Elston, Long, Huls, Becerra, Heskett, and Barnes Open “Summerfest” With Wins
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Thursday, August 3, 2017) – Mother nature tried to spoil opening night of “Summerfest” at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway on Thursday night, as heavy rains were building to the west of the track. But as they moved east the storms would fall apart and move to the north, to allow the racing action to go on as scheduled. Outdoor Power Inc., chem GRO, and Fat Jimmy’s Catering helped to bring the action, with five drivers claiming their multiple wins of the season, and one other driver picking up their first win of the season at the track.
The 15 lap Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compact feature was first to take to the track, with Barry Taft and Kenny Smith drawing the front row for the event. Just as the green flag was waved the red light would come on, as Taft got into the turn 1 guardrail hard and collected Smith to bring out the red. Both drivers climbed from there cars okay. On the restart Kimberly Abbott and Travis DeMint were now on the front row, but it was fifth place starter Brandon Lambert who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Josh Barnes, who started 7th, and William Michel, who started 6th. The lead for Lambert only lasted for 1 lap, as Barnes slipped by on lap 2 to take over the top spot. While Barnes paced the field out front, Brandon Reu, who started 9th, was working his way towards the front. On lap 5 Reu worked himself into second and then went to work on Barnes for the lead. Despite a few challenges from Reu over the final laps, Barnes was able to hold on to claim his third win of the season at the track. Reu settled for 2nd, Michel was 3rd, Mike Reu started 8th and finished 4th, with Lambert rounding out the top 5.
Up next was the 20 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMod feature, with Carter VanDenBerg and Tony Dunker leading the field to green. Dunker would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over VanDenBerg and Blaine Webster. The battle for the lead went two wide over the next 3 laps, as Dunker, who was working the bottom, and VanDenBerg, who was up top, raced side-by-side with Dunker able to hold him off at the line each lap. That was until lap 4 when VanDenBerg was able to use the momentum off the top of the track to grab the top spot. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 7, when Brayton Carter, who was running 4th, had front end troubles and slowed in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart VanDenBerg jumped back out front, with Dunker and Austen Becerra, who started 9th, close behind. While VanDenBerg paced the field out front the battle was for second, as Dunker worked to hold off Becerra. Debris in turn 3 on lap 11 slowed the action for the second time on the race. On the restart Becerra went through the middle of Dunker and VanDenBerg coming off turn 2 to take over the top spot. Then Becerra started to pull away from the rest of the field, when Jason Riegel spun in turn 4 from contact from Daniel Fellows on lap 14 to bring out the yellow. Becerra moved back out front on the restart, with VanDenBerg and Dunker close behind. Two laps later, lap 16, the final caution of the race appeared, as Webster spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Once again Becerra grabbed the lead on the restart, with VanDenBerg and Dunker close behind. Becerra would hold back a few challenges from VanDenBerg over the final laps to go on to score his fifth win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. VanDenBerg settled for 2nd, Dunker was 3rd, Brandon Lennox came from 10th to finish 4th, with Jim Gillenwater finishing 5th after starting in 13th.
Dakota Simmons and Jerad Fuller drew the front row for the 25 lap Budweiser IMCA Modified feature, with Fuller grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Bill Roberts Jr., and Simmons. While Fuller set the pace out front, Cayden Carter, who started 6th, and Michael Long, who started 5th, were working their way towards the front. On lap 2 Carter took over the second spot, with Long following him into third. The action up front was slowed for the first and only time on lap 4, when Dennis LaVeine spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Fuller jumped back out front, with Carter and Long close behind. While Fuller tried to hold off Carter, Long would use the top of the track to go by both drivers to take over the top spot on lap 8. A couple of laps later Carter was able to clear Fuller for second, and then followed in Long’s tire tracks. over the next several laps. The leaders would enter lapped traffic on lap 20, and Carter tried to use them to his advantage. Going into turn 3 on lap 22 Carter slid up in front of Long, but Long would turn back down under him to keep the lead off turn 4. Long then held off a last lap challenge from Carter to pick up his fifth win of the season at the track. Carter was 2nd, Jeff Waterman started 7th and finished 3rd, Fuller was 4th, with Roberts Jr. coming home in 5th.
Up next was the 22 lap Donnellson Tire and Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Greg Gill and Jason Cook leading the field to green. Gill would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Cook and Johnny Spaw. While most of the front runners worked the bottom of the track, Abe Huls, who started 8th, went to the top to try and work his way forward. That moved paid off as he used the momentum off the top to take over the top spot on lap 7, with Spaw following him into second. Huls and Spaw then started to pull away from the battle going on behind them. Coming to the white flag Spaw looked under Huls coming off turn four to try and grab the lead, but Huls was able to hold him off at the line. Then just after the lap was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as Jason See got into Shane Paris in turn 1. Paris would spin to bring out the yellow and set up a 2 lap overtime dash to the finish. On the restart Huls moved back out front, with Spaw and Damon Murty, who started 7th, close behind. Hul would hold off Spaw and Murty over the final lap to claim his second win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Spaw was 2nd, Murty was 3rd, David Brandies started 11th and finished 4th, with Jeff Mueller coming from 10th to round out the top 5.
Tyler Cale and Jeff Guengerich drew the front row for the 25 lap Steffes UMP Pro Late Model feature, with Cale jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Guengerich and Todd Frank. While Cale paced the field out front, Tommy Elston, who started 6th, worked his way into second on lap 5 and then went to work on Cale for the lead. Just after lap 5 was scored complete Brad Denney spun in turn 4 to bring out the first and only caution of the race. On the restart Elston went to the bottom of the track to grab the top spot away from Cale. With Elston out front, Denny Woodworth, who started 9th, and Sam Halstead, who started 7th, were working their way forward. Woodworth would lip into second on lap 9 and then went to work on Elston for the lead. But when Halstead moved in to challenge, Woodworth had to try and fend him off. Coming to the white flag Halstead slipped under Woodworth to take over second, and then closed on Elston coming off turn 2. Halstead would look under Elston coming off turn 4 for the checkered, but Elston was able to hold him off to claim his third win in a row and fifth overall at the track. Halstead settled for 2nd, Woodworth was 3rd, Guengerich was 4th, with Allen Weiser finishing 5th after starting in 8th.
Twenty Legend Cars from six states signed in for the first night of competition, with Rick Harris and Tim Brockhouse drawing the front row for their 20 lap feature event. Harris used his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Dave McCalla and Jason Utter, who started 7th. The lead for Harris lasted for two laps, as Utter slipped under him coming off turn 4 to grab the top spot away on lap 3. On lap 5 Baiden Heskett worked the middle of the track to grab the lead away from Utter, only to have Utter work back under him to grab the lead back on lap 7. The following lap, lap 8, Heskett worked back by Utter for the top spot. Heskett then held on over the final laps to score his first win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Utter settled for 2nd, Drew Papke was 3rd, Brockhouse was 4th, with Jeremy Meyer coming from 10th to come home in 5th.
There is NO racing at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway on Friday, August 11th. The action will return on Friday, August 18th, with Midwest Performance & Power, and KILJ Radio helping to bring the action. In action on night will be the Steffes UMP Pro Late Models, Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods, and Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts. Also joining the action will be the Shottenkirk.com Sprint Invaders.
Gates both nights will open at 5:30 PM, hot laps at 7 PM, and racing at 7:30 PM. Grandstand admission each night will be adults $15, seniors (60+) $14, students (11-17) $8, and kids 10 & under FREE!! Pit passes are $30, age 7-13 $20, ages 4-6 $10, and ages 3 & under $3.
For more information about the Pepsi Lee County Speedway you can visit their website page at www.leecountyspeedway.com, like them on Facebook, or call Mike Van Genderen at 641-521-0330.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Thursday, August 3, 2017 – Outdoor Power Inc., chem GRO, and Fat Jimmy’s Catering Night
Steffes UMP Pro Late Models
A-Feature:
- Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 2. Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 3. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 4. Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 5. Allen Weiser, Peoria, IL; 6. Todd Frank, Montrose, IA; 7. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 8. Gunner Frank, Montrose, IA; 9. Kyle McMahon, Mt. Vernon, IL; 10. Tyler Cale, Donnellson, IA; 11. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, IL; 12. Derek Liles, Eldon, IA; 13. Brad Denney, Canton, IL; 14. Chase Frank, Montrose, IA; 15. Braden Johnson, Taylorville, IL; 16. Jim Lynch, Bloomfield, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Allen Weiser; 2. Ray Guss Jr.; 3. Tommy Elston; 4. Todd Frank; 5. Jeff Guengerich; 6. Kyle McMahon; 7. Brad Denney; 8. Braden Johnson
Heat 2: 1. Dennis Woodworth; 2. Tyler Cale; 3. Sam Halstead; 4. Derek Liles; 5. Mark Burgtorf; 6. Gunner Frank; 7. Chase Frank; 8. Jim Lynch
Budweiser IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 3. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 4. Jerad Fuller, Memphis, MO; 5. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 6. Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 7. Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 8. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 9. Craig Spegal, New London, MO; 10. Jarrett Brown, Ainsworth, IA; 11. Colby Springsteen, Wapello, IA; 12. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA
Heat 1: 1. Jerad Fuller; 2. Chris Zogg; 3. Dakota Simmons; 4. Bill Roberts Jr.; 5. Craig Spegal; 6. Dugan Thye
Heat 2: 1. Cayden Carter; 2. Michael Long; 3. Jarrett Brown; 4. Jeff Waterman; 5. Dennis LaVeine; 6. Colby Springsteen
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 2. Johnny Spaw, Cedar Rapids, IA; 3. Damon Murty, Chelsea, IA; 4. David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 5. Jeff Mueller, Albion, IA; 6. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 7. Nathan Wood, Sigourney, IA; 8. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. Greg Gill, Muscatine, IA; 10. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 11. Corey Strothman, Mt. Union, IA; 12. Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA; 13. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 14. Dalton Lynch, Bloomfield, IA; 15. Shane Paris, Muscatine, IA; 16. Jason See, Albia, IA; 17. Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 18. Brad Egbert, Bloomfield, IA
Heat 1: 1. Johnny Spaw; 2. Damon Murty; 3. Jeremy Pundt; 4. Dalton Lynch; 5. Dean Kratzer; 6. Brad Egbert
Heat 2: 1. Abe Huls; 2. Greg Gill; 3. Shane Paris; 4. Jason See; 5. Chad Krogmeier; 6. Beau Taylor
Heat 3: 1. Jeff Mueller; 2. Jason Cook; 3. David Brandies; 4. Nathan Wood; 5. John Oliver Jr.; 6. Corey Strothman
Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods
A-Feature: 1. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 2. Carter VanDenBerg, Oskaloosa, IA; 3. Tony Dunker, Quincy, IL; 4. Brandon Lennox, Carthage, IL; 5. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 6. Kevin Tomlinson, New London, MO; 7. Bobby Anders, Payson, IL; 8. Vance Wilson, Quincy, IL; 9. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 10. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 11. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 12. Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 13. Jason Riegel, Eldon, IA; 14. Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 15. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 16. Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 17. Bobby Six, Warsaw, IA; 18. Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 19. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, IA (DNS); 20. Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Austen Becerra; 2. Daniel Fellows; 3. Vance Wilson; 4. Carter VanDenBerg; 5. Jim Gillenwater; 6. Bob Cowman; 7. Tom Lathrop
Heat 2: 1. Brandon Lennox; 2. Kevin Tomlinson; 3. John Oliver Jr.; 4. Blaine Webster; 5. Michael Benjamin; 6. Logan Anderson; 7. Dave Kraus
Heat 3: 1. Tony Dunker; 2. Brayton Carter; 3. Bobby Anders; 4. Brandon Dale; 5. Jason Riegel; 6. Bobby Six
Legend Cars
A-Feature: 1. Baiden Heskett, Alvarado, TX; 2. Jason Utter, Columbus Junction, IA; 3. Drew Papke, Bismarck, ND; 4. Tim Brockhouse, Shakopee, MN; 5. Jeremy Meyer, Cedar Rapids, IA; 6. Rick Harris, Davenport, IA; 7. Mike Mueller, Waupun, WI; 8. Nelson Stewart, 9. Warren Ropp, Kalona, IA; 10. Brock Haines, Fairfield, IA; 11. Keith Meyer, Cedar Rapids, IA; 12. Craig Peekenschneider, Davenport, IA; 13. Dave McCalla, Cedar Rapids, IA; 14. Tim Fredericks, Cedar Rapids, IA; 15. Dave Eberle, Freeport, IL; 16. Aaron Meyer, Cedar Rapids, IA; 17. Mer Slabaugh, Kalona, IA; 18. Ryan Sullivan, Waupun, WI; 19. Kevin Schutz, Madison, WI; 20. Cody Apfelbeck, Burnett, WI (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Drew Papke; 2. Jason Utter; 3. Dave McCalla; 4. Craig Peekenschneider; 5. Tim Fredericks; 6. Aaron Meyer; 7. Kevin Schutz
Heat 2: 1. Warren Ropp; 2. Dave Eberle; 3. Brock Haines; 4. Tim Brockhouse; 5. Mer Slabaugh; 6. Mike Mueller; 7. Cody Apfelbeck
Heat 3: 1. Baiden Heskett; 2. Rick Harris; 3. Nelson Stewart; 4. Jeremy Meyer; 5. Keith Meyer; 6. Ryan Sullivan
Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3. William Michel, Muscatine, IA; 4. Mike Reu, Donnellson, IA; 5. Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 6. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 7. Travis DeMint, Warsaw, IL; 8. David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 9. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 10. Renny McCarty, Farmington, IA; 11. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 12. Kenny Smith, Donnellson, IA
Heat 1: 1. Josh Barnes; 2. Mike Reu; 3. Brandon Lambert; 4. Kimberly Abbott; 5. David Prim; 6. Darin Weisinger Jr.
Heat 2: 1. Brandon Reu; 2. Barry Taft; 3. William Michel; 4. Travis Demint; 5. Kenny Smith; 6. Renny McCarty