. Hanna would hold on over the final laps to pick up his first win of the season at the track. Elston was 2nd, Harris was 3rd, Nick Marolf was 4th, with Sam Halstead rounding out the top 5.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 20 lap Budweiser Modifieds, with Michael Long and Patrick Flannagan drawing the front row. Long used his starting spot to his advantage by leading lap 1 over Donovan Lodge and Mark Schulte. Then just after lap 1 was scored complete the yellow light would come on, as Derrick Stewart slowed in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Schulte, Lodge and Bruce Hanford battling for second. Long would look like he would pull away to an easy win, when the second caution of the race appeared on lap 15 to help bring the field back to his back bumper. Milo Veloz spun in turn 3 and collected Levi Smith to bring out the yellow. Another lapped scored complete, lap 16, produced the final caution of the race, as Rob Jennings spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the final restart Long jumped back out front, with Hanford, Logan Anderson, who started 13th, and Lodge battling for second. Long would pull away over the final laps to claim his first win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Hanford was 2nd, Lodge was 3rd, Anderson was 4th, with Schulte coming home in 5th.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Pepsi Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, October 26, 2018 – Fall Extravaganza Night
Steffes Late Models
A-Feature: 1. Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, IL; 2. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3. Brian Harris, Davenport, IA; 4. Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 5. Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 6. Aric Becker, Cedar Rapids, IA; 7. Brandon Queen, Keokuk, IA; 8. Charles VanZandt, Camp Point, IL; 9. Matt Mickelson, Keokuk, IA; 10. Terry Gallaher, Hannibal, MO
Heat 1: 1. Nick Marolf; 2. Tommy Elston; 3. Brian Harris; 4. Aric Becker; 5. Brandon Queen
Heat 2: 1. Sam Halstead; 2. Chuck Hanna; 3. Terry Gallaher; 4. Matt Mickelson; 5. Charles VanZandt
Budweiser Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. Bruce Hanford, Davenport, IA; 3. Donavan Lodge, Andover, IL; 4. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, IA; 5. Mark Schulte, Delhi, IA; 6. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 7. Matt Werner, Colona, IL; 8. Kelly Meyer, Big Rock, IA; 9. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 10. Matt Bodman, Muscatine, IA; 11. Cody Hillgartner, Harlan, IA; 12. Dustin Smith, Taylor Ridge, IL; 13. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 14. Bob Jennings, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 15. Milo Veloz, Colona, IL; 16. Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 17. Patrick Flannagan, Cedar Rapids, IA; 18. Rich Smith, Taylor Ridge, IL; 19. Rob Jennings, Ames, IA; 20. Derrick Stewart, Ainsworth, IA; 21. Kory Meyer, Dixon, IA
Heat 1: 1. Jeff Waterman; 2. Kelly Meyer; 3. Patrick Flannagan; 4. Matt Bodman; 5. Logan Anderson; 6. Dustin Smith; 7. Rob Jennings
Heat 2: 1. Matt Werner; 2. Bruce Hanford; 3. Derrick Stewart; 4. Mark Schulte; 5. Kory Meyer; 6. Dennis LaVeine; 7. John Oliver Jr.
Heat 3: 1. Michael Long; 2. Donavan Lodge; 3. Milo Veloz; 4. Levi Smith; 5. Cody Hillgartner; 6. Rich Smith; 7. Bob Jennings
Donnellson Tire & Service Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids, IA; 2. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 3. Todd Reitzler, Grinnell, IA; 4. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 6. Michael Peterson, Montezuma, IA; 7. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 8. Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick, IA; 9. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 10. Jason See, Albia, IA; 11. Bob Ahrendsen, Cedar Rapids, IA; 12. Brad Daugherty, Aplington, IA; 13. Jason Riegel, Eldon, IA; 14. Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 15. Michael Larsen, Quincy, IL; 16. Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 17. Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 18. Kaden Reynolds, Cedar Rapids, IA; 19. Andrew Swailes, Anisworth, IA; 20. Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 21. Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA; 22. Robert Thompson, Colchester, IL; 23. Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 24. Jeff Mueller, Albion, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Todd Reitzler; 2. Johnny Spaw; 3. Michael Peterson; 4. Jason Cook; 5. Jerry Jansen; 6. Brandon Lambert; 7. John Oliver Jr.; 8. Jason Riegel
Heat 2: 1. Brad Daugherty; 2. Jeremy Pundt; 3. Kevin Koontz; 4. Michael Larsen; 5. Andrew Swailes; 6. Peter Stodgel; 7. Jeff Mueller (DNS); 8. Robert Thompson (DNS)
Heat 3: 1. Abe Huls; 2. Dustin Griffiths; 3. Jason See; 4. Bob Ahrendsen; 5. Chad Krogmeier; 6. Dean Kratzer; 7. Les Blakley; 8. Kaden Reynolds
Discount Tire & Service SportMods
A-Feature: 1. Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. Austin Heacock, Peosta, IA; 3. Tony Olson, Cedar Rapids, IA; 4. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, IA; 5. Colton Livezey, New Sharon, IA; 6. Brandon Setser, Davenport, IA; 7. Jeremy Gustaf, East Moline, IL; 8. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk, IA; 9. Jeff Frana, Ottumwa, IA; 10. Reed Wolfmeyer, Liberty, IL; 11. Matt Lundry, Wapello, IA; 12. James Roose, Grandview, IA; 13. Barry Dugan, Letts, IA; 14. Mike Schump, West Branch, IA; 15. Jim Powell, Hannibal, MO; 16. Patrick Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 17. Colton Bowman, Burlington, IA; 18. Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 19. Lee Rouse, Atkins, IA; 20. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 21. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 22. Kyle Olson, Cedar Rapids, IA; 23. Tyler Soppe, Sherrill, IA; 24. Doug Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 25. A.J. Tournear, Quincy, IL; 26. Brandon Dale, Arbela, Mo (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Tyler Soppe; 2. Austin Heacock; 3. Colton Livezey; 4. John Oliver Jr.; 5. Tom Lathrop; 6. Patrick Profeta; 7. Jeremy Gustaf; 8. Brandon Symmonds; 9. Brandon Dale
Heat 2: 1. Brayton Carter; 2. Kyle Olson; 3. Reed Wolfmeyer; 4. Barry Dugan; 5. A.J. Tournear; 6. James Roose; 7. Mike Schump; 8. Jim Powell; 9. Kyle Hamelton
Heat 3: 1. Tony Olson; 2. Brandon Setser; 3. Logan Anderson; 4. Jeff Frana; 5. Matt Lundry; 6. Lee Rouse; 7. Colton Bowman; 8. Doug Bergheger
Armstrong Tractor Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 2. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 3. David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 4. Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 6. William Michel, Columbus Junction, IA; 7. Craig Bangert, Golden, IL; 8. Jake Dietrich, Keokuk, IA; 9. Alex Hayes, Iowa City, IA; 10. Darin Smith, Wapello, IA; 11. Matt Milligan, Cedar Rapids, IA; 12. Aaron Berry, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 13. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 14. Austin Reuman, Hills, IA; 15. Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 16. Ashley Reuman, Hills, IA; 17. Josh McIntire, Silvis, IL; 18. Thomas Adams, Calamus, IA; 19. Anthony Clark, Omaha, NE; 20. Ryan Havel, Iowa City, IA (DNS); 21. Alyssa Steele, Keokuk, IA (DQ)
Heat 1: 1. Alyssa Steele; 2. Aaron Berry; 3. David Prim; 4. Alex Hayes; 5. Austin Reuman; 6. Ashley Reuman; 7. Josh McIntire
Heat 2: 1. Chuck Fullenkamp; 2. Jake Dietrich; 3. William Michel; 4. Darin Weisinger Jr.; 5. Thomas Adams; 6. Craig Bangert; 7. Barry Taft
Heat 3: 1. Kimberly Abbott; 2. Cody Bowman; 3. Matt Milligan; 4. Darin Smith; 5. Anthony Clark; 6. Ashton Blain; 7. Ryan Havel