by Brian Neal

Donnellson, IA (Friday, August 21, 2020) – On Friday night not only was it the first visit of the season by the Sprint Invaders at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa, but it was also the final 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. Joining them for all IMCA points, including track points was the IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA SportMods and IMCA Sport Compacts.

The first feature to take to the track on the night was the 15 lap Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts, with Kaycee McGregor and Josh Barnes leading the field to green. Barnes used his starting spot to his advantage by grabbing the lead on lap 1 over McGregor and Jared Heule. On lap 3 Heule worked past McGregor into the runner up spot, with Brandon Reu, who started 7th, following him into the third spot. Heule and Reu tried the bottom and top to try and get around Barnes for the top spot over the next 8 laps. When the first and only caution of the race appeared on lap 12 to slow the battle up front. Alyssa Dietrich would spin in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Barnes moved back out front, with Reu over taking Heule for the second spot. Barnes then held off Reu and Heule over the final lap to pick up his first win of the season at the track. Reu was 2nd, Heule was 3rd, Chuck Fullenkamp came from 9th to finish 4th, with Kimberly Abbott rounding out the top 5.

Up next was the 18 lap Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, with Neal Kohlmorgan and Jerry Jansen making up the front row. Jansen would edge out Kohlmorgan at the line to lead lap 1, as the rest of the field raced four wide for positions behind them. Coming off turn 4 to complete lap 4 Chad Krogmeier, who was running the top, and John Oliver Jr., who started 8th and was on the bottom, raced side-by-side, with Krogmeier edging out the top spot. Krogmeier and Oliver Jr. would race side-by-side around the 3/8th mile track for laps 5 and 6 as well, before Oliver Jr. was able to clear Krogmeier for the top spot on lap 7. The action was slowed for the first time of the race on lap 10, as Dean Kratzer and Kohlmotgan spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Oliver Jr. moved back out front, with ninth place starter Jason See and Jeremy Pundt close behind. Debris in turn 2 on lap 14 would slow the action for the final time, and set up a 4 lap dash to the finish. Once again Oliver Jr. jumped back out front on the restart, with Abe Huls, who started 11th, moving into the runner up spot. Huls kept pace with Oliver Jr. over the final laps, but wasn’t able to mount a challenge on him. As Oliver Jr. went on to score his third win in a row and seventh of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Huls settled for 2nd, Pundt was 3rd, Jim Redmann came from 10th to finish 4th, with Jason Cook coming home in 5th.

Kaley Gharst and Josh Higday led the field to green in the 25 lap Sprint Invaders feature. But just as the green flag waved the yellow light would come on, as Paul Nienhiser, who started 8th, spun down the front stretch to bring out the yellow. On the next try of a start, John Shulz got upside down in turn 3 to bring out the red. He would climb from the car okay. The following attempt of a start saw Gharst grab the lead on lap 1 over Higday and Chris Martin. Another caution appeared on lap 2, when a cone in turn 4 was clipped onto the track to bring out the yellow. Gharst moved back out front on the restart, with Higday and Martin following. Higday used lapped traffic in turn 4 to slid up in front of Gharst to grab the lead on lap 11. On lap 17 Martin would slid up in front of Higday to take over the top spot. The action was slowed for the final time of the race on lap 20, as Austin Miller got into the guardrail in turn 4 hard to bring out the red. He would climb from the car okay. Martin grabbed the lead on the restart and then pulled away over the final laps to claim the win. Higday was 2nd, Riley Goodno finished 3rd after starting in 7th, Lynton Jeffrey charged from 19th to finish 4th, with Dustin Selvage coming from 9th to finish 5th.

Up next was the 25 lap Shottenkirk Parts Express “Drive For 5” feature, 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. Ray Raker and Denny Woodworth drew the front row for the event, with Woodworth jumping out front to lead lap 1 over Sam Halstead and Raker. The fast pace that Woodworth was setting allowed him to start to pull away from the battles behind him. On lap 13 Woodworth started to enter lapped traffic, which allowed Halstead and Tommy Elston to close in on him. The top three cars would clear the lapped cars on lap 21 to set up a four lap dash to the finish. Woodworth was able to hold off Halstead and Elston in a caution free race to claim the $1,000 top prize. Mark Burgtorf came from 7th to finish 4th, with Andy Nezworski rounding out the top 5 after starting in 8th.

The final feature to take to the track on the night was the 18 lap Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMod feature, with Josh Holtman and Jim Walker leading the field to green after Nicholas Profeta went to the rear. But it was ninth place starter Austen Becerra who used the bottom of the track to shoot to the lead on lap 1 over fifth place starter Jim Gillenwater and eleventh starter Adam Birck. The action was slowed on lap 2 when Brian Bergheger spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Becerra moved back out front, with Birck and Brandon Dale, who started 8th, close behind. Birck would use the bottom groove of the track to take the top spot away from Becerra on lap 4. Two laps later, lap 6, Dakota Anderson spun in turn 2 to bring out the yellow. Birck grabbed the lead on the restart, with Sean Wyett, who started 10th, and Becerra close behind. While Birck worked the bottom, Becerra worked the top, as the two raced side-by-side for the lead, leaving Wyett lurking back in third. But debris in turn 1 on lap 10 would slow the action up front. Birck once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wyett over taking Becerra for the runner up spot. The final caution of the event appeared on lap 13, as Michael Benjamin spun down the backstretch to bring out the yellow. Once again Birck grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wyett and seventeenth place starter Bobby Six moving into third. Wyett tried to use the momentum off the top of the track to get the lead away from Birck over the final laps. But Birck was able to hold on to claim his second win of the season at the Pepsi Lee County Speedway. Six was 3rd, Becerra was 4th, with Dale coming home in 5th.

Coming up next Friday, August 28th will be “Fan Appreciation” Season Championship Night, with Buffalo 61 Bar & Grille and 101.7 The Bull bringing you the action. At the end of the night we will have crowned our 2020 season points champions in the Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA Late Models, Sonny’s Super Market IMCA Modifieds, Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars, Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods, and Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts. All classes will be chasing IMCA National, State, Regional, Rookie and Track points, and will be lined up by weekly points inverts.

Gates open at 5:30 PM, Hot Laps at 7 PM, and Racing to follow. Grandstand admission for anyone 11 or older will only be $3, 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 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 21, 2020 – MIdwest Performance & Power and Casey’s General Stores Night

Sprint Invaders

A-Feature: 1. Chris Martin, Ankeny, IA; 2. Josh Higday, Des Moines, IA; 3. Riley Goodno, Knoxville, IA; 4. Lynton Jeffrey, Prairie City, IA; 5. Dustin Selvage, Indianolia, IA; 6. Paul Nienhiser, Chapin, IL; 7. Colton Fisher, Mediapolis, IL; 8. Randy Martin, California, MO; 9. Glenn Saville, Razorback, NSW, Aust.; 10. Cody Wehrle, Burlington, IA; 11. Brayden Gaylord, Wever, IA; 12. Justin Buchholz, Davenport, IA; 13. Wyatt Wilkerson, Morning Sun, IA; 14. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington, IA; 15. Bailey Goldesberry, Springfield, IL; 16. Kaley Gharst, Decatur, IL; 17. Austin Miller, Lacona, IA; 18. Dugan Thye, Burlington, IA; 19. Cam Martin, Ankeny, IA; 20. John Schulz, West Burlington, IA; 21. Wayne Kniffen, Ft. Madison, IA; (DNS – Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington, IA; Noah Samuel, Burlington, IA; Austin Sears, Macomb, IL; Dave Keperling, Hannibal, MO)

Heat 1: 1. Randy Martin; 2. Riley Goodno; 3.  Kaley Gharst; 4. John Schulz; 5. Tanner Gebhardt; 6. Austin Miller; 7. Noah Samuel; 8. Lynton Jeffrey; 9. Dave Keperling (DNS)

Heat 2: 1. Josh Higday; 2. Paul Nienhiser; 3. Colton Fisher; 4. Dugan Thye; 5. Cam Martin; 6. Glenn Saville; 7. Bailey Goldesberry; 8. Justin Buchholz

Heat 3: 1. Chris Martin; 2. Brayden Gaylord; 3. Dustin Selvage; 4. Cody Wehrle; 5. Daniel Bergquist; 6. Wyatt Wilkerson; 7. Wayne Kniffen; 8. Austin Sears (DNS)

Dash: 1. Josh Higday; 2. Chris Martin; 3. Brayden Gaylord; 4. Colton Fisher; 5. Randy Martin; 6. Kaley Gharst

Shottenkirk Parts Express IMCA Late Models

A-Feature: 1.  Denny Woodworth, Mendon, IL; 2.  Sam Halstead, New London, IA; 3.  Tommy Elston, Keokuk, IA; 4.  Mark Burgtorf, Quincy, IL; 5.  Andy Nezworski, Buffalo, IA; 6.  Nick Marolf, Moscow, IA; 7.  Dustin Griffin, Quincy, IL; 8.  Ron Boyse, Kalona, IA; 9.  Matt Strassheim, Yarmouth, IA; 10. Darin Weisinger Jr., Mendon, IL; 11. Jill George, Cedar Falls, IA; 12. Ray Raker, Burlington, IA; 13. Jay Johnson, West Burlington, IA

Heat 1: 1.  Dustin Griffin; 2.  Jay Johnson; 3.  Mark Burgtorf; 4.  Ron Boyse; 5.  Andy Nezworski; 6.  Matt Strassheim; 7.  Darin Weisinger Jr.

Heat 2: 1.  Tommy Elston; 2.  Sam Halstead; 3.  Nick Marolf; 4.  Denny Woodworth; 5.  Ray Raker; 6.  Jill George

Donnellson Tire & Service IMCA Stock Cars

A-Feature: 1.  John Oliver Jr., Danville, IA; 2.  Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 3.  Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson, IA; 4.  Jim Redmann, Lockridge, IA; 5.  Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant, IA; 6.  Chad Krogmeier, Burlington, IA; 7.  Les Blakley, Fairfield, IA; 8.  Jason See, Albia, IA; 9.  Beau Taylor, Canton, MO; 10. Dean Kratzer, Ft. Madison, IA; 11. Jerry Jansen, Plainville, IL; 12. Neal Kohlmorgan, Hamilton, IL; 13. Kevin Koontz, Batavia, IA (DNS)

Heat 1: 1.  John Oliver Jr.; 2.  Jason See; 3.  Les Blakley; 4.  Beau Taylor; 5.  Neal Kohlmorgan; 6.  Abe Huls

Heat 2: 1.  Chad Krogmeier; 2.  Jason Cook; 3.  Jim Redmann; 4.  Jeremy Pundt; 5.  Jerry Jansen; 6.  Kevin Koontz; 7.  Dean Kratzer

Roberts Tire Center IMCA SportMods

A-Feature: 1.  Adam Birck, Canton, MO; 2.  Sean Wyett, Danville, IA; 3.  Bobby Six, Warsaw, IA; 4.  Austen Becerra, Bowen, IL; 5.  Brandon Dale, Arbela, MO; 6.  Barry Taft, Argyle, IA; 7.  Jim Walker, Mystic, IA; 8.  Dakota Girard, Moberly, MO; 9.  Bob Cowman, Quincy, IL; 10. Derek Goble, Burlington, IA; 11. Ryan Moore, Kahoka, MO; 12. Kyle Hamelton, Keokuk, IA; 13. Tom Ruble, Ft. Madison, IA; 14. Brian Bergheger, Keokuk, IA; 15. Kaleb Nevers, Burlington, IA; 16. Dakota Anderson, Quincy, IL; 17. Michael Benjamin, Montrose, IA; 18. Colton Bowman, Burlington, IA; 19. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk, IA; 20. Josh Holtman, Quincy, IL; 21. Nicholas Profeta, Keokuk, IA

Heat 1: 1.  Adam Birck; 2.  Brandon Dale; 3.  Jim Gillenwater; 4.  Derek Goble; 5.  Ryan Moore; 6.  Kaleb Nevers; 7.  Tom Ruble

Heat 2: 1.  Austen Becerra; 2.  Michael Benjamin; 3.  Brian Bergheger; 4.  Nicholas Profeta; 5.  Dakota Anderson; 6.  Bobby Six; 7.  Dakota Girard

Heat 3: 1.  Sean Wyett; 2.  Barry Taft; 3.  Jim Walker; 4.  Josh Holtman; 5.  Bob Cowman; 6.  Kyle Hamelton; 7.  Colton Bowman

Discount Tire & Service IMCA Sport Compacts

A-Feature: 1.  Josh Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 2.  Brandon Reu, Donnellson, IA; 3.  Jared Heule, Keokuk, IA; 4.  Chuck Fullenkamp, West Point, IA; 5.  Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 6.  Kaycee McGregor, Ft. Madison, IA; 7.  Wayne Noble, Wapello, IA; 8.  David Prim, Hamelton, IL; 9.  Chevy Barnes, Keokuk, IA; 10. Ashton Blain, Burlington, IA; 11. Mike Hornung Jr., Keokuk, IA; 12. Kevin Garrett, Bloomfield, IA; 13. Alyssa Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 14. Jason Ash, Burlington, IA; 15. Aaron Berry, Salem, IA; 16. Aurora Dietrich, Ewing, MO; 17. Robert Sturms, Burlington, IA; 18. Timmy Schnathorst, Burlington, IA; 19. Adam Christy, West Point, IA

Heat 1: 1.  Josh Barnes; 2.  Jason Ash; 3.  Jared Heule; 4.  Kimberly Abbott; 5.  Adam Christy; 6.  Mike Hornung Jr.; 7.  Aaron Berry; 8.  Wayne Noble; 9.  Aurora Dietrich; 10. Alyssa Dietrich

Heat 2: 1.  Brandon Reu; 2.  Chuck Fullenkamp; 3.  David Prim; 4.  Kaycee McGregor; 5.  Robert Sturms; 6.  Ashton Blain; 7.  Kevin Garrett; 8.  Timmy Schnathorst; 9.  Chevy Barnes