Category Archives: Weekly Racing

Gustin and May Sweep the “5th Annual Fall Extravaganza”

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by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Saturday, October 15, 2016) – What a difference a night makes. After Friday nights temperatures hoovered around the high 50’s, Saturday nights temperatures never fell out of the 70’s on night two of the “5th Annual Fall Extravaganza” at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. Plus if you thought you seen some good racing action on Friday, well Saturday nights action was even better. Once again the nights action was brought to you by Budweiser, Casey’s General Stores, Donnellson Tire and Service, Randall’s Performance, and Trump Trucks.

The 15 lap Mod Lite / Micro Mod feature was the first to take to the track, with Josh May and Jason Masengarb drawing the front row for the event. May would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Masengarb and Kevin Blum. While May set a fast pace out front, Blum went to the top of the track to over take Masengarb for the runner up spot on lap 7. Blum then tried to track down May for the top spot. But without a caution May would go on to pick up his second win of the weekend at the track. Blum settled for 2nd, Jason Bahrs started 6th and finished 3rd, Masengarb was 4th, with Darrick Knutsen coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap Donnellson Tire and Service Stock Car feature, with Jason Cook and John Oliver Jr. leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Cook used his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Oliver Jr. and Johnny Spaw. But Cook’s lead only lasted for 1 lap, as Oliver Jr. went to the top of the track coming off turn 4 to take over the top spot on lap 2. Oliver Jr. then went to the bottom of the track, which forced Mike Hughes, who started 5th, to go to the top to try and get by him for the lead. Hughes would use the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the lead away from Oliver Jr. on lap 8. But Oliver Jr. would come back on the bottom to grab the top spot back on lap 9. Once again Hughes used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to get the lead back from Oliver Jr. on lap 10. Hughes then went to the bottom of the track to try and slow down Oliver Jr. But coming off turn 4 to complete lap 13 Oliver Jr. was able to slip under Hughes to grab the lead back. The action up front was slowed for the first and only time on lap 14. On the restart Oliver Jr. jumped back out front, with Hughes working to hold off Cayden Carter, who started 11th, for the runner up spot. Carter who used the top of the track to work himself up from 11th, used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to edge out Oliver Jr. at the line to lead lap 17. Coming off turn 2 Oliver Jr., on the bottom, Hughes, in the middle, and Carter, up top, went three wide down the backstretch and into turn 3. Hughes would slip up into Carter, which allowed Spaw to join the battle for the lead. Then coming off turn 2 on the final lap Hughes tried to get under Oliver Jr., as the two got hooked together going down the backstretch. This would allow Spaw to enter turn 3 in the middle of the track next to Oliver Jr., but he would slid to high coming off turn 4. Which allowed Oliver Jr. to go on to claim his first win of the season at the track and the $1,000 top prize.

Gunner Frank was suppose to lead the field to the green flag in the 25 lap Steffes Late Model feature, but mechanical troubles forced him to the pits on the parade lap. This would move Brian Harris, who was driving Lynn Richard’s #26R, to the pole next to Richie Gustin, who was once again driving the #15k for Justin Kay Racing. Gustin would jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Harris, and Jeremiah Hurst. Disaster would strike Harris on lap 4, as he spun from the second spot in turn 2 and collects Chad Holladay to bring out the yellow. On the restart Gustin moved back out front, with Tommy Elston, who started 8th, over taking Hurst for the second spot. Gustin then had to try and hold off Elston over the next 4 laps, as the two drivers used different grooves around the track. But coming off turn 4 on lap 9, Elston was able to slip under Gustin to take over the top spot. Only to have Gustin come back on the top of the track off turn 4 on lap 10 to get the lead back. Despite a few more challenges from Elston over the final 15 laps, Gustin was able to hold on to claim his second win in a row and another $1,000 top prize. Elston was 2nd, Sam Halstead started 10th and finished 3rd, Hurst was 4th, with Jeff Guengerich finishing 5th after starting in 12th.

The 12 lap Coors Light Hobby Stock feature was up next, with Dustin Griffiths and Jacob Keiser leading the field to the green flag. But just as the green flag waved the caution light came on, as Kenser Ellis spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Griffiths jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Nick Ulin and Aaron Martin. But debris in turn 3 on the completion of lap 1 would slow the action for the second time. Griffiths once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Ulin and Martin close behind. Ulin, who worked the bottom of the track, was able to slip under Griffiths, who was working the top of the track, coming off turn 2 to take over the top spot on lap 6. The two would race side-by-side over the next 4 laps, with Griffiths grabbing the lead back on lap 10. Coming out of turn 4 on the final lap Ulin would clip a tire and almost rolled, but ended up spinning. Which allowed Griffiths to go on to claim the win and the $500 prize to go with it. Martin was 2nd, Keiser was 3rd, Randy Byerly was 4th, with Rob Wilsey completing the top 5.

John Oliver Jr. and Logan Anderson drew the front row for the 20 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express SportMod feature, with Oliver Jr. leading lap 1 over Anderson and Carter VanDenBerg. Anderson would use the bottom of the track to take the top spot away from Oliver Jr. on lap 5. Then the action was slowed for the first time on lap 9, as Mike Goben stopped down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jason Riegel spun in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Anderson jump back out front, with Brayton Carter over taking Oliver Jr. for the runner up spot. Austen Becerra would spin in turn 4 on lap 14 to slow the action down for the third time. Anderson once again grabbed the lead on the restart, only to have another caution come out one lap later. This time Jared Boumeester, who started 9th and was going for 3rd, slid up in front of Oliver Jr. in turn 4 and then spun to bring out the yellow. On the restart Anderson jumped back out front, but was slowed for the final time one lap later. As John Brandies and Becerra collided in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Anderson moved back out front on the restart, with Oliver Jr. getting back around Carter for second. Coming off turn 4 on the final lap Oliver Jr. tried to use the momentum off the top of the track to get the win. But Anderson would hold him off to pick up the win and the $1,000 prize to go with it. Oliver Jr. settled for 2nd, Carter was 3rd, Tim Plummer passed 12 cars from his 16th place starting spot to come home in 4th, with Tyler Soppe finishing 5th after starting in 10th.

Up next was the 15 lap Armstrong Tractor Sport Compact feature, with Nathan Chandler and Dan Schmidt making up the front row. Schmidt would take advantage of his front row starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Chandler and Barry Taft. Taft would use the momentum off the top of the track in turn 2 to take the top spot away from Schmidt on lap 6. While Taft paced the field out front, Schmidt, Kimberly Abbott, Brandon Reu, and Darin Weisinger Jr., who started 7th, were all looking for racing room to get to Taft. The action was slowed for the first and only time on lap 11, when Adam Gates spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Taft moved back out front, with Weisinger Jr. over taking Schmidt for the runner up spot. As the battle for second raged on Taft would pull away over the final laps to claim the win and the $300 top prize to go with it. Weisinger Jr. won the battle for 2nd, Abbott was 3rd, Reu was 4th, with Schmidt holding on for 5th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 25 lap Budweiser Modifieds, with Kyle Brown and Jason Murray leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Brown would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Murray and Michael Long. Just after the completion of lap 1 the first caution of the race appeared, as Bruce Hanford slowed to a stop in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Brown jumped back out front, with Long over taking Murray for second. While Brown set the pace out front, Jenae Gustin, who started 7th, used the bottom of the track to work under Long for second on lap 4. Gustin then tried to track down Brown for the lead, when the second caution of the race slowed the action on lap 10. Shawn Ritter would spin in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Once again Brown grabbed the lead on the restart, with Long getting back around Gustin for second. Three laps later another caution appeared, as Patrick Flannagan spun in turn 2 on lap 14 to bring out the yellow. Brown jumped back out front on the restart, only for the caution to come back out one lap later. This time Milo Veloz, who was running 5th, slowed to a stop in turn 4 with front end troubles to bring out the yellow. The final restart saw Brown jump back out front, with Gustin getting back by Long for second. Long, who was working the top of the track, over took Gustin for second on lap 17 and then went to work on Brown, who was working the bottom, for the lead. But Brown would hold on to pick up the win and the $1,000 check to go with it. Long settled for 2nd, Jenae Gustin was 3rd, Richie Gustin started 13th in the #15k Justin Kay Racing Modified and finished 4th, with Cayden Carter finishing 5th after starting in 8th.

The 2016 racing season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa will come to a close on Saturday, October 29th, with the annual running of “Shiverfest”. A practice, along with king of the hill races, grudge races and mechanics races are scheduled to take place on Friday, October 28th. In action both nights will be the Steffes Late Models, Budweiser Modifieds, Donnellson Tire and Service Stock Cars, Shottenkirk Parts Express SportMods, Coors Light Hobby Stocks, and Armstrong Tractor Sport Compacts.

Gates on Friday will open at 5:30 PM, with everything set to get started at 7 PM. Then on Saturday gates will open at 1 PM, with hay rack rides thru the pits being held from 3 PM until 4 PM. Trick-or-treating sponsored by the drivers will take place from 4 PM until 4:30 PM, with box car races following that. Hot Laps will get started at 5 PM, with Racing at 5:30 PM. Grandstand admission for Saturday will be adults $10, seniors (60+) $9, students (11-17) $5, and kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes on Friday are drivers $20, non drivers $15, ages (7-13) $10, and ages (6 & under) $5. Then on Saturday pit passes will be $25, ages (7-13) $15, ages (3-6) $10, and ages (2 & under) $3.

For more information you can call Mike Van Genderen at 641-521-0330

Gustin, Long, Carter, Boumeester, May, Lichty, and Barnes Open 5th Annual Fall Extravaganza With Wins

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by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, October 14, 2016) – Friday was a brisk and cool night, but the on track action was hot enough to heat you up. As the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa opened the “5th Annual Fall Extravaganza”. The nights action was being presented to you by Budweiser, Casey’s General Stores, Donnellson Tire and Service, Randall’s Performance, and Trump Trucks.

The rained out Shottenkirk Parts Express SportMod feature from August 19th was the first event to take to the track on the night, with 3 laps complete. Jim Gillenwater resumed the lead of the race at the drop of the green flag, with John Oliver Jr. and Joey Gower following. While Oliver Jr. try to keep pace with Gillenwater, the battle was for third between Gower, Tony Dunker, and Brandon Lennox, who restarted in 7th. But without a caution there was no catching Gillenwater, as went on to win his third feature of the season at the track. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Lennox won the battle for 3rd, Dunker was 4th, with Gower rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 15 lap Mod Lite / Micro Mod feature, with Jason Bahrs and Josh May leading the field to the green flag. May would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Bahrs and Don Erger, who started 5th. The action was slowed only one time, as Darrick Knutsen stopped down the backstretch on lap 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart May jumped back out front, with Erger and Bahrs battling for second. May though would pull away over the final laps to pick up the win. Erger was 2nd, Jason Masengarb came from 7th to finish 3rd, Devon Rouse finished 4th after starting in 8th, with Joel Huggins coming from 11th to come home in 5th.

Luke Merfeld and Chad Holladay drew the front row for the 25 lap Steffes Late Model feature, with Merfeld using his front row advantage to grab the lead on lap 1 over Holladay and Richie Gustin, who was driving the #15k for Justin Kay Racing. Merfeld then held the top spot until lap 4, when disaster would strike him. Something appeared to break on the right front that resulted in him hitting the guardrail in turn 4 and bringing out the caution. On the restart Gustin would take over the top spot, with Holladay and Tommy Elston, who started 7th, battling for the runner up spot. The action was slowed for the second and final time on lap 13, when Blake Woodruff spun into the guardrail in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Gustin once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Elston over taking Holladay for second. Elston then held off Holladay until lap 19, when a lapped car forced Elston high coming off turn 4 and allowed Holladay to slip back under him for second. But on this night there was no catching Gustin, who pulled away to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize to go with it. Holladay settled for 2nd, Elston was 3rd, Jeremiah Hurst, who started 9th in the Roberts Motorsports #58, finished 4th, with Todd Frank coming from 12th to round out the top 5.

The 20 lap Donnellson Tire and Service Stock Car feature was up next, with Cayden Carter and Jeff Mueller leading the field to the green flag. Carter took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Mueller and Mike Hughes. While Carter set the pace out front, Mueller and Hughes would battle for the runner up spot. Until the first caution of the race appeared on lap 10 for Randy Exline’s spin in turn 3. On the restart Carter moved back out front, with Mueller and Hughes continuing their battle for second. But the second and final caution of the race came out on lap 13 to slow the action, as Exline spun in turn 3 to end his night with a second solo caution. Carter again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Hughes finally getting around Mueller for second. Despite a few challenges from Hughes and Mueller over the final laps, Carter would hold on to pick up the $1,000 top prize. Hughes was 2nd, Mueller was 3rd, John Oliver Jr. was 4th, with Kirk Kinsley rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 15 lap Coors Light Hobby Stock feature, with Bill Bonnett and Neal Miller making up the front row for the event. Bonnett would use his front row starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Miller and Justin Lichty, who started 5th. A couple of laps later Lichty and Nick Ulin, who started 6th, would over take Miller to move into second and third. Bonnett, who was working the top of the track, then had to work to hold off Lichty over the next several laps, as Ulin was waiting for an opening. Going into turn 3 on the final lap Bonnett entered low to try and slow down Lichty’s momentum, but would drift high coming off turn 4. This would allow Lichty to pull even with Bonnett coming off turn 4, as the two crossed the line side-by-side. Lichty was awarded the win by inches, which was worth $500. Bonnett settled for 2nd, Ulin was 3rd, Miller was 4th, with Mike Kincaid coming from 9th to finish in 5th.

Michael Long and Ronn Lauritzen drew the front row for the Budweiser Modified feature, with Long grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Lauritzen and Cayden Carter, who started 6th. Debris in turn 2 on the completion of lap 1 slowed the action for the first time. On the restart Long moved back out front, with Carter over taking Lauritzen for second. But the second caution of the race appeared after the completion of lap 2, as Scott Dickey and Jason Murray ended up in the guardrail at the end of the front stretch to bring out the yellow. Long once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Carter and Lauritzen close behind. Just as Long started to pull away from the battle behind him, the third and final caution of the race came out on lap 13. This time Patrick Flannagan slowed to a stop in turn 1 with motor troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Richie Gustin, who was driving the #15k for Justin Kay Racing, and Dave Wietholder, who started 9th, slipped past Carter, who slid high in turn 2 and fell back to 8th. Gustin tried to work under Long over the final laps, but Long would hold him off to pick up the win and the $1,000 top prize. Richie Gustin was 2nd, Bill Roberts Jr., who started 12th, slipped past Wietholder late to finish 3rd, with Wietholder 4th, and Jenae Gustin finishing 5th after starting in 10th.

Up next was the 15 lap Armstrong Tractor Sport Compact feature, with Darin Weisinger Jr. and Josh Barnes leading the field to the green flag. Barnes took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Darin Smith and Jake Dietrich. While Barnes set the pace out front, there was several side-by-side battles going on behind. But that action came to a halt on lap 13, when Dietrich, Ron Kibbe, and William Michel collided in turn 2 to bring out the one and only caution of the race. On the restart Barnes moved back out front, with Kimberly Abbott, who started 6th, and Barry Taft, who started 7th, glued to his back bumper. Barnes, who was working the middle of the track, had Abbott, who was on the bottom, looking under him coming to the white flag. The two would come off turn 4 side-by-side on the final lap, with Barnes claiming the win by a half a car length to pick up the $300 top prize. Abbott settled for 2nd, Taft was 3rd, Smith was 4th, with Nathan Chandler coming from 9th to round out the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 20 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express SportMods, with Brayton Carter and Brandon Lennox drawing the front row. But just as the green flag was waved the red light would come on, as Jason McDaniel, Creston Williams and Paul Howard collided in turn 4. Howard’s car work turn over on it’s side when Carter VanDenBerg clipped him trying to avoid the wreck. All drivers would climb from their cars okay. On the original restart Carter moved out front to lead lap 1 over Lennox and Dakota Simmons. Just after the completion of lap 1 the second caution of the race appeared, as Jim Gillenwater, Tony Olson and Curtis Van Der Wal collided in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Lennox would slip past Carter on the restart to grab the top spot away, as Jared Boumeester, who started 5th, moved into to challenge. Coming off turn 5 to complete lap 5, Boumeester slipped under Lennox to take over the lead. Boumeester then started to pull away, when the third and final caution appeared on lap 9. This time Austen Becerra slowed in turn 4 with troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Boumeester jumped back out front, with John Oliver Jr., who started 10th, over taking Lennox for the runner up spot. Oliver Jr. tried to stay with Boumeester over the final 10 laps, but Boumeester would pull away to pick up the win and the $1,000 check to go with it. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Lennox crossed the line in 3rd. But a illegal MSD box was found on Lennox’s car in post race inspection, which resulted in him being disqualified. This would move Richie Gustin, who was driving Shawn Ritter’s #5JR, up to 3rd after he started 14th, Tyler Soppe was moved up to 5th after starting in 9th, with Logan Anderson being moved up to finish in 5th.

 

2016 Track Champions to be Crowned Friday at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway

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by Brian Neal

Donnellson, IA (Thursday, August 24, 2016) – It’s hard to believe it is that time of the year, but on Friday, August 26th the 2016 track champions will be crowned at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. The nights action will include the Steffes Late Models, Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire and Service IMCA Stock Cars, Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods, and Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts, which is being brought to you this week by Budweiser. But before the Budweiser Season Championship Night gets started, the Shottenkirk Parts Express will continue their rained out feature from Friday, August 19th.

 

Budweiser-ICO

 

The closest points battle heading into Friday night is in the Steffes Late Models, as Tommy Elston (462) holds a slim 1 point lead over Sam Halstead (461). The track title will go to Elston if he finishes in front of Halstead in the feature event, even if he finished right behind Halstead the title will still be his. As Elston holds the tie breaker by winning 6 point paying feature events during the 2016 season, compared to Halstead only winning 4. Sitting third in the standings is Jeff Guengerich with 443, while Tyler Cale holds down the fourth spot with 405. Five points separates fifth, sixth and seventh in points, with Charles VanZandt currently holding the fifth spot with 386, while Derek Liles and Todd Frank are tied for sixth with 381. Gunner Frank is close behind in eighth with 374, with Colby Springsteen (338) and Laine VanZandt (288) rounding out the top ten.

 

Jeff Waterman sits atop the Budweiser IMCA Modified points standings with 450 points, which is 19 more points then Dennis LaVeine (431). If less then 19 cars sign in on Friday, all Waterman has to do is take the green flag in his heat race and the title will be his. LaVeine is also in a battle for the runner up spot in points, as Bill Roberts Jr. sits third with 424, only 7 points back of LaVeine. Levi Smith is fourth with 387, Larry McConnell is fifth with 374. Jerad Fuller is sixth with 347, and Jardin Fuller is seventh with 321. Dean McGee currently sits eighth with 308, while Blake Woodruff is only 6 points back in ninth (302). Kelly Buckallew rounds out the top ten with 270 points.

 

New London’s Jeff Mueller has already clinched the title in the Donnellson Tire and Service IMCA Stock Cars, as he has a 40 point lead over John Oliver Jr. (474 to 434). Even if Mueller decides to stay home on Friday and Oliver Jr. would go on to win the feature, which would result in a tie atop the standings. Mueller holds the tie breaker by winning 8 features during the 2016 season at the track. Sitting eight points back of Oliver Jr. in third is Jeremy Pundt, with 426 points. While the 2015 IMCA Hobby Stock track champion Kevin Koontz sits in fifth with 316 points. Abe Huls, who is sixth with 285 points, is seven points ahead of Andrew Hustead, who has 278 points. Only 1 point separates eighth and ninth in points, as Greg Gill with 265 leads Dean Kratzer who has 264 points. Currently rounding out the top ten is Brent Hartley, who leads Jason See by 6 points (247 to 241).

 

The current Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMod top ten standings will mostly likely be shaken up after Friday nights action, as they have double features to run. Jim Gillenwater (415) holds a 22 point lead over defending track champion Joey Gower (393) going into the nights action. While Tony Dunker sits in third with 388 points, only 5 points behind Gower for second. Brandon Dale sits in fourth with 377, which is only 5 points ahead of John Oliver Jr. (372) who is fifth. Austen Becerra is sixth with 349 points, Kyle Hill and Austin Howes are battling for seventh in points, as they are separated by 4 points (267 to 263). While Donn Crear (199) and Dakota Simmons (189) round out the top ten.

 

Josh Barnes will more than likely pick up his first Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compact track title, as he has a 25 point lead over defending track champion Kimberly Abbott. If less then 25 cars sign in on Friday the title will be Barnes’, who has 462 points, when he takes the green flag for his heat race. Not only does Abbott have a chance at the title, but she is also in a battle for the runner up spot in points. Abbott only holds a 2 points advantage over Brandon Reu (437 to 435), but Ron Kibbe sits in fourth with 431 points. Mike Reu is fifth with 423 points, Darin Weisinger Jr. is sixth with 412 points, Kenny Smith is seventh with 377 points, and Brandon Lambert is eighth with 356 points. Rounding out the top ten is Barry Taft with 141 points and Levi Heath with 135 points.

 

Gates will open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing at 7:30 PM. Grandstand admission is adults $10, seniors $9, and students (11-17) $5, and kids 10 & under FREE!. Pit passes are $25, ages (7-13) $15, and ages (6 & under) $10.