by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, June 9, 2023) – Mother nature finally provided the Lee County Speedway with some beautiful weather for racing action on Friday, June 9th for Lomont Molding and STEFFES night. Which happened to be the fourth 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 waved at 9:43 PM, three driver’s earned their first wins of the season at the track, while two others continued their winning way.

The first feature to take to the track was the 15 lap Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts, with Doug White and Kruze Miles making up the front row. But it was tenth place starter Chevy Barnes who quickly shot to the front to lead lap 1 over Miles and Luke Fraise. While Barnes paced the field out front, Brandon Reu was working forward from his ninth place starting spot. Barnes, who was working the bottom of the track, and Reu, who was working the middle, raced side-by-side around the 3/8th mile track on laps 5 thru 8. With Barnes edging out front at the line each lap, then coming off turn 4 to complete lap 9 Reu slipped under Barnes to take over the top spot. Barnes tried to work back by Reu over the final laps, but Reu was able to hold him off for his second win in a row at the track. Barry Taft was 3rd, Fraise was 4th, with Chandler Fullenkamp coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Kevin Koontz and Beau Taylor on the front row. But just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Leremy Jackson spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the original restart Taylor jumped out front to lead lap 1 over John Oliver Jr., who started 6th, and Chad Krogmeier. The lead for Taylor only lasted for 2 laps, as Oliver Jr. slipped past to grab the top spot on lap 3. The next lap Derrick Agee, who started 8th, and David Brandies, who started 10th, worked their way into second and third. Oliver Jr., Brandies, and Agee raced three wide for the top spot over laps 5 thru 8, with Oliver Jr. leading each lap at the line. Then coming to complete lap 9 Brandies was able to slip under Oliver Jr. to grab the lead away. Oliver Jr. wouldn’t give up on winning the race, as he raced under Brandies over the final laps. The two would come off turn 4 for the checkered flag side-by-side, with Brandies inching out his first win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Agee was 3rd, Jeremy Pundt was 4th, with Dakota Simonsen rounding out the top 5.

Blaine Webster and Reid Sammons led the field to green in the 18 lap J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modified feature, with Webster using his starting spot to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Fisher Reese and Bill Roberts Jr, who started 7th. Just as Webster started to pull away, the first caution appeared on lap 5, as Brian Reed spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Webster jumped back out front, with Roberts Jr. and Daniel Fellows close behind. The following lap saw Webster bobble, which allowed Roberts Jr. to slip by for the lead. The action was slowed one final time on lap 14, as Reese slowed on fire in turn 4. Roberts Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, with Austen Becerra, who started 9th, and Fellows challenging. On lap 16 Becerra slipped past Roberts Jr. for the top spot and then went on for his fifth win of the season at the track. Jadin Fuller came from 12th to finish 3rd, Fellows was 4th, with Dennis LaVeine finishing in 5th.

Up next was the fourth round of the Iowa Corn Growers Association “Drive For 5” 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Sam Halstead and Mark Burgtorf drawing the front row. Halstead took advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Nick Marolf and Burgtorf. While Halstead worked the bottom of the track, Marolf went to the top to try and grab the top spot away. Halstead was able to hold off Marolf, that was until lap 11 when Marolf slipped by for the lead. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 14, Halstead slipped back under Marolf to get the top spot back. Despite lapped traffic over the final laps, Halstead held on for his first win of the season at the Lee County Speedway, which happened to be worth $1,000. Jay Johnson came from 7th to finish 3rd, Dennis Woodworth was 4th, with Burgtorf completing the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, with Rom Ruble and Cole Gillenwater making up the front row. Just as the green flag waved the red light would come on, as Cole Gillenwater set sideways in turn 2 and was hit hard by Brandt Ames to bring out the red. Both driver’s climbed from their cars okay. On the restart Matt Tucker grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Adam Birck and Brandon Lambert. While Tucker worked the bottom, Brandon Dale, who started 9th, worked the top of the track to work himself into the runner up spot on lap 6. Then on lap 8 Dale used the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the top spot. Lapped traffic over the final four laps of the race didn’t slow Dale down, as he went onto score his first win of the season at the track. Birck was 2nd, Tucker was 3rd, John Oliver Jr. finished 4th after starting in 12th, with Logan Cumby coming home in 5th.

Coming up next Friday, June 16th will be Trump Trucks and Montrose Community Health Center weekly points night, plus it will be Ernie Derr 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, 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, June 9, 2023 – Lomont Molding / STEFFES Night

A-Feature: 1. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 2. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 3. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 4. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 5. 15R-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 6. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 7. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 8. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 9. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 10. 7C-Christian Miles, Paloma, IL; 11. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 12. 45-Jason Oenning, Ursa, IL; 13. 7B-Blaire Barton, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 14. 72-James Dickerson, Hannibal, MO; 15. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 16. 5J-Matt Jones, Monmouth, IL (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 84-Sam Halstead; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 15R-Mark Burgtorf; 4. 60-Dalton Simonsen; 5. 7B-Blaire Barton; 6. 5J-Matt Jones; 7. 72-James Dickerson; 8. 7C-Christian Miles

Heat 2: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 3. 01-CJ Horn; 4. 93-Jay Johnson; 5. 07-Ray Raker; 6. 54-Tommy Elston; 7. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 8. 45-Jason Oenning

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 3. 126J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 4. 11-Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 5. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 6. 7-Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 7. 28D-Matt Diaz, Quincy, IL; 8. 15RS-Reid Sammons, Kahoka, MO; 9. 51-Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 10. 46-Brian Reed, Palmyra, MO; 11. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 12. 7X-Rex Widmer, Keokuk, IA; 13. 81-Jesse Belez, Marengo, IA

Heat 1: 1. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 2. 7-Blaine Webster; 3. 81-Jesse Belez; 4. 2R-Fisher Reese; 5. 7X-Rex Widmer; 6. 51-Michael Benjamin; 7. 126J-Jadin Fuller

Heat 2: 1. 22-Austen Becerra; 2. 11-Daniel Fellows; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 28D-Matt Diaz; 5. 15RS-Reid Sammons; 6. 46-Brian Reed

A-Feature: 1. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 3. 14-Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 4. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 5. 60-Dakota Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 6. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 7. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 8. 35J-Leremy Jackson, Unionville, IA; 9. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 10. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 11. 07-Neal Kohlmorgan, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 71-David Brandies; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor; 4. 14-Derrick Agee; 5. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 6. 07-Neal Kohlmorgan

Heat 2: 1. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 2. 06-Jerry Jansen; 3. 35J-Leremy Jackson; 4. 60-Dakota Simonsen; 5. 43-Kevin Koontz

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 2. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 3. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 4. 55-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 5. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 6. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer, Liberty, IL; 7. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 8. 99-Kyle Boyd, Ottumwa, IA; 9. 8-Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 10. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 11. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 12. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 13. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 14. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 15. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1. 12D-Brandon Dale; 2. 112-Adam Birck; 3. 8C-Logan Cumby; 4. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 6. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 7. 57-Brandt Ames; 8. 8-Tom Lathrop

Heat 2: 1. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 2. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer; 3. 00-Matt Tucker; 4. 99-Kyle Boyd; 5. 7R-Tom Ruble; 6. 55-John Oliver Jr.; 7. 20-Nicholas Profeta

A-Feature: 1. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 4. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 5. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 6. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 7. 77K-Kruze Miles, Paloma, IL; 8. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 9. 18L-Blaine Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 09D-Doug White, Camp Point, IL; 11. 24M-Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 12. 26-Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO; 13. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 2. 13B-Josh Barnes; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 77K-Kruze Miles; 6. 18L-Blaine Lambert; 7. 26-Ryan Moore

Heat 2: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 57-Barry Taft; 4. 11E-Ethan Prim; 5. 09D-Doug White; 6. 24M-Chuck Fullenkamp (DNS)