Becerra Tops Exciting IMCA Modified Feature at the Lee County Speedway

by Brian Neal

Donnellson, IA (Friday, May 5, 2023) – Another Friday night meant another exciting night of racing action at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. This week’s action was presented by Keokuk Auto Credit and Xpert Automotive & Sales. At the end of the night, two driver’s earned multiple wins of the season, two driver’s won their first of the season, while another driver claimed his first career feature win.

The Roberts Tire Center 18 lap IMCA Northern SportMod feature took to the track first, with Cody Agee and Brandon Lambert leading the field to green. Agee took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Nicholas Profeta and Lambert. On lap 3, Profeta slipped under Agee to take over the top spot. Then two laps later the first caution of the race slowed the action, as Brandt Ames spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Glen Saville spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Profeta jump back out front, with Matt Tucker and Agee glued to his back bumper. Saville would spin in turn 2 on the completion of lap 6 to bring out his second caution of the race, to end his night. Profeta once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Tucker and Agee close behind. The three car battle for the lead was slowed on lap 10, when Lambert spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Profeta moved back out front, with Tucker and eighth place starter Brayton Carter challenging him. Carter would use the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the top spot away from Profeta on lap 13. The final caution of the race appeared on lap 14, as Tucker, who was battling for the lead, clipped a tire in turn 4 and spun. On the restart Carter jumped back out front, with Adam Birck, who started 9th, pulling up beside him to challenge him for the top spot. Carter was able to hold off Birck to claim his second win in a row at the track. John Oliver Jr. came from 7th to finish 3rd, Sean Wyett finished 4th after starting in 10th, with Brandon Dale completing the top 5.

Up next was the 15 lap Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compact feature, with Josh Barnes and Barry Taft making up the front row. Taft would edge out Josh Barnes at the line to lead lap 1. The two raced side-by-side around the 3/8th’s mile track over the next several laps, with Taft being credited with leading each lap. Disaster would strike both Josh Barnes and Taft on lap 11, as both pulled into the infield with mechanical troubles to end their night. This handed the lead over to Chevy Barnes, who started 10th. Chevy Barnes then held off a last lap challenge from Chandler Fullenkamp, who started 7th, to claim his first career feature win. Brandon Reu came from 9th to finish 3rd, Justin Stevenson was 4th, with Luke Fraise finishing 5th.

Jerry Jansen and Kevin Koontz led the field to green in the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature. But it was third place starter Beau Taylor who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Jeremy Pundt and Josh Foster. Just after the lap was scored complete, Eric Glass spun down the frontstretch  to bring out the yellow. On the restart Pundt slipped past Taylor to take over the top spot. While Pundt worked the top of the track, Jason Cook, who started 7th, worked the bottom to move into the runner up spot on lap 3. Cook then used the bottom to edge out Pundt at the line on lap 5 to take the lead. Derrick Agee, who started 9th, and John Oliver Jr., who started 8th, joined the battle up front on lap 7. The two and three wide action was slowed for the final time on lap 15, as debris in turn 4 brought out the yellow. On the restart Cook jumped back out front, with Agee and Taylor challenging. Agee tried to use the momentum off the top of the track to take the lead away from Cook. But Cook was able to hold him off to claim his first win of the season at the track. Taylor was 3rd, Chad Krogmeier edged out Pundt for 4th.

Up next was the 18 lap J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modified feature, with Matt Diaz and Levi Smith scheduled to lead the field to green. But when Smith scratched, this moved Bill Roberts Jr. to the outside of the front row. Roberts Jr. took advantage of his move to the front row to grab the lead on lap 1 over Jadin Fuller and Dennis LaVeine. The action up front was slowed on lap 3, as Diaz spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart LaVeine got sideways in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Reid Sammons spin in turn 2 to bring out caution. Once back to green Roberts Jr., Mark Burgtorf and Austen Becerra put on the early candidate for race of the year. The three raced two and even three wide at times for the top spot, with Roberts Jr. holding them off at the line to be scored the leader. Coming to the white flag Becerra went to the bottom coming off turn 4 to show Roberts Jr. his nose. So going into turn 3 to get the checkered, Roberts Jr. came off the top to block Becerra, only to have Becerra use the momentum off the top of turn 4 to grab the checkered flag. Burgtorf edged Roberts Jr. at the line for 2nd, Fuller was 4th, with Dustin Smith coming from 10th to finish 5th.

The final feature to take to the track was the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, with Dalton Simonsen and Jeff Guengerich drawing the front row. Simonsen used his draw to his advantage by moving out front on lap 1 over CJ Horn and Denny Woodworth. The lead for Simonsen lasted for 1 lap, as Horn used the top of the track to take over the top spot on lap 2. Horn then started to pull away from the battles going on behind him. Just when it looked like Horn would cruise to an easy win in a caution free race, James Dickerson spun in turn 4 on lap 20 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Jeremy Pundt tried to challenge Horn for the top spot. But Horn was too fast on this night, as he went on to claim his first win of the season at the track. Woodworth was 3rd, Jason Oenning had his career best finish at the Lee County Speedway in 4th, with Simonsen holding on for 5th.

Coming up next Friday, May 12th will be the second of seven qualifying rounds 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, Triple R Performance Engines, B&B Propane, Budweiser, Conrad Trucking, Donnellson Tire & Service, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. In action will be the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods, Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts, and Mini Hauler Trucks.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $10, Seniors $9, Veterans & 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.

On Saturday, May 13th the AMA District 17 Flat Track Motorcycles will take to the track for the first time ever. There will be plenty of action to see in adult, youth and vintage classes. Pit gates will open at 11 AM, Grandstands will open at noon, Practice will take place at 1 PM, with Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be $10, with Kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes are $15, with a $35 entry fee per driver in all classes.

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, May 5, 2023 – Keokuk Auto Credit / Xpert Automotive & Sales Night

Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 3. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 4. 45-Jason Oenning, Ursa, IL; 5. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 6. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 7. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 8. 8R-Sean Johnson, Independence, IA; 9. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 10. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 11. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 12. 5J-Matt Jones, Monmouth, IL; 13. 7B-Blaire Barton, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 14. 21-Derek Hollenstine, Quincy, IL; 15. 4-Dekota Job, Burlington, IA; 16. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 17. 72-James Dickerson, Hannibal, MO; 18. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 2. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 3. 45-Jason Oenning; 4. 4-Dekota Job; 5. 7B-Blaire Barton; 6. 07-Ray Raker

Heat 2: 1. 54-Tommy Elston; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 84-Sam Halstead; 4. 8R-Sean Johnson; 5. 21-Derek Hollenstine; 6. 93-Jay Johnson

Heat 3: 1. 01-CJ Horn; 2. 60-Dalton Simonsen; 3. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 4. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 5. 5J-Matt Jones; 6. 72-James Dickerson

J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 3. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 4. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 5. 3-Dustin Smith, Long Grove, IA; 6. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 7. 28D-Matt Diaz, Quincy, IL; 8. 51-Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 9. 15RS-Reid Sammons, Kahoka, MO; 10. 46-Brian Reed, Palmyra, MO; 11. 110-Jerad Fuller, Memphis, MO; 12. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 13. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA (DNS); 14. 126J-Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 19J-Levi Smith; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles; 5. 28D-Matt Diaz; 6. 46-Brian Reed; 7. 126J-Jardin Fuller (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 2. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 3-Dustin Smith; 5. 110-Jerad Fuller; 6. 15RS-Reid Sammons; 7. 51-Michael Benjamin

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 2. 14-Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 4. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 6. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 7. 07-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 8. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 9. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 10. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 11. 35-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 12. 51T-Tanner Wilson, Albia, IA

Heat 1: 1. 77-Josh Foster; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 4. 07-Nicholas Profeta; 5. 06-Jerry Jansen; 6. 35-Eric Glass

Heat 2: 1. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 2. 2T-Beau Taylor; 3. 14-Derrick Agee; 4. 3D-Jason Cook; 5. 43-Kevin Koontz; 6. 51T-Tanner Wilson

Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 01-Brayton Carter, Oskaloosa, IA; 2. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 3. 55-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 4. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 5. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 6. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 7. 25-Cody Agee, Huntsville, MO; 8. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 9. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 10. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 11. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 12. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 13. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 14. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 15. 53B-Glen Saville, Razorback, NSW, Aus; 16. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 17. 5K-Kaleb Nevers, Burlington, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 12S-Sean Wyett; 2. 12D-Brandon Dale; 3. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 4. 01-Brayton Carter; 5. 25-Cody Agee; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater; 7. 53B-Glen Saville; 8. 7R-Tom Ruble; 9. 5K-Kaleb Nevers (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 112-Adam Birck; 2. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 3. 55-John Oliver Jr.; 4. 00-Matt Tucker; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 6. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 7. 82-Peter Stodgel; 8. 57-Brandt Ames (DNS)

Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 3. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 4. 94X-Justin Stevenson, Burlington, IA; 5. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 6. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 7. 24K-Noah Kayser, Burlington, IA; 8. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 9. 09D-Doug White, Hannibal, MO; 10. 57-Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 11. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 12. 26-Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO

Heat 1: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 3. 94X-Justin Stevenson; 4. 24K-Noah Kayser; 5. 9-Luke Fraise; 6. 26-Ryan Moore

Heat 2: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 57-Barry Taft; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 5. 11E-Ethan Prim; 6. 09D-Doug White

Category: Iowa