Oliver Jr. Scores Two Wins at the Lee County Speedway
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, May 26, 2017) – Heavy rains developed on the radar to the south, west, and north of the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa around the lunch hour. But for a change the rains would move around the track to allow the first stop by the Shottenkirk.com Sprint Invaders to go on under a beautiful night for racing. Helping to bring this weeks Friday night action was Midwest Performance & Power out of Keokuk, Iowa and Donnellson Tire & Service out of Donnellson, Iowa.
Twenty Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts were set to take to the track first for their 15 lap feature, with Kenny Smith and David Prim making up the front row. But it was third place starter Daniel Fellows who grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Brandon Lambert, who started 6th, and Smith. While Fellows worked the bottom of the track, Lambert worked the top of the track. Lambert would use the momentum off the top of turn 4 on lap 5 to grab the top spot away from Fellows. Fellows then tried to work back under Lambert over the final 10 laps, but Lambert would hold him off in a caution free race to claim his first win of the season at the track. Fellows settled for 2nd, Mike Reu was 3rd, Brandon Reu was 4th after starting in 7th, with Kimberly Abbott coming from 9th to round out the top 5.
Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Shane Paris and Jim Redmann leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Redmann took advantage of his starting spot to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Dean Kratzer and Paris. The two and even three wide action was slowed for the first and only time of the race on lap 5, as Kevin Koontz got sideways in turn 3 and Austin Kemper had no where to go and collided with him to come to a stop in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Redmann moved back out front, with Jason Cook, who started 6th, and Kratzer close behind. Cook slipped under Redmann to take over the top spot on lap 7, as John Oliver Jr., who started 9th, worked his way into the battle. The side-by-side battle for the lead between Cook and Oliver Jr. went on over the next 7 laps, before Oliver Jr. used the momentum off the top of track coming out of turn 4 to grab the lead on lap 15. But Cook looked under Oliver Jr. over the final 3 laps, only to have Oliver Jr. hold him off at the line to pick up his second win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Cook was 2nd, Paris was 3rd, Jeremy Pundt started 7th and finished 4th, with Redmann holding on for 5th.
Nate Van Haaften and Jamie Ball led the field to green in the 25 lap Shottenkirk.com Sprint Invaders feature, with Ball grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Chris Martin and Van Haaften. Ball then started to stretch out his lead, even entering lapped traffic on lap 6, when the first and only caution of the event slowed him down on lap 8. Donnie Steward clipped a tire in turn 2 and spun with a broke front end to bring out the yellow. On the restart Ball moved back out front, with Terry McCarl, who started 6th, slipping under Chris Martin to take over the runner up spot. Chris Martin would slip back by McCarl for second one lap later, lap 10. With the battle for second going on, this allowed Ball to start to pull away. Ball once again entered lapped traffic on lap 14, which allowed Chris Martin and McCarl to close in on his back bumper. Chris Martin was able to get the lead away from Ball coming out of turn 2 on lap 17. But he drifted high going into turn 3 and allowed Ball to keep the lead, with McCarl following into second. Ball looked to be strong enough to hold off McCarl, until he drifted high coming off turn 4 to complete lap 22. This would allow McCarl to shoot under him for the lead, that he wouldn’t give up over the final 3 laps. Ball settled for 2nd, Chris Martin was 3rd, Randy Martin was 4th after starting in 7th, with Jon Agan coming from 8th to finish 5th.
The 20 lap Steffes UMP Pro Late Model feature was up next, with Tommy Elston and Sam Halstead drawing the front row. Elston would take advantage of his draw to move out front on lap 1 over Halstead and Jeff Guengerich. Just as Elston started to pull away, the first caution of the race appeared on lap 8. Chase Frank spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Elston jumped back out front, with Guengerich over taking Halstead for second. Another lap in the books produced another caution, as Brandon Savage spun in turn 1 on lap 9 to bring out the yellow. Elston once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Guengerich and Denny Woodworth, who started 7th, slipping past Halstead for third. The action up front was slowed for the third and final time on lap 12, when Todd Frank spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Elston moved back out front, with Guengerich and Woodworth close behind. Guengerich tried to keep pace with Elston over the final 8 laps, as Woodworth and Halstead battled for third. But Elston was to strong on this night, as he went on to score his first win of the season at the track. Guengerich was 2nd, Halstead won the battle for 3rd, Woodworth was 4th, with Todd Frank recovering from his spin on lap 12 to come back up to finish in 5th.
Dave Kraus and John Oliver Jr. made up the front row for the 18 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMod feature, with Oliver Jr. grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Kyle Hill and Brandon Dale. Oliver Jr. then started to pull away from the battle behind him, when the first and only caution slowed him down on lap 7. Austen Becerra would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. moved back out front, with Hill working to hold off Tony Dunker, who started 9th, for second. Dunker was able to work himself into second on lap 10, and then went to work into cutting into Oliver Jr.’s lead. But without a caution to help him there was no catching Oliver Jr. on this night, as he went on to score his first SportMod feature win at the track and the second of the night. Dunker was 2nd, Brandon Lennox started 6th and finished 3rd, Logan Anderson came from 8th to finish 4th, with Jim Gillenwater coming home in 5th.
The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, with twenty of the twenty-one cars signed in set for the green. Dugan Thye and Steve Stewart led the field to the start, but it was fifth place starter Michael Long who edged out Stewart at the line to lead lap 1. Just after the completion of lap 1, Larry McConnell spun in turn 2 and collected Mitch Boles and Kyle Madden to bring out the first and only caution of the race. On the restart Long jumped back out front, with Hunter Marriott, who started 8th, over taking Stewart for the runner up spot. Marriott tried to work under and even tried to look high through lapped traffic late in the race to get past Long. But Long was able to hold him off to pick up his first win of the season at the track. Marriott was 2nd, Colby Springsteen finished 3rd after starting in 6th, Brandon Banks came from 10th to finish in 4th, with Jarrett Brown passing 8 cars from his 13th place starting spot to round out the top 5.
Coming up next Friday, June 2nd will be Floyd’s E-Z Way and Fleck Sales Night. The Lucas Oil MLRA Late Models will make their second and final stop at the track this year, with $3,000 awaiting the winner. Also in action on the night will be the Budweiser IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods, and Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts.
Gates will open at 5 PM, hot laps at 6:45 PM, and racing at 7:15 PM. Grandstand admission will be adults $20, seniors (60+) $18, students (11-17) $12, and kids 10 & under FREE!! Pit passes are $30, age 7-13 $20, ages 4-6 $10, and ages 3 & under $3.
For more information about the Lee County Speedway you can visit their website page at www.leecountyspeedway.com, like them on Facebook, or call Mike Van Genderen at 641-521-0330.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Lee County Speedway, Donnellson, Iowa
Friday, May 26 2017 – Midwest Performance and Donnellson Tire & Service Night
Shottenkirk.com Sprint Invaders
A-Feature: 1. Terry McCarl, Altoona, IA; 2. Jamie Ball, Knoxville, IA; 3. Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA; 4. Randy Martin, California, MO; 5. Jon Agan, Knoxville, IA; 6. Jarrod Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA; 7. Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington, IA; 8. Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis, IA; 9. Ben Wagoner, Emden, IL; 10. Evan Martin, Lohman, MO; 11. Harold Pohren, Lowell, IA; 12. Justin Buchholz, Davenport, IA; 13. Nate Van Haaften, Otley, IA; 14. McKenna Haase, Des Moines, IA; 15. Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 16. Andy Krieger, Burlington, IA; 17. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, IA; 18. Dave Getchell, Sperry, IA; 19. Brayden Gaylord, Wever, IA; 20. Donnie Steward, West Burlington, IA; DNS – 99, John Schulz, West Burlington, IA
B-Feature: 1. Donnie Steward; 2. Brayden Gaylord; 3. Dave Getchell; 4. Justin Buchholz; 5. Daniel Bergquist; 6. Andy Krieger; 7. Hunter Lane, Milo, IA; 8. Tanner Gebhart, Burlington, IA; 9. Damian Getchell, Sperry, IA; 10. Rob Weuve, Oakland Acres, IA; 11. John Greenwood, Woodward, IA; 12. Tyler Groenendyk, Oskaloosa, IA (DNS)
Shake-up Dash: 1. Terry McCarl; 2. Nate Van Haaften; 3. Jamie Ball; 4. Harold Pohren; 5. Chris Martin; 6. Evan Martin
Heat 1: 1. Terry McCarl; 2. Jamie Ball; 3. Randy Martin; 4. Josh Schneiderman; 5. Ben Wagoner; 6. Donnie Steward; 7. Justin Buchholz; 8. Damian Getchell; 9. 19, Rob Weuve
Heat 2: 1. Evan Martin; 2. Chris Martin; 3. Jon Agan; 4. John Schulz; 5. Cody Wehrle; 6. Brayden Gaylord; 7. Daniel Bergquist; 8. John Greenwood; 9. 17, Tyler Groenendyk
Heat 3: 1. Nate Van Haaften; 2. Harold Pohren; 3. Ryan Jamison; 4. Jarrod Schneiderman; 5. McKenna Haase; 6. Hunter Lane; 7. Tanner Gebhart; 8. Dave Getchell; 9. Andy Krieger
Steffes UMP Pro Late Models
A-Feature: 1. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 2. Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 3. Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 4. Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 5. Todd Frank, Montrose, IA; 6. Matt Strassheim, Yarmouth, IA; 7. Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 8. Gunner Frank, Montrose, IA; 9. Brian Crebo, Hannah City, IL; 10. Chase Frank, Montrose, IA; 11. Brandon Ruffcorn, Donnellson, IA
Heat 1: 1. Tommy Elston; 2. Jeff Guengerich; 3. Sam Halstead; 4. Dennis Woodworth; 5. Todd Frank
Heat 2: 1. Gunner Frank; 2. Matt Strassheim; 3. Brian Crebo; 4. Brandon Savage; 5. Chase Frank; 6. Brandon Ruffcorn
Budweiser IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. Hunter Marriott, Brookfield, MO; 3. Colby Springsteen, Wapello, IA; 4. Brandon Banks, Washington, IA; 5. Jarrett Brown, Ainsworth, IA; 6. Steve Stewart, Burlington, IA; 7. Derrick Stewart, Ainsworth, IA; 8. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 9. Mitch Morris, Long Grove, IA; 10. Dakota Simmons, Douds, IA; 11. Troy Cordes, Dunkerton, IA; 12. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 13. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 14. Craig Spegal, New London, MO; 15. Blake Woodruff, Galesburg, IL; 16. Larry McConnell, Burlington, IA; 17. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 18. Bryan Wonick, Iowa City, IA; 19. Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 20. Kyle Madden, Oxford, IA; 21. Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Michael Long; 2. Dean McGee; 3. Dugan Thye; 4. Troy Cordes; 5. Jarrett Brown; 6. Mitch Boles; 7. Bill Roberts Jr.
Heat 2: 1. Hunter Marriott; 2. Derrick Stewart; 3. Steve Stewart; 4. Mitch Morris; 5. Craig Spegal; 6. Dennis LaVeine; 7. Jardin Fuller
Heat 3: 1. Colby Springsteen; 2. Brandon Banks; 3. Dakota Simmons; 4. Larry McConnell; 5. Kyle Madden; 6. Blake Woodruff; 7. Bryan Wonick
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 3. Shane Paris, Muscatine, IA; 4. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 5. Jim Redmann, Lockridge, IA; 6. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 7. Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA; 8. Jason See, Albia, IA; 9. Dustin Griffiths, Hedrick, IA; 10. Corey Strothman, Mt. Union, IA; 11. Scott Jordan, Wapello, IA; 12. Cody Washburne, New London, IA; 13. Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 14. Austin Kemper, Wapello, IA; 15. Derek Kirkland, Centerville, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Jim Redmann; 2. Shane Paris; 3. Jeremy Pundt; 4. Dean Kratzer; 5. Jason Cook; 6. Cody Washburne; 7. Jason See; 8. Derek Kirkland
Heat 2: 1. John Oliver Jr.; 2. Dustin Griffiths; 3. Corey Strothman; 4. Abe Huls; 5. Austin Kemper; 6. Scott Jordan; 7. Kevin Koontz
Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA SportMods
A-Feature: 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. Tony Dunker, Quincy, IL; 3. Brandon Lennox, New London, MO; 4. Logan Anderson, Eddyville, IA; 5. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 6. Jake Morris, McCausland, IA; 7. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 8. Kyle Hill, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 9. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 10. Dave Kraus, Keokuk, IA; 11. Shaun Slaughter, Iowa City, IA; 12. Dan Keltner, Grandview, IA; 13. Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 14. Andrew Burk, Donahue, IA
Heat 1: 1. Brandon Dale; 2. Brandon Lennox; 3. Logan Anderson; 4. Andrew Burk; 5. Dave Kraus; 6. Shaun Slaughter; 7. Bob Cowman
Heat 2: 1. John Oliver Jr.; 2. Kyle Hill; 3. Tony Dunker; 4. Jim Gillenwater; 5. Dan Keltner; 6. Jake Morris; 7. Austen Becerra
Armstrong Tractor IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 2. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA; 3. Mike Reu, Donnellson, IA; 4. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 5. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 6. Travis DeMint, Warsaw, IL; 7. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 8. Brandon Housley, Ottumwa, IA; 9. Kenny Smith, Donnellson, IA; 10. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. Levi Heath, Wilton, IA; 12. Darin Smith, Wapello, IA; 13. Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 14. James Roose, Grandview, IA; 15. William Michel, Muscatine, IA; 16. Renny McCarty, Farmington, IA; 17. Seth Keiser, Fruitland, IA; 18. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 19. David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 20. Alex Hayes, Iowa City, IA
Heat 1: 1. Travis DeMint; 2. David Prim; 3. Darin Smith; 4. Mike Reu; 5. Seth Keiser; 6. William Michel; 7. Josh Barnes
Heat 2: 1. Brandon Housley; 2. Brandon Reu; 3. Darin Weisinger Jr.; 4. Kimberly Abbott; 5. Levi Heath; 6. Mike Hornung Jr.; 7. James Roose
Heat 3: 1. Daniel Fellows; 2. Brandon Lambert; 3. Kenny Smith; 4. Alex Hayes; 5. Renny McCarty; 6. Barry Taft
Category: Iowa
