by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, June 16, 2023) – The Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa took a night to highlight the career of area racer Ernie Derr on Friday, June 16th, as the car he drove in his final races was on display and would also make some laps around the track during the nights activities. The on track action was presented by Montrose Community Health Center and Trump Trucks, and when the final checkered flag waved at 9:47 PM four driver’s continued their winning ways and two others scored their first wins of the season at the track.

The first feature to take to the track was the 15 lap Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts, with Kruze Miles and Kimberly Abbott making up the front row. But it was fourth place starter Chevy Barnes who quickly shot into the lead on lap 1 over Miles and Abbott. Fifth place starter Brandon Reu worked himself into the runner up spot on lap 5, and then went to work on Barnes for the top spot. Reu tried to work under Barnes coming off turn 4 to complete lap 8, but Barnes would edge him out at the line by inches. On lap 9 Reu finally cleared Barnes for the lead, and then held him off for his third win in a row at the track. Barry Taft won the battle for 3rd over Abbott, with Luke Fraise rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson & Tire Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Peter Stodgel and Kevin Koontz leading the field to green. But it was third place starter Beau Taylor who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Stodgel and Cole Mather. The action was slowed on lap 3, as Koontz spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Taylor jumped back out front, with John Oliver Jr., who started 9th, and Mather close behind. Taylor then held the top spot until lap 6, when Oliver Jr. slipped under him for the lead. Koontz would get upside down in turn 2 on lap 9 to bring the action to a stop. He would climb from his car okay. On the restart Eric Glass would spin in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Oliver Jr. jump back out front, with Mather and Derrick Agee, who started 8th, challenging. Mather used the middle of the track to edge out Oliver Jr. at the line for the lead on lap 11. Then on lap 12 a tire was clipped onto the track to bring out the final caution of the event. Mather would grab the lead on the restart, with Oliver Jr., Agee, and Jeremy Pundt all looking for a way around. The top four would put on a heck of a race for the final laps, with Mather holding on for his second win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Agee was 3rd, Pundt was 4th, with Chad Krogmeier completing the top 5.

Dennis LaVeine and Daniel Fellows were on the front row for the 16 lap J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modified feature. Fellows took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over LaVeine and Bill Roberts Jr. A tire was clipped onto the track in turn 2 on lap 2 to slow the action. On the restart Fellows moved back out front, with Roberts Jr. and Austen Becerra following. Disaster would strike Roberts Jr. on the completion of the lap, as something broke in the right front, sending him into the guardrail in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Fellows jumped back out front on the restart, with Becerra and LaVeine close behind. On lap 6 Fellows went to the bottom of the track, which opened the top to allow Becerra to go by for the top spot. From there Becerra would cruise to his sixth win in a row and seventh of the season at the track. Fellows was 2nd, LaVeine was 3rd, Jadin Fuller was 4th, with Fisher Reese coming home in 5th.

The 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model feature was up next, with Ed Hollenbeck and Ray Raker making up the front row. Hollenbeck took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Raker and Sean Johnson. While Hollenbeck found the bottom of the track to his liking, Jason Oenning worked the top of the track. On lap 11 Oenning used the momentum off the top to grab the top spot. The action was slowed for the first and only time on lap 21, as Dekota Job spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Mark Burgtorf, who started 8th, tried to slid Oenning for the top spot in turn 4, only to have Oenning turn back under him to keep the lead. Oenning then held off a last lap charge from Jeremy Pundt to score his second career feature win. Burgtorf was 3rd, Dennis Woodworth came from 10th to finish 4th, with Tommy Elston rounding out the top 5 after starting in 9th.

Jim Gillenwater and Brandon Lambert led the field to green in the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMod feature, with Gillenwater grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Tyler Heckart and Lambert. While Gillenwater paced the field out front, John Oliver Jr., Nicholas Profeta, Adam Birck, who started 9th, Brandon Dale, and Sean Wyett, who started 8th, put on a show for the remaining positions. Without a caution to nunch the field up, and despite lapped traffic late in the race, Gillenwater would go on to lead all 18 laps for his first win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Birck was 3rd, Dale was 4th, with Profeta coming home in 5th.

Roger Brockett and Don Wood drew the front row for the 12 lap Mini Hauler Truck feature, with Roger Brockett grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Sheldon Brockett and Tim Wagner. Sheldon Brockett used the middle of the track to grab the top spot away from Roger Brockett on lap 2. Sheldon Brockett then looked to be heading for his first win, when he got sideways in turn 2 on the final lap. Which sent the rest of the field taking advacious action to get around him. Roger Brockett would emerge with the lead, in which he held onto for his first win. Wood was 2nd, Wagner was 3rd, Darin Ronner was 4th, with Grady Jones coming from 9th to finish in 5th.

Coming up next Friday, June 23rd will be the fifth 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. 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, and Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts.

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 16, 2023 – Montrose Community Health Center / Trump Trucks Night

A-Feature: 1. 45-Jason Oenning, Ursa, IL; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 3. 15R-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 4. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 5. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 6. 8R-Sean Johnson, Independence, IA; 7. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 8. 7C-Christian Miles, Paloma, IL; 9. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA; 10. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. 4-Dekota Job, Burlington, IA; 12. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 13. 5J-Matt Jones, Monmouth, IL; 14. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA

Heat 1: 1. 8R-Sean Johnson; 2. 84-Sam Halstead; 3. 54-Tommy Elston; 4. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 6. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 7. 7C-Christian Miles

Heat 2: 1. 01-CJ Horn; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 07-Ray Raker; 4. 15R-Mark Burgtorf; 5. 45-Jason Oenning; 6. 4-Dekota Job; 7. 5J-Matt Jones

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 11-Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 4. 126J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 5. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 6. 46-Brian Reed, Palmyra, MO; 7. 15RS-Reid Sammons, Kahoka, MO; 8. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA

Heat: 1. 11-Daniel Fellows; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 5. 126J-Jadin Fuller; 6. 2R-Fisher Reese; 7. 15RS-Reid Sammons; 8. 46-Brian Reed

A-Feature: 1. 74C-Cole Mather, Oelwein, IA; 2. 05-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 3. 14-Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 4. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 5. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 6. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 7. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 9. 35-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 10. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 11. 75-Austin Schulte, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1. 14-Derrick Agee; 2. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 3. 06-Jerry Jansen; 4. 43-Kevin Koontz; 5. 75-Austin Schulte; 6. 35-Eric Glass

Heat 2: 1. 05-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 2T-Beau Taylor; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 74C-Cole Mather; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 2. 55-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 3. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 4. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 5. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 6. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 7. 0-Dakota Girard, Moberly, MO; 8. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 10. 42-Tyler Heckart, Ottumwa, IA; 11. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 12. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr., Burlington, IA; 13. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 14. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 15. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft, Madison, IA

Heat 1: 1. 55-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 42-Tyler Heckart; 3. 12S-Sean Wyett; 4. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 5. 14B-Tom Bowling Jr.; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 7. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel

Heat 2: 1. 112-Adam Birck; 2. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 3. 12D-Brandon Dale; 4. 0-Dakota Girard; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 6. 00-Matt Tucker; 7. 7R-Tom Ruble

A-Feature: 1. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 6. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 7. 77K-Kruze Miles, Paloma, IL; 8. 26-Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO; 9. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 2. 57-Barry Taft; 3. 27-Brandon Reu; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 5. 77K-Kruze Miles; 6. 11E-Ethan Prim; 7. 26-Ryan Moore; 8. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 9. 9-Luke Fraise

Mini Hauler Trucks

A-Feature: 1. F1-Roger Brockett, Burlington, IA; 2. 41-Don Wood, Wapello, IA; 3. 95-Tim Wagner, Wapello, IA; 4. 141-Darin Ronner, Gladstone, IL; 5. 55-Grady Jones, Monmouth, IL; 6. 74-Sheldon Brockett, Burlington, IA; 7. 078-Eric Detlefsen, Burlington, IA; 8. 43-Larry Hooper, Wyaconda, MO; 9. 10-Jeff Bockes, Morning Sun, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. 74-Sheldon Brockett; 2. 41-Don Wood; 3. F1-Roger Brockett; 4. 95-Tim Wagner; 5. 078-Eric Detlefsen; 6. 141-Darin Ronner; 7. 55-Grady Jones; 8. 43-Larry Hooper; 9. 10-Jeff Bockes (DNS)