Elston, Becerra, and Wyett Top Final “Drive For 5” and “Drive For 3” Qualifying Events

 
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 5, 2022) – Even though it was a hot and humid night at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, everyone pushed thru to get another night of racing action put into the books. Which was the sixth and final qualifying round 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, KQ92, and Big Country 103.1. Plus the B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5”, presented by Kohlmorgan Hauling, Golden Eagle Distributing Co – Budweiser dealer, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, Hinkle Auto Sales, and JandJ Ag Auto & Truck. And the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3”, presented by TONUP Inc., Xpert Automotive & Sales, and Conrad Trucking Inc.. When the final checkered flag waved four repeat winner’s stood in victory lane, while one other driver claimed his first of the season at the track.

The first feature to take to the track was the 15 lap AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts, with Ethan Prim and Luke Fraise making up the front row. But it was sixth place starter Brandon Reu who quickly shot out to the front to lead lap 1 over Chandler Fullenkamp and Fraise. While Reu paced the field out front, ninth place starter Josh Barnes was working his way towards the front. On lap 7 Barnes slipped into the runner up spot and then went to work on Reu for the top spot. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 10, Barnes was able to slide under Reu to take over the lead. Barnes then held off several challenges from Reu over the final laps to go on to score his fourth win of the season at the track. Fullenkamp held on for 3rd, Adam Christy was 4th, with Kimberly Abbott rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the final “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, with Dennis Woodworth and Tommy Elston drawing the front row. Elston took advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Woodworth and Jacob Waterman. The field was slowed on lap 2, when Austin Townsend spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Elston jumped back out front, with Waterman and Nick Marolf, who started sixth, battling for the runner up spot. While Waterman and Marolf battled for second, this would allow Elston to start to pull away. The fast pace Elston was setting would put him into lapped traffic on lap 14, which allowed Marolf to start to close in on him. The battle for the lead was slowed for the second and final time of the race on lap 19, as debris in turn 4 brought out the yellow. Elston once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Marolf and Waterman trying to keep pace. But Elston was too strong on this night, as he claimed his fourth win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. The win was worth $1,250, as on top of the $1,000 top prize he was also awarded the Sunoco Race Fuels $250 bonus. Marolf settled for 2nd, Waterman was 3rd, Dalton Simonsen passed 11 cars from his 15th place starting spot to come home in 4th, with Jeff Guengerich holding on for 5th.

Austen Becerra and Jadin Fuller drew the front row for the final “Drive For 5” qualifying feature for the B&B Propane IMCA Modifieds, with Becerra edging out Fuller and Chris Zogg to lead lap 1. The action was slowed on lap 2, as Jesse Belez spun in turn 4 to bring out the only yellow of the race. On the restart Becerra jumped back out front, with Zogg and Matt Werner battling for the runner up spot.  Werner would clear Zogg to take sole possession of second on lap 4, and then went to work on Becerra for the top spot. Meanwhile Denny Eckrich, who started 13th, was charging his way towards the front. Becerra would enter lapped traffic on lap 13, and would use some of that traffic to pull away from Werner over the final laps to claim his fifth win of the season at the track. Eckrich came home in 3rd, Mark Burgtorf was 4th, with Zogg coming home in 5th.

 

Up next was the Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature, with Eric Glass and Kevin Koontz leading the field to green. But just as the green flag was waved the yellow light would come on, as Koontz got sideways in turn 2 to bring out the only caution of the race. This would move Jeremy Pundt to the outside of the front row for the restart, and he took advantage of that move to lead lap 1 over David Brandies and Jason Cook. The lead for Pundt lasted until lap 3, when Brandies got by for the top spot. While Brandies set a quick pace out front, eighth place starter John Oliver Jr. and Beau Taylor, who started 7th, joined Cook in the battle for the runner up spot. Without a caution to bunch the field up there was catching Brandies on this night, as he claimed his second win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Oliver Jr. was 2nd, Taylor was 3rd, Josh Foster came from 9th to finish in 5th, with Cook completing the top 5.

The final feature to take to the track was the 20 lap Discount Tire & Services “Drive For 3” qualifying race for the IMCA Northern SportMods. Brandon Savage and Brandon Symmonds led the field to the drop of the green flag, with Savage grabbing the lead on lap 1 over Sean Wyett and Dylan Van Wyk. The action was slowed on lap 3, when Bob Cowman got sideways in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Savage jumped back out front, with Van Wyk and Wyett close behind. Van Wyk challenged Savage for the top spot over the next 3 laps, when another caution slowed the action on lap 7. This time Brandt Ames spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Symmonds spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Savage jump back out front, with Van Wyk and Wyett still glued to his back bumper. Wyett would slide past Savage on lap 10 to grab the lead away, and then was slowed on lap 11. Nathan Bringer, who started 14th and was running 6th, spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Matt Tucker spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. The following restart saw Wyett jump back out front, with John Oliver Jr., who started 6th, overtaking Van Wyk and Savage for second. Disaster would strike Savage on lap 14, when he spun in turn 2 to bring out the final caution of the race. Wyett moved back out front on the restart, with Oliver Jr., Van Wyk, and Adam Birck, who started 11th, battling for the runner up spot. Oliver Jr. made a last lap challenge on Wyett, but Wyett was able to hold him off to claim his first win of the season at the track. Birck came home in 3rd, Van Wyk was 4th, with Brandon Lambert finishing 5th after starting in 16th.

The Lee County Speedway will sit idle next Friday, August 12th, and will return to action Friday, August 19th. Which will be the B&B Propane IMCA Modified “Drive For 5” Finale, presented by Kohlmorgan Hauling, Golden Eagle Distributing Co – Budweiser dealer, Mike Campbell’s Body Shop & Towing, Donnellson Tire & Service, Hinkle Auto Sales, and JandJ Ag Auto & Truck. And the Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMod “Drive For 3” Finale, presented by TONUP Inc., Xpert Automotive & Sales, and Conrad Trucking Inc.. The IMCA Modified feature will pay $2,000 to win and $200 to start for any Modified racer, even if you haven’t qualified for a chance at $5,000. While the IMCA Northern SportMods will battle for $1,000 to win and $100 to start for any SportMod racer, even if you haven’t qualified for a chance at $3,000. Also in action will be the Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, and AVIS Car Rental Sport Compacts.

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 $35, ages (7-13) $20, ages (4-6) $10, and ages (3 & under) $5.

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, August 5, 2022 – “Drive For 5” and “Drive For 3” Qualifier

Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 2. 33-Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 3. 10-Jacob Waterman, Colona, IL; 4. 60-Dalton Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 5. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 6. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 7. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 8. 17-Tim Simpson, Iowa City, IA; 9. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 10. 13JR-Colton Leal, Dubuque, IA; 11. 84-Sam Halstead, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA; 13. 12-Ron Klein, Sherrill, IA; 14. 93-Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA; 15. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 16. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 17. 25-Austin Townsend, Bloomfield, IA

Heat 1: 1. 33-Nick Marolf; 2. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 3. 12-Ron Klein; 4. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 5. 01-CJ Horn; 6. 84-Sam Halstead

Heat 2: 1. 10-Jacob Waterman; 2. 17-Tim Simpson; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 5. 07-Ray Raker; 6. 25-Austin Townsend

Heat 3: 1. 54-Tommy Elston; 2. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 3. 93-Jay Johnson; 4. 13JR-Colton Leal; 5. 60-Dalton Simonsen

B&B Propane IMCA Modifieds

A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 93-Matt Werner, Geneseo, IL; 3. 50-Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, IA; 4. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5. 9Z-Chris Zogg, New Liberty, IA; 6. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 7. 33F-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 8. 81-Jesse Belez, Marengo, IA; 9. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 10. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 11. 19J-Levi Smith, Donnellson, IA; 12. 1A-Donovan Lodge, Andover, IL; 13. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 14. 51-Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 15. 26J-Jardin Fuller, Memphis, MO

Heat 1: 1. 93-Matt Werner; 2. 22-Austen Becerra; 3. 33F-Jadin Fuller; 4. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 5. 1A-Donovan Lodge; 6. 81-Jesse Belez; 7. 51-Michael Benjamin; 8. 50-Denny Eckrich

Heat 2: 1. 9Z-Chris Zogg; 2. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 3. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 4. 4B-Mitch Boles; 5. 26J-Jardin Fuller; 6. 2R-Fisher Reese; 7. 19J-Levi Smith

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1. 71-David Brandies, Wilton, IA; 2. 05JR-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3. 13-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 4. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 5. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 6. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 8. 35G-Eric Glass, Memphis, MO; 9. 43-Kevin Koontz, Memphis, MO; 10. 922-Tyler Moore, Lockridge, IA; 11. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 12. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL

Heat 1: 1. 71-David Brandies; 2. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 3. 77-Josh Foster; 4. 13-Beau Taylor; 5. 43-Kevin Koontz; 6. 82-Peter Stodgel

Heat 2: 1. 05JR-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 3D-Jason Cook; 3. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 4. 922-Tyler Moore; 5. 35G-Eric Glass; 6. 06-Jerry Jansen

Discount Tire & Services IMCA Northern SportMods

A-Feature: 1. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 2. 557-John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 3. 112-Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 4. 117-Dylan Van Wyk, Oskaloosa, IA; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 6. 69-Kelly Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 7. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 8. 10-Trayton Buckallew, Memphis, MO; 9. 68-Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk, IA; 10. 14-Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 11. 57-Brandt Ames, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 12. 03-Rob Wilsey, Keokuk, IA; 13. 47S-Brandon Savage, Canton, MO; 14. 79-Nathan Bringer, Lewistown, MO; 15. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 16. 77F-John Rockwood, Moulton, IA; 17. 2A-Chris Archer, Moulton, IA; 18. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 19. 1X-Rex Widmer, Keokuk, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1. 47S-Brandon Savage; 2. 68-Brandon Symmonds; 3. 14-Bob Cowman; 4. 03-Rob Wilsey; 5. 1X-Rex Widmer; 6. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 7. 2A-Chris Archer (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 117-Dylan Van Wyk; 2. 12S-Sean Wyett; 3. 112-Adam Birck; 4. 69-Kelly Buckallew; 5. 79-Nathan Bringer; 6. 77F-John Rockwood

Heat 3: 1. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 2. 557-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 00-Matt Tucker; 4. 10-Trayton Buckallew; 5. 57-Brandt Ames; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater

AVIS Car Rental IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 4. 3A-Adam Christy, Ft. Madison, IA; 5. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 6. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 7. 48-David Helenthal, Keokuk, IA; 8. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 9. 94X-Justin Stevenson, Burlington, IA; 10. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 11. 24A-Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1. 27-Brandon Reu; 2. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 48-David Helenthal; 5. 11E-Ethan Prim; 6. 94X-Justin Stevenson (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 3A-Adam Christy; 4. 9-Luke Fraise; 5. 24A-Ashton Blain

Category: Iowa