Nezworski and Becerra Score “Drive For 5” Qualifying Wins

by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, June 17, 2022) – The action on track Friday night at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa was just as hot as the temperatures. As the speedway hosted round three 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, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. Plus the B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5”, presented by Kohlmorgan Hauling, Golden Eagle Distributing Co – Budweiser dealer, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, Hinkle Auto Sales, and JandJ Ag Auto & Truck. And the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3”, presented by TONUP Inc., Xpert Automotive & Sales, and Conrad Trucking Inc.

The first feature to take to the track was the 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Justin Stevenson and Kyle Hamelton leading the field to green. But just as the green flag was waved the red light would come on, as the driver’s tried to enter turn 3 five wide. With the result ending with Mike Hornung and Brandon Reu getting upside down in turn 3 to bring out the red. Reu was fine, and even refired his car to return to the race. Hornung complained of neck and back pain, so the safety crew took all precautions and cut the roof off to extract him out to be transported for further observation. On the original restart Luke Fraise came from fourth to lead lap 1 over Hamelton and Barry Taft, who started 6th. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 2 Taft got under Fraise and edged him out at the line by inches to take over the top spot.The action was slowed on lap 3, as Hamelton got into a tire down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Taft jumped back out front, but had Josh Barnes, who started 9th, and Reu, who came from the rear after rolling on the start of the race, close behind. Barnes would get under Taft coming off turn 4 to complete lap 5 to take over the lead.. Taft’s night would come to an end on lap 8, as he slowed to a stop in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. Barnes grabbed the lead on the restart and then went on to claim his second win in a row at the track. Reu finished 2nd, Chandler Fullenkamp was 3rd, Kimberly Abbott was 4th, with Fraise rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Chris Wibbell and Josh Foster making up the front row after Peter Stodgel elected to go to the rear. Foster took advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Wibbell and Jason Cook, who started 6th. Just as Foster started to put some distance on the battles going on behind him, the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 4. As fourth place runner Abe Huls spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Foster jumped back out front, with Cook and Chad Krogmeier close behind. Foster, who worked the top of the track, and Cook, who worked the bottom, raced around the 3/8th’s mile side-by-side over the next 10 laps. While the lead duo battled for the lead David Brandies, who started 10th, and Huls, who recovered from his spin on lap 4, closed in to make it a four car battle for the top spot. Cook was able to edge out Foster at the line to lead lap 16, and then held him off over the final laps to claim his first win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Brandies was 3rd, Huls was 4th, with Jeremy Pundt coming home in 5th.

Bill Roberts Jr. and Ethan Braaksma drew the front row for the 22 lap B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5” feature, with Braaksma jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Roberts Jr. and Dennis LaVeine. While Braaksma set the pace out front, Chris Zogg and Austen Becerra, who started 9th, moved in to battle Roberts Jr. and LaVeine for second and third. Just when it looked like the feature would go green to checkered, the first caution of the race appeared on lap 17. Jacob Murray would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Becerra shot under Braaksma to take the top spot, and then was slowed on lap 20 when Zogg slowed in turn 2 with a flat tire to bring out the final yellow of the race. Becerra once again grabbed the lead on the restart, and then held off a last lap challenge from Braaksma to claim his third win of the season at the track. LaVeine was 3rd, Roberts Jr. was 4th, with Mark Burgtorf coming from 12th to round out the top 5.

Up next was the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model “Drive For 5” feature, with Andy Nezworski and Dalton Simonsen making up the front row. Nezworski took advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Sam Halstead and Simonsen. The action was slowed for the first and only time on lap 3, as Darin Weisinger Jr. spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Nezworski moved back out front, with Halstead and Simonsen battling for second. Last week’s feature winner Tommy Elston overtook Simonsen for the runner up spot on lap 9, and then went to work on cutting into Nezworski’s lead. Without another caution to slow the action, Elston wasn’t able to close in on Nezworski enough to challenge him. Nezworski went on to score the $1,000 victory, and his first ever win at the Lee County Speedway. Simonsen finished 3rd, Halstead was 4th, with Chuck Hanna completing the top 5.

John Oliver Jr. and Brayton Carter led the field to green in the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3” feature, with Carter grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Oliver Jr. and Jim Gillenwater. The action was slowed on lap 4, when Trayton Buckallew and Brandt Ames spun in turn 1 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Carter moved back out front, with Oliver Jr. and Gillenwater still giving chase. One lap later Ames went for a spin in turn 4 to bring the yellow out. Carter once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Oliver Jr. and eighth place starter Adam Birck close behind. While Oliver Jr. worked to hold off Birck for the runner up spot, Carter started to pull away. But when Cole Gillenwater spun in turn 4 on lap 17 to bring out the yellow, this brought the field back to Carter’s back bumper. On the restart Carter jumped back out front and then held on over the final laps to score his third win of the season at the track. Oliver Jr. held off Birck for 2nd, Dakota Girard came from 9th to finish 4th, with Jim Gillenwater coming home in 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 12 lap Mini Hauler Trucks, with Tim Wagner and Tucker Richardson making up the front row. Richardson used his starting spot to his advantage by jumping out into the lead on lap 1 over Brian Tipps and Wagner. While Richardson worked the middle groove of the track, Tipps worked the bottom, as the two raced around the 3/8th’s mile side-by-side. Tipps would edge out Richardson for the lead on lap 5, only to have Richardson edge back out front on lap 6. But Tipps got back under Richardson for the lead on lap 7, and then held off a last lap challenge from Richardson to claim his first win of the season at the track. Wagner was 3rd, Darin Ronner was 4th, with Sheldon Brocket finishing 5th.
Coming up next Friday, June 24th will be round 4 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, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. Plus the B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5”, presented by Kohlmorgan Hauling, Golden Eagle Distributing Co – Budweiser dealer, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, Hinkle Auto Sales, and JandJ Ag Auto & Truck. And the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3”, presented by TONUP Inc., Xpert Automotive & Sales, and Conrad Trucking Inc.. The IMCA Late Models and IMCA Modifieds will be gunning for the $1,000 top prize, while the IMCA Northern SportMods are racing for $600 to win. All three classes will be draw / redraw. Also in action will be the Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, and AVIS Car Rental IMCA 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 and 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 17, 2022 – “Drive For 5” & “Drive For 3” Qualifying Night

Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1. 7-Andy Nezworski, Blue Grass, IA; 2. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 4. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. 65-Chuck Hanna, Port Byron, IL; 6. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 7. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 8. 92-Dustin Schram, Sterling, IL; 9. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 10. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 12. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 13. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 54-Tommy Elston; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 60-Dalton Simonsen; 4. 65-Chuck Hanna; 5. 01-CJ Horn; 6. 92-Dustin Schram; 7. 39-Ed Hollenbeck

Heat 2: 1. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 2. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 3. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 4. 7-Andy Nezworski; 5. 84-Sam Halstead; 6. 07-Ray Raker

B&B Propane IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 111-Ethan Braaksma, Newton, IA; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 4. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 5. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 6. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 7. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 8. 48J-Jacob Murray, Hartford, IA; 9. 33F-Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 10. 50-Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, IA; 11. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 12. 2Z-Zack Rawlins, Kellogg, IA; 13. IB25-Shane Richardson, Wapello, IA; 14. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 15. 2R-Jerry Reese, Memphis, MO; 16. K1-Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 17. 1A-Donovan Lodge, Andover, IL

Heat 1: 1. 111-Ethan Braaksma; 2. 33F-Jardin Fuller; 3. 48J-Jacob Murray; 4. 1A-Donovan Lodge; 5. 2R-Jerry Reese; 6. K1-Cody Bowman

Heat 2: 1. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 2. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 3. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles; 5. IB25-Shane Richardson; 6. 19J-Levi Smith

Heat 3: 1. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 50-Denny Eckrich; 4. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 5. 2Z-Zack Rawlins

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 2. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 3. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 4. 30C-Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 6. 52-Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 7. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 8. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 9. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 10. 35G-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 11. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 12. 37-Kylie Rawlins, Kellogg, IA; 13. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO

Heat 1: 1. 52-Chris Wibbell; 2. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor; 4. 30C-Abe Huls; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel; 6. 37-Kylie Rawlins; 7. 35G-Eric Glass

Heat 2: 1. 77-Josh Foster; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 3. 71-David Brandies; 4. 3D-Jason Cook; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen; 6. 43-Kevin Koontz

Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 557-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 4. 0-Dakota Girard, Moberly, MO; 5. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 6. 47S-Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 7. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 8. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 9. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 69-Kelly Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 11. 03-Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, IA; 12. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 13. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 14. 24-Marshall Cramer, Hannibal, MO; 15. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 16. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 17. 77F-John Rockwood, Moulton, IA (DNS); 18. 51-Carson Shondel, Moulton, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage; 2. 112-Adam Birck; 3. 0-Dakota Girard; 4. 69-Kelly Buckallew; 5. 14-Bob Cowman; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater

Heat 2: 1. 557-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 01-Brayton Carter; 3. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 4. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 5. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 6. 77F-John Rockwood

Heat 3: 1. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 2. 00-Matt Tucker; 3. 03-Rob Wilsey; 4. 24-Marshall Cramer; 5. 51-Carson Shondel; 6. 57-Brandt Ames

AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 6. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 7. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 8. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 9. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 10. 11K-Kolton Kellum, Keokuk, IA; 11. 94X-Justin Stevenson, Burlington, IA; 12. 7H-Michael Hornung, Keokuk, IA; 13. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 3. 94X-Justin Stevenson; 4. 57-Barry Taft; 5. 9-Luke Fraise; 6. 3A-Adam Christy; 7. 11E-Ethan Prim

Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 3. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 4. 7H-Michael Hornung; 5. 77K-Kyle Hamelton; 6. 11K-Kolton Kellum

Mini Hauler Trucks

A-Feature: 1. 20-Brian Tipps, Wapello, IA; 2. 28-Tucker Richardson, Morning Sun, IA; 3. 95-Tim Wagner, Wapello, IA; 4. 141-Darin Ronner, Gladstone, IL; 5. 74-Sheldon Brocket, Burlington, IA; 6. 82-Jim Ruble, Burlington, IA; 7. 82JR-Jacob Ruble, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 8. 41-Don Wood, Wapello, IA; 9. 10-Jeff Bockes, Morning Sun, IA (DNS)

Heat: 1. 95-Tim Wagner; 2. 28-Tucker Richardson; 3. 20-Brian Tipps; 4. 82JR-Jacob Ruble; 5. 141-Darin Ronner; 6. 74-Sheldon Brocket; 7. 41-Don Wood; 8. 82-Jim Ruble; 9. 10-Jeff Bockes

Category: Iowa