Griffin Returns to the Driver’s Seat to Claim the IMCA Late Model Feature at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway
Griffin Dustin IMCA Late Model
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, July 24, 2020) – The racing action on Friday, July 24th at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa was just as hot as the temperatures outside. As a smooth and dry slick racing surface helped to produce some great two and three wide racing, which was brought to you by Darkside Tint & Graphix and Coal Haus 337. At the end of the night two driver’s claimed their first wins of the season at the track, while four others remained red hot.
Up first on the night was the 20 lap IMRA Midget feature, with Brian Stanfill and Bart Andrews drawing the front row. Stanfill used his draw to his advantage to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Andrews and Brent Burrows. While Stanfill paced the field out front, Andy Baugh, who had troubles in his heat race and had to start 14th in the feature, was working his way towards the front. On lap 8 Baugh was able to over take Burrows for the runner up spot, and then went to work on chasing down Stanfill for the top spot. Baugh got the help he was looking for when Will Armitage spun in turn 2 on lap 11 to bring out the yellow, and bunched the field up for the restart. On the restart Stanfill moved back out front, with Baugh and Burrows close behind. Just after the lap was scored complete the red would come on, as Kevin Battefeld, who was running 4th, got upside down in turn 4. He would climb from his car okay. Stanfill once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Baugh and Burrows following. Baugh tried to keep pace with Stanfill over the final laps, but Stanfill was too strong on this night. As he held on to claim his first win of the season at the track. Baugh was 2nd, Burrows was 3rd, Kevin Douglas came from 8th to 4th, with Jacob Sollenberger finishing 5th after starting in 10th.
Josh Barnes and Kaycee McGregor led the field to green in the 15 lap Discount Tire and Service IMCA Sport Compact feature, with Barnes grabbing the lead on lap 1 over McGregor and Jared Heule. While Barnes set the pace out front Jason Ash, who started 7th, and Brandon Reu, who started 11th, were working their way towards the front. The action up front was slowed on lap 6, when Braeden Barlow spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Barnes jumped back out front, with Heule, Ash and Reu battling for the runner up spot. The second caution of the race appeared on lap 10, when Robert Sturms lost a right rear tire coming off turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Barnes once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Ash over taking Heule for second. Heule’s run up front came to an end on lap 13, as he slowed to a stop in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Quinton Shelton got into McGregor and she would spin down the frontstretch to bring the yellow light back on. Barnes, who was running the middle of the track, and Ash, who was running the top, raced around the 3/8th mile track side-by-side over the final two laps, with Ash edging out Barnes at the line by inches to pick up his third win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Chuck Fullenkamp came from 10th to finish 3rd, Kimberly Abbott started 9th and finished 4th, with Reu rounding out the top 5.
The 20 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA Late Model feature was up next, with Dustin Griffin and Matt Strassheim making up the front row for the event. Griffin would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Nick Marolf and Mark Burgtorf. Marolf tried to keep pace with Griffin over the entire race. But without a caution there was no catching Griffin, as he pulled away to claim his first win of the season at the track. It was also Griffin’s first win in three years, as he has sat out of racing. The win was worth $850 thanks to the Sunoco Racing Fuel bonus. Marolf settled for 2nd, Burgtorf was 3rd, Tommy Elston was 4th, with Denny Woodworth coming from 9th to finish 5th.
Nicholas Profeta and Bobby Six led the field to green in the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMod feature. Just as the green flag was waved the caution light would come on, as Brian Bergheger spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the original restart Profeta edged out Six at the line to lead lap 1. After the lap was scored complete, Bergheger spun in turn 3 to bring out his second caution to end his night. Tanner Klingele, who was working the top of the track, swept around Profeta and Six on the restart to grab the lead. On lap 5 Klingele moved down the track a groove, which allowed Austen Becerra, who started 8th, to use the high line to grab the top spot. Then just after the lap was scored complete Logan Cumby spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. Disaster would strike Six on the restart, as Powell got into him and spun him in turn 2. which collected Barry Taft, Jim Walker and Kyle Hamelton to bring the yellow light back on. Becerra jumped back out front on the next restart, with Brandon Dale, who started 12th, over taking Klingele for second. The fifth and final caution of the race appeared after lap 6 was scored complete, as Profeta spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Once again Becerra grabbed the lead on the restart, with Dale and Klingele following. Despite lapped traffic late in the race, there was no challenging Becerra who went on to win his second in a row and fifth of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Dale was 2nd, Klingele was 3rd, Adam Birck came from 10th to finish 4th, with Powell coming back to 5th.
Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Beau Taylor and Jerry Jansen making up the front row. But it was third place starter Jermey Pundt who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Taylor and Jason Cook. While Pundt, who was working the bottom of the track, set the pace out front, Taylor, Cook and John Oliver Jr. raced two and three wide for the runner up spot. Oliver Jr. was able to take control of the runner up spot on lap 8, and then went to work on Pundt for the lead. Pundt and Oliver Jr. crossed the finish line side-by-side on lap 12, with Pundt still scored the leader. But coming off turn 2 Oliver Jr. was able to clear Pundt to take command of the race on lap 13. From there Oliver Jr. would pull away to pick up his second win in a row and third overall at the track. Pundt was 2nd, Cook was 3rd, Taylor was 4th, with Jansen coming home in 5th.
The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds, with Todd Bates and Daniel Fellows leading the field to green. Fellows used his front row starting spot to his advantage, as he led lap 1 over Michael Long and Dennis LeVeine. The lead for Fellows lasted for one lap, as Long raced past him for the top spot on lap 2. The action was slowed on lap 4, when Levi Smith spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Mark Burgtorf and Bill Roberts Jr. got together in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Long jump back out front, with LaVeine and Jeff Waterman following. Without a caution over the final 15 laps to bunch the field up, there was no catching Long on this night. As he pulled away to claim his fifth win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. LaVeine was 2nd, Roberts Jr. recovered from the lap 4 caution to come back up to finish 3rd, Burgtorf also recovered from the lap 4 caution to come back up to finish 4th, with Waterman rounding out the top 5.
The Pepsi Lee County Speedway will be off Friday, instead they will be in action next Saturday, August 1st. It will be the fourth qualifying night for the Shottenkirk Parts Express “Drive For 5”, presented by Ideal Ready Mix, Floyd’s Waste Systems, J.J. Nichting Company Case IH, Woodworth Attorney at Law, Triple Seven Trucking, Triple R Performance Engines, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1, for the IMCA Late Models. Also on the card will be Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center SportMods, Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts, and IMRA Midgets. All classes will be draw / redraw, with IMCA National, State, Regional, and Rookie points being awarded. No track points will be awarded on this night.
Gates open at 4:30 PM, Hot Laps at 6 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission will be Adults $10, Seniors (60+) $9, Students (11-17) and Veterans $5, and Kids 10 & under FREE! Pit passes will be $30, ages (7-13) $20, ages (4-6) $10, and ages (3 & under) $5.
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, July 24, 2020 – Darkside Tint & Graphix and Coal Haus 337 Night
Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA Late Models
A-Feature: 1. Dustin Griffin, Quincy, IL; 2. Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 3. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 4. Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 5. Denny Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 6. Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 7. CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 8. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 9. Ray Raker, Burlington, IA; 10. Frank Mason, Cedar Rapids, IA; 11. Matt Strassheim, Yarmouth, IA
Heat 1: 1. Matt Strassheim; 2. Darin Weisinger Jr.; 3. Tommy Elston; 4. Dustin Griffin; 5. Ron Boyse; 6. Frank Mason
Heat 2: 1. Dennis Woodworth; 2. Mark Burgtorf; 3. Nick Marolf; 4. CJ Horn; 5. Ray Raker
Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. Michael Long, Fowler, IL; 2. Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 3. Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 4. Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5. Jeff Waterman, LaGrange, MO; 6. Todd Bates, Canton, IL; 7. Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 8. Chad Giberson, Richland, IA; 9. Daniel Fellows, Keokuk, IA
Heat: 1. Todd Bates; 2. Daniel Fellows; 3. Mark Burgtorf; 4. Michael Long; 5. Jeff Waterman; 6. Dennis LaVeine; 7. Bill Roberts Jr.; 8. Chad Giberson; 9. Levi Smith
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 3. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 4. Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 5. Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 6. Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. Neal Kohlmorgan, Hamilton, IL; 8. Kyle Boyd, Ottumwa, IA
Heat: 1. Jeremy Pundt; 2. Beau Taylor; 3. John Oliver Jr.; 4. Jason Cook; 5. Jerry Jansen; 6. Chad Krogmeier; 7. Kyle Boyd; 8. Neal Kohlmorgan
Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods
A-Feature: 1. Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 2. Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 3. Tanner Klingele, Quincy, IL; 4. Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 5. Jim Powell, Hannibal, MO; 6. AJ Tournear, Quincy, IL; 7. Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 8. Derek Goble, Burlington, IA; 9. Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 10. Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 11. Jace Morrow, Memphis, MO; 12. Bobby Six, Warsaw, IA; 13. Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 14. Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 15. Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 16. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 17. Joe Roller, Morning Sun, IA (DNS); 18. Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Austen Becerra; 2. Bobby Six; 3. Tanner Klingele; 4. Nicholas Profeta; 5. AJ Tournear; 6. Logan Cumby; 7. Jim Walker; 8. Brian Bergheger; 9. Bob Cowman (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. Adam Birck; 2. Barry Taft; 3. Derek Goble; 4. Jim Powell; 5. Tom Ruble; 6. Brandon Dale; 7. Kyle Hamelton; 8. Joe Roller; 9. Jace Morrow
IMRA Midgets
A-Feature: 1. Brian Stanfill, Bakersfield, CA; 2. Andy Baugh, Mason City, IL; 3. Brent Burrows, Lewistown, IL; 4. Kevin Douglas, Madison, WI; 5. Jacob Sollenberger, Canton, IL; 6. Bart Andrews, Ft. Madison, IA; 7. Chris Arian, Joilet, IL; 8. John Heitzman, San Jose, IL; 9. Russell Johnston, Monmouth, IL; 10. Cody Meyer, Canton, IL; 11. Kevin Battefeld, Havana, IL; 12. Will Armitage, Athens, IL; 13. Harrison Klevin, Marshall, WI; 14. Scott Koerner, Joilet, IL
Heat 1: 1. Brian Stanfill; 2. Kevin Battefeld; 3. Chris Arian; 4. Russell Johnston; 5. John Heitzman; 6. Scott Koerner; 7. Andy Baugh (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. Bart Andrews; 2. Will Armitage; 3. Brent Burrows; 4. Kevin Douglas; 5. Jacob Sollenberger; 6. Harrison Klevin; 7. Cody Meyer
Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 2. Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 3. Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 4. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 5. Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 6. Adam Christy, West Point, IA; 7. Quinton Shelton, Quincy, IL; 8. David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 9. Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 10. Zyan Triplett, Edina, MO; 11. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 12. Braeden Barlow, Keokuk, IA; 13. Wayne Noble, Wapello, IA; 14. Kaycee McGregor, Ft. Madison, IA; 15. Jared Heule, Keokuk, IA; 16. Aurora Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 17. Alyssa Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 18. Robert Sturms, Burlington, IA; 19. Brenna Schantz, Luray, MO; 20. Jeffrey DeLonjay, Quincy, IL (DNS; 21. Jaden DeLonjay, Quincy, IL (DNS); 22. Dylan Schantz, Luray, MO; 23. Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. Jason Ash; 2. Brandon Reu; 3. Jared Heule; 4. Aurora Dietrich; 5. Brenna Schantz; 6. Jaden DeLonjay; 7. Dylan Schantz; 8. Adam Christy
Heat 2: 1. Josh Barnes; 2. Kimberly Abbott; 3. Quinton Shelton; 4. Ashton Blain; 5. Wayne Noble; 6. Zyan Triplett; 7. Mike Hornung Jr.; 8. Braeden Barlow
Heat 3: 1. Chuck Fullenkamp; 2. Kaycee McGregor; 3. David Prim; 4. Jeffrey DeLonjay; 5. Robert Sturms; 6. Alyssa Dietrich; 7. Luke Fraise
Category: Iowa
