Marolf and Eckrich Repeat “Drive For 5” Qualifying Victories

by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, July  1, 2022) – For the second week in a row mother nature tried to dampen the racing action before Friday, July 1st at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. But the track crew was prepared for it, and was able to complete round five 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 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compact feature was the first to take to the track, with Justin Stevenson and Kimberly Abbott leading the field to green. But it was fourth place starter Chevy Barnes who edged out Abbott at the line to lead lap 1. While Chevy Barnes paced the field out front, father Josh Barnes, who started 9th, and Brandon Reu, who started 8th, were quickly working their way towards the front. On lap 6 Josh Barnes slid past son Chevy to take over the top spot. Then on lap 10 Reu would take over the runner up spot from Chevy Barnes, and went to work on cutting into the lead Josh Barnes had built up. Without a caution to bunch the field up all Reu was able to do was pull within a car length of Josh Barnes, as Josh held on for his third win of the season at the track. Chevy Barnes was 3rd, Abbott was 4th, with Jason Ash coming from 10th to round out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Kevin Koontz and Jerry Jansen making up the front row. But it was third place starter Dustin Griffiths who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Dustin Vis and Josh Foster, who started 8th.The lead for Griffiths only lasted for 1 lap, as Vis slipped past him on lap 2 to take over the top spot. The action was slowed for only one time, and that was on lap 6 when fifth place runner David Brandies dropped a lot of fluid down on the frontstretch to bring out the yellow. On the restart Vis jumped back out front, with Foster and Griffiths battling behind him. Foster would look under Vis over the final 5 laps, but wasn’t able to make the pass. As Vis went on to score his first win of the season at the Lee County Speedway, and became the seventh different winner in seven feature events. Beau Taylor was 3rd, Griffiths was 4th, with John Oliver Jr. finishing 5th after starting in 13th.

Mark Burgtorf and Denny Eckrich would lead the field to green in the 22 lap B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5” qualifying feature, with Eckrich taking advantage of his draw to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Burgtorf and Austen Becerra. The fast pace Eckrich was setting allowed him to pull out to a straight-away lead by the halfway mark. The one and only caution of the race appeared on lap 13, as Blaine Webster slowed off turn 4 and made the left hand turn into the infield. This would cause Shane Richardson, who was under him, to spin to avoid wrecking them both and bring out the yellow. On the restart Eckrich moved back out front, with Becerra and Jarrett Brown close behind. While Becerra and Brown battled for the runner up spot, this allowed Eckrich to pull away to claim his second “Drive For 5” qualifying feature win in a row worth $1,000. Becerra won the battle for 2nd over Brown, Chris Zogg was 4th, with Burgtorf coming home in 5th.

Nick Marolf and Jeff Guengerich drew the front row for the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Model “Drive For 5” qualifying feature. Just as the green flag was waved the red light would come on, as Ed Hollenbeck got into the turn 4 guardrail hard. He would climb from the car okay. On the original restart Marolf shot out into the lead on lap 1 over CJ Horn and Guengerich. The second and final caution of the event would slow the action on lap 2, as debris in turn 3 brought out the yellow. Marolf jumped back out front on the restart, but had Horn looking under him for the top spot. Marolf would hold him off, and then drove away to claim his second win in a row at the Lee County Speedway. Horn was 2nd, Darin Weisinger Jr. was 3rd, Sean Johnson was 4th, with Guengerich holding on for 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3” qualifying feature, with Austin Schrage and Dylan Van Wyk making up the front row. Van Wyk would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Kyler Girard and Logan Anderson. The action up front was slowed for the first and only time on lap 4, as Matt Tucker spun in turn 4 and collected Marshall Cramer to bring out the yellow. On the restart Girard slid under Van Wyk to take over the top spot. Then on lap 7 Van Wyk would slide up in front of Girard coming off turn 4 to take the lead back. Anderson, who grabbed the runner up spot on lap 8, tried to keep pace with Van Wyk. But even the heavy traffic over the final 5 laps wouldn’t slow Van Wyk down, as he went on to score his second win of the season at the track. Anderson was 2nd, Brayton Carter started 12th and finished 3rd, Jim Gillenwater was 4th, Girard holding on for 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 12 lap Mini Hauler Trucks, with Tim Wagner and Sheldon Brocket leading the field to green. Wagner jumped out into the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 2, when Tucker Richardson got by him for the top spot. Richardson pulled away from the field and looked to be cruising to an easy win, when the first and only caution slowed him down on lap 10. Darin Ronner would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Richardson moved back out front, with Brian Tipps looking for a way around him. Despite a final lap challenge from Tipps, Richardson was able to hold him off for his second win of the season at the track. Brocket was 3rd, Wagner was 4th, with Don Wood completing the top 5.

Coming up next Thursday, July 7th will be “Photo Daddy 50” Night at the races, dedicated to Dennis Krieger. The POWRi 410 Outlaw Sprint League, in its inaugural season, will make their debut during the Lee County Fair week. Also in action will be the Donnellson Tire & Service Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center SportMods, and AVIS Car Rental Sport Compacts. All three will be draw / redraw.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $20, Seniors $18, Veterans $10, Ages (4-13) $5, with Ages 3 & under FREE! Pit passes will be $40, 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, July 1, 2022 – “Drive For 5” & “Drive For 3” Qualifying Night

Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 2. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 3. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 4. 8R-Sean Johnson, Independence, IA; 5. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 6. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 7. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 8. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 9. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 10. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 11. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 12. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 8R-Sean Johnson; 3. 60-Dalton Simonsen; 4. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 6. 54-Tommy Elston

Heat 2: 1. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 2. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 3. 01-CJ Horn; 4. 07-Ray Raker; 5. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 6. 84-Sam Halstead

B&B Propane IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 50-Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, IA; 2. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 3. 88-Jarrett Brown, Ainsworth, IA; 4. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 5. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 6. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 7. 77-Kurt Kile, Nichols, IA; 8. 33F-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 9. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 10. IB25-Shane Richardson, Wapello, IA; 11. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 12. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 13. 7-Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 14. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 15. 11-Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1. 50-Denny Eckrich; 2. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 33F-Jadin Fuller; 5. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 6. 4B-Mitch Boles; 7. IB25-Shane Richardson; 8. 2R-Fisher Reese

Heat 2: 1. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 88-Jarrett Brown; 4. 11-Daniel Fellows; 5. 77-Kurt Kile; 6. 19J-Levi Smith; 7. 7-Blaine Webster

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1 20V-Dustin Vis, Martelle, IA; 2. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 4. 10G-Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick, IA; 5. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 6. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 8. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 9. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IA; 10. 35G-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 11. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 12. 21-Jason Rindom, Moberly, MO; 13. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 14. 19-Dustan Fenton, Burlington, IA; 15. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 2T-Beau Taylor; 2. 3D-Jason Cook; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 10G-Dustin Griffiths; 5. 43-Kevin Koontz; 6. 19-Dustan Fenton; 7. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel

Heat 2: 1. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 2. 20V-Dustin Vis; 3. 77-Josh Foster; 4. 71-David Brandies; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen; 6. 35G-Eric Glass; 7. 21-Jason Rindom

Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 117-Dylan VanWyk, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 53-Logan Anderson, Eddyville, IA; 3. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 4. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 5. 00X-Kyler Girard, Moberly, MO; 6. 14X-Austin Schrage, Knoxville, IA; 7. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 8. 0-Dakota Girard, Moberly, MO; 9. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 14SR-Brian Schrage, Cresco, IA; 11. 14AJ-AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 12. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 13. 69-Kelly Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 14. 1X-Rex Widmer, Keokuk, IA; 15. 75R-Joe Roller, Morning Sun, IA; 16. 54-Quinton Shelton, Quincy, IL; 17. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 18. 03-Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, IA; 19. 30R-Charlie Rindom, Moberly, MO; 20. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 21. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 22. 557-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 23. 24-Marshall Cramer, Hannibal, MO; 24. 6-Bobby Six, Warsaw, IL (DNS)

B-Feature: (Top 4 to A) 1. 75R-Joe Roller; 2. 00-Matt Tucker; 3. 54-Quinton Shelton; 4. 24-Marshall Cramer; 5. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 6. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 7. 77F-John Rockwood, Moulton, IA; 8. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 9. 51-Carson Shondel, Moulton, IA

Heat 1:  (Top 5 to A) 1. 14X-Austin Schrage; 2. 53-Logan Anderson; 3. 14AJ-AJ Tournear; 4. 0-Dakota Girard; 5. 6-Bobby Six; 6. 75R-Joe Roller; 7. 00-Matt Tucker; 8. 14-Bob Cowman

Heat 2: 1. 00X-Kyler Girard; 2. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 3. 57-Brandt Ames; 4. 03-Rob Wilsey; 5. 30R-Charlie Rindom; 6. 24-Marshall Cramer; 7. 51-Carson Shondel

Heat 3: 1. 14SR-Brian Schrage; 2. 12S-Sean Wyett; 3. 01-Brayton Carter; 4. 557-John Oliver Jr.; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 6. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 7. 54-Quinton Shelton

Heat 4: 1. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 2. 117-Dylan VanWyk; 3. 1X-Rex Widmer; 4. 69-Kelly Buckallew; 5. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 6. 7R-Tom Ruble; 7. 77F-John Rockwood

AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. 3J-Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 6. 94X-Justin Stevenson, Burlington, IA; 7. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 8. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 9. 63-Tim Schnathorst, Burlington, IA; 10. 27Z-Cody Staley, Muscatine, IA; 11. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 12. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 13. 77K-Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 14. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA

Heat 1: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 3. 3J-Jason Ash; 4. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 5. 63-Tim Schnathorst; 6. 77K-Kyle Hamelton; 7. 11E-Ethan Prim

Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 57-Barry Taft; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 94X-Justin Stevenson; 6. 27Z-Cody Staley; 7. 3A-Adam Christy

Mini Hauler Trucks

A-Feature: 1. 28-Tucker Richardson, Morning Sun, IA; 2. 20-Brian Tipps, Wapello, IA; 3. 74-Sheldon Brocket, Burlington, IA; 4. 95-Tim Wagner, Wapello, IA; 5. 41-Don Wood, Wapello, IA; 6. 10-Jeff Bockes, Morning Sun, IA; 7. 141-Darin Ronner, Gladstone, IL

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

Category: Iowa