Oliver Jr. and Barnes Repeat at the Lee County Speedway
by Brian Neal
Donnellson, IA (Friday, July 14, 2023) – Mother nature tried to put a damper on Kohlmorgan Hauling FREE grandstand night, presented by Pilot Grove Savings Bank, at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa on Friday, July 14th. But somehow the heavy rains fell just north and south of the fairgrounds. A packed grandstands got to see some great racing action in all five classes, plus the Vintage Cars. After the final checkered flag waved at 9:38 PM five driver’s continued their winning ways during the 2023 season at the track.
First up was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMod feature, with Jim Gillenwater and Brandon Lambert making up the front row. Gillenwater took advantage of his starting spot and grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Logan Cumby and Lambert. While Gillenwater paced the field out front, John Oliver Jr., who started 8th, was quickly working his way towards the front. On lap 6 Oliver Jr. overtook Cumby for the runner up spot, and then went to work on trying to get the top spot away from Gillenwater. Oliver Jr. followed in Gillenwater’s tire tracks over the final laps waiting for him to make a mistake. But Gillenwater would hold him off in a caution free race to score his second win of the season at the track. Cumby was 3rd, Nicholas Profeta was 4th, with Brandon Dale coming from 9th to round out the top 5.
Up next was the 18 lap J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modified feature, with Matt Diaz and Mitch Boles leading the field to the green flag. But it was fourth place starter Blaine Webster who jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Boles and Diaz. Webster worked to hold off tenth place starter Austen Becerra over the next several laps. But on lap 8 Becerra would slip by for the top spot. With Becerra out front, Webster was working to hold back Denny Eckrich, who started 9th, for the runner up spot. A final restart on lap 17 allowed Eckrich to take over the runner up spot and make a last lap challenge on Becerra. But Becerra would edge him out for his seventh win of the season at the Lee County Speedway. Webster was 3rd, Mark Burgtorf was 4th, with Bill Roberts Jr. coming home in 5th.
Austin Schulte and Neal Kohlmorgan were scheduled to lead the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Car feature to green, but when Schulte elected to go to the rear this moved Peter Stogdel to the front row. Kohlmorgan used his starting spot to his advantage and grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Chad Krogmeier and Beau Taylor. Disaster would strike Kohlmorgan after the completion of lap 1, as he spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Krogmeier jumped out front over Derrick Agee, who started 8th, and Taylor. While Krogmeier worked to hold back Agee, John Oliver Jr., who started 10th, worked himself into the hunt for the top spot on lap 4. On lap 14 Oliver Jr. slipped under Agee for the runner up spot and then went to work on Krogmeier for the lead. Coming to the white flag Oliver Jr. got under Krogmeier for the top spot, and then held him off to claim his second win in a row and fourth of the season at the track. Agee was 3rd, Jason Cook came from 9th to finish 4th, with Jeremy Pundt finishing 5th.
Up next was the 15 lap Donnellson Tire & Service Sport Compact feature, with Blaine Lambert and Josh Barnes on the front row. Josh Barnes grabbed the lead on lap 1 over Luke Fraise and Dyllan Bonk. While Josh Barnes set the pace out front, Barry Taft, who started 8th, was working his way towards the front. On lap 9 Taft was finally able to break away from Bonk for the runner up spot. But without a late race caution to bunch the field up, there was no catching Josh Barnes who scored his second win in a row at the Lee County Speedway. Kimberly Abbott started 7th and finished 3rd, Chevy Barnes finished 4th after starting in 9th, with Fraise holding on for 5th.
The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 25 lap Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models, with Ray Raker and Ed Hollenback making up the front row. Raker would jump out into the lead on lap 1 over CJ Horn and Sean Johnson, and then held it until lap 3 when Horn slipped under him for the top spot. Johnson overtook Raker on lap 12 for the runner up spot, and then went to work on Horn for the top spot. Despite several challenges from Johnson over the final laps, Horn held on for his third win of the season at the track. Tommy Elston finished 3rd after starting in 7th, Andy Nezworski came from 10th to finish in 4th, with Dennis Woodworth coming home 5th.
Coming up next Saturday, July 22nd will be the sixth of seven qualifying rounds for 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, A.I.R.S. Cars, and Mini Hauler Trucks. IMCA national, state, regional and rookie points will be awarded, however no track points will be awarded except in the Mini Hauler Truck class. All classes will be draw / redraw.
Gates open at 4:30 PM, Hot Laps at 6:15 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.
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, July 14, 2023 – Kohlmorgan Hauling / Pilot Grove Savings Bank Night
Iowa Corn Growers Association IMCA Late Models
A-Feature: 1. 01-CJ Horn, Cedar Rapids, IA; 2. 8R-Sean Johnson, Independence, IA; 3. 54-Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4. 7-Andy Nezworski, Buffalo, IA; 5. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 6. 07-Ray Raker, Danville, IA; 7. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 8. 88-Evan Miller, Silvis, IL; 9. 84-Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 10. 7C-Christian Miles, Paloma, IL; 11. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 12. 45-Jason Oenning, Ursa, IL; 13. 15R-Jeff Guengerich, Washington, IA; 14. 77-Josh Foster, Fairfax, IA; 15. 13JR-Colton Leal, Dubuque, IA; 16. 39-Ed Hollenbeck, Burlington, IA
Heat 1: 1. 88-Evan Miller; 2. 07-Ray Raker; 3. 84-Sam Halstead; 4. 45DW-Dennis Woodworth; 5. 15R-Jeff Guengerich; 6. 11-Darin Weisinger Jr.; 7. 45-Jason Oenning; 8. 13JR-Colton Leal
Heat 2: 1. 54-Tommy Elston; 2. 8R-Sean Johnson; 3. 7-Andy Nezworski; 4. 01-CJ Horn; 5. 39-Ed Hollenbeck; 6. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 7. 7C-Christian Miles; 8. 77-Josh Foster
J&J AG Auto and Truck IMCA Modifieds
A-Feature: 1. 22-Austen Becerra, Carthage, IL; 2. 50-Denny Eckrich, Tiffin, IA; 3. 7-Blaine Webster, Ottumwa, IA; 4. 03B-Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr., Burlington, IA; 6. 26J-Jadin Fuller, Memphis, MO; 7. 28D-Matt Diaz, Quincy, IL; 8. 15RS-Reid Sammons, Kahoka, MO; 9. 4B-Mitch Boles, New London, IA; 10. 71-Dennis LaVeine, West Burlington, IA; 11. 46-Brian Reed, Palmyra, MO; 12. 2R-Fisher Reese, Memphis, MO; 13. 7X-Rex Widmer, Keokuk, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. 22-Austen Becerra; 2. 71-Dennis LaVeine; 3. 4B-Mitch Boles; 4. 26J-Jadin Fuller; 5. 7-Blaine Webster; 6. 46-Brian Reed; 7. 7X-Rex Widmer (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. 50-Denny Eckrich; 2. 5R-Bill Roberts Jr.; 3. 03B-Mark Burgtorf; 4. 2R-Fisher Reese; 5. 28D-Matt Diaz; 6. 15RS-Reid Sammons
Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars
A-Feature: 1. 05-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 2. 12-Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 3. 14-Derrick Agee, Huntsville, MO; 4. 3D-Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 5. 52J-Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 6. 60-Dakota Simonsen, Fairfax, IA; 7. 2T-Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 8. 82-Peter Stodgel, Fowler, IL; 9. 06-Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 10. 07-Neal Kohlmorgan, Keokuk, IA; 11. 75-Austin Schulte, Keokuk, IA
Heat 1: 1. 12-Chad Krogmeier; 2. 60-Dakota Simonsen; 3. 3D-Jason Cook; 4. 07-Neal Kohlmorgan; 5. 75-Austin Schulte; 6. 06-Jerry Jansen
Heat 2: 1. 05-John Oliver Jr.; 2. 14-Derrick Agee; 3. 2T-Beau Taylor; 4. 52J-Jeremy Pundt; 5. 82-Peter Stodgel
Roberts Tire Center IMCA Northern SportMods
A-Feature: 1. 10G-Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 2. 55-John Oliver Jr., West Burlington, IA; 3. 8C-Logan Cumby, Quincy, IL; 4. 20-Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA; 5. 12D-Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 6. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer, Liberty, IL; 7. 12S-Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 8. 14L-Brandon Lambert, Carthage, IL; 9. 00-Matt Tucker, Lomax, IL; 10. 5-Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 11. 7R-Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 12. 10C-Cole Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA
Heat 1: 1. 10G-Jim Gillenwater; 2. 12S-Sean Wyett; 3. 8C-Logan Cumby; 4. 12D-Brandon Dale; 5. 00-Matt Tucker; 6. 7R-Tom Ruble
Heat 2: 1. 2W-Reed Wolfmeyer; 2. 55-John Oliver Jr.; 3. 20-Nicholas Profeta; 4. 5-Josh Holtman; 5. 14L-Brandon Lambert; 6. 10C-Cole Gillenwater
Sonny’s Super Market Sport Compacts
A-Feature: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2. 57-Barry TaftArgyle, IA; 3. 71-Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 4. 13C-Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 5. 9-Luke Fraise, Houghton, IA; 6. 27-Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 7. 2B-Dyllan Bonk, Golden, IL; 8. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 9. 18L-Blaine Lambert, Carthage, IL; 10. 26-Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO; 11. 11E-Ethan Prim, Elvaston, IL; 12. 09D-Doug White, Camp Point, IL; 13. 14-Drew Wise, Davenport, IA (DNS)
Heat 1: 1. 13C-Chevy Barnes; 2. 71-Kimberly Abbott; 3. 48C-Chandler Fullenkamp; 4. 18L-Blaine Lambert; 5. 11E-Ethan Prim; 6. 09D-Doug White; 7. 14-Drew Wise (DNS)
Heat 2: 1. 13B-Josh Barnes; 2. 27-Brandon Reu; 3. 2B-Dyllan Bonk; 4. 57-Barry Taft; 5. 9-Luke Fraise; 6. 26-Ryan Moore
Category: Iowa
