McLaughlin dominates Ideal Ready Mix IMCA Late Model Challenge at Lee County
By Jake Croxton

DONNELLSON, Iowa (May 11, 2007) – Boone McLaughlin continued a great week of racing and drove away from the 21-car IMCA Late Model field in the first of five scheduled events at the Lee County Speedway. McLaughlin, who earned a starting berth in a World of Outlaws event earlier in the week, started third in the 20-lapper and quickly found his way past early race-leader Matt Strassheim. Behind McLaughlin’s McLaughlin Freight Service / McClure Masonary / L&W Quarries / Mastersbilt / Charger was a thrilling battle for the runner-up spot as Justin Reed, Tom Darbyshire, Dennis Woodworth and Lonnie Bailey all traded paint and position before ending the event in that order.

Rich Smith has made a recent habit of late-race winning passes in Discount Tire IMCA Modified action. Friday was no different for the JC Dubil Race Car Parts / Weikert Iron & Metal Works / Harris as the Davenport, Iowa driver patiently worked on rookie Brandon Savage throughout the middle stages of the 15-lapper. Savage left the door open coming to the white flag and Smith took advantage to score his first Donnellson win of 2007. Savage, Kevin Cale and Billy Roberts followed Smith across the line, while Mitch Higdon earned a career-best fifth.

Jeff Mueller dispatched of early leader Kirk Kinsley in the late stages of the Budweiser IMCA Stock Car 15-lapper and held on to win his first A-Main of 2007. Ryan Cook, Brandon Rothzen, and Jason Cook rounded out the top five. However, the story was former track champion Ryan Cook as he brought his car home in third after winning on opening night. Cook raced in his final scheduled event of the season as he will be deployed to Iraq this week. Everybody at the Lee County Speedway wishes him Godspeed as he serves our country.

A wild Donnellson Tire Hobby Stock feature saw flat tires by three leaders and a 360 in front of the field without a caution, before Rodger Dresden came through the dust and put his TA Auto & Tire / Morgan Custom Machine / Arrowhead Bowl / Malibu into victory circle. Rob Wilsey had his best LCS run in second, while early leader Dean Kratzer, Doug Fenton, and Jeff Soper completed the top five.

Wyatt Lantz and Jack Evans, Jr. put on a familiar show at the front of the Arrowhead Bowl B-Modified 15-lapper as the duo battled throughout the event. Lantz got the last laugh as the two-time and defending champion raced to victory in his Keokuk Collision Center / CR McDowell Crane Service / O’Neill & S ons Rock Quarry / Raider. Evans, Jr. settled for the runner-up spot with Michael Browning and Jerad Fuller in tow and in career-best B-Mod finishing positions. Jeff Waterman finished fifth.

Once David Helenthal took command of the 12-lap GM Giant Wild Thing feature, his Mitsubishi Eclipse left all challengers as the Ft. Madison driver earned the win. Travis DeMint battled back from an off-track excursion on the opening lap to finish second ahead of Michael Grossman, Brian Polson, and Brent Hartley.

Next week is Fiesta Night at the speedway with race time at 7:30.

B Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 2. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk; 3. Mike Browning, Farmington; 4.Jerad Fuller, Memphis, Mo.; 5. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 6. BobJennings, Mt. Pleasant; 7. Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison;8. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 9. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 10.Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 11. Chad Sovern, WestBurlington; 12. Adam Swanson, Burlington; 13. Joe Hooper, Mendon, Ill.; 14.Scott Boles, New London; 15. Mike Hill, New London.

Heat 01 -- 1. Joe Hooper, Mendon, Ill.; 2. JeradFuller, Memphis, Mo.; 3. Mike Browning, Farmington; 4.Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 5. Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison; 6. MikeHill, New London; 7. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 8. ChadSovern, West Burlington.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk; 2. ScottBoles, New London; 3. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 4.Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 5. Bob Jennings, Mt. Pleasant; 6. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 7. Adam Swanson, Burlington.


Hobby Stocks

A-Main 01 -- 1. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 2. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 3. Dean Kratzer, Montrose; 4. Doug Fenton, Burlington; 5. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 6. Matt Tucker, Lomax,Ill.; 7. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 8. Ray Raker,Danville; 9. Jacob Smith, Argyle; 10. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson; 11. ChrisRees, Payson, Ill.; 12. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown,Ill.; 13. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton, Ill.; 14. Jason Billings, Keokuk;15. Jarod Conrad, Wayland; 16. Stevie Shull, Rome; 17.Jake Wenig,
Burlington; 18. Jason Fowler, Fort Madison; 19. KevinCheney, Quincy, Ill.; 20. Josh Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 21.Dan Wenig, Burlington; 22. Jon Rooney, Donnellson.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 2. Josh Soper,Kahoka, Mo.; 3. Chris Rees, Payson, Ill.; 4. JasonBillings, Keokuk; 5. Matt Tucker, Lomax, Ill.; 6. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.;7. Jacob Smith, Argyle.

Heat 02 -- 1. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 2. DeanKratzer, Montrose; 3. Ray Raker, Danville; 4. JarodConrad, Wayland; 5. Doug Fenton, Burlington; 6. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 7.Stevie Shull, Rome.

Heat 03 -- 1. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 2.Dan Wenig, Burlington; 3. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 4. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 5. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, Ill.; 6. Derek St. Clair,Donnellson; 7. Jason Fowler, Fort Madison; 8. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton, Ill..

IMCA Late Models
A-Main 01 -- 1. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 2.Justin Reed, Quincy, Ill.; 3. Tom Darbyshire, MorningSun; 4. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill.; 5. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy,Ill.; 6. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Ill.; 7. ColbySpringsteen, Morning Sun; 8. Matt Bailey, Quincy, Ill.; 9. Sam Halstead, NewLondon; 10. Matt Strassheim, Burlington; 11. TomGoble, Burlington; 12. Jason Perry, Payson, Ill.; 13. Robby Warner, Quincy,Ill.; 14. Dustin Griffin, Camp Point, Ill.; 15. ClintKirkham, Canton, Ill.; 16. Ned Palmer;; 17. Darin Weisinger, Quincy, Ill.;18. Luke Pestka, Robins; 19. Jay Johnson, W.Burlington; 20. Jeff Laue, Burlington; 21. Johnny Johnson, W. Burlington.

Heat 01 -- 1. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 2. JustinReed, Quincy, Ill.; 3. Lonnie Bailey, Quincy, Ill.; 4.Matt Strassheim, Burlington; 5. Clint Kirkham, Canton, Ill.; 6. MattBailey, Quincy, Ill.; 7. Luke Pestka, Robins.

Heat 02 -- 1. Gary Russell, Biggsville, Ill.; 2. JayJohnson, W. Burlington; 3. Colby Springsteen, MorningSun; 4. Jeff Laue, Burlington; 5. Robby Warner, Quincy, Ill.; 6. DustinGriffin, Camp Point, Ill.; 7. Darin Weisinger, Quincy,Ill..

Heat 03 -- 1. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, Ill.; 2. Tom Darbyshire, Morning Sun; 3. Johnny Johnson, W. Burlington; 4. Sam Halstead, New London; 5. Jason Perry, Payson, Ill.; 6.Tom Goble, Burlington; 7. Ned Palmer;.


IMCA Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. BrandonSavage, Keokuk; 3. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 4. BillRoberts, Burlington; 5. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 6. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 7. Chris Larson, Keokuk; 8. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 9. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 10. Dean McGee, Sr.,Galesburg, Ill.; 11. Dave Anderson, Burlington; 12.Kevin Londrie, Keokuk; 13. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 14. Bryan Fett,Donnellson; 15. Jim Redmann, Lockodge.


Heat 01 -- 1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Jim Redmann,Lockodge; 3. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 4. Dean McGee,Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 5. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 6.Kevin Londrie, Keokuk; 7. Dave Anderson, Burlington;8. Bryan Fett, Donnellson.

Heat 02 -- 1. Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 2. ChrisLarson, Keokuk; 3. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 4. BillRoberts, Burlington; 5. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 6. Kevin Cale,Donnellson; 7. Andy Krieger, West Burlington.

IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jeff Mueller, New London; 2. KirkKinsley, Wapello; 3. Ryan Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 4.Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 5. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 6. JohnOliver, Jr., Danville; 7. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 8.Steve Steinkuhrer, Camp Point, Ill.; 9. Derek Goble, Burlington; 10. CoreyStrothman, New London; 11. Chris Webb, Biggsville,Ill.; 12. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 13. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant;14. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, Ill..

Heat 01 -- 1. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 2. Jason Cook,Mt. Pleasant; 3. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 4. RyanCook, Mt. Pleasant; 5.Jeff Mueller, New London; 6. Steve Steinkuhrer, CampPoint, Ill.; 7. Derek Goble, Burlington.

Heat 02 -- 1. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 2. ChrisWibbell, Dallas City, Ill.; 3. Nick Fenton, Mt.Pleasant; 4. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 5. Corey Strothman, New London; 6. DennisHarwood, West Point; 7. John Oliver, Jr., Danville.

4 Cyl. Wild Things
A-Main 01 -- 1. David Helenthal, Fort Madision; 2.Travis DeMint, Basco, Ill.; 3. Michael Grossman,Keokuk; 4. Brian Polson, Burlington; 5. Brent Hartley, Niota, Ill.; 6.Kevin Harter, Fort Madison; 7. Rob Hammel, Hamilton,Ill.; 8. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 9. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 10. TylerWestercamp, Rome; 11. Bryan Rodefer, Fort Madison; 12.James Oliver III, Hamilton, Ill.; 13. Jerry Taft, Donnellson; 14.Michael Forbess, Mount Pleasant; 15. Brian Bergheger,Keokuk; 16. Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo..

Heat 01 -- 1. James Oliver III, Hamilton, Ill.; 2.Brent Hartley, Niota, Ill.; 3. Travis DeMint, Basco,Ill.; 4. Bryan Rodefer, Fort Madison; 5. Kevin Harter, Fort Madison; 6. Jerry Taft, Donnellson; 7. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk; 8. Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo..

Heat 02 -- 1. David Helenthal, Fort Madision; 2.Brian Polson, Burlington; 3. Michael Grossman, Keokuk;4. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, Ill.; 5. Tyler Westercamp, Rome; 6. JeremyPundt, Donnellson; 7. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 8.Michael Forbess, Mount Pleasant.