Eckrich and Carter Claim Final “Drive For 5” Qualifying Features
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 6, 2021) – After round six of the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” qualifying nights, presented by Ideal Ready Mix, Floyd’s Waste Systems, J.J. Nichting Company Case IH, Triple Seven Trucking, Woodworth Attorney at Law, Triple R Performance Engines, Old Barn Taxidermy, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1 was rained out last Saturday. The final qualifying night took place on Friday, August 6th at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. At the end of the night Andy Eckrich (Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models) and Cayden Carter (Hinkle Auto Sales IMCA Modifieds) grabbed the final qualifying checkered flags. While John Oliver Jr. (Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars), Brandon Savage (Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods), Brandon Reu (AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts), and Ryan Barton (Trucks) also claimed checkered flags on the night.
The first feature to take to the track on the night was the 15 lap AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts, with Patrick McKasson and Ashton Blain leading the field to the green flag. But it was fourth place starter Adam Christy who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Blain and McKasson. While Christy set a fast pace out front, Brandon Reu, who started 10th, and Kimberly Abbott, who started 9th, were both trying to work their way towards the front. Reu would move into the runner up spot on lap 5, and then tried to cut into Christy’s straightaway lead. The one and only caution of the race appeared on lap 8, as Blain stopped in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. This would help Reu to pull to Christy’s back bumper for the restart. On the restart Reu got past Christy to take the top spot. Christy then tried to work back under Reu over the final laps. But Reu was able to hold off his last lap challenge to claim his sixth win of the season at the track. Abbott was 3rd, Dyllan Bonk came from 7th to finish 4th, with Kaycee McGregor rounding out the top 5.
Up next was the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the IMCA Late Models, with Dave Eckrich and Chris Horn drawing the front row. Dave Eckrich used the draw to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Dustin Griffin and Andy Eckrich, who started 8th. One lap later Andy Eckrich over took Griffin for the runner up spot, and then went to work on his brother Dave for the lead. Andy Eckrich would look under Dave Eckrich coming off the corners for the next 10 laps, but Dave was able to hold him off at the line each trip around the 3/8th’s mile. Then coming off turn 4 to complete lap 13 Andy Eckrich was finally able to get under Dave Eckrich to grab the top spot. Dave Eckrich then tried to keep pace with Andy Eckrich over the final half of the race. But even with lapped traffic Andy Eckrich was able to hold off Dave Eckrich in the caution free race to pick up the $1,000 win. Tommy Elston came from 6th to finish 3rd, Griffin was 4th, with Andy Nezworski finishing 5th after starting in 9th.
Beau Taylor and Chris Wibbell led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Wibbell jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Taylor and Jason Cook. John Oliver Jr., who started 5th, would work himself into the runner up spot on lap 3, and then went to work on Wibbell for the lead. Oliver Jr. tried to work under Wibbell over the next 3 laps, as the two raced side-by-side around the track. Wibbell was able to hold off Oliver Jr., that was until lap 7, when Oliver Jr. got under him coming off turn 4 to grab the top spot. Two laps later, lap 9, Leremy Jackson slowed to a stop in turn 3 with troubles to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. jumped back out front, with Cook and Wibbell battling for the runner up spot. The battle for second would allow Oliver Jr. to pull away for his fourth win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Wibbell won the battle for 2nd, Cook was 3rd, Taylor was 4th, with Jerry Jansen coming home in 5th.
Up next was the 22 lap Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the IMCA Modifieds, with Jeff Waterman and Michael Long leading the field. Long took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Chris Zogg and Waterman. The action up front was slowed for the first and only time of the race on lap 5, as Drew Janssen got upside down in turn 2 and collected Steve Picou and Jerry Reese. to bring out the red. Janssen would climb from his car okay. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Cayden Carter, who started 7th, overtaking Zogg and Dennis LaVeine to move into the runner up spot. Carter would then try to work under Long for the lead over the next 4 laps. But Long was able to hold him off, that is until lap 11 when Carter was able to clear him for the lead. Despite lapped traffic over the final 3 laps, Carter would hold on for his third win of the season at the track. Long was 2nd, Zogg was 3rd, LaVeine was 4th, with Bill Roberts Jr. rounding out the top 5.
Tucker Richardson and Brian Tipps made up the front row for the 12 lap Truck feature, with Tipps grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Ryan Barton and Richardson. Tipps then paced the field out front over the next 5 laps, when Barton slipped past him on lap 7 to take over the top spot. Tipps made a last lap challenge on Barton, but Barton was able to hold him off to claim the win. Richardson was 3rd, Tim Wagner was 4th, with Sheldon Brocket coming from 9th to finish in 5th.
The final feature to take to the track was the scheduled 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, with Brandon Savage and Logan Cumby making up the front row. Just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Jadin Fuller got into the frontstretch wall to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Austen Becerra slowed to a stop in turn 1 to bring the yellow light back on. A third attempt at a start saw Savage grab the lead on lap 1 over Cumby and Josh Holtman.The action was slowed for the third time of the race on lap 5, as Tom Rawlins spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Savage jumped back out front, with Jake Griffin, who started 12th, overtaking Cumby for second. Two laps later Cole Gillenwater spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Savage once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Griffin working to hold off a charging Becerra for the runner up spot. Disaster would strike Becerra on lap 11, as he dropped a driveshaft in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Dakota Anderson got into Joe Bliven, who spun down the frontstretch and collected Colton Bowman to bring the yellow light back on. This would also bring the time limit up on this race, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Savage again grabbed the lead on the restart and then held off Griffin on the final lap to score his first SportMod feature win in only his second start. Tanner Klingele came from 9th to finish 3rd, Cumby held on for 4th, with Sean Wyett finishing 5th after starting in 11th.
The Lee County Speedway will be idle next week for the Sweet Corn Festival. But will return to action on Friday, August 20th, with Big Country 103.1 and Midwest Performance & Power helping to bring the action. On the card will be the Sprint Invaders, Hinkle Auto Sales “Drive For 5” Finale for the IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, and AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts. Sixteen IMCA Modified driver’s will have a chance to take home a top prize of $5,000 if they can win their feature event. If none of them are able to get the job done, the winner will still take home a top prize of $2,000 to win. More information about this event will be released soon.
Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $15, Seniors $13, Veterans and Students (11-17) $10, with Kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes will be $35, 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, Iowa
Friday, August 6, 2021 – “Drive For 5” Qualifier
Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models
A-Feature: 1. 56-Andy Eckrich, Oxford, IA; 2. 58-Dave Eckrich, Oxford, IA; 3. 45-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4. 20-Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, IL; 5. 7-Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, IA; 6. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 7. 56W-Gary Webb, Blue Grass, IA; 8. 15K-Justin Kay, Wheatland, IA; 9. 17-Kirby Schultz, Albia, IA; 10. 15R-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 11. 99D-Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown, IA; 12. 84-Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 13. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 14. 01-Chris Horn, Marion, IA; 15. 7B-Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 16. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 17. 25-Austin Townsend, Bloomfield, IA; 18. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 19. 74-Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 20. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 21. 15X-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA
Heat 1: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 45-Tommy Elston; 3. 58-Dave Eckrich; 4. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 5. 99D-Darrel DeFrance; 6. 93-Jay Johnson; 7. 07-Ray Raker
Heat 2: 1. 15R-Mark Burgtorf; 2. 56-Andy Eckrich; 3. 20-Dustin Griffin; 4. 56W-Gary Webb; 5. 15K-Justin Kay; 6. 7B-Matt Strassheim; 7. 15X-Jeremy Pundt
Heat 3: 1. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 2. 01-Chris Horn; 3. 17-Kirby Schultz; 4. 7-Andy Nezworski; 5. 84-Sam Halstead; 6. 74-Ron Boyse; 7. 25-Austin Townsend
Hinkle Auto Sales IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. 10C-Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 18L-Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 3. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 4. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 5. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 6. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 7. 71W-Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 8. 17A-Austin Howes, Memphis, MO; 9. 33F-Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 10. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 11. IB25-Shane Richardson, Wapello, IA; 12. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 13. 4B-Scott Boles, New London, IA; 14. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 15. 87-Blake Woodruff, Knoxville, IL; 16. 1A-Donovan Lodge, Andover, IL; 17. 127-Drew Janssen, Pella, IA; 18. 00Z-Steve Picou, High Ridge, MO; 19. H7-Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 20. 2R-Jerry Reese, Memphis, MO
Heat 1: 1. 18L-Michael Long; 2. 10C-Cayden Carter; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 71W-Jeff Waterman; 5. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 6. 2R-Jerry Reese; 7. 19J-Levi Smith
Heat 2: 1. 87-Blake Woodruff; 2. 12D-Brandon Dale; 3. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 4. H7-Dean McGee; 5. 17A-Austin Howes; 6. 127-Drew Janssen; 7. 4B-Scott Boles
Heat 3: 1. IB25-Shane Richardson; 2. 33F-Jardin Fuller; 3. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 4. 1A-Donovan Lodge; 5. 00Z-Steve Picou; 6. K1-Cody Bowman
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 3. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 4. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 6. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 7. 96-Clinton Goff; 8. 81-Leremy Jackson, Unionville, IA; 9. 35-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO
Heat: 1. 52-Chris Wibbell; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 3D-Jason Cook; 4. 2T-Beau Taylor; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen; 6. 81-Leremy Jackson; 7. 96-Clinton Goff; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel; 9. 35-Eric Glass (DNS)
Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods
A-Feature: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 2. 08-Jake Griffin, Quincy, IL; 3. 73X-Tanner Klingele, Quincy, IL; 4. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 5. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 6. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 7. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 8. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. 5-Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 10. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 11. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 12. T17-Tom Rawlins, Kellogg, IA; 13. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer, Liberty, IL; 14. 55-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 15. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 16. 20B-Joe Bliven, Quincy, IL; 17. 23-Colton Bowman, Burlington, IA; 18. 10D-Dakota Anderson, Basco, IL; 19. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 20. 75R-Joe Roller, Morning Sun, IA; 21. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 22. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 23. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 24. 27-Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. 73X-Tanner Klingele; 2. 47S-Brandon Savage; 3. 12S-Sean Wyett; 4. 20B-Joe Bliven; 5. 14-Bob Cowman; 6. 55-Barry Taft; 7. 10D-Dakota Anderson; 8. 27-Dave Kraus
Heat 2: 1. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 2. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer; 3. 08-Jake Griffin; 4. 00-Matt Tucker; 5. T17-Tom Rawlins; 6. 23-Colton Bowman; 7. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 8. 7R-Tom Ruble
Heat 3: 1. 8C-Logan Cumby; 2. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 3. 5-Josh Holtman; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 75R-Joe Roller; 6. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 7. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 8. 22-Austen Becerra
AVIS Car Rentals IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 2. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 3. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IA; 4. 2B-Dyllan Bonk, Golden, IL; 5. 28-Kaycee McGregor, Ft. Madison, IA; 6. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 7. 219-Aaron Berry, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 8. 24A-Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 9. 11-Patrick McKasson, Burlington, IA; 10. 3JH-Heather Ash, Ft. Madison, IA; 11. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 12. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA
Heat 1: 1. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 2. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 3. 2B-Dyllan Bonk; 4. 28-Kaycee McGregor; 5. 11-Patrick McKasson; 6. 77K-Kyle Hamelton
Heat 2: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 3A-Adam Christy; 3. 9-Luke Fraise; 4. 24A-Ashton Blain; 5. 219-Aaron Berry; 6. 3JH-Heather Ash (DNS)
Trucks
A-Feature: 1. 21-Ryan Barton, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 2. 20-Brian Tipps, Wapello, IA; 3. 28-Tucker Richardson, Morning Sun, IA; 4. 95-Tim Wagner, Wapello, IA; 5. 74-Sheldon Brocket, Burlington, IA; 6. 82JR-Jim Ruble, Burlington, IA; 7. 22-Matt Strassheim, Morning Sun, IA; 8. 42-Ted Carlson, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. 41-Don Wood, Wapello, IA; 10. 60-Hunter Faul, Mt. Pleasant, IA
Heat 1: 1. 28-Tucker Richardson; 2. 42-Ted Carlson; 3. 60-Hunter Faul; 4. 41-Don Wood; 5. 74-Sheldon Brocket (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. 20-Brian Tipps; 2. 21-Ryan Barton; 3. 95-Tim Wagner; 4. 22-Matt Strassheim; 5. 82JR-Jim Ruble
Category: Iowa
