by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 20, 2021) – Friday was the night for the IMCA Modifieds to shine at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, as it was Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” Finale presented by Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service and Old Barn Taxidermy. Sixteen driver’s earned a shot to take home $5,000 with a win, while all other driver’s were racing for $2,000 to win.

The 25 lap Sprint Invaders feature was first to take to the track, with Paul Nienhiser and Josh Higday leading the field to green. Nienhiser took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Higday and Kaley Gharst. The fast pace that Nienhiser was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 7. But he would get a clear track 2 laps later, as debris in turn 4 would bring out the caution. On the restart Nienhiser jumped back out front, while Gharst overtook Higday for the runner up spot. Once again the pace that Nienhiser was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 15. A caution 2 laps later would give him another open track, as Evan Jones did a 360 spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Nienhiser again grabbed the lead on the restart, with JJ Hickle, who made the pull over from Quilcene, Washington, running second after starting tenth. Heavy lapped traffic with two laps to go would allow Hickle and Austin McCarl to challenge Nienhiser for the top spot. But Nienhiser was able to choose the correct groove to get by the lapped cars to pick up the win. Hickle was 2nd, McCarl was 3rd, Gharst was 4th, with Higday finishing 5th.

Patrick McKasson and David Prim made up the front row for the 15 lap AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Prim grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Adam Christy, who started 6th, and Luke Fraise. The field was slowed for the one and only time on lap 2, as McKasson spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Christy would grab the top spot, with Brandon Reu, who started 9th, and Chevy Barnes following him into second and third. These three driver’s raced two and even three wide for the lead over the next 7 laps, with Christy being credited with the lead on each lap. But Reu would clear him on lap 11 to take over the top spot. Reu, Christy, Chevy Barnes, Josh Barnes, and Kimberly Abbott all raced two and three wide for the top spot over the final 2 laps. But it was Reu who emerged off turn 4 on the final lap in the lead to take the win. Chevy Barnes held off his father Josh for 2nd, Abbott was 4th, with Dyllan Bonk coming home in 5th.

After two rounds of passing point heat races, Steve Picou and Chris Zogg earned the most points to start the 50 lap Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” Finale for the IMCA Modifieds on the front row. Zogg took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Picou and Cayden Carter. On lap 3 Carter overtook Picou to move into the runner up spot, and then went to work on Zogg for the lead. The action was slowed on lap 4 when Levi Smith spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Zogg jumped back out front, with Carter and Picou close behind. One lap later Cody Bowman spun in turn 1 to bring out the second caution of the race. Once again Zogg jumped back out front on the restart, with Carter challenging him for the lead. Carter made the move into the top spot on lap 8, as fifth place starter Austin Howes moved in to challenge Zogg for second. While Zogg and Howes battled side-by-side for second, this would allow Carter to start to pull away. The next thing to slow down Carter was the caution after lap 25 was scored complete. As the field was brought to a stop on the front stretch, and the teams were allowed to change anything on the car they could within a ten minute time limit.

Carter led the field back to green, with Zogg and Howes continuing their battle for the runner up spot. With the battles for positions going on behind Carter, this would allow him to pull away. And without any cautions in the final 25 laps this allowed Carter to go on to pick up the win, which was worth $5,000. Howes won the battle for 2nd, Zogg was 3rd, Mark Burgtorf came from 8th to finish 4th, with Jeff Waterman finishing 5th after starting in 10th.

Leremy Jackson and Peter Stodgel led the field to green in the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature. But it was third place starter Beau Taylor who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Jerry Jansen and Jackson. The action was slowed on lap 3, as Jason See and Chris Wibbell got together in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Taylor jumped back out front, with John Oliver Jr., who started 8th, overtaking Jansen for the runner up spot. Oliver Jr. would get by Taylor for the top spot on lap 8, as all eyes were on Wibbell, who restarted from the rear. A second caution of the race appeared on lap 8, as Jackson spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. jumped back out front, with Taylor and Jason Cook, who started 11th, following. A few laps after the restart Stodgel would spin in turn 2 to bring the yellow out. Once again Oliver Jr. moved back out front on the restart, with Cook and Taylor battling for second. Just when it looked like the final 5 laps would go caution free, Eric Glass spun in turn 4 on lap 16 to bring out the final yellow. Oliver Jr. grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wibbell challenging him for the lead. Coming off turn 2 on the final lap Wibbell was able to pull up beside Oliver Jr. going down the backstretch. But Oliver Jr. would emerge out of turn 4 out front to pick up the win. Wibbell was a close 2nd, Taylor was 3rd, Cook was 4th, with Mike Goldsberry coming from 9th to round out the top 5.

The 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMod feature was the final event to take to the track, and when Dave Kraus elected to start at the rear this would put Mike Benjamin and Nicholas Profeta on the front row. Profeta used his starting spot to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Brandon Savage and Brandon Lambert. The lead for Profeta only lasted for 1 lap, as Savage used the top of the speedway to grab the top spot away on lap 2. The action was slowed for the first time on lap 6, as Cole Gillenwater spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Savage jumped back out front, with Austen Becerra, who started 9th, Adam Birck, who started 10th, and Brayton Carter, who started 12th, close behind. Profeta’s run up front came to a halt on lap 8, as he spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light on. Once again Savage grabbed the lead on the restart, with Becerra, Birck and Carter following. Savage, who was using the top of the track, and Becerra, who was running the bottom, battled side-by-side for the top spot over the next 5 laps. Becerra would edge out Savage at the line on lap 15, but when Taft spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow this would put Savage back out front for the restart since the lap wasn’t scored complete. Savage once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Becerra looking under him for the top spot. Despite a last lap, last corner challenge, Savage was able to hold off Becerra to claim his second win in a row at the track. Carter was 3rd, Birck was 4th, with Sean Wyett coming from 11th to finish 5th.

Coming up next Friday, August 28th will be Darkside Tint & Graphix Season Championship Night. On the card 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 Northern SportMods, AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts, and American Iron Racing Series (A.I.R.S.) Cars. All IMCA classes will be lined up by weekly point average for both the heat races and features, while the A.I.R.S. cars will use a draw / redraw.

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, August 20, 2021 – Midwest Performance & Power Night

Sprint Invaders

A-Feature: 1. 50-Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL; 2. 63-JJ Hickle, Quilcene, WA; 3. 99-Austin McCarl, Altoona, IA; 4. 78-Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL; 5. 35-Josh Higday, Des Moines, IA; 6. 26-Jonathan Cornell, Sedalia, MO; 7. 11-Colton Fisher, Mediapolis, IA; 8. 40C-Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 9. 2-Chase Porter, St. Joseph, MO; 10. 44-Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA; 11. 51J-Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis, IA; 12. 88-Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA; 13. 81-Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington, IA; 14. 29W-Wyatt Wilkerson, Morning Sun, IA; 15. 22X-Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA; 16. 14J-Mike Johnston, Des Moines, IA; 17. 9-Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, IA; 18. 83-Kurt Mueller, Reynolds, IL; 19. 13-John Schulz, West Burlington, IA; 20. 41-Noah Samuel, Burlington, IA; 21. 43J-Evan Jones, Monroe, IA; 22. 84K-Wayne Kniffen, White City, OR (DNS)

Dash: 1. 99-Austin McCarl; 2. 51J-Ryan Jamison; 3. 50-Paul Nienhiser; 4. 35-Josh Higday; 5. 78-Kaley Gharst; 6. 44-Chris Martin (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 78-Kaley Gharst; 2. 50-Paul Nienhiser; 3. 22X-Riley Goodno; 4. 63-JJ Hickle; 5. 88-Josh Schneiderman; 6. 26-Jonathan Cornell; 7. 14J-Mike Johnston; 8. 43J-Evan Jones

Heat 2: 1. 35-Josh Higday; 2. 51J-Ryan Jamison; 3. 2-Chase Porter; 4. 81-Tanner Gebhardt; 5. 29W-Wyatt Wilkerson; 6. 41-Noah Samuel; 7. 84K-Wayne Kniffen

Heat 3: 1. 44-Chris Martin; 2. 99-Austin McCarl; 3. 40C-Cody Wehrle; 4. 13-John Schulz; 5. 11-Colton Fisher; 6. 83-Kurt Mueller; 7. 9-Daniel Bergquist


Hinkle Auto Sales IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 10C-Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 17A-Austin Howes, Memphis, MO; 3. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 4. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5. 71W-Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 6. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 7. X-Drew Janssen, Pella, IA; 8. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 9. 1A-Donovan Lodge, Andover, IL; 10. 00Z-Steve Picou, High Ridge, MO; 11. 18L-Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 12. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 13. 87-Blake Woodruff, Knoxville, IL; 14. 4B-Scott Boles, New London, IA; 15. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 16. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA

Heat 1 (Round 1): 1. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 2. 19J-Levi Smith; 3. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 4. 12D-Brandon Dale; 5. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 6. X-Drew Janssen; 7. 71W-Jeff Waterman; 8. 4B-Scott Boles (DNS)

Heat 2 (Round 1): 1. 00Z-Steve Picou; 2. 17A-Austin Howes; 3. 10C-Cayden Carter; 4. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 5. 1A-Donovan Lodge; 6. 87-Blake Woodruff; 7. K1-Cody Bowman; 8. 18L-Michael Long

Heat 1 (Round 2): 1. 10C-Cayden Carter; 2. X-Drew Janssen; 3. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 4. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 5. 17A-Austin Howes; 6. 12D-Brandon Dale; 7. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 8. 87-Blake Woodruff

Heat 2 (Round 2): 1. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 2. 71W-Jeff Waterman; 3. 00Z-Steve Picou; 4. 18L-Michael Long; 5. 19J-Levi Smith; 6. 4B-Scott Boles; 7. K1-Cody Bowman; 8. 1A-Donovan Lodge


Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 4. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. 02-Mike Goldsberry, Runnells, IA; 6. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 7. 81-Leremy Jackson, Unionville, IA; 8. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 9. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 10. 35-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 11. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 12. 79S-Jason See, Albia, IA

Heat 1: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 79S-Jason See; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor; 4. 06-Jerry Jansen; 5. 81-Leremy Jackson; 6. 3D-Jason Cook

Heat 2: 1. 52-Chris Wibbell; 2. 02-Mike Goldsberry; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel; 6. 35-Eric Glass


Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 2. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 3. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 4. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 5. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 6. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 7. 79-Nathan Bringer, Lewistown, MO; 8. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 10. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 11. 27-Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA; 12. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 13. 10D-Dakota Anderson, Basco, IL; 14. 55-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 15. 51-Mike Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 16. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 17. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 18. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 01-Brayton Carter; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 51-Mike Benjamin; 4. 27-Dave Kraus; 5. 00-Matt Tucker; 6. 10G-Jim Gillenwater (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage; 2. 112-Adam Birck; 3. 8C-Logan Cumby; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 79-Nathan Bringer; 6. 10D-Dakota Anderson

Heat 3: 1. 55-Barry Taft; 2. 12S-Sean Wyett; 3. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 4. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 5. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 6. 14-Bob Cowman


AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. 2B-Dyllan Bonk, Golden, IL; 6. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 7. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 8. 01-David Prim, Elvaston, IL; 9. 2X-TJ Weyls, Burlington, IA; 10. 7C-Spencer Coats, La Grange, MO; 11. 11-Patrick McKasson, Burlington, IA; 12. 219-Aaron Berry, Mt. Pleasant, IA (DNS); 13. 2-Cameron Robertson, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 3A-Adam Christy; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 4. 2X-TJ Weyls; 5. 11-Patrick McKasson; 6. 2-Cameron Robertson; 7. 219-Aaron Berry

Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 01-David Prim; 4. 2B-Dyllan Bonk; 5. 9-Luke Fraise; 6. 7C-Spencer Coats