by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, April 14, 2017) – Third times a charm for the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa to get their 2017 racing season started, as the other two scheduled nights were taken by rain. Mother nature tried a couple of different times throughout the day to put a hamper on the night, but the crew weathered the conditions and was able to get a night of racing into the books. The nights activities were sponsored by Buford Dozing & Excavating out of Bonaparte, Iowa, who also put up an extra $100 to all five feature winners.

The first feature to take to the track on the night was the 15 lap Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts, with Brandon Lambert and Mike Reu drawing the front row for the event. But it was third place starter Daniel Fellows who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Lambert and DeMint. Just after the completion of lap 1 disaster struck Fellows, as he lost a tire in turn 1 to bring out the caution and ending his run up front. On the restart DeMint slipped bast Lambert to grab the top spot, with Lambert working to hold back Reu. While DeMint started to pull away, the battle for second heated up. Brandon Reu, who started 6th, Josh Barnes, who started 11th, and Jake Dietrich, who started 10th, moved up to join Lambert and Mike Reu, with these five drivers racing two and three wide at times. But without another caution to slow the field down, DeMint would cruise to the win. Mike Reu held off son Brandon Reu in the battle for 2nd, Barnes emerged in 4th, with Dietrich coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap Shottenkrik Parts Express IMCA SportMod feature, with Rance Powell and Johnathon Logue leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Logue would take advantage of his front row starting spot to move out into the lead on lap 1 over Brandon Lennox and Dan Keltner. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 2, Lennox was able to slip under Logue to take over the top spot. Then after the completion of lap 2, the first and only caution of the race appeared. A tire was clipped and thrown onto the track in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Lennox jumped back out front, with Logue and Jim Gillenwater, who started 10th, close behind. While Lennox set the pace out front, Logue, who was working the top, had to battle Gillenwater, who was running the bottom, for second, as the two raced side-by-side for several laps. On this night there was no catching Lennox, who pulled away for the win. Logue won the battle for 2nd, Gillenwater was 3rd, Brandon Dale came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Tony Dunker rounding out the top 5.

Brandon Savage and Sam Halstead brought the 25 lap Steffes UMP Pro Late Model to green, with Savage grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Halstead and Jeff Guengerich. Savage then held the top spot until lap 5, when he got into the turn 2 guardrail and dropped some debris on the track to bring out the yellow. While under caution Savage pulled into the infield, which gave the lead over to Halstead for the restart. But it was Denny Woodworth, who started 7th, that shot to the bottom of the track to take the lead, with Todd Frank, who started 5th, and Tommy Elston, who started 8th, following him. Woodworth set a fast pace and started to pull away from the field, as Frank, who was running the top, and Elston, who was on the bottom, raced side-by-side for the runner up spot over the next 5 laps. Elston was able to clear Frank for second on lap 11 and then went to work on to cutting into Woodworth’s straight-away lead. But without a caution there was no catching Woodworth, who claimed the win. Elston settled for 2nd, Todd Frank was 3rd, Halstead was 4th, with Gunner Frank finishing 5th after starting in 9th.

Up next was the 20 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Les Blakley and Dean Kratzer drawing the front row for the event. Just as the green flag dropped the caution light would come on, as Blakley, Louis Lynch, Jeff Mueller, and Scott Jordan collided in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jason Cook was moved to the pole, which he used to grab the lead on lap 1 over Kratzer and Abe Huls. The battle up front was slowed for the second time on lap 7, when contact between Lynch and Dane Fenton sent Fenton into the turn 3 guardrail to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jordan lost a left rear tire coming off turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Cook jump back out front, with Derrick Agee, who started 11th, and Kratzer close behind. Both Agee and Kratzer were looking for a way to get around Cook for the lead over the next 8 laps. But Cook was able to hold them off until coming off turn 4 on lap 16, when Cook’s seemed to loose power and got tangled up with Kratzer. This allowed Agee to go by for the lead, with John Oliver Jr., who started 6th, and Mueller, who recovered from the crash on the start, following. Over the final 4 laps Oliver Jr. was able to get up beside Agee coming off the corners. but Agee was able to hold him off to pick up the win. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Mueller was 3rd, Cook recovered to finish in 4th, with Lynch recovering from the crash on the start and on lap 7 to come back up to finish 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, with Kelly Buckallew and Jeff Waterman leading the field to green. Waterman would take advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Bill Roberts Jr., and Brandon Rothzen. With Waterman out front, the battle for second was going on between him between Roberts Jr. and Rothzen. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 5, when a tire was clipped in turn 2 and thrown out onto the track to bring out the yellow. On the restart Waterman moved back out front, with Rothzen and Hunter Marriott, who started 9th, close behind. Rothzen and Marriott swapped the runner up spot over the next few laps, before Marriott was able to secure the spot on lap 9. Three laps later, lap 12, Marriott drove into turn 3 on the bottom hard and slipped up in front of Waterman coming off turn 4 to take over the top spot. Marriott then started to pull away, when the second and final caution appeared on lap 17. Dennis LaVeine, who was running 5th after starting in 10th, spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. At the same time Waterman pulled in with a right rear flat. Marriott moved back out front on the restart, with Roberts Jr. and Rothzen swapping the runner up spot. With Roberts Jr. and Rothzen racing each other for second, Marriott was able to pull away over the final 2 laps to claim the win. Roberts Jr. won the battle for 2nd, Rothzen was 3rd, Bobby Six started 8th and finished 4th, with Jardin Fuller coming home in 5th.

Coming up next Friday, April 21, 2017 at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa will be another weekly racing night brought to you by Budweiser. In action on the night will be the Steffes UMP Pro Late Models, Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods, and the Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts.

Gates will open at 5:30 PM, hot laps at 7 PM, and racing at 7:30 PM. Grandstand admission will be adults $10, seniors  (60+) $9, students (11-17) $5, and kids 10 & under FREE!! Pit passes are $25, age 7-13 $15, ages 4-6 $10, and ages 3 & under $3.

For more information about the Lee County Speedway you can visit their website page at www.leecountyspeedway.com, like them on Facebook, or call Mike Van Genderen at 641-521-0330.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, IA

Friday, April 14, 2017 – Buford Dozing & Excavating Night

Steffes UMP Pro Late Models

A-Feature: 1.  Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 2.  Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3.  Todd Frank, Montrose, IA; 4.  Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 5.  Gunner Frank, Montrose, IA; 6.  Chase Frank, Montrose, IA; 7.  Derek Liles, Eldon, IA; 8.  Derek Sammons, Luray, MO; 9.  Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 10. Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 11. Vance Wilson, Quincy, IL (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Todd Frank; 2.  Tommy Elston; 3.  Gunner Frank; 4.  Sam Halstead; 5.  Chase Frank; 6.  Vance Wilson

Heat 2: 1.  Brandon Savage; 2.  Derek Liles; 3.  Jeff Guengerich; 4.  Dennis Woodworth; 5.  Derek Sammons

Budweiser IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1.  Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, MO; 2.  Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 3.  Brandon Rothzen, Gladstone, IL; 4.  Bobby Six, Warsaw, IL; 5.  Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 6.  Craig Spegal, New London, MO; 7.  Blake Woodruff, Galesburg, IL; 8.  Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 9.  Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 10. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 11. Kelly Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 12. Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 13. Stephen Streeter, Madera, CA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Jeff Waterman; 2.  Jardin Fuller; 3.  Brandon Rothzen; 4.  Kelly Buckallew; 5.  Bill Roberts Jr.; 6.  Dakota Simmons; 7.  Stephen Streeter

Heat 2: 1.  Bobby Six; 2.  Hunter Marriott; 3.  Craig Spegal; 4.  Dennis LaVeine; 5.  Blake Woodruff; 6.  Mitch Boles

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1.  Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 2.  John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3.  Jeff Mueller, Albion, IA; 4.  Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5.  Louis Lynch, Glenwood, MO; 6.  Jason See, Albia, IA; 7.  Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA; 8.  Chase Exlline, Centerville, IA; 9.  Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 10. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 11. Corey Strothman , Mt. Union, IA; 12. Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 13. Scott Jordan, Wapello, IA; 14. Dane Fenton, Burlington, IA; 15. Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 16. Derek Kirkland, Centerville, IA; 17. Brian Hoener, Golden, IL (DNS); 18. Chris Palmer, Des Moines, IA (DNS); 19. Steve Hill, Des Moines, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Dean Kratzer; 2.  Jeremy Pundt; 3.  Dane Fenton; 4.  Les Blakley; 5.  Brian Hoener; 6.  Chase Exlline; 7.  Steve Hill

Heat 2: 1.  Jason See; 2.  Jason Cook; 3.  Louis Lynch ; 4.  John Oliver Jr.; 5.  Scott Jordan; 6.  Kevin Koontz

Heat 3: 1.  Derek Kirkland; 2.  Derrick Agee; 3.  Jeff Mueller; 4.  Abe Huls; 5.  Chris Palmer; 6.  Corey Strothman

Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods

A-Feature: 1.  Brandon Lennox, New London, MO; 2.  Johnathon Logue, Boone, IA; 3.  Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 4.  Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 5.  Tony Dunker, Quincy, IL; 6.  John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 7.  Dan Keltner, Grandview, IA; 8.  Keith Blum, Bettendorf, IA; 9.  Kyle Hill, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 10. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk, IA; 11. Brandyn Ryan, Coatsburg, IL; 12. Rance Powell, Davenport, IA; 13. Tom Lathrop, Ottumwa, IA; 14. Andrew Burk, Donahue, IA; 15. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 16. Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA; 17. Joey Gower, Quincy, IL; 18. Dakota Anderson, Quincy, IL; 19. Robert Perry, Macomb, IL; 20. Austin Howes, Memphis, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  Austen Becerra; 2.  Tony Dunker; 3.  Johnathon Logue; 4.  Jim Gillenwater; 5.  Kyle Hill; 6.  Brandyn Ryan; 7.  Robert Perry

Heat 2: 1.  John Oliver Jr.; 2.  Austin Howes; 3.  Brandon Dale; 4.  Dan Keltner; 5.  Keith Blum; 6.  Dakota Anderson; 7.  Brandon Symmonds

Heat 3: 1.  Brandon Lennox; 2.  Rance Powell; 3.  Joey Gower; 4.  Andrew Burk; 5.  Tom Lathrop; 6.  Dave Kraus

Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1.  Travis DeMint, Warsaw, IL; 2.  Mike Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3.  Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 4.  Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 5.  Jake Dietrich, Keokuk, IA; 6.  Craig Bangert, Golden, IL; 7.  Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 8.  Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 9.  Alyssa Steele, Keokuk, IA; 10. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. David Prim, Hamilton, IL; 12. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 13. Kenny Smith, Donnellson, IA; 14. Casey Lambert, Carthage, IL; 15. Colton Keck, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 16. Jeffrey DeLonjay, Quincy, IL; 17. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 18. Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 19. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1.  Barry Taft; 2.  Josh Barnes; 3.  Brandon Lambert; 4.  Jeffrey DeLonjay; 5.  David Prim; 6.  Ashton Blain; 7.  Colton Keck

Heat 2: 1.  Brandon Reu; 2.  Kimberly Abbott; 3.  Travis DeMint; 4.  Jake Dietrich; 5.  Kenny Smith; 6.  Casey Lambert

Heat 3: 1.  Daniel Fellows; 2.  Mike Reu; 3.  Craig Bangert; 4.  Mike Hornung Jr.; 5.  Alyssa Steele; 6.  Darin Weisinger Jr.