by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 14, 2020) – Mother nature provided the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa with more great weather for another night of racing action on Friday, August 14th. And with the help of U.S. Cellular – Conn Communications fans were able to come out and relax and enjoy the night for only $3.

The feature action got started with the 15 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts, with Josh Barnes and Kaycee McGregor leading the field to green. Barnes took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Jason Ash, who started 9th, and McGregor. The action was slowed on lap 2 when Braeden Barlow spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Barnes jumped back out front, with Ash and Brandon Reu, who started 11th, close behind. Another lap scored complete produced another caution, as Blake Dotson slowed in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Barnes would once again grab the lead on the restart, with Ash and Reu following. Ash tried to work under Barnes over the next 3 laps, only to have Barnes hold him off at the line each lap. That was until lap 9, when Ash finally got under Barnes to take over the top spot. One lap later, lap 10, Barlow would spin in turn 2 and collected third place runner Reu to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jared Heule, Kimberly Abbott, Quinton Shelton, Alyssa Dietrich and Aurora Dietrich collided in turn 1 to bring the yellow light back on. Ash grabbed the top spot on the restart and would hold off Barnes over the final laps to claim his fifth win in eight starts this year at the track. Chuck Fullenkamp came from 10th to finish 3rd, Heule recovered from the lap 10 caution to come back up to finish 4th, with Jacob Houston finishing 5th after starting in 12th.

Three different leaders took their turns out front in the 18 lap IMRA Midget feature, which started with Will Armitage and Mark McMahill drawing the front row. Armitage took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Brian Stanfill and McMahill. While Armitage worked the bottom of the track, Stanfill was working the top, and Stanfill would use the momentum off the top to take over the top spot from Armitage on lap 3. With Stanfill pacing the field out front, Andy Baugh, who started 9th, was working his way towards the front. On lap 6 Baugh would work himself into the runner up spot and then went to work on Stanfill for the lead. Coming to the white flag Baugh and Stanfill raced side-by-side off turn 4, with Baugh emerging with the top spot. Baugh then held off Stanfill to claim the win, which was worth $600 thanks to Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing. Jordan Mattson finished 3rd, Armitage was 4th, with Kevin Battefeld coming home in 5th.

Cody Wehrle and Colton Fisher drew the front row for the 18 lap 305 Sprint Car feature, with Wehrle grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Fisher and Wyatt Wilkerson. The fast pace Wehrle was setting would put him into lap traffic by lap 11. And despite heavy lap traffic over the final 3 laps, there was no catching Wehrle on this night. As he cruised to his first win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Fisher held off Wilkerson in the battle for 2nd, Dugan Thye was 4th, with Tyler Duff rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Jerry Jansen and Jake Powers making up the front row. Just as the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as Powers was sideways coming off turn 4 in front of the field to bring out the caution. On the original restart Chad Krogmeier jumped out front to lead lap 1 over Jansen and Jason Cook. While Krogmeier worked the bottom of the track, John Oliver Jr., who started 7th, was working the middle to top grooves of the track to work himself into the runner up spot on lap 3. Two laps later he would use those same lines to overtake Krogmeier for the top spot. Then Oliver Jr. started to pull away, leaving Cook, Krogmeier, Mike Harward, who started 11th, and Huls to race side-by-side for positions second thru fifth. Without a caution to bunch the field up, Oliver Jr. would cruise to his sixth win in nine starts this season at the track. Cook won the battle for 2nd, Huls was 3rd, Harward was 4th, with Krogmeier coming home in 5th.

Levi Smith and Chad Giberson led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 18 lap Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modified feature, with Smith jumping out front on lap 1 over Giberson and Daniel Fellows. Just after the lap was scored complete the caution would appear to slow the action, as Jeff Waterman spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Smith jumped back out front, as the rest of the field raced two and three wide for positions behind him. Three driver’s working their way towards the front were Michael Long, who started 9th, Dennis LaVeine, who started 8th, and Ethan Braaksma, who started 10th. On lap 5 Long would slide up in front of Smith to grab the top spot away, and then after the lap was scored complete the caution appeared. A tire in turn 2 was clipped out onto the track to bring out the yellow. On the restart Long moved back out front, with LaVeine and Braaksma following in his tire tracks. Just as Long started to pull away, the third caution of the race slowed his pace. This time Jardin Fuller spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Long once again grabbed the lead on the restart, but was slowed one lap later for the final caution of the race. Smith would spin in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. Long grabbed the lead on the restart, with LaVeine and Braaksma trying to keep pace. But Long was too strong on this night, as he claimed his seventh win in ten starts this season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. LaVeine was 2nd, Braaksma was 3rd, Mark Burgtorf finished 4th after starting in 7th, with Fellows finishing in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track on this night was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, with Jace Morrow and Ron Kibbe making up the front row. Just as the green flag waved the caution light would come on, as Kibbe spun sideways in turn 1 and collected AJ Tournear to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Brandon Dale would grab the lead on lap 1 over Adam Birck, who started 7th, and Austen Becerra, who started 6th. The top three would battle for the top spot over the next 3 laps, with Becerra emerging with the lead on lap 5. Just as Becerra started to enter lap traffic on lap 8, the second caution of the race appeared. Kaleb Nevers would spin in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Becerra jumped back out front, with Dale, Birck, Brayton Carter, who started 10th, Sean Wyett, who started 8th, Dylan Van Wyk, who started 11th, and Jim Gillenwater, who started 9th, battled two and even three wide for positions behind him. Just when it looked like Becerra would pull away over the final laps to claim the win, the final caution of the race slowed him on lap 15. Disaster would strike Carter and Van Wyk, who were battling for 4th, as Van Wyk got into Carter in turn 1 which caused Carter to spin to bring out the final yellow. Once again Becerra grabbed the lead on the restart, with Birck and Dale close behind. Becerra would hold off a last lap challenge from Birck to score his seventh win in eleven starts this season at the track. Dale was 3rd, Wyett was 4th, with Gillenwater coming home in 5th.

Coming up next Friday, August 21st will be the first appearance of the season by the Sprint Invaders, with Midwest Performance & Power and Casey’s General Stores bringing you the action. It will also be the final qualifying night for the Shottenkirk Parts Express “Drive For 5”, presented by Ideal Ready Mix, Floyd’s Waste Systems, J.J. Nichting Company Case IH, Woodworth Attorney at Law, Triple Seven Trucking, Triple R Performance Engines, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1, for the IMCA Late Models. Also In action will be the Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center SportMods, and Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts. The Late Models, Stock Cars, SportMods and Sport Compacts will be chasing IMCA National, State, Regional, Rookie and Track points. And will be lined up by weekly points inverts, with the exception of the Late Model, which will be draw / redraw.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $15, Seniors (60+) $14, Veterans $10, Students (11-17) $8, and 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 Pepsi 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
Pepsi Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, August 14 – Conn Communications U.S. Cellular Night

305 Sprints

A-Feature: 1.  Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 2.  Colton Fisher, Mediapolis, IA; 3.  Wyatt Wilkerson, Morning Sun, IA; 4.  Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 5.  Tyler Duff, Weldon, IL; 6.  Andy Huston, Roseville, IL; 7.  Jeff Wilke, Knoxville, IA; 8.  Mike Johnston, Des Moines, IA; 9.  Travis Pence, Stronghurst, IL; 10. Tyler Shoemaker, Clinton, IL (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Colton Fisher; 2.  Mike Johnston; 3.  Wyatt Wilkerson; 4.  Tyler Duff; 5.  Jeff Wilke

Heat 2: 1.  Cody Wehrle; 2.  Dugan Thye; 3.  Travis Pence; 4.  Tyler Shoemaker; 5.  Andy Huston


Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1.  Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2.  Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 3.  Ethan Braaksma, Newton, IA; 4.  Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5.  Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 6.  Jeff Waterman, LaGrange, MO; 7.  Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 8.  Lance Schlicher, Fairfield, IA; 9.  Chad Giberson, Richland, IA; 10. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 11. Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 12. Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA

Heat 1: 1.  Dennis LaVeine; 2.  Ethan Braaksma; 3.  Mitch Boles; 4.  Jeff Waterman; 5.  Levi Smith; 6.  Lance Schlicher

Heat 2: 1.  Daniel Fellows; 2.  Michael Long; 3.  Mark Burgtorf; 4.  Bill Roberts Jr.; 5.  Chad Giberson; 6.  Jardin Fuller


Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1.  John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2.  Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 3.  Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 4.  Mike Harward, Floris, IA; 5.  Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 6.  Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 7.  Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 8.  Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 9.  Drake Fenton, Burlington, IA; 10. Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 11. Jake Powers, Plainville, IL

Heat 1: 1.  John Oliver Jr.; 2.  Derrick Agee; 3.  Chad Krogmeier; 4.  Jeremy Pundt; 5.  Jerry Jansen; 6.  Mike Harward

Heat 2: 1.  Jason Cook; 2.  Abe Huls; 3.  Les Blakley; 4.  Jake Powers; 5.  Drake Fenton


Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods

A-Feature: 1.  Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 2.  Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 3.  Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 4.  Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 5.  Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 6.  Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 7.  Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 8.  Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 9.  Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 10. Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 11. Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 12. Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 13. Jace Morrow, Memphis, MO; 14. Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO; 15. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 16. Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 17. Dylan Van Wyk, Oskaloosa, IA; 18. Kaleb Nevers, Burlington, IA; 19. Derek Goble, Burlington, IA; 20. AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 21. Ron Kibbe, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 22. Bobby Six, Warsaw, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Jim Gillenwater; 2.  Brayton Carter; 3.  Bobby Six; 4.  Brandon Dale; 5.  Jim Walker; 6.  Ryan Moore; 7.  Barry Taft; 8.  Derek Goble

Heat 2: 1.  Adam Birck; 2.  AJ Tournear; 3.  Jace Morrow; 4.  Josh Holtman; 5.  Bob Cowman; 6.  Kaleb Nevers; 7.  Tom Ruble

Heat 3: 1.  Sean Wyett; 2.  Dylan Van Wyk; 3.  Ron Kibbe; 4.  Austen Becerra; 5.  Jadin Fuller; 6.  Michael Benjamin; 7.  Brian Bergheger


IMRA Midgets

A-Feature: 1.  Andy Baugh, Mason City, IL; 2.  Brian Stanfill, Bakersfield, CA; 3.  Jordan Mattson, Milwaukee, WI; 4.  Will Armitage, Athens, IL; 5.  Kevin Battefeld, Havana, IL; 6.  Mark McMahill, Peoria, IL; 7.  Brent Burrows, Lewistown, IL; 8.  Bart Andrews, Ft. Madison, IA; 9.  Ken Hanson, Vinton, IA; 10. Chris Adrien, Joilet, IL; 11. Harrison Klevin, Marshall, WI; 12. Charles Kunz, Sprinfield, IL; 13. Russell Johnston, Monmouth, IL; 14. Robert Bell, Coalfax, IA; 15. John Heitzman, San Jose, IL; 16. Mark Meyer, Maquon, IL

Heat 1: 1.  Brian Stanfill; 2.  Will Armitage; 3.  Brent Burrows; 4.  Kevin Battefeld; 5.  Andy Baugh; 6.  Charles Kunz; 7.  Chris Adrien; 8.  Russell Johnston

Heat 2: 1.  Jordan Mattson; 2.  Mark McMahill; 3.  Bart Andrews; 4.  Ken Hanson; 5.  Harrison Klevin; 6.  John Heitzman; 7.  Mark Meyer; 8.  Robert Bell


Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1.  Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 2.  Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3.  Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 4.  Jared Heule, Keokuk, IA; 5.  Jacob Houston, Burlington, IA; 6.  David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 7.  Kaycee McGregor, Ft. Madison, IA; 8.  Robert Sturms, Burlington, IA; 9.  Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 10. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 11. Alyssa Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 12. Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 13. Aurora Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 14. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 15. Quinton Shelton, Quincy, IL; 16. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 17. Braeden Barlow, Keokuk, IA; 18. Blake Dotson, Macomb, IL; 19. Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 20. William Schmidt, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1:  1.  Brandon Reu; 2.  Josh Barnes; 3.  Jared Heule; 4.  Robert Sturms; 5.  Kimberly Abbott; 6.  Chevy Barnes; 7.  Luke Fraise

Heat 2: 1.  Jason Ash; 2.  Kaycee McGregor; 3.  Mike Hornung Jr.; 4.  Quinton Shelton; 5.  Blake Dotson; 6.  Braeden Barlow; 7.  William Schmidt (DNS)

Heat 3: 1.  Chuck Fullenkamp; 2.  Jacob Houston; 3.  David Prim; 4.  Alyssa Dietrich; 5.  Aurora Dietrich; 6.  Ashton Blain (DNS)