Huls Scores His 100th IMCA Sanctioned Stock Car Win at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway
Huls Scores His 100th IMCA Sanctioned Stock Car Win
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 17, 2018) – For the second year in a row mother nature tried to put a damper on the mid August Sprint Invaders show at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. But even with an inch of rain on Thursday and more rain around the area on Friday, the track crew was able to get the track in shape to race. At the end of the night action, that was presented by Midwest Performance & Power and Wilson Brothers BBQ, one driver earned his third career win at the track, another scored his first career win, with another claiming his first win of the season at the speedway. While three others won for multiple times this year, one of which was his 100th IMCA sanctioned win.
The first feature to take to the track was the 14 lap Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts, with Jacob Houston and Jake Dietrich leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Dietrich would take advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Houston and Brandon Reu. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 2, as Adam Christy slowed in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Dietrich moved back out front, with Reu taking the runner up spot from Houston. Reu then tried to work under Dietrich for the top spot over the next 3 laps. When the second caution of the race appeared on lap 6 to slow the action. Debris in turn 2 would bring out the yellow. Once again Dietrich jumped back out front on the restart, with Reu, Kimberly Abbott, and Barry Taft battling behind him. That action up front was slowed for the final time of the race on lap 9, as the fire crew had to go to the pits to attend to a fire on Houston’s car. On the restart Dietrich moved back out front, with Reu, Taft and Abbott glued to his back bumper. Reu would try to get under Dietrich for the top spot over the final laps. But Dietrich was able to hold him off to score his first career win. Brandon Reu was 2nd, Taft was 3rd, Abbott was 4th, with Mike Reu rounding out the top 5.
Up next was the 18 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA SportMod feature, with Jim Powell and Bob Cowman leading the field to green. But just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Brandon Dale, Adam Birck, Steven Berry and Brandon Symmonds collided in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the following original restart Daniel Fellows shot from his fourth place starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Jeff Frana and Sean Wyett, who started 7th. Fellows then started to pull away from the rest of the field, when the second caution of the race appeared on lap 5 to slow him down. Doug Begheger would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Fellows jumped back out front, with Austen Becerra and Wyett following behind him. Becerra tried the top and low side of the track to get the top spot away from Fellows over the next 6 laps. When another caution would slow the action, as Brian Bergheger would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Fellows moved back out front on the restart, with Becerra and Wyett looking for a way around him. The battle up front was slowed for the final time on lap 16, as Brian Bergheger got sideways in front of the leaders coming off turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Fellows jumped out front and then held off Becerra and Wyett to claim his fourth win of the season at the track. Becerra was 2nd, Wyett was 3rd, Cowman was 4th, with Frana coming home in 5th.
Dustin Clark and Jon Agan led the field to green in the 25 lap Sprint Invaders feature. But it was third place starter Randy Martin who would grab the lead on lap 1 over Clark and Agan. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 2, as Damian Getchell lost an engine off turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Martin jumped back out front, with Paul Nienhiser, who started 7th in Scott Bonar’s #50 machine, over taking Agan, whose nose wing came loose, for the runner up spot. Nienhiser then try to keep pace with Martin, when the second caution appeared on lap 6 to slow the action. This time Agan spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Martin grabbed the lead on the restart, with Nienhiser and Cody Wehrle glued to his back bumper.
Martin would start to enter lapped traffic on lap 12, which allowed Nienhiser to close in on him. Then on lap 13 Nienhiser would use the lapped traffic to take the top spot away. One lap later, lap 14, McKenna Haase, who started 9th and was running 4th, slowed to a stop down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. Nienhiser grabbed the lead on the restart, with Martin and Wehrle trying to keep pace with him. Just when it looked like Nienhiser would hold on over the final laps to pick up the win, the final caution of the race appeared on lap 19. Bailey Goldesberry and Dugan Thye collided in turn 3 to bring out the yellow, and setting up a six lap dash to the win. On the restart Nienhiser jumped back out front, with Martin looking under him for the lead. Going into turn 3 to come around to complete lap 22, Martin drove it hard into the turn and then slid up in front of Nienhiser coming off turn 4 to grab the top spot away. Martin then pulled away over the final laps to claim his third career Sprint Invaders win at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Nienhiser was 2nd, Wehrle was 3rd, Jarrod Schneiderman came from 11th to finish in 4th, with Clark finishing 5th.
Up next was the 20 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Kevin Koontz and Cody McClure making up the front row. But it was fourth place starter John Oliver Jr. who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Koontz and Chad Krogmeier. As Oliver Jr. set the pace out front, the rest of the field would battle two and even three wide behind him. Abe Huls, who started 5th and fell back to sixth on lap 1, would work himself into the runner up spot on lap 5 and then went to work on Oliver Jr. for the top spot. Huls would try to work under Oliver Jr., as the two raced side-by-side around the 3/8th’s mile. But Oliver Jr. was able to hold him off, that was until lap 12. Huls would edge out front, as Oliver Jr. try to fight back. Oliver Jr. stayed glued to Huls back bumper over the final laps, but was unable to get by Huls for the win. As Huls held on for his sixth win of the season at the track, but most importantly it was his 100th carer IMCA sanctioned Stock Car feature win. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Jeremy Pundt was 3rd, Beau Taylor came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Krogmeier rounding out the top 5.
Dean McGee and Dennis LaVeine led the field to green in the 20 lap Budweiser IMCA Modified feature, with McGee using his starting spot to his advantage to lead lap 1 over LaVeine and Bill Roberts Jr. Just after lap was scored complete the first and only caution of the race appeared, as debris in turn 1 brought out the yellow. On the restart Roberts Jr. shot under McGee to take over the top spot, with LaVeine following him into the runner up spot. LaVeine tried to work under Roberts Jr. over the next three laps, but Roberts Jr. would hold him off each time. Then coming off turn 4 to complete lap 5 Roberts Jr. drifted high, which allowed LaVeine to shoot by for the lead. LaVeine then drifted high coming off turn 2 to allow Roberts Jr. to shoot back by him to take the top spot back on lap 7. Roberts Jr. then held off LaVeine and Jeff Waterman over the final laps to score his fourth win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. LaVeine was 2nd, Waterman was 3rd, McGee was 4th, with Larry Herring making a last lap pass to finish 5th.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 20 lap Steffes Late Models, with Brandon Queen and Jeff Guengerich on the front row for the event. Guengerich would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Sam Halstead and Queen. While Guengerich set a fast pace out front, Tommy Elston, who started 5th, worked himself into the runner up spot on lap 3. Elston then went to work into cutting into Guengerich’s lead. But without a caution to slow the action, and even with Guengerich having to maneuver some lapped cars, Elston would run out of time. As Guengerich held on to claim his first win of the season at the track. Elston settled for 2nd, Ron Boyse was 3rd, Halstead was 4th, with Queen coming home in 5th.
Coming up next Friday, August 24th at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway will be “Throwback” Season Championship Night, presented by Shottenkirk. In action to determine the 2018 track champions will be the Steffes Late Models, Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Discount Tire & Service IMCA SportMods, and Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts. A regular points invert will be used in all classes.
Gates will open at 5:30 PM, hot laps at 7 PM, and racing at 7:30 PM. Grandstand admission will be $3 for all ages 11 and up, with kids 10 & under FREE!! Pit passes are $20, age (7-13) $15, ages (4-6) $10, and ages (3 & under) $3.
For more information about the Pepsi 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
Pepsi Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, August 17, 2018 – Midwest Performance & Power and Wilson Brothers BBQ Night
Sprint Invaders
A-Feature: 1. Randy Martin, California, MO; 2. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL; 3. Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 4. Jarrod Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA; 5. Dustin Clark, Agency, IA; 6. Brayden Gaylord, Wever, IA; 7. Ben Wagoner, Emden, IL; 8. Justin Buchholz, Davenport, IA; 9. Rob Weuve, Oakland Acres, IA; 10. Brady Barker, New Berlin, IL; 11. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, IA; 12. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 13. Harold Pohren, Lowell, IA; 14. Bailey Goldesberry, Springfield, IL; 15. McKenna Haase, Des Moines, IA; 16. John Schulz, West Burlington, IA; 17. Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA; 18. Dave Getchell, Sperry, IA; 19. Damian Getchell, Sperry, IA; 20. Evan Martin, Lohman, MO
B-Feature: (Top 4 to A) 1. Justin Buchholz; 2. Ben Wagoner; 3. Daniel Bergquist; 4. Dugan Thye; 5. Joey Laue, Morning Sun, IA; 6. John Greenwood, Woodward, IA; 7. Doug Sylvester, Ottumwa, IA; 8. Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington, IA (DNS); 9. Dave Keperling, Hannibal, MO (DNS) 10. Colten Fisher, Mediapolis, IA (DNS) 11. Matt Krieger, Burlington, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Damian Getchell; 2. Randy Martin; 3. Bailey Goldesberry; 4. John Schulz; 5. Brady Barker; 6. Harold Pohren; 7. Ben Wagoner; 8. John Greenwood; 9. Dave Keperling, Hannibal, MO (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. Cody Wehrle; 2. McKenna Haase; 3. Dustin Clark; 4. Rob Weuve; 5. Dave Getchell; 6. Justin Buchholz; 7. Joey Laue; 8. Doug Sylvester; 9. Colten Fisher, Mediapolis, IA
Heat 3: 1. Jon Agan; 2. Evan Martin; 3. Paul Nienhiser; 4. Brayden Gaylord; 5. Jarrod Schneiderman; 6. Daniel Bergquist; 7. Dugan Thye; 8. Tanner Gebhardt; 9. Matt Krieger (DNS)
Shake-up Dash: 1. Jon Agan; 2. Randy Martin; 3. Cody Wehrle; 4. Damian Getchell; 5. Dustin Clark; 6. Evan Martin (DNS)
Steffes Late Models
A-Feature: 1. Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 2. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 3. Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 4. Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 5. Brandon Queen, Keokuk, IA; 6. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL
Heat: 1. Ron Boyse; 2. Tommy Elston; 3. Jeff Guengerich; 4. Sam Halstead; 5. Brandon Queen; 6. Darin Weisinger Jr.
Budweiser IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 2. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 3. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, IL; 4. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 5. Larry Herring, Lone Tree, IA; 6. Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 7. Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 8. Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO
Heat: 1. Jeff Waterman; 2. Dennis LaVeine; 3. Dean McGee; 4. Larry Herring; 5. Bill Roberts Jr.; 6. Jardin Fuller; 7. Dakota Simmons; 8. Mitch Boles
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 2. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 4. Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 5. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 6. Cody McClure, Bloomfield, IA; 7. Scott Jordan, Wapello, IA; 8. Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 9. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA
Heat: 1. John Oliver Jr.; 2. Abe Huls; 3. Kevin Koontz; 4. Jeremy Pundt; 5. Cody McClure; 6. Chad Krogmeier; 7. Jason Cook; 8. Beau Taylor; 9. Scott Jordan
Discount Tire & Service IMCA SportMods
A-Feature: 1. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 2. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 3. Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 4. Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 5. Jeff Frana, Ottumwa, IA; 6. Jim Powell, Hannibal, MO; 7. Rick Kruger, Sigourney, IA; 8. Doug Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 9. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 10. Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 11. Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 12. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 13. Steven Berry, Ottumwa, IA; 14. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk, IA
Heat 1: 1. Austen Becerra; 2. Sean Wyett; 3. Jeff Frana; 4. Jim Powell; 5. Steven Berry; 6. Doug Bergheger; 7. Brian Bergheger
Heat 2: 1. Brandon Dale; 2. Adam Birck; 3. Daniel Fellows; 4. Bob Cowman; 5. Brandon Symmonds; 6. Kyle Hamelton; 7. Rick Kruger
Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Jake Dietrich, Keokuk, IA; 2. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 4. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. Mike Reu, Donnellson, IA; 6. Aaron Berry, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 7. Matt Milligan, Cedar Rapids, IA; 8. Cody Bowman, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. Robert Sturms, Burlington, IA; 10. Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 11. Kegan Birck, Canton, MO; 12. Jacob Houston, Burlington, IA; 13. David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 14. Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA
Heat 1: 1. Jacob Houston; 2. Brandon Reu; 3. Jason Ash; 4. Barry Taft; 5. Robert Sturms; 6. Cody Bowman; 7. David Prim
Heat 2: 1. Mike Reu; 2. Kimberly Abbott; 3. Jake Dietrich; 4. Aaron Berry; 5. Adam Christy; 6. Matt Milligan; 7. Kegan Birck
Category: Iowa
