Pinkerton, Weller, Johnson and Hovden Take Home Wins During the Rescheduled MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge

Oskaloosa, IA (Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009) - What a way to put an ending to the weekend, as mother nature provided great weather again for the rescheduled MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA. Last October, during the second night of this event, mother nature spoiled the second night with over an inch of snow!

The first feature of the night was the 25 lap Modified, with John Fellman and Brad Pinkerton drawing the front row. Pinkerton took advantage of his front row start to jump out into the lead on lap 1 over Ryan Gustin. Pinkerton would set a fast pace, as he entered lapped traffic by lap 7. The one and only caution of the race would come out on lap 10, as Jesse Dennis slowed to a stop on the backstretch. On the restart, Pinkerton moved back out front, with Gustin, Scott Dickey, who started 8th, and Zack VanderBeek battling for second. Pinkerton would enter lapped traffic again on lap 18, but wasn't slowed down as he cruised to an easy win. VanderBeek made a last lap pass to come home in second, Dickey was third, Gustin held on for fourth, with Donovan Lodge coming from 13th to round out the top five.

Up next was the 15 lap B-Modified feature, with A.J. Johnson and Colter Deutsch leading the field to the drop of the green flag. The caution would come out before the completion of lap 1, as Geoff Olson, Brad Iverson, Jimmy Broszeit, Drew Lawson and Jason McDaniel collided down the backstretch. On the restart, Deutsch would grab the lead on lap 1 by inches over Johnson. Deutsch then held off Johnson until lap 3 when he jumped to his outside to edge him out for the top spot. Johnson then held on for the final 12 laps to claim his first career B-Modified feature win. Cayden Carter came from 6th to finish in second, Scott Davis started 12th and finished in third, Deutsch held on for fourth, with Matt Lettow coming home in fifth.

Todd Reitzler and Matt Messamaker drew the front row for the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, but it was third place starter Chris Hovden grabbing the lead on lap 1. Reitzler would slip under Hovden on lap 2 to edge him for the top spot. But Hovden would come back on the top side of the speedway to grab the lead back on lap 3. Hovden then held off Don Nunnikhoven over the final 12 laps to pick up his third win of the weekend, as he won both Friday and Saturday in Memphis, MO. Reitzler held on for third, Danny Thrasher was fourth, with Kris Walker rounding out the top five.

The final feature and the best one of the night was the 20 lap Stock Car feature, with Mike VanGenderen and Matt Greiner drawing the front row for the event. Nathan Wood would take the lead on lap 1 from his third place starting spot, but a caution before the lap could be completed set up an original restart. Chad Walter, Donnie Pearson, Ed Kasperbauer and Corey Stout collided in turn three to bring out the first yellow. On the restart, Greiner jumped out front on lap 1 over Wood and VanGenderen. But Greiner would only lead one lap, as Wood slipped under him on lap 2 to take over the top spot. But the red flag would appear on the speedway after the completion of lap 2, as 10 cars piled up in turn one. The cars involved included Wood, VanGenderen, Shane Weller, Dan Christopher, Todd Staley, Walter, Carl Yaw Jr., Stout, Kyle Falck and Pete Solum, only the cars of Wood, Weller, Falck and Solum were able to continue. Greiner would inherit the lead on the restart, with Mitch Hovden, who started 8th, close behind in second and Brian Mitrisin, who started 10th, running third. Mitrisin would jump to the bottom of the speedway to take over the top spot on lap 3, when the final caution came out after the completion of the lap. Falck, Kasperbauer and Jeff Joldersma collided in turn three to bring the caution out. On the restart, Mitrisin moved back out front with Greiner and Hovden battling for second. Mitrisin looked to be heading for the win when he pulled into the pits on lap 9 with mechanical troubles, giving the lead back to Greiner. Greiner continued to hold off Hovden for the lead, as Weller was working his way back towards the front after the lap 2 red. Weller was quickly closing the gap between the top three drivers, as he passed Steve Jackson for fourth with five laps to go. Then with three laps to go, Weller would get past Mike Bergan and then set his sites on Greiner and Hovden. Weller would pull up to the back of Hovden with two laps to go and then set up his move to the front with the white flag in the air. Weller would make it three wide coming off of turn two, as Greiner took the top, Hovden the middle and Weller the bottom. All three drivers would enter turn three side-by-side-by-side, with Weller coming off of four to take the lead and the win. Greiner held on for second, Hovden was third, Bergan came from 9th to finish in fourth, with Jackson coming home in fifth.

Notes from Osky: 32 B-Modifieds, 32 Hobby Stocks, 27 Stock Cars and 17 Modifieds made up the 108 cars signed in to battle it out for the feature wins......Corey Dripps scratched from the nights events in the Modified class, as he blew a motor up in hot laps....David Wietholder started 11th in the feature and passed 5 cars to take home a 6th place finish....Jesse Dennis had a top five run going when he slowed to a stop on lap 10 with mechanical troubles......Andrew Schroeder won the B-Modified B-Main and started the feature in 21st, but would pass 15 cars to take home a 6th place finish....Chris Eggers came from 14th to finish in 9th....Jeremy Embrey passed 8 cars after starting 19th to finish in 11th....Josh Modde started 23rd and finished 14th....Brandon Hare came from 24th to finish in 15th......The Hobby Stock feature went 15 laps CAUTION FREE!!....Bobby Greene came from 16th to take home an 8th place finish....Scott Spilde came from 22nd and passed 10 cars to finish in 12th....Mike Crump won the B-Main and started 21st, but would pass 8 cars to take home a 13th place finish......Shane Weller was involved in the lap 2 red in the Stock Car feature and had to make repairs to be able to tag the tail of the field for the restart. With the long clean up, Weller's crew was able to change the left front lower A frame, put the spring back in and hook the shock back up to allow him to continue. Weller then drove the wheels off his car to take home the win....Nathan Wood was leading the feature when he broke a ball joint going into turn one, causing the 9 other cars to pile into him. Wood's crew also had time to change the ball joint to get him back into the action. Wood then drove back up to 4th by the halfway point, but broke another ball joint to end his night....Howard Gordon Jr. started 15th and passsed 9 cars to finish in 6th....Loren Kuennen came from 19th to take home a 7th place finish....Falck started 26th, but was involved in the red on lap 2 and the yellow on lap 3. But he would recover to pass 18 cars to finish in 8th....Michael Jaennette started 17th and passed 7 cars to finish in 10th....Donnie Pearson came from 23rd and passed 12 cars to take home an 11th place finish....Ed Kasperbauer, who started 21st, recovered from the wreck on lap 3 to take home a 12th place finish....Jeff Joldersma was involved in the lap 3 wreck, but would recover to finish in 13th.

I would like to thank Todd and Janet Staley for three great nights of racing. The racing action on Friday and Saturday at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO was a great way to put an ending to the 2009 season. But then Sunday at the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA, also provided a great night of racing to put a capper on the 2009 racing season here in the midwest.

VanderBeek, Greiner, Olson, Hovden and Kratzer Top Night Two of the Pepsi Memphis Fall Nationals

Memphis, MO (Sat. Nov. 7, 2009) - Another great night for racing action at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO, with tempatures staring out in the mid 70's and holding in the low 60's all night. Another strong field of cars singed in to due battle in five classes, with Zack VanderBeek (Modifieds), Matt Greiner (Stock Cars), Jeoff Olson (B-Modifieds), Chris Hovden (Hobby Stocks) and Dean Kratzer (Outlaw Hobby Stocks) taking home the feature wins on the night.


The 15 lap Outlaw Hobby Stock feature was the first of the night, with Derek St. Clair and Dugan Thye drawing the front row for the event. St. Clair would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag. Thye would spin and hit the turn four guardrail on the completion of lap 1 to bring out the first caution. On the restart, Dean Kratzer, who started 6th, would slip under St. Clair to take over the top spot. Kratzer was starting to pull away, when another caution appeared on lap 8 for Jared Conrad who slowed to a stop in turn two with a right rear tire flat. The caution would come back out on the restart, when Neal Kohlmorgan clipped a tire in turn two. Kratzer again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Dan Wenig, who started 7th battling him for the top spot. Wenig would try the top side of the speedway to get around Kratzer, but was slowed on lap 9 for a caution. Rob Wilsey and Jim Lynch would tangle in turn two, with Wilsey spinning to a stop. On the restart, Kratzer would pull out into the lead, with Dan Wenig and Jake Wenig, who started 9th, battling for second. Kratzer would hold off all challenges over the final 6 laps to pick up the win. Dan Wenig held off Jake Wenig in the battle for seond, Brandon Symmonds was fourth, with Jeremy Pundt coming from 11th to round out the top five.

Up next was the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Tony Teninty and Todd Reitzler leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Reitzler would take advantage of his front row start to grab the top spot on lap 1, with Scott Spilde and Nathan Wood close behind in second. The action was slowed on lap two when the red was waved for a roll by Alan Hultz down the backstretch. He would collect the cars of Teninty and Kyle Anderson, with Teninty the only one able to return to action. On the restart Reitzler again jumped out into the lead, with Spilde and Wood still battling for second. The red would appear on the speedway for the second time on lap 5, as Dale Porter rolled in turn four. Reitzler again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Wood, Spilde and Chris Hovden, who started 7th, battling for second. Reitzler would hold on to the top spot until lap 9, when Hovden jumped under him to take over the lead. Hovden then worked to hold off Wood, as the two battled side-by-side before the final catuion came out on lap 13. On the restart Hovden again jumped out into the lead, with Wood and Spilde battling for second. Hovden would hold on over the final 2 laps to claim his second win of the weekend at the track. Spilde came home in second, Derek Kirkland started 10th and finished third, Reitzler held on for fourth, with Mike Crump coming from 11th to round out the top five.

Rodger Dresden and John Melloway led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 15 lap B-Modified feature, with the caution coming out on the start for debris in turn one. On the restart Dresden would take advantage of his front row start to lead lap 1, with Bill Gibson, Andrew Schroeder and Cayden Carter battling for the second spot. Carter would jump to the outside of Dresden on lap 4 to take over the top spot. The caution would appear on lap 5 when Brian Schrage and Josh Modde made contact, with Schrage spinning to a stop in turn four. On the restart Carter again jumped out into the lead, with Schroeder close behind in second. Schroeder who was running second would spin in turn two on lap 7 to bring out the caution. Jeoff Olson, who started 9th, slipped under Carter on the restart to grab the lead on lap 8. But the action would be slowed after the completion of the lap for a spin in turn two by A.J. Johnson. On the restart Olson again moved out front, with Carter close behind in second. Olson was working to hold off Carter, when Dresden came to a stop in turn two to bring the caution out on lap 10. Once again Olson would move out into the top spot on the restart, but was slowed again one lap later for a caution. Bill Gibson, Drew Lawson, Winn and Phillip Cossel collided in turn two, with Gibson and Lawson getting heavy damage to end there night. Olson again grabbed the lead on the restart, but again was slowed for the final time on lap 12 when the caution came out for Brett Bumgardner, Chris Eggers and Schroeder. On the restart Olson jumped back out into the lead, but now had Brad Iverson, who started 10th, challenging him for the to spot. Olson would hold him off over the final 3 laps to pick up the win. Iverson settled for second, Colter Deutsch came from 7th to finish in third, Carter held on for fourth, with Jason McDaniel coming from 16th to round out the top five.

Up next was the 20 lap Stock Car feature, with Cody Henkes and Kurt Krauskopf drawing the front row of the event. A caution would come out on the start for Dakota Hayden and Rich Vogt colliding off of four, with Hayden coming to a stop. On the restart Krauskopf jumped out into the lead, but was slowed by a caution after the completion of lap 1 for a spin by Terry Houston in turn two. Krauskopf again grabbed the lead on the restart, but again was slowed after the completion of lap two for a caution by Todd Staley who went over the hill in turns three and four. Krauskopf again moved back out into the lead on the restart, with Matt Greiner coming from 6th to challenge him for the top spot. The battle for the lead was slowed on lap 5 for Jeff Mueller, Michael Jeannette and Gary Blackburn colliding in turn two to bring out a caution. Once again on the restart Krauskopf moved out front, with Greiner close behind in second. Krauskopf, who was running the bottom, and Greiner, who was up top, ran lap 10 side-by-side, with Greiner edging out front on lap 11. But Krauskopf would come back on the bottom to take the top spot back on lap 12, only to loose the lead back to Greiner on lap 13. The final caution of the event would come out on the completion of lap 13, for a spin in turn four by Jeff Mueller. Greiner would jump out into the lead on the restart and pulled away over the final 7 laps to pick up the win. Wood came home in second, Jason Cook was third, Krauskopf held on for fourth, with Vogt coming from the back after an early wreck to round out the top five.

The final feature of the night was the 25 lap Modifieds, with David Wietholder and Scott Weber leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Weber would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 over Corey Dripps. The first of three cautions would appear on lap 2, when Joey Schaefer stopped in turn two. On the restart Porter Collins would spin off of turn four to bring the caution back out. Weber jumped back out into the lead on the restart, with Dripps, Zack VanderBeek, who started 6th, and Ryan Gustin battling it out for second. VanderBeek would jump to the top side of the speedway to work his way into the lead on lap 8. But Weber would continue to work the bottom of the speedway to challenge VanderBeek for the top spot. The final caution of the event came out on lap 10, when Justin Reed spun in turn two. On the restart VanderBeek would again move back out into the lead. VanderBeek would hold on over the final 15 laps to claim the win. Weber held on for second, Dripps was third, Ryan Gustin made a last lap pass to take fourth, with Michael Long coming from 12th to round out the top five.

Notes from Night 2 in Memphis: 42 B-Modifieds, 37 Modifieds, 25 Hobby Stocks, 23 Stock Cars and 16 Outlaw Hobby Stocks made up the 143 cars signed in for night 2......Jeff Soper passed 4 cars to finish 10th in the Outlaw Hobby Stock feature....Jared Conrad recovered from a flat to come back to finish in 7th....Dereck St. Clair drove Jon Rooney's number 9 car, but had a flat late in the race. He would get it changed and recovered to take home an 8th place finish......Nathan Wood, who was running third, had a right rear tire go down on the final lap of the Hobby Stock feature to put an end to his great run....Steve Allen passed 15 cars after staring 21st to take home a 6th place finish....Clint Nelson came from 12th to finish in 7th....Andy Coleman started 16th and passed 6 cars to finish in 10th....Rusty Sands passed 7 cars after starting 19th to finish in 12th....Jordan O'Haver came from 22nd to finish in 15th......Tyler Droste started the B-Modified feature in 19th, but passed 12 cars to finish in 7th....Mike Shelton also passed 12 cars after starting 20th to finish in 8th....Josh Modde came from the back after an early involvement in a crash to finish in 9th....Jack Myer won one of the B-Mains and started 21st, but he would pass 10 cars to finish in 11th....Brandon Symmonds took the last quailifying spot in B-Main number one to start the feature in 23rd. He would pass 11 cars to take home a 12th place finish....Rodger Dresden had a great run going in the feature, when he slowed to a stop in turn three with mechanical troubles. At the time he was battling it out for a third place finish......Chris Wibbell came from 14th in the Stock Car feature and passed 7 cars to finish in 6th....Dakota Hayden recovered from his first lap wreck to take home a 9th place finish....Todd Staley became promoter/driver on night two. Todd turned some laps in Zack Vanderbeek's number 33z Stock Car during Thursday nights practice and enjoyed it so much that he decided to purchase the car race ready, as they had a for sale sign on the side of the car. Todd would start 17th in the feature and had worked his way up to 8th, when he went into turn three to hot and ended up going off the track to bring out the yellow on lap 2. Todd then rejoined the back of the field (21st) and passed 8 cars to take home a 13th place finish....Jeff Mueller had a rough night in the feature, as he piloted Matt Griener's number 29 back-up car. He would get involved in the lap 5 crash and then spun on lap 13 to end his night in 16th......Mark Widmar won the Modified B-Main and started the feature in 21st, but he would pass 12 cars to take home a 9th place finish....Porter Collins recovered from his spin to take home an 11th place finish....Adam Birck came from 22nd to finish 12th....Lonnie Wyman Jr. started 24th and passed 7 cars to take home a 17th place finish.

Long, Wood, Deutsch and Hovden Claim Night One of the Pepsi Memphis Fall Nationals

Memphis, MO (Friday, Nov. 6, 2009) - Who would have thought that mother nature would have provided such great weather for the first weekend of November. Friday was a nice sunny day, with temps in the mid 70's and the evening was comfortable enough to wear a sweatshirt or light jacket. Fans were treated to some great racing action in four classes at the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO for night one of the Pepsi Memphis Fall Nationals, with Michael Long (Modifieds), Nathan Wood (Stock Cars), Colter Deutsch (B-Modifieds) and Chris Hovden (Hobby Stocks) picking up the wins.

The first feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Ethan Thompson and Andrew Hustead drawing the front row for the event. The first caution would come out on the start, with Clayton Crump spinning in turn two. On the restart, Nathan Wood, who started 3rd, jumped out into the early lead and would hold it until lap 3, when another caution appeared for a spin by Ethan Hustead in turn four from contact by Andy Coleman. Once again Wood grabbed the lead on the restart, with Chris Hovden, who started 12th, and Jason McDaniel now challenging him for the top spot. Wood was able to hold off there challenges until disaster struck him on lap 8, when something in the rear end broke. Hovden would inherit the top spot, with McDaniel, Scott Spilde, who started 9th, and Crump close behind in 2nd and 3rd. The action was slowed again on lap 11, when Ethan Hustead spun in turn four. On the restart, Crump, Spilde and McDaniel, who were running 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, tangled in turn two to bring the caution back out. Hovden jumped back out front on the restart, with Todd Reitzler, who started 19th, now glued to his back bumper. The battle for the lead was again slowed by a caution on lap 12 when Clint Nelson and Andy Coleman collided in turn two, with Nelson spinning. On the restart, Hovden again grabbed the lead with Reitzler and Andrew Hustead having a great battle for second, only to be slowed for the final time on lap 13. Jeff Soper would slow to a stop in turn turn to bring the final caution out, setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Hovden moved out front on the restart and then held on for the final 2 laps to pick up the win. Andrew Hustead edged out Reitzler for the battle for second, Spilde recovered from the early crash to come home in fourth, with Steve Allen coming home fifth.

Up next was the 15 lap B-Modified feature, with Larry Winn and Bobby Penney drawing the front row for the event. The caution would wave on the start, when Jason McDaniel, Phillip Cossel and Drew Lawson colliding in turn four. On the restart, Penney would grab the advantage over Jeoff Olson. Penney would hold the top spot until lap 3, when Olson got by to take over the lead. Olson looked to be pulling away, when the caution came out on lap 11 for a spin in turn two by Thad Gaylord. On the restart, Colter Deutsch, who started 12th, would slip under Olson to take over the top spot and then held on for the final 3 laps to claim the win. Olson held on for second, Brad Iverson came from 7th to finish in third, Bert McDaniel came home fourth, with Penney holding on for fifth.

Mike VanGenderen and Matt Greiner drew the front row for the 20 lap Stock Car feature, with VanGenderen grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag. VanGenderen would only hold the top spot for one lap, as Greiner jumped to his outside to take over the lead on lap 2. The first of four cautions of the race would come out on lap 3, when Clell Evans spun in turn two. On the restart, Greiner would have to work to hold off VanGenderen before another caution came out on lap 7. Dakota Hayden and Howard Gordon Jr. would collide in turn four, with Hayden spinning to a stop. Once again Greiner jumped out into the lead on the restart, with VanGenderen, Kurt Krauskopf and Dave Warth battling it out for second. Another caution on lap 9 would slow the battle for second, as Gary Blackburn came to a stop in turn four. On the restart, Greiner grabbed the lead and now had Nathan Wood, who started 12th, battling VanGenderen, Krauskopf and Warth for the second spot. The final caution of the event came out on lap 12 when Abe Huls and Michael Jaennette got together in turn four and collected Andrew Page, Rick Girard and Zack VanderBeek. Once again Greiner would jump out front on the restart, with Wood, Krauskopf, Warth and VanGenderen close behind. Greiner was able to hold off all challenges until the final lap, when Wood jumped to his outside going down the backstretch. The two went into turn three side-by-side and came out of four the same way. Wood was able to edge Greiner out at the line by a fender to pick up the win. Krauskopf was able to come home third, Warth edged out a fourth place finish, with VanGenderen rounding out the top five.

The final feature of the night was the 25 lap Modifieds, with Mark Schulte and Michael Long drawing the front row. Long would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag, with Schulte and Ryan Gustin battling for second. The first of three cautions of the event would appear on lap 4, when Lonnie Wyman Jr. slowed to a stop in turn four. On the restart, Long again jumped out into the lead with Schulte, Gustin and Scott Dickey battling it out for second. Long was pulling away from the second place battle when the second caution came out on lap 14, when Adam Birck slowed to a stop. Once again Long grabbed the lead on the restart, with Gustin, Dickey and Schulte still battling it out for second. Long again was pulling away from the battle for second when the final caution came out on lap 21 for a spin by Scott Weber in turn two, Weber had worked his way from 9th to 5th. The final restart saw Long again jump out into the lead, with Gustin, Dickey, Schulte and Zack VanderBeek, who started 18th, battling him for the top spot. Long would hold on over the final four laps to pick up the win. Gustin held on for second, VanderBeek, would pass two cars on the final restart to come home third, Dickey held on for fourth, with Donovan Lodge crossing the line in fifth after starting 8th.

Notes from Night 1 at Memphis: 119 cars signed into battle it out, with 38 Modifieds, 36 B-Modifieds, 24 Stock Cars and 21 Hobby Stocks making up the total car count......Jordan O'Haver started the Hobby Stock feature in the 17th spot and passed 9 cars to finish in 9th....Jeff Soper started 21st and worked his way up to finish in 10th....Andy Coleman passed 7 cars, after starting 18th to come home 12th......Colter Deutsch made the long pull from Ellsworth, MN pay off, as he started 12th in the B-Modified feature and drove up to take the win....Paul Underwood started 18th in the B-Modified feature and passed 12 cars to come home in 6th....Jason McDaniel started 19th and was invloved in the lap one crash, but recovered to come home in 10th....Drew Lawson was also involved in the lap one crash and came up to finish in 13th......Troy Alexander started the Stock Car feature from 16th and passed 9 cars to come home in 7th....Abe Huls drove Doug Huls number 10 car and came from the back after an early crash to finish in 9th....Kelly Smith started 20th and passed 9 cars to finish in 11th....Doug Yates passed 7 cars after starting 19th to finish in 12th....Logan Lowe started 24th and passed 11 cars to take home a 13th place finish......VanderBeek brought out his 2010 Skyrocket Modified and had to start 18th in the feature. He would make a last lap pass of two cars to come home in 3rd.....Mark Widmar started 19th and passed 11 cars to finish in 8th....Greg Cox won the B-Main and started 21st in the feature, but passed 11 cars to come home in 10th....Lonnie Wyman Jr. started 23rd, but slowed to a stop in four on lap 4. He would get his problems fixed and passed 11 cars to finish in 12th.

Mother Nature Interrupts Shiverfest

Donnellson, IA (Sunday, October 25, 2009) - What started out as a beautiful and sunny day, turned into rain. As the 11th Annul Shiverfest got started at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA, but was unable to be finished due to the late rain showers.

One Hundered forty-one drivers, 35 Modifieds, 20 Stock Cars, 25 SportMods, 37 Hobby Stocks, and 24 Wild Things, signed in to do battle. The two Stock Car heat races, four Modified heats, three SportMod heats, four Hobby Stock heats and three Wild Thing heats were completed on the evening.

Then the Modified B-Main took to the track. The yellow would come out on lap 5 of the 10 lap race for a spin in turn one by Tony Olson. Olson would head to the pits to get his car fixed. The field would take the green and was coming out of turn two, when Olson came out of the pits in front of the field. Craig Spegal, who was leading, had nowhere to go and plowed into Olson, sending Spegal rolling into turn three. Brandon Banks, who was running second, also had nowhere to go and made heavy contact into Olson's car. Both Spegal and Olson climbed out ok, while Banks complained of his left foot bothering him. Heard he was heading to Iowa City to have pins put in three bones on his left foot. Hope he has a fast recovery!

While the track crew worked to clean up the wreck, mother nature moved in. Steady rain showers forced the remainder of the events to be cancelled. The prize money in each class was divided between the drivers and the fans were told to keep there tickets to receive $5 off the opening night of racing in 2010 at the Lee County Speedway.

Another Weekend Without Racing!

Monmouth, IL (Friday, October 16, 2009) - For the second weekend in a row mother nature has decided to cancel my weekend plans. Cold and wet weather for the past two weeks has changed plans for a few fall specials and even cancelled one.

Last weekend (October 10th) I had planned to make the trip to the Southern Iowa Speedway in Oskaloosa, IA for the final night of the MUSCO Lighting Fall Challenge. But snow, yes snow, on Saturday morning put an end to those plans. It was announced that Saturday's program will be made up on October 31st, featuring the USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks. Pit gates will open at 12 noon, with grandstands opening at 1:00, hot laps at 2:00 and racing to follow. Night one produced 172 cars in the four classes of racing, with Corey Dripps (USRA Modifieds), Shane Weller (USRA Stock Cars), Luke Wanninger (USRA B-Mods) and Chris Hovden (USRA Hobby Stocks) taking home the feature wins. For more information check out the web at http://www.rlpromotions.com/oskaloosa/.

After Oskaloosa cancelled, I decided to take in the final night of the Iowa Governors Cup at the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, IA. This was also the final race of the 2009 season for the WDRL. But this race was also postponed by mid-afternoon due to snow moving through the area. The final night of this event will be made up on October 24th. For more information keep up with the web at http://www.quadcityraceway.com/.

Then this weekend (October 16th & 17th) I had planned on returning to the Scotland County Speedway in Memphis, MO for the two day Fall Nationals. But mother nature hasn't been to kind, as rain forced officials to push it back to Saturday and Sunday (October 17th & 18th) on Wednesday. Then it was announced on Thursday that this event would have to be moved to Friday and Saturday (November 6-7), due to wet of grounds. Thursday night will be an open practice for all cars wanting to get in some hot laps and testing of the track before racing action on Friday. Friday pit gates open at 4:00 p.m., grandstands open for general admission seating at 5:15, hot laps are at 6:15 and racing begins at 7:00. On Saturday, pit gates open at 12 noon, with grandstand gates swinging open at 1:00 and racing at 3:00. There will be no hot laps on Saturday. Racing action will take place in the USRA Modifieds, USRA Karl Chevrolet Stock Cars, USRA Karl Chevrolet B-Mods and USRA Hobby Stocks, with the Outlaw Hobby Stocks joining the card on Saturday. To keep up with the latest on this event check out the web at http://www.usraracing.com/.

So once the Memphis Fall Nationals was postponed, I had plans on taking in the final event of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. The 1st Annual Ice Bowl Thriller featuring the 305 Sprints, Modifieds, Stock Cars, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinders was on the card. But officials announced on Friday that due to wet grounds and cold temperatures this event was cancelled, putting an end to the season at 34 Raceway.

Now lets hope mother nature will co-operate next weekend (October 24th), as the 10th Annual Shiverfest at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA is set to take place. Racing action will feature the Modifieds, Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and 4 Cylinder Wild Things. Plus there is also hay racking riding through the pits and trick-or-treating for kids. Gates will open at 12 noon, hay rack rides from 1:00-3:00, hot laps at 3:15, treat-or-treating following hot laps, with racing action taking place at 4:30. For more information check out the web at http://www.leecountyspeedway.com/.

Long Takes $1,000 to Win Townsend Memorial Modified Win at Lee County

Donnellson, IA (Sat., Sept. 26, 2009) - Despite rain showers on Thursday and Friday the Lee County Speedway was able to get in there full race program on Saturday night. The Doug Townsend Memorial Race which was rained out earlier in the year was on the card, with $1,000 going to the winner of the IMCA Modified feature event.


The first feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Jake Wenig, who scratched, giving the pole to Dean Kratzer and Dane Fenton to his outside. Kratzer would take advantage of his front row start to jump out into the lead on lap 1 and would hold it until the first caution came out on lap 8. Rob Wilsey would slow to a stop in turn two. Kratzer would grab the advantage on the restart, but the red would come out one lap later as Dugan Thye took a easy roll on the backstretch. He would get out ok. On the restart, Jason Gerdes would get into the turn two guardrail to bring the caution back out. Kratzer again grabbed the top spot on the restart, with Tim Tucker challenging him for the lead until he cut a tire on lap 10. Tucker would stop in turn two to bring out the caution. Kent Rhum and Jim Powell would get together in turn two on the restart to bring the caution back out, setting up a green-white-checkered or next yellow finish. Kratzer would move into the lead on the restart, with Dan Wenig, who started 9th, putting heavy pressure on him for the lead. Wenig would get under Kratzer going down the backstretch to make for a close finish, but a caution would come out when Jeff Soper spun in one to end the event. Kratzer would pick up the win, Wenig was second, Doug Fenton was third after starting 7th, Derek St. Clair, the 2009 Track Champion, came from 13th to finish in fourth, with Jim Lynch charging from 16th to round out the top five.


Up next was the 15 lap SportMod feature, with Thad Gaylord and Rich Uppinghouse leading the field to the green. Gaylord would jump out into the lead on lap 1 and then would go on to lead all 15 laps to pick up the win. All 15 laps were ran green to checkered, with no cautions! Rick Barlow Jr. would come from 6th to finish in second, Jason Cook started 7th to finish in 3rd, AJ Johnson came from 15th to finish in fourth, with Aric Becker coming home in fifth.


Mike Harward and Kirk Kinsley made up the front row for the 15 lap Stock Car feature, with Harward grabbing the lead on lap 1. The first of four cautions would appear on lap 3 for debris on the frontstretch. On the restart, Harward again jumped into the lead and was working to hold off Jason Cook, Jeff Mueller, who started 8th, and Kevin Tomlinson when the caution came out on lap 6. Dennis Harwood, Steve Steinkuhler and Kevin Harsch would collide in turn four, only Harsch would continue. Once again Harward moved out front on the restart, with Cook and Mueller putting heavy pressure on him for the lead. Mueller would try to get under Harward on lap 8, when he made contact and fell back to 9th. Harward would hold on to the lead, when the third caution came out on lap 10, for Corey Strothman's spin in thurn three and Michael Larsen hitting him. On the restart, Harward again jumped back out into the lead, with Cook, John Oliver Jr., who started 13th, and Abe Huls, who started 9th, battling for the second spot. The final caution of the event would come out on lap 11, as Kyle Anderson and Andrew Griffin collided in turn four. Harward again grabbed the lead on the restart, with pressure coming from Cook, Oliver Jr. and Huls. Harward would hold on to the lead until the final lap, when Oliver Jr. went into turn three hard on the bottom and slid up into Harward. Oliver Jr. would come out of four with the win, with Cook coming home second, Huls was third, Harward fell to fourth, with Aaron Brocksick coming from 11th to round out the top five.

Up next was the Doug Townsend Memorial $1,000 to win 25 lap IMCA Modified feature. Rob Kirchner and Michael Long drew the front row for the event, with the caution coming out before lap 1 was complete. As Kirchner's car would take off on the drop of the green. On the restart, Long grabbed the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 3, when Tyler Cale and James Leffew collided in turn four to bring out the caution. Long once again moved out into the lead on the restart only to have the caution reappeared on lap 4, when Josh Foster, Derek Hamm and Dustan Fenton collided in turn four. Once again Long jumped out front on the restart, with Bill Roberts, who started 11th, and Jim Lynch, who started 9th, battling for second. Long looked to be pulling away when the caution came back out on lap 8, when Tony Olson got into the back of Kirchner and spinning him in turn two. Both drivers would be sent to the rear for the restart. Long again grabbed the lead, with Roberts working to hold off Lynch for second. Long again build up a nice advantage when the final caution came out on lap 13 for a spin in turn three by Don Wharton. On the restart, Long moved back out front, with Lynch following in second, Roberts third and Max Corporon in third. Long would pull away over the final 12 laps to pick up the $1,000 top prize. Roberts would finish in second, Foster recovered from his spin to finish in third, Scott Hogan finished fourth, with Corporon holding on for fifth.

The final feature of the night was the 12 lap Wild Things, with Rex Smart and Wayne Noble drawing the front row. But it was third place starter Michael Grossman grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag. Grossman would hold off Noble in a catuion free race to cross the line first. But after post race inspection Grossman was DQ'ed for a locked front axel, giving the win to Noble. Cuck Fullenkamp would finish in second, John Helenthal was third, Jim Garrett was fourth, with Mik Fisher coming from 9th to round out the top five.

Notes from LCS: 30 IMCA Modifieds, 28 Stock Cars, 27 Hobby Stocks, 17 Wild Things and 15 SportMods made up the 117 cars signed in to do battle......The winner take all "Gambler" races were won by Jim Lynch in Modifieds, Jeff Mueller in Stock Cars, Jason Cook in SportMods, Dan Wenig in Hobby Stocks and Michael Grossman in Wild Things......Jake Wenig was suppose to start the Hobby Stock feature on the pole, but troubles in the "Gambler" race would cause him to scratch from the event....Tom Irwin made the pull over from Bloomfield to compete in the Hobby Stocks. He would start the feature in 19th, after winning the B, and would pass 11 cars to finish in 8th....Tim Pettibone came from the B to start the feature in 22nd. He would pass 13 cars to finish in 9th....Matt Tucker recovered from his flat on lap 10, while running second, to finish in 11th....Dennis Gallerick took the final transfer spot from the B, and passed 12 cars to take home a 12th place finish......AJ Johnson had a redraw spot in his heat, but was DQ'ed for being to light on the scales. He would have to tag the back of the feature, 15th, but would pass 11 cars to finish 4th in a caution free event....Brandon Symmonds brought out his SportMod for the first time in 2009. He would start the feature in 12th and passed 5 cars to finish in 7th......Paul Lawson had troubles in the "Gambler" race which caused him to scratch from his 5th starting spot in the Stock Car feature....Terry Houston would take the green in 18th and passed 10 cars to take home an 8th place finish....Dave Hemsted came from 17th to finish in 10th....Chris Hawkins made the pull from Bloomfield and started the feature in 19th. He would pass 7 cars to take home a 12th place finish....Les Blakley came from 26th and passed 11 cars to take home a 15th place finish......Jim Lynch, who started 9th in the IMCA Modified feature, had worked his way to second by lap 14 when his motor let go....Tony Olson recovered from his lap 8 caution to come back to finish 8th....Duane Peterson came back from his lap 3 caution to finish in 9th....Jeff Gerhardt started 19th and passed 9 cars to finish in 10th....Tyler Iverson made the pull from Albion, NE to compete for the $1,000 top prize. He would start the feature in 7th and was running in the top 10 early, when mechanical troubles ended his night to give him a 20th place finish......Rob Hammel had worked his way from 6th to second in the 12 lap Wild Things feature, when he had a left front tire go down. He would run the final 2 laps on the flat, but fell to 12th.... Jeremy Oliver started the event in 15th and passed 7 cars to take home an 8th place finish in a caution free event.

Frankel WOW's the Crowd With Pass to Win the $10,000 Pespi USA Late Model Nationals

Burlington, IA (Spet. 19, 2009) - Night two of the Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals for the Deery Brothers Summer Series was put into the books for 2009. Jason Frankel would add his name to the list of winners, as he took home the win and the $10,000 for the first time in his career. Dean Kratzer (Hobby Stocks) and Dennis Schulte (4 Cylinders) also took home feature wins on the night.

The night would start out with the three 15 lap B Mains in the Late Models, with the top three in each earning a spot in the 100 lap finale. B Main one saw Colby Springsteen and Darrel DeFrance on the front row, with DeFrance grabbing the lead on lap 1. DeFrance would lead all 15 laps to take the win. Boone McLaughlin made a awesome pass to go from fourth to second, with Springsteen holding on to finish in third.... B Main two had Rob Toland and Fred Remley on the front row, with Remley jumping out front on lap 1. Toland would slip under Remley on lap 5 to take over the top spot and then held on to win. Remley settled for second, with Jay Johnson taking the final transfer spot in third....B Main three had Kevin Blum and Charlie McKenna on the front row. But it was fourth place starter Jason Bahrs grabbing the lead on lap 1. Bahrs would hold on for all 15 laps to claim the win. Tom Goble would claim second, with Keith Pratt taking the final transfer spot.

Up next was the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Tanner Thomann and Derek St. Clair, the 2009 Track Champion at 34, drawing the front row for the event. Thomann would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1, over Kratzer. Kratzer would slip past Thomann on lap 3 to take over the top spot. The first caution of the event came out on lap 4, as Eric Rowley spun in turn two. Kratzer would jump back out front on the restart, with Thomann and Jake Wenig battling for second. The second caution would appear on lap 7, as Dane Fenton and Jim Lynch got together down the backstretch. On the restart, Kratzer again grabbed the lead, with Thomann and Wenig still battling for second. A caution on lap 13, for Rowley who slowed on the backstretch for a right rear flat tire, would set up a green-white-checkered finish. Kratzer would move out into the lead on the restart, with Wenig getting by Thomann for second. Kratzer then had to hold off Wenig on the final lap to take the win. Thomann held on for third, Blaine Dopler came from 12th to finish in fourth, with Jeremy Pundt coming from 16th to round out the top five.
Dean Kratzer of Fort Madison, IA won the Hobby Stock Feature on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at 34 raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

John Whalen and Dennis Schulte led the field to the green in the 12 lap 4 Cylinder feature, with Schulte edging out Travis Yakle at the line by inches to lead lap 1. Schulte and Yakle would battle for the top spot, when the one and only caution of the event came out on lap 7 for Gabe Harrison's spin on the front stretch. On the restart, Schulte would hold off Yakle to grab the lead. Schulte then held off all challenges by Yakle over the final 5 laps to claim the win. Wayne Noble came from 8th to finish in third, Bryce Bailey came from 11th to finish in fourth, with Darin Smith rounding out the top five. The 4 Cylinder Feature was won by Dennis Schulte of Keokuk, IA on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final feature of the night was the 100 lap $10,000 to win Late Model race. Lonnie Bailey and Mark Burgtorf took the field to the drop of the green flag, with Bailey edging out Burgtorf to grab the lead on lap 1. But Burgtorf would come back on the bottom of the speedway to take the lead on lap 2. The first of three cautions would come out on lap 4, as Tyler Bruening spun in turn two. On the restart, Burgtorf moved back out front, as Bailey, Jason Frankel, Jeff Aikey and Tony Fraise battled for the top five. Burgtorf would come up on lapped traffic on lap 12, but wasn't slowed until a caution on lap 16 for Fred Remley who slowed to a stop in turn four. Once again Burgtorf jumped out front on the restart, but Aikey would slip past Bailey on the top side of the speedway to take the second spot. With Burgtorf and Aikey working the top of the speedway, Bailey would work the bottom to take the top spot on lap 29. Bailey then worked the bottom for the next 15 laps, as Burgtorf tried to get the lead back from the top of the speedway. Burgtorf would grab the lead back from Bailey on lap 44, but Bailey would come back on lap 45 to take the lead back. Bailey then held the top spot until lap 48, as he was slowed on the bottom by a lapped car to give the lead back to Burgtorf.

Burgtorf would continue to lead, as Aikey moved passed Bailey on lap later, lap 49 for second. Aikey then went through the middle on lap 54 to pass Burgtorf for the lead, but a caution would come out before the lap was complete. Burgtorf would get the lead back on the restart. Burgtorf then worked to hold off Aikey, Terry Neal, Frankel, Rob Toland, Fraise, Matt Strassheim, Jason Hahne, and Ray Guss Jr. The top eight cars would run nose to tail over the final 15 laps, with each waiting for the other to make a mistake. Burgtorf would be the first to step out of the line, as he tried to get by a lapped car on lap 97 on the bottom, going into turn two. That move would allow Frankel to squeeze by Burgtorf on the back stretch to take over the top spot. Frankel then held off Burgtorf over the final 2 laps to claim his first career Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals feature win and the $10,000 check to go with it. Rob Toland came from 14th to finish in third, Aikey settled for fourth, with Neal coming home in fifth.

Quincy, Illinois' driver Jason Frankel made a late pass in the 100 lap IMCA Late Model feature to take home the $10,000 top prize at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Notes from 34: Rick Wendling was running second in the first B Main, a quailifying spot, when he got to high in turn one on lap 4 and fell back to fourth. Boone McLaughlin did the same thing on lap 9 to go from 3rd to 4th. But McLaughlin did a nice three wide through the middle pass on the lap 13 to go from 4th to second....Tom Darbyshire was running 3rd in the second B Main when he and Denny Woodworth made contact, with Darbyshire spinning in turn four on lap 8. Both drivers would go to the back, giving Jay Johnson the final transfer spot....Kevin Blum was running second in B Main three, when he pulled in with troubles on the caution of lap 2. He would return as the field took the green to restart 15th and a half a track behind. He would race his way back to 10th, with no cautions......Derek St. Clair started the Hobby Stock feature on the front row, but got sideways on lap 2 to fall to 9th. He never recovered from that to make any challenges for the top spot....Dan Wenig started the feature in 22nd and had worked his way to 8th, when some debris fell off his car to bring out the yellow on lap 13th. He would retire to the pits to finish in 20th......Bryce Bailey made the pull down from Cedar Rapids, IA to compete in the 4 Cylinder feature. He would start the event in 11th and passed 9 cars to take home a fourth place finish....Michael Grossman started the event in 12th, but fell back to last on the start when he car wouldn't take off. He would recover to charge back up to finish in 6th....Travis DeMint finished the event in 7th, but it was enough to claim the 4 Cylinder Dash For Cash Series Championship......Lonnie Bailey's battle up front ended on lap 53, as he spun in turn two after contact trying to get back by Terry Neal. Bailey would go to the back, 21st, on the restart and would recover to finish in 14th at the checkered....Matt Strasshim started the 100 lapper in 11th, but would slowly work his way up to finish in 6th....Tony Fraise stayed in the top five for most of the 100 lap event and would settle for a 7th place finish....Boone McLaughlin came from 16th to take home a 10th place finish....Tom Darbyshire got the track provisional and started the event in 26th. He would pass 14 cars to come home with a nice 12th place finish....Jeff Aikey would be crowned the 2009 Deery Brothers Summer Series Champion.

Quincy, Illionois Drivers Sweep Front Row

Burlington, IA (Sept. 18, 2009) - Mother nature shined on 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA for night one of the Pepsi USA Late Model Nationals for the IMCA Late Models Deery Brothers Summer Series finale. Sixty-four Late Models signed in to do battle for one of the 26 starting spots for Saturday nights 100 lapper, paying $10,000 to win.

The night started off with all 64 Late Models getting two laps around the 3/8th mile speedway to set the heat race line-ups. Colby Springsteen was the second car to take to the track, and he would hold off the other 62 to claim fast time. His fast lap would guarantee him a starting spot in the 100 lap finale. Colby Springsteen of Morning Sun, IA set fast time during night one of the Pepsi USA Late Model Nationlas on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the six 12 lap heat races, with the top two finishers earning a spot in Saturday nights 100 lap finale.... Heat one would have Lonnie Bailey, the 2009 Track Champion at 34 Raceway, and Boone McLaughlin on the front row. Bailey would grab the lead and hold on to win the pole for the 100 lap finale. Terry Neal would edge out Springsteen to grab the second and final transfer spot.... Heat two was led to the green by Jason Hahne and Gary Russell. Russell jumped out front on the start and looked to be heading for the win. But he would spin on lap 10 to bring out the caution, ending his great run out front. Mark Burgtorf would inherit the lead and then held on for the final two laps to grab the outside front row for Saturdays 100 lap finale. Hahne would hold off Rob Toland to take the final transfer spot.... Heat three had Kevin Blum, the 2009 IMCA Late Model National Points Champion, and Tony Fraise, rookie driver in the IMCA Late Models, on the front row. Fraise quickly took over the lead on lap 1 and would hold on all 12 laps to pick up the win. Tommy Elston would slip by Blum late in the race to grab the final transfer spot.... Heat four was led to the green by Darrel DeFrance, "The Ironman" of the Deery Series, and T.J. Criss. Criss would grab the lead on the drop of the green, but was quickly over taken by Jason Frankel on lap 3. Frankel would pull away to claim the win, with Criss holding on to take the final transfer spot.... Heat five saw Matt Strassheim and Jeff Aikey on the front row, with Strassheim getting the jump on the start to lead lap 1. Aikey would make the move around Strassheim on lap 6 and then pulled away to claim the win. Strassheim then held off Fred Remley to take the final transfer spot....Heat 6, the final heat, was led to green by Nick Ingalls and Matt Bailey. Bailey moved out front on the drop of the green, with Ray Guss Jr. close behind. Guss Jr. would over take Bailey and then pulled away to claim the win. Bailey would hold on to take the final transfer spot.

Up next was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Cole Simmons and Sky Griffin drawing the front row for the event. The caution would appear before lap 1 could be complete, for a spin in turn two by Rick Hutchenson. On the complete restart, Simmons would edge out Jeff Mueller and Griffin, as they drove three wide off of four, to grab the lead on lap 1. Mueller would slip under Simmons on lap 2 to take over the top spot. Kevin Harsch would spin in turn two on the completion of lap 2 to bring the caution out. On the restart, Mueller jumped back out front and then had to work to hold off Griffin. But another caution would come back out on lap 3, as Curtis Doyle spun to a stop in turn three. Once again Muller grabbed the lead on the restart, with Strothman, John Oliver Jr. and Chris Webb battling for second. Mueller started to build up a lead, when the caution appeared on the speedway on lap 8 for the second solo spin by Harsch in turn three. On the restart, Mueller again moved out front, with Oliver Jr., Abe Huls, who started 12th, Jason Cook, who started 9th, and Webb having a great battle for second. The final caution in the event came out on lap 15, for a spin in turn two by Dole, his second solo. Mueller once again jumped out into the lead on the restart, leaving Oliver Jr., Huls, Cook and Webb battling for second. Mueller would pull away over the final 5 laps to claim the win. Oliver Jr. would win the battle for second, Cook edged out Huls for third, with Webb holding on for fifth. New London, Iowa's Jeff Mueller won the IMCA Stock Car feature on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final event of the night was the J&J Steel / Ideal Ready Mix Iron Man Challenge race. This race is for the drivers who had a perfect attendance during the 2009 season on the Deery Brothers Summer Series scheduled events. Ten drivers took to the speedway for the 20 lap $840 to win race. Bobby Hansen and Greg Kastli led the field to the drop of the green flag, with Kastli leading lap 1. Kastli would only lead one lap, as Hansen came back on the bottom to take over the top spot on lap 2. Hansen had the lead for one lap, as Rob Toland came from 6th to take over the top spot on lap 3. Toland looked to be pulling away, as Jason Frankel, who started 8th, and Jeff Aikey, who started 10th, were working there way to the front. Frankel would move into second and then chased down Toland to grab the lead away on lap 12. Frankel then pulled away over the final 8 laps to pick up the win. Aikey would move up to finish in second, Terry Neal finished third, Toland held on for fourth, with Ray Guss Jr. coming home in fifth.

Notes from 34: Lonnie Bailey and Mark Burgtorf, who took the wins in heat race 1 and 2, would set up am all Quincy, Illinois front row for the 100 lap finale on Saturday....Tony Fraise, in his first year of competition in the IMCA Late Models, looked good in heat race 3 to take the win and giving him the third starting spot in the 100 lapper......The IMCA Stock car feature was won by Mueller, but the battle for second was a hot one. Oliver Jr., Huls, Cook and Webb raced two and three wide several times through out the 20 lap event. These four drivers put on quit a battle for second from lap 8 to the checkered on lap 20....Brian Holmes started the feature in 16th and passed 8 cars to finish in 8th....Darin Thye had problems in his heat and had to start the feature in 24th. He would pass 14 cars to driver his way to a 10th place finish...Sky Griffin turned his Hobby Stock into a Stock Car for this event. He would draw the front row for the feature and battled Simmons and Mueller early on for the lead. Mechanical troubles would take him out of the feature.

Burgtorf Tops Deery Brothers Summer Series Victory at Lee County Speewday; Collects "Drive For Five" Bonus

Donnellson, IA (Sept. 5, 2009) - What a beautiful night for racing at the Lee County Speedway, as the Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models made a return trip. Also in action was the Stock Cars, SportMods, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things. After all the racing action was complete just before 10:00 p.m., taking home feature wins on the night were Mark Burgtorf (IMCA Late Modesl), Abe Huls (Stock Cars), Kaleb Bentley (SportMods), Jake Wenig (Hobby Stocks) and Rob Hammel (Wild Things).

The first feature of the night was the 15 lap Stock Cars, with Jim Redmann and Corey Strothman drawing the front row for the event. Redmann would jump out into the lead on lap 1, as Strothman worked to hold off Abe Huls for second. Redmann would hold the top spot until lap 8, when Huls slipped under him to take over the lead. While Huls was out front, Redmann, John Oliver Jr. and Jeff Mueller, who started 9th, had a great battle going for second. Oliver Jr. would get by Redmann with three laps to go and then worked on Huls for the lead. But Huls would hold him off at the checkers to claim the win. Mueller would finish in third, Redmann held on for fourth, with Jason Cook coming home in fifth.

Up next was the 12 lap Wild Things feature, with Rob Hammel and Rex Smart making up the front row. Hammel would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag. Wayne Noble would follow Hammel to take the second spot and tried for the entire 12 laps to get by Hammel for the lead. But Hammel would hold him off to pick up the win. James Oliver III would come home in third, Travis DeMint was fourth after starting 8th, with Chris Loring Jr. coming from 9th to round out the top five.

Jim Kuhlmeier and Thad Gaylord drew the front row for the 15 lap SportMod feature, with Gaylord grabbing the lead on the drop of the green. Gaylord was working to hold off AJ Johnson for the lead, when Johnson spun in turn two on lap 7 to bring out the only caution of the event. On the restart, Gaylord moved back out into the lead, but now had Kaleb Bentley challenging him for the top spot. Gaylord, who was working the top of the speedway, and Bentley, who was on the bottom, ran laps 9 and 10 side-by-side. Bentley would grab the advantage on lap 11 when Gaylord got to high coming out of turn two. Bentley then held on for the final 4 laps to pick up his first win of the season at Lee County. Gaylord held on for second, Jason Cook came from 7th to finish in third, Phillip Cossel charged from 14th to come home in fourth, with the 2009 Track Champion Rodger Dresden rounding out the top five.

The 15 lap Hobby Stock feature took to the track next, with Jim Lynch and Justin Malone on the front row. Malone would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 4. When the caution came out for Matt Tucker who spun in front of the field while running second, collecting Dean Kratzer. Tucker would be done for the night, while Kratzer was able to tag the back of the field. On the restart, Malone again grabbed the lead, but now had Jake Wenig on his back bumper. Jake would take the top spot away from Malone on lap 9 and then held it until the final caution came out on lap 10, for Victor Hastings, John Oliver Sr., Derek St. Clair and Kratzer. All would continue and tag the back of the field, except Kratzer who was done for the night. Jake jumped out into the lead on the restart, with Malone, Jason Gerdes, who started 8th, Lynch and Dan Wenig, who came from 13th, battling for second. Dan would go from fifth to second with two laps to go and now worked on his son Jake for the lead. Jake would hold off his father at the line to claim the win. Gerdes would come home in third, Malone held on for fourth, with Lynch coming home in fifth.

The final feature of the night was the 35 lap Deery Brothers Summer Series for IMCA Late Models. Ray Guss Jr. and Boone McLaughlin would draw the front row for the event, with McLaughlin grabbing the early lead. The field was slowed for the first of two cautions on lap 4, when Matt Ryan and Tony Fraise spun on the front stretch. On the restart, McLaughlin moved back out front, with Guss Jr. challenging him for the lead. Guss Jr. would slip under McLaughlin on lap 10 to take over the top spot and then held it until the final caution of the race came out on lap 12. Jason Frankel came to a stop on the frontstretch while running in the third spot. Guss Jr. moved back out front on the restart, with McLaughlin, Rob Toland, Jeff Aikey, who started 7th, and Tom Goble, who started 8th, battling for the seond spot. Guss Jr. looked to be pulling away from the field, as Mark Burgtorf, who started 19th, had worked his way into the second spot on lap 27. Disaster would strike Guss Jr. on lap 29, as he slowed going down the back stretch and pulled into the back pits, giving the lead over to Burgtorf. Burgtorf was working heavy lap traffic, allowing Toland and Aikey to close in. The three drivers would run nose to tail and sometimes third wide for the lead on laps 31-34. Before Burgtorf got the advantage he needed on the final lap to pick up the win. Toland held on for second, Aikey was third, Goble came home in fourth, with Tommy Elston coming from 14th to round out the top five.

LCS Notes: 43 Late Models, 28 Hobby Stocks, 19 Wild Things, 17 Stock Cars and 15 SportMods made up the 122 cars signed in to do battle on the night......Both the Stock Car and Wild Things feature events went CAUTION FREE! While the SportMod feature only had one caution, the Hobby Stock feature only had two, with the Late Models also having two cautions. Putting an end to the show just before 10p.m......Kaleb Bentley made his first visit to the Lee County Speedway worth it, as he pulled from Fairbank, IA to take home the 15 lap SpotMod feature....AJ Johnson also made the pull from Oskaloosa, IA to compete in the SportMods. He would challenge for the lead early before spinning on lap 7. But would recover late in the race to take home a 9th place finish......Brandon Symmonds won the Hobby Stock B and started 16th, but passed 8 cars in the feature to take home an 8th place finish....Jake Powers also came from the B to start the feature 19th, he would pass 9 cars to finish in 9th....Jay Hayes was another driver who came from the B to start the event in 22nd, he would pass 10 cars to finish in 12th....Tim Pettibone came from the B also to start 21st, he would finish 14th after passing 7 cars....Dugan Thye came from 23rd to pass 8 cars to finish in 15th, another driver who came from the B......Mark Burgtorf was one of 11 drivers who had a chance for a $3,000 bonus going into the night. The Pilot Grove Savings Bank / Ideal Ready Mid "Drive For Five" Bonus was to be awarded to any driver who only missed one Late Model race during the 2009 regular season at the Lee County Speedway. If one of those drivers won the Deery Brothers Summer Series race they would collect a $3,000 bonus on top of the $2,000 for winning the race, making it $5,000 possible to win....Early on in the race the bonus would look to be unpaid, but Burgtorf had other ideas as he worked his way from 19th to 7th by the last caution on lap 12. He then would work his way into second by lap 27 and inherited the lead on lap 29, when Guss Jr. slowed with mechanical troubles. Burgtorf then had to work to hold off challenges from Toland and Aikey at the end to pick up the win. Burgtorf would collect $2,000 for the win and the "Drive For Five" Bonus of $3,000 to give him $5,00o on the night....Denny Woodworth came from 16th in the feature to take home a 7th place finish....Matt Strassheim would get the hard charger provisional for passing the most cars in the B. He would start the feature in 22nd and passed 8 cars to finish in 14th....Terry Neal was suppose to start the feature in the 23rd spot, but problems with his car would scratch him from the event. So Sam Halstead was in line to get the final starting spot in the feature. He would started 24th and passed 7 cars to finish 17th.

Bailey, Ditsworth, Hogan, Huls and St. Clair Crowned 2009 Track Champions at 34 Raceway

Burlington, IA (August 29, 2009) - Its hard to believe it is season championship time of the year for the 2009 racing season, as 34 Raceway hosted there final points race of the season. Taking home feature wins on the night were Tom Darbyshire (IMCA Late Models), Kevin Hetrick (305 Sprints), Scott Hogan (IMCA Modifieds), Abe Huls (IMCA Stock Cars) and Dean Kratzer (Hobby Stocks). While Lonnie Bailey (IMCA Late Models), Jayson Ditsworth (305 Sprints), Scott Hogan (IMCA Modifieds), Abe Huls (IMCA Stock Cars) and Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks) were crowned 2009 Track Champions in there classes.

The first feature on the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, with Scott Hogan and Josh Foster on the ront row. Hogan would get the jump on the start to grab the lead on lap 1 by inches over Foster. The first caution of the event would come out on lap 2, as Dean McGee slowed to a stop in turn four with motor troubles, he was running 7th at the time. On the restart Hogan again moved out front, with Foster pressuring him. Another caution would appear on lap 3, as Kevin Goben spun on the backstretch. Hogan again grabbed the lead on the restart and worked to hold off Foster, when another caution on lap 8 for a spin by Derek Hamm in turn three slowed the event. Once again Hogan moved out front on the restart, but again was slowed on lap 10 for Elmer Arnold, who stopped in turn four with rear end troubles. Hogan again fought off Foster on the restart, only to be slowed again on lap 12 for Rich Smith, who stopped in turn four with rear end troubles. Once again Hogan got the jump on Foster on the restart, with the battle being slowed for the final time on lap 15 for a second solo spin by Derek Hamm in turn two. On the restart Hogan held off Foster and would go on to take the win. His win would give him his first track championship at 34 Raceway. Foster held on for second, Michael Long charged from 21st to come home a close third, Dusty Kraklio was fourth, with Andy Krieger coming from 9th to round out the top five.

Scott Hogan of Vinton, IA won the IMCA Modified feature and Track Championship on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 20 lap 305 Sprint feature, with Jayson Ditsworth and Matt Krieger leading the field to the green. Ditsworth would power out into the lead on the start and was lapping up to 13th when his motor let go on lap 8. Kevin Hetrick would inherit the lead on the restart and then held it until lap 14, when the caution came out for a spin in four by Dave Anderson, who was running sixth. Ketrick would move out front on the restart and then held off a final lap challenge from Krieger to claim the win. Justin Newberry was third, Patrick Moore came from 15th to finish in fourth, with Jarrod Schneiderman coming home fifth.

The 305 Sprint feature at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, August 29, 2009 was won by Kevin Hetrick of Gladstone, IL. Photo by Dana Royer.

Abe Huls and Darin Thye made up the front row for the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Huls grabbing the lead on the start. Huls would work to hold off Thye, when the first caution came out on lap 6, for Cale Samberg who spun off turn one while running sixth. On the restart Huls again moved out front, with Thye and Kirk Kinsley battling for second. The second caution of the race would appear on lap 9, when Jeff Mueller, who started 12th, spun in turn four while running sixth. Once again Huls got the jump on Thye on the restart and then held it until the final caution came out on lap 13, for a spin in turn two by Samberg and Shane Watts. Huls again moved out into the lead on the restart and then held on for the win and the 2009 Track Championship. Thye held on for second, Mueller recovered from his spin to finish in third, John Oliver Jr. was fourth, with Corey Strothman rounding out the top five.

Carthage, Illinois' Abe Huls won the IMCA Stock Car feature and Track Championhip at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, August 29, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Lonnie Bailey and Tom Darbyshire on the front row for the event. Darbyshire would jump out into the lead on lap 1, with Bailey close behind in second. Darbyshire would hold off several challenges from Bailey throughout the entire 25 lap race to pick up the win. The feature would go caution free! Matt Strassheim would finish in third, Colby Springsteen was fourth, with Mark Burgtorf coming home in fifth.

The IMCA Late Model feature on Saturday, August 29, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA was won by Tom Darbyshire of Morning Sun, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Derek St. Clair and Tanner Thomann leading the field to the drop of the green. St. Clair would get the jump on the start to lead lap 1 and then held it until a caution on lap 9 for Jim Lynch who stopped in turn four with front end troubles. On the restart St. Clair grabbed the lead, with Dean Kratzer now close behind in second. Kratzer would jump to the outside of St. Clair on lap 11 to take over the top spot, and then held it until the final caution came out on lap 13 for a spin by Lane Kauffman and Dan Wenig in turn four. Kratzer would move out into the lead on the restart and then held off St. Clair over the final two laps to claim the win. Thomann held on for third, Jarod Conrad came home in fourth, with Ray Raker rounding out the top five.

Dean Kratzer of Ft. Madison, IA won the Hobby Stock feature at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, August 29, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Notes from 34: Brandon Savage started the Modified feature in 19th and passed 11 cars to finish in 8th....Kevin Cale piloted his son Tyler's car on the night, but had to start 25th in the feature. He would pass 16 cars to take home a 9th place finish....Jacob McVey started the event in 24th and passed 11 cars to finish in 13th....Dennis LaVeine, who started 15th, worked his way to 7th by lap 8, but would pull into the pits on the yellow with troubles to end his run......Ditsworth had a big win going in the 305 Sprint feature, when his motor let go on lap 8 to give him a 16th place finish. Krieger would race Hetrick for the win, but settled for second. Ditsworth's 16th place finish and Krieger's 2nd place finish would create a tie for the 2009 Track Championship, but the tie breaker would go to Ditsworth who had more wins on the year....Hetrick would finish just one point back in third......Lonnie Bailey would finish the Late Model feature in second, but took home the 2009 Track Championship......St. Clair claimed his second Hobby Stock Track Championship of 2009, as he finished second in the feature to give him the title at 34 Raceway and Lee County Speedway....Jeremy Pundt came from the Hobby Stock B-Main to start the feature in 25th. He would pass 17 cars to take home a 8th place finish....Derek Kirkland made the pull to 34 Raceway with his 9:1 Hobby Stock and took 2nd in the B-Main to start 26th in the feature. He would pass 15 cars and took home an 11th place run....30 Hobby Stocks turned out for the final points night, with the top 24 cars in points being locked into the feature, then two cars would come out of the B-Main to set the field.

Huls and Cossel Get There First Wins at Lee County Speedway in 2009

Donnellson, IA (August 21, 2009) - The next to the last week for points in 2009 was held at the Lee County Speedway, with the battle for valuable points continuing to go down to the wire in three of the six classes. Taking home feature wins on the night were Josh Foster (IMCA Modifieds), Abe Huls (IMCA Stock Car), Phillip Cossel (IMCA Sport Mods), Dean Kratzer (Hobby Stocks) and James Olive III (Wild Things).

The first feature to take to the track was the 15 lap IMCA Sport Mods, with Rich Uppinghouse and Lonnie McCarty on the front row for the event. A caution on the start would slow the field down, as Rod Staats, Derek Coleman, McCarty, Jason Cook and Harley Hill collided going into turn one. All would continue except McCarty, Cook and Hill. On the restart, Coleman would jump out into the lead on lap 1 and held it until the caution came back out on lap 7. Paul Underwood would spin in turn four, with Phillip Cossel going to the pits with mechanical troubles while running fifth. Cossel would return and start in the back of the field, while Coleman grabbed the lead on the restart. But a caution on lap 9 for a spin by Thad Gaylord, who was running 2nd, who collected Staats, who was running 4th, and Rick Barlow Jr.,who was running 5th, slowed the event. Once again Coleman grabbed the lead on the restart, only to be slowed again on lap 10 for a spin by Uppinghouse and Staats in turn two. Coleman again moved out into the lead on the restart, with Rodger Dresden now battling him for the top spot. Dresden would try to get under Coleman in turn one on the white flag lap, but had no room to make the pass and got into Coleman and spun him. Both drivers were sent to the back, with Cossel inherited the lead for the green-white-checkered finish. Cosssel would hold on to claim his first win of 2009 at the speedway. Derrick Higdon got a career best finish second after starting 14th, Dresden recovered to finish in third, Uppinghouse was fourth, with Jim Kuhlmeier coming home fifth after starting 13th.

Up next was the 12 lap Wild Things feature, with Drew Zane and Matt Marshall leading the field to the green. But it was third place starter David Probasco jumping out into the lead on lap 1, with a caution coming out for the completion of the lap for Marshall, who stopped on the backstretch. On the restart Probasco grabbed the lead and then held it until lap 4, when James Oliver III, who started 8th, jumped to his outside to take over the top spot. A caution on the completion of lap four, for Zane and Rex Smart would bunch the field back up. On the restart, Casey Lambert would spin in turn two to bring the yellow back out. Once again Oliver III moved out into the lead on the restart, only to be slowed for the final time on lap 5 for a spin in turn four by Mike Horning Jr. and Chuck Fullenkamp. This would set up a green-white-checkered finish, as the time limit was up. Oliver III would hold on to claim his fourth win of the season at the track. Probasco would hold on to finish second, Gabe Harrison came home in third, Kimberly Abbott was fourth, with Dakota Fenton coming from 10th to round out the top five.

Corey Strothman and Chris Webb led the field of IMCA Stock Cars to the green in there 15 lap feature, but a caution on the start for Paul Lawson who clipped a tire in turn one would slow the start. On the restart Webb pulled out into the lead and then held it until lap 3, when John Oliver Jr. jumped to his outside to take over the top spot. A caution on lap 8 for a tire, would slow the field and bring them back to Oliver Jr.'s back bumper. Once again Oliver Jr. grabbed the lead on the restart and then held it until lap 12, when Jim Redmann, who started 10th, jumped to his outside to take over the top spot. Redmann took the white flag with Abe Huls trying to get by in turn one. The two drivers went into turns three and four side-by-side with Huls coming off four on the bottom to edge out Redmann at the line by inches to pick up his first win of 2009 at the speedway. Oliver Jr. held on for third, Strothman would finish in fourth, with Jeff Mueller coming home in fifth.

The IMCA Modified 20 lap feature took to the speedway next, with John Mickelson and Dustan Fenton on the front row. A caution on the start for Dean McGee, Michael Browning, Mike Weikert Jr., Levi Smith and Rich Smith would slow the field. On the restart, Tyler Cale would grabbed the lead on lap 1, only to be slowed on lap 3 for a spin off four by Mickelson. Cale would jump out into the lead on the restart, but once again the yellow would come out as Adam Birck, who was running second, hit the guardrail in four and was clipped by Chad Sovern, who was running fifth. A jack rabbit restart would result in Levi Smith and Bill Seyb colliding in turn four. On the restart Cale moved back out front and held on until another caution on lap 8 for a spin by Rob Kirchner, who was running fifth, slowed the event. Bill Roberts, who was running sixth, would clipped a tire on the restart and stopped off turn four with front end damage to slow the event again. Cale again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Rich Smith, who started 12th, close behind in second. Cale worked to hold off Smith, while Josh Foster, who started 23rd, and Brandon Rothzen, who started 22nd, were working there way to the front. Foster would jump to the top of the speedway to take over the top spot from Cale on lap 14, but Cale would come back on the bottom to lead lap 15. But Foster would come back on lap 16 to take the lead back, with the final caution of the event coming out on lap 18 for Mickelson's second solo spin off turn four. Foster would hold on for the green-white-checkered finish to pick up his third win of the season at the speedway. Rothzen edged out Cale at the line to finish in second, Rich Smith held on for fourth, with Jeff Gerhardt coming from 16th to round out the top five.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Brandon Symmonds and Doug Fenton on the front row. Symmonds would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 6, when Dean Kratzer, who started 7th, slipped by for the top spot. The one and only caution of the event came out on lap 8, when Doug Fenton got into Jeremy Pundt, who spun off four, sending both drivers to the back. Kratzer would grabbed the lead on the restart and then held on for the final 7 laps to claim his second win in a row at the track. Symmonds held on for second, Derek St. Clair came from 10th to finish in third, Rob Wilsey was fourth, with Bob Lynch coming home in fifth.

Notes from LCS: Cossel's win and Dresden's third place finish in the Sport Mod feature would cut the points lead down to 2 points, with Dresden leading going into the final night....Brandon Greene made the pull down from Williamsburg, IA but had troubles in hot laps to end his first trip to the Lee County Speedway......Dave Warth started the Stock Car feature in 15th and passed eight cars to finish in 7th....Derek St. Clair made his Stock Car debut, as he piloted the back up car of Chris Webb's. St. Clair would stay out of troubles and finish a respectable 11th......Foster was DQ'ed in his heat for illegal spindles and had to start shot gun on the field in the Modified feature. Foster put on a show to work his way to the front and the win. His win would give him a five point lead over Rich Smith going into the final night of racing....Rothzen was DQ'ed in his heat race for not having the back panel on his race car. He would have to start the feature in 22nd, but just like Foster, he would put on a show to edge Cale out at the line to finish in second....Dean McGee recovered from the first lap crash to come home in 9th....Kirchner made it back to 10th after his lap 8 spin....Levi Smith took home an 11th place finish after being involved in the first lap and third lap crashes......TJ Henderson came from his 14th place starting spot in the Hobby Stock feature to take home a 7th place finish....Jim Lynch, who was running 6th with two laps to go, spun off turn four and kept going, but he would fall to 12th. His 12th place finish and St. Clair's third place finish would give St. Clair the points lead back going into the final night of racing. The two drivers are separated by seven points.

Kratzer and Hammel Claim First Wins, While Burgtorf, Long, Mueller and Dresden Pick-Up Wins

Donnellson, IA (August, 14, 2009) - Another beautiful night for racing greeted both the fans and drivers on Friday at the Lee County Speedway. Taking home feature wins on the evening were Mark Burgtorf (IMCA Late Models), Michael Long (IMCA Modifieds), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Cars), Rodger Dresden (IMCA Sport Mods), Dean Kratzer (Hobby Stocks) and Rob Hammel (Wild Things).



The first feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Jake Wenig and Brandon Symmonds drawing the front row for the event. Wenig would grab the lead on the drop of the green flag, with Symmonds close behind in second. But Wenig's night would come to a close after the completion of lap 1, as Ethan Thompson spun in turn four. Thompson started to pull away to keep the green on, but would stall again in the middle of the turn before the field could get the yellow. Wenig would collide with Thompson and cause damage to the rear of his car ending his night. Symmonds would inherit the lead on the restart, only to have the caution come back out for a collision on the backstretch with Jon Rooney, Jeremy Pundt and Bob Cowman. Once again Symmonds would jump out into the lead on the restart and then held it until another caution came out on lap 4 for a spin by Dane Fenton in turn two. Symmonds again moved out into the lead on the restart, but was slowed on lap 7 for a collision in turn two by Rob Wilsey and Brent Hartley. On the restart Symmonds grabbed the lead and now had Derek St. Clair close behind him in second. The battle for the lead was slowed on lap 12 when TJ Henderson spun in turn two the bring out the yellow. Disaster would strike the top two drivers on the restart, as St. Clair got into the back of Symmonds causing him to spin in turn two, both drivers were sent to the back. Dean Kratzer would inherit the lead on the restart, but a red would come out as Hartley took a roll down the front stretch. He walked away ok. This would set up a green-white-checkered finish, with Kratzer holding on to claim his first win of 2009 at the speedway. John Oliver Jr. started 19th and charged up to finish a close second, Jim Lynch came from 8th to finish in third, Fenton recovered from a spin early on to finish in fourth, with Victor Hastings coming from 23rd to round out the top five.

Up next was the 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Mark Burgtorf and Matt Strassheim leading the field to the green. Burgtorf would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1. The red flag would come out on lap 3 when Tommy Elston, Tom Darbyshire and Colby Springsteen collided in turn four, with Elston rolling. He would walk away ok, but the three cars were heavily damaged. On the restart Burgtorf jumped back out into the lead, with Strassheim and Justin Reed battling for second. The final caution of the event would come out on lap 7, as Jay Chenoweth spun in turn one. Once again Burgtorf moved out in the lead on the restart, with Reed now giving chase. Burgtorf would pull away over the final 13 laps to pick up his second win in a row and fourth of the year at the track. Reed held on for second, Jason Frankel was third, Jeff Aikey came from 13th to finish in fourth, with Tom Goble coming from 10th to round out the top five.

William Michel and James Oliver III would lead the field to the green in the 12 lap Wild Things feature, with Michel grabbing the lead on lap 1. Michel then held the lead until the only caution of the event came out on lap 4, for a spin by Seith Woodruff in turn four. On the restart Michel jumped out into the lead and then held it until lap 7, when Dakota Fenton slipped by for the top spot. Fenton only held the lead for two laps, as Rob Hammel who came from 17th took over the top spot. Hammel would hold on for the final 3 laps to pick up his first win of the season at the track. Fenton held on for second, Oliver III was third, Mike Fisher came from 9th to finish in fourth, with Travis DeMint coming home in fifth.

The 15 lap IMCA Stock Car feature was next to take to the speedway, with Aaron Brocksick and Paul Lawson drawing the front row for the event. Brocksick would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1, with Lawson, Abe Huls and Jeff Mueller battling for the second spot. Mueller would make his move for the lead on lap 7, as he worked under Brocksick coming off four to take over the top spot. Mueller then held off Huls on the final lap to claim his fourth win in a row and eighth of the season at the speedway. Brocksick held on for third, Corey Strothman came from 10th to finish in fourth, with Ryan Cook coming home in fifth.

Rich Uppinghouse was suppose to start the 15 lap IMCA Sport Mod feature on the pole but would scratch from the event, moving Rod Staats and Rodger Dresden to the front row. Staats would jump out into the lead on lap 1, but could only hold it for four laps as Dresden slipped under him for the top spot. The one and only caution of the event would come out on lap 6, as Derek Coleman and Jacob Smith collided in turn one. On the restart Dresden would jump out into the lead, but now had to work to hold off Phillip Cossel, who started 10th. Dresden held off Cossel over the final 9 laps to claim his fifth win of the season. Jason Cook would finish third, Staats held on for fourth, with Rick Barlow Jr. rounding out the top five.

The final feature of the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Jeff Gerhardt and Andy Krieger drawing the front row. Krieger would take advantage of his front row start to jump out into the lead on the drop of the green, with Gerhardt and Mike Weikert Jr. battling for second. The first of five cautions would wave on lap 3 for a spin in turn two by John Mickelson. On the restart Krieger moved out into the lead, with Weikert Jr. close behind in second. Weikert Jr. would make his move for the lead on lap 7, only to have the caution come out for a spin in turn one for Derek Hamm. Krieger would get the lead back as a result of the caution and then held it until the third caution waved on lap 12 for a spin by Josh Foster in turn four. Once again Krieger grabbed the lead on the restart, with Weikert Jr. working to hold off Michael Long, who started 12th, for second. The fourth caution came out on lap 16 for another solo spin by Derek Hamm in turn one, his second of the event ending his night. On the restart Krieger jumped back out into the lead, but only held it until lap 18 when Long would move to the top of the track to take over the top spot. After the completion of lap 18, Weikert Jr. would slow to a stop on the front strecth to bring out the final caution of the event. Long grabbed the lead on the restart and then held on to claim his sixth win of the season at the track. Krieger held on for second, Bill Roberts was third, Brandon Rothzen was fourth, with Rich Smith coming from 11th to round out the top five.

Notes from LCS: 28 Wild Things, 26 Modifieds, 26 Hobby Stocks, 18 Late Models, 15 Stock Cars and 15 Sport Mods made up the 128 cars who signed in for the draw/redraw event......Dan Wenig who was running fourth in the Hobby Stock feature would suddenly pull into the pits on the lap 4 yellow with mechanical troubles to end his night....Derek St. Clair charged back up to finish 6th after being sent to the back on lap 12. But his sixth place finish and Jim Lynch's third place finish would give Lynch a two point lead with only two weeks left for points....Tim Pettibone, who had a night off from Bloomfield, made the pull to Lee County and started the feature in the 22nd spot, but would pass 14 cars to take home a nice 8th place finish......Tony Fraise was suppose to start the first Late Model heat race on the pole, but would scratch for the night with problems after hot laps....Dakota Fenton took his car he swapped for in a claim last week to a second place finish in the Wild Thing feature to maintain his lead in the points......The 15 lap Stock Car feature went caution free, with plenty of three and four wide racing going on for the entire 15 laps!......Rich Smith narrowed Josh Foster's points lead down to two points, as Smith would bring home a fifth place finish in the Modified feature. While Foster broke a water pump early in the feature and lost all the water to cause the motor to stall on lap 12 to bring out the yellow, to give him a 22nd place finish....Brandon Savage started the event 20th and passed 11 cars to finish in 9th....Brad Ford came from 22nd to finish in 12th....Jim Lynch would finish second in heat one and then redrew fourth for the feature, but he would scratch from the event.

Savage and Krieger Get First Wins at 34 Raceway, while St. Clair Claims His Seventh

Burlington, IA (August 8, 2009) - Another hot and steamy night of racing took place at 34 Raceway, with the all important battle for points coming close to an end. Picking up wins on the night were Tom Darbyshire (IMCA Late Models), Matt Krieger (305 Sprints), Brandon Savage (IMCA Modifieds), Todd Holsteen (IMCA Stock Cars) and Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks).

The first feature of the night of the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Levi Smith and Brandon Savage making up the front row. Savage would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag. The one and only caution of the event would come out on the completion of lap 1, when Kevin Goben spun in turn four. On the restart Savage moved out into the lead, with Rich Smith now chasing him. Savage would hold off Smith over the 20 laps to pick up his first win of 2009 at 34 Raceway. Scott Hogan came from 10th to finish in third, Josh Foster started 9th and finished fourth, with Brandon Rothzen finishing 5th after starting 11th.

Brandon Savage of Keokuk, IA won his first IMCA Modified of the season at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 20 lap 305 Sprint feature, with Gary Bonar and Nick Guernsey leading the field to the green. Bonar would grab the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 2, when Guernsey powered by on the outside to take over the top spot. Guernsey would start to open a big lead when the first of three cautions would come out on lap 12 when Alexsha Alexander spun in turn four. On the restart Guernsey would jump back out into the lead, with Jarrod Schneiderman close behind in second. But the caution would come back out on lap 13 for Dave Anderson who slowed to a stop in turn four. Once again Guernsey would grab the lead on the restart, with Matt Krieger charging from his 9th place starting spot to challenge him for the top spot. Krieger jumped to the outside of Guernsey on lap 14 to take over the lead, with the final caution coming out on lap 15 for a spin off turn two by Kevin Hetrick. On the restart Krieger moved back out front and then held off a late charge from Jayson Ditsworth, who started 14th, to claim his first career Sprint car feature win. Schneiderman held on for third, Guernsey finished fourth, with John Draper rounding out the top five.

Matt Krieger of Burlington, IA waves to the crowd after claiming his first career 305 Sprint feature on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

Nick Fenton and Brett Timmerman led the field to the drop of the green in the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Timmerman taking the lead on lap 1. The one and only caution of the event would come out on lap 2, when Darin Thye slowed to a stop in turn two with a right front flat. On the restart Timmerman moved back out front, with Brian Holmes, Kirk Kinsley and Todd Holsteen battling for second. Timmerman would hold the lead until lap 12, when Holsteen slipped under him to take over the top spot. Holsteen then pulled away over the final 9 laps to pick up the win. Holmes held on for second, Kinsley would finish third, Timmerman slipped back to fourth, with Greg Johnson coming home in fifth.
The IMCA Stock Car feature at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, August 8, 2009 was won by Todd Holsteen of Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Colby Springsteen and Matt Bailey on the front row for the event. Springsteen would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1, with the first of two cautions coming out on lap 2 for a spin by Jay Johnson in turn two. On the restart Springsteen jumped back out front and then held the lead until lap 11, when Mark Burgtorf slipped under him for the top spot. Burgtorf would start to pull away from the field when disaster struck him on lap 16. Burgtorf was going to put a lap on a car when it suddenly went from the bottom of the track to get into Burgtorf off the back stretch. Burgtorf would pound the outside wall hard and bent the front end up. But he would keep going to mantain the lead. But the caution would come out, bringing the field to Burgtorf's back bumper. On the restart Burgtorf would work to hold off the field, but Tom Darbyshire would slip under Burgtorf on lap 19 to take over the lead. Darbyshire would lead the final 6 laps to claim the win. Springsteen came home in second, Lonnie Bailey started 12th and finished third, Tom Goble was fourth, with Tommy Elston rounding out the top five.
Tom Darbyshire of Morning Sun, IA took home the IMCA Late Model feature on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Joe Laue and Dane Fenton leading the field to green. Laue moved out into the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 2, when Dane Fenton slipped by for the top spot. But a caution before the lap could be complete would give the lead back to Laue. Only Laue had a flat tire and pulled in for a change, giving the lead back to Fenton. On the restart Dane Fenton grabbed the lead and then held it until lap 5, when Doug Fenton slipped under him for the top spot. The third caution of the event would come out after the completion of lap 5 for a spin by Brodie Dopler in turn four. Doug Fenton jumped out into the lead on the restart and had to work to hold off Dane Fenton and Dean Kratzer, when the final caution would appear on lap 11 for a slowed Kratzer who had a tire go down. Once again Doug Fenton moved out into the lead, but now had Derek St. Clair, who started 10th, on his back bumper. St. Clair would slip under Doug Fenton on lap 13 to take over the top spot, which he held on to over the final 2 laps to claim his seventh win of 2009 at the track. Doug Fenton held on for second, Victor Hastings was third, Tanner Thomann was fourth, with Ray Raker coming home in fifth.

Donnellson, Iowa's Derek St. Clair claimed his seventh Hobby Stock feature of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA, on Saturday, August 8, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Notes from 34: Tyler Glass made the pull from Cedar Rapids, IA to compete in the IMCA Modified feature. He would start the event in 18th and ending up finishing 12th......Jayson Ditsworth had troubles in his 305 Sprint heat that forced him to start the feature in 14th. But he would charge up 12 spots to finish in second to help maintain his points lead....Tony Davis who was running second in the Sprint feature would pull into the pits on lap 8 when a radius rod broke on the front end to his good run up front....Kevin Hetrick was running sixth when he spun of a turn two with motor troubles......Abe Huls also suffered troubles in his IMCA Stock Car heat to force him to start the feature in 17th, but he would pick off 11 cars to finish in 6th....Ryan Cook mad a return to the race track, after visting home from the service. He would start the IMCA Stock Car feature in 18th and then raced hard to finish in 3rd. Nice to see Ryan back at the track......Gary Russell, who has won the last two IMCA Late Model features at 34 Raceway, was suppose to start the feature in the third spot, but a broken water pump forced him to tag the back and then he made a few laps to save the motor....Matt Strassheim got some front end damage on lap 2 after trying to avoid Jay Johnson. He would pull into the pits, after running in third....Tom Darbyshire was running second and battling Springsteen for the lead, when he got sideways in turn two. But he would keep going to fall back to 4th, but would recover from that to come back to lead the final 6 laps to pick up the win....Mark Burgtorf would fight a torn up race car over the final 6 laps to cross the finish line in 6th......Derek St. Clair returned to the winners circle for the second week in a row, despite being claimed after last weeks Hobby Stock feature event.