Higday hauls in Invader Cash
By Jake Croxton

DONNELLSON, Iowa (May 25) – Josh Higday became the second first-time winner in as many Ideal Ready Mix Sprint Invader A-Mains in 2007 as he earned the$1,000 top prize at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. The Des Moines, Iowa driver started third in his G&D Auto Electric / Ostrich Racing Engines / Eagle and took advantage of Joe Beaver’s misfortune on lap 5.

“Any time you start up front, you want to put as much distance on the field as you can,” said Higday of the run. “I was just trying to be patient. I knew if I made all the right moves, we’d end up in victory lane.”

Higday and pole-starter Joe Beaver quickly established themselves as the cars to beat as they raced to a straightaway lead over the 20-car field in just the opening five circuits. Then disaster struck for Beaver as he looped his Searsborough Telephone Company / Maxim in front of the field.

“I actually didn’t know which way to go because he (Beaver) was trying to stay on the throttle,” said Higday of Beaver’s spin. “I drove to the top and there was barely enough room to get through there. It worked out for us…We’re on a pretty good roll right now and we’re just trying to keep winning races.”

Higday was unchallenged for the remainder of the25-lapper and cruised to the win ahead of veteran Larry Pinegar in Larry Weeks’ Brownells.com / WrightWelding Supply / J&J. Pinegar’s run was a welcome sight to the team after early-season woes.

“We’ve been struggling all year and it really hasn’t been our fault,” Pinegar commented. “We zinged the motor opening night and the adjustments inside got alittle off…We got behind a couple lappers there at the three-quarter point and apparently they didn’t know we were racing for the win.”

Defending series runner-up Matt Sutton started alittle deeper than he was accustomed to but raced his way to a podium finish in the S&S Shortstop / Thom’sAuto Body / Onion Farms / Maxim.

“I think we had a shot to win it if we didn’t start sofar back,” wondered Sutton. “The racetrack was pretty heavy and everybody was fast in the heat races.”

Series points leader Kaley Gharst raced to fourth after running the B-Main and picked up KSE Racing Products Hard Charger Award honors for advancing 13positions. Nick Eastin raised a few eyebrows with atop five run in his first start of the season for his own Wunderlich Excavating & Plumbing-sponsored team. Rounding out the top 10 were Ryan Jamison, Rager Phillips, John Hall, John Schulz, and Korey Weyant.

In support action, Rich Smith found victory lane in his JC Dubil Race Car Parts / Weikert Iron & Metal /Harris / Chevy in Discount Tire IMCA Modified competition. The Davenport, Iowa driver worked past Kevin Cale and Dean McGee with two to go while early leader Mike Weikert, Jr. and Darin Thye rounded out the top five.

Rookie Budweiser IMCA Stock Car driver Nic Fenton led the opening circuit in their 15-lapper before the soon-to-be high school graduate gave way to Danville’s John Oliver, Jr. The Oliver Tri-County Heating & Air /Century 21 / Regal powered away from the field and Oliver, Jr. earned his first win of 2007. Jeff Mueller, Chris Wibbell, Brandon Rothzen, and Abe Hulsended the event in the top five.

Jim Oliver, Jr. held off Doug Fenton over the final third of the Donnellson Tire Hobby Stock finale toearn his first win of 2007. Oliver, Jr. took the lead from early leader Jake Wenig on lap 7 as Wenig faded and headed to the infield. Dean Kratzer, Rodger Dresden, and Rob Wilsey followed Oliver, Jr. across the line.

Wyatt Lantz used the low line and a Josh Foster setupto steal the Arrowhead Bowl B-Modified thunder. JimGillenwater ran out of time and settle for secondwhile JoeHooper, Jerad Fuller, and Jeff Waterman completed the top five.

Tyler Schulte returned to familiar territory as hisin frequent GM Giant Wild Thing start turned into atrip into victory lane. Schulte charged from twelfth to the lead on lap 3 and was never challenged throughout the balance of the 12-lapper. TravisDeMint, Michael Grossman, Rob Hammel, and Jim Oliver, III followed Schulte home.

RESULTS

Staats Awards Heat Race #1 (Top 4 advance) – 1. 29XRuss Hall, Des Moines; 2. 29 Matt Rogerson, W.Burlington; 3. 14P Rager Phillips, Pleasantville; 4.2X Patrick Moore, Moline, IL; 5. 0 Nick Guernsey,Burlington; 6. 31P Travis Porter, Rock Island, IL; 7.36 Justin Newberry, Burlington; 8. 65 JordanGoldesberry, Springfield, IL

Budweiser Heat Race #2 (Top 4 advance) – 1. 53 JoeBeaver, Knoxville; 2. 2XX Josh Higday, Des Moines; 3.35 Brian Hetrick, Stronghurst, IL; 4. 3 Matt Sutton,Macomb, IL; 5. 3* Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL; 6. 22Bret Tripplett, Middletown, IL; 7. 70 BrianStansberry, Moulton; 8. 41X John Parks, Aledo, IL

Storm Steel / Abrasive Jet Technologies Heat Race #3(Top 4 advance) – 1. 15 Bobby Mincer, Burlington; 2.00 Larry Pinegar, Pleasantville; 3. 2 John Schulz,Burlington; 4. 99W Korey Weyant, Springfield, IL; 5.49 Josh Schneiderman, W. Burlington; 6. 53H MattHarms, Chillicothe, IL; 7. 51J Ryan Jamison,Mediapolis; 8. 10T Tim Moore, Moline, IL

Ideal Ready Mix Heat Race #4 (Top 4 advance) – 1. 22XNick Eastin, Burlington; 2. 7H John Hall, Marion; 3.99 Jimmy Davies, Oquawka, IL; 4. 9X Bart ndrews,Muscatine; 5. 4M Mark Tischer, Hannibal, MO; 6. 38Seth Wilke, Burlington; 7. 3G Lance Gullo,Springfield, IL

Shake-up Dash – 1. Mincer; 2. Eastin; 3. Beaver; 4.Hall; 5. Higday; 6. Pinegar; 7. R. Hall; 8. Rogerson

B-Main (Top 4 advance) -- 1. Gharst; 2. Jamison; 3.Harms; 4. Gullo; 5. Tripplett; 6. Schneiderman; 7.Porter; 8. Stansberry; 9. Tischer; 10. Goldesberry;11. Wilke; 12. Guernsey; 13. Newberry; 14. Parks DNS;15. T. Moore DNS

Lee County Bank & Trust / KRNQ 96.3 25 (started) – 1.Higday (3); 2. Pinegar (4); 3. Sutton (14); 4. Gharst(17); 5. Eastin (6); 6. Jamison (18); 7. Phillips (9);8. J. Hall (2); 9. Schulz (11); 10. Weyant (15); 11.Rogerson (8); 12. Harms (19); 13. Gullo (20); 14.Mincer (5); 15. R. Hall (7); 16. Beaver (1); 17.Davies (12); 18. Andrews (16); 19. Hetrick (10); 20.P. Moore (13)

B Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 2. JimGillenwater, Keokuk; 3. Joe Hooper, Mendon, Ill.; 4.Jerad Fuller, Memphis, Mo.; 5. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 6. Jack Evans,Jr., Keokuk; 7. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 8. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 9. Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison; 10. Thad Gaylord, FortMadison.

Heat 01 -- 1. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 2. JeffWaterman, Quincy, Ill.; 3. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk; 4.Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison; 5. Bill Seyb, Donnellson.Heat 02 -- 1. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 2. JoeHooper, Mendon, Ill.; 3. Jerad Fuller, Memphis, Mo.;4. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 5. Levi Smith, Donnellson.

Hobby Stocks
A-Main 01 -- 1. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 2.Doug Fenton, Burlington; 3. Dean Kratzer, Montrose; 4.Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 5. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 6. BeauTaylor, Canton, Mo.; 7. Ray Raker, Danville; 8. JeffSoper, Kahoka, Mo.; 9. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 10. Matt Tucker, Lomax,Ill.; 11. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, Ill.; 12. Jacob Smith,Argyle; 13. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 14. Jarod Conrad, Wayland; 15.Stevie Shull, Rome; 16. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 17.Dan Wenig, Burlington; 18. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson.

Heat 01 -- 1. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 2. Ray Raker,Danville; 3. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 4. Jim Oliver,Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 5. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 6. Jacob Smith,Argyle; 7. Stevie Shull, Rome.Heat 02 -- 1. Dan Wenig, Burlington; 2. Rob Wilsey,Keokuk; 3. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson; 4. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 5. Matt Tucker, Lomax, Ill.; 6. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill..Heat 03 -- 1. Dean Kratzer, Montrose; 2. KevinCheney, Quincy, Ill.; 3. Beau Taylor, Canton, Mo.; 4.Doug Fenton, Burlington; 5. Jarod Conrad, Wayland; 6. Jeff Soper,Kahoka, Mo..

IMCA Modifieds
A-Main 01 -- 1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 3. Dean McGee, Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 4. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 5. Darin Thye, Burlington; 6. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 7. Dave Anderson, Burlington; 8. Chris Larson, Keokuk; 9. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 10. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 11. Michael Irwin, Kahoka, Mo.; 12. Kevin Londrie, Keokuk; 13. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 14. Brandon Savage,Keokuk; 15. Tyler Cale, Donnellson.

Heat 01 -- 1. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 2. TylerCale, Donnellson; 3. Rich Smith, Davenport; 4. ChrisLarson, Keokuk; 5. Michael Irwin, Kahoka, Mo.; 6. Phillip Cossel,Montrose; 7. Kevin Londrie, Keokuk; 8. Bill Roberts, Burlington.

Heat 02 -- 1. Dean McGee, Sr., Galesburg, Ill.; 2. Dave Anderson, Burlington; 3. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 4. Andy Krieger, West Burlington; 5. Mitch Higdon, Fort Madison; 6.Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 7. Darin Thye, Burlington.

IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main 01 -- 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 2. Jeff
Mueller, New London; 3. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City,Ill.; 4. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 5. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 6.Dennis Harwood, West Point; 7. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello;8. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 9. Derek Goble, Burlington; 10. SteveSteinkuhrer, Camp Point, Ill.; 11. Corey Strothman,New London; 12. Brett Swyter, Donnellson; 13. Doug Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 14.Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 15. DiAnnaChamberlin-Johnson, Montrose; 16. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill..

Heat 01 -- 1. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, Ill.; 2.Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 3. Jeff Mueller, NewLondon; 4. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 5. Derek Goble, Burlington; 6. DougHuls, Carthage, Ill.; 7. Brett Swyter, Donnellson; 8.Corey Strothman, New London.Heat 02 -- 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 2. JasonCook, Mt. Pleasant; 3. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 4.Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 5. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 6. SteveSteinkuhrer, Camp Point, Ill.; 7. Kirk Kinsley,Wapello; 8. DiAnna Chamberlin-Johnson, Montrose.

4 Cyl. Wild Things

A-Main 01 -- 1. Tyler Schulte, Montrose; 2. TravisDeMint, Basco, Ill.; 3. Michael Grossman, Keokuk; 4.Rob Hammel, Hamilton, Ill.; 5. James Oliver III, Hamilton, Ill.;6. Brent Hartley, Niota, Ill.; 7. Ryan Anderson,Donnellson; 8. Brian Polson, Burlington; 9. Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo.; 10.Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 11. Jeremy Pundt,Donnellson; 12. Jim Powell, Hannibal, Mo.; 13. Jon Lear, Center, Mo.; 14.Tony Shankle, Warsaw, Ill.; 15. Alex Eaves, Weaver;16. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 17. Tim Brown, Fort Madison; 18.Seth Logsdon, Keokuk; 19. David Helenthal, FortMadision; 20. Bryan Rodefer, Fort Madison; 21. Kevin Harter, FortMadison; 22. Tyler Westercamp, Rome.

Heat 01 -- 1. Brian Polson, Burlington; 2. TylerSchulte, Montrose; 3. Brent Hartley, Niota, Ill.; 4.Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo.; 5. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 6. BryanRodefer, Fort Madison; 7. Seth Logsdon, Keokuk; 8.David Helenthal, Fort Madision.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Anderson, Donnellson; 2. TimBrown, Fort Madison; 3. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 4.Kevin Harter, Fort Madison; 5. Tony Shankle, Warsaw, Ill.; 6. TylerWestercamp, Rome; 7. Alex Eaves, Weaver.

Heat 03 -- 1. Michael Grossman, Keokuk; 2. RobHammel, Hamilton, Ill.; 3. Travis DeMint, Basco, Ill.;4. James Oliver III,
Hamilton, Ill.; 5. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 6.Jon Lear, Center, Mo.; 7. Jim Powell, Hannibal, Mo..