Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Crear Wins Career First; While Mueller Doubles Up at Lee County

Donnellson, IA (Friday, June 17, 2011) - After a week off due to rain and despite the rains throughout the week, the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, IA was able to get a regular night of racing in on Friday. At the end of the night one driver picked up his career first feature win, while another one visited victory lane not once but twice.

The first feature on the night was the 12 lap Wild Things, with Casey Mehaffy and Andrew Davis leading the field to the drop of the green flag. But it was seventh place starter David Helenthal who quickly moved to the front to grab the lead on lap 1. While Helenthal continued to lead, William Michel, who started 11th, and Nick Wilkerson, who started 8th, were working there way to the front. The battle up front was slowed only one time, as Chuck Fullenkamp slowed in turn 4 on lap 9 to bring out the only caution. On the restart Helenthal jumped back out front, with Wilkerson and Michel battling it out for 2nd. Helenthal would hold off all challenges to pick up his third win of the season at the track. Wilkerson won the battle for 2nd, Michel settled for 3rd, Darin Smith came from 9th to finish in 4th, with Davis holding on for a fifth place finish.

Up next was the 15 lap IMCA SportMod feature, with Patrick Profeta and Dean Kratzer on the front row. Profeta would take advantage of his front row start to edge out Kratzer at the line to lead lap 1. Kratzer then tried everything to get by Profeta for the top spot, when he final got the job done on lap 5 to take the lead. The action up front was slowed for the first time on lap 8, when Brandon Ruffcorn spun in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Krazter jumped back out front, but now had Jeff Mueller, who started 10th, close behind in 2nd. Kratzer would hold back Mueller until the second caution of the event came out on lap 11. This time Adam Shelman spun in turn 4, as a result of contact from Jacob Smith. Mueller would slip past Krazter on the restart to grab the lead on lap 13, with the final caution coming out after the completion of the lap. Ryan Fullenkamp spun his machine in turn 2 to bring the yellow light on. On the restart Mueller grabbed the lead and then held on for the final 3 laps to claim his first win of the season in the SportMods. Jim Gillenwater came from 9th to claim 2nd, Kratzer held on for 3rd, Michael Joe Bliven came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Rod Staats rounding out the top 5.

Jake Wenig and Bob Cowman led the field to the green in the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Wenig jumping out front on lap 1. The first of two cautions would come out on the completion of lap 1, as Jim Lynch, who was running 7th, spun in turn 4 and collected the cars of Michael Wenke and Dale Porter. On the restart Jake Wenig grabbed the lead, with Dan Wenig coming from 7th to challenge him for the top spot. Jake would hold back Dan over the next 10 laps, when the final caution came out on lap 11. This time Matt Tucker, who was running 4th, slowed with a left rear flat tire. Jake Wenig once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Dan Wenig trying to hold back Dane Fenton for second. Jake would lead the final 4 laps to pick up his third win of the season at the speedway. Dan Wenig held on to the battle for 2nd, Ray Raker came from 6th to over take Fenton for 3rd, Fenton settled for 4th, with Lynch recovering from his lap 1 spin to come back to finish in 5th.

Corey Strothman and Jeremy Pundt made up the front row for the 15 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Strothman jumping out front on lap 1. While Strothman worked to hold back John Oliver Jr, Jason Cook, who started 8th and Jeff Mueller, who started 9th, were working there way to the front. Cook would over take Oliver Jr on lap 9 to take 2nd, while Mueller moved into third on lap 10. Then Mueller made his move around Cook on lap 11 to get into second, and went to work on Strothman for the lead. Strothman was able to hold back Mueller until the white flag lap, when Mueller slipped by for the lead. Mueller then held off a last lap charge from Cook to claim his third win of the season at the track and the second win of the night. Strothman settled for 3rd, Oliver Jr was 4th, with Aaron Brocksieck coming home in 5th.

The final feature of the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Jim Lynch and Dustin Crear on the front row. Crear would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on the drop of the green flag. But the first caution of the event would appear on the completion of lap 1, as Ryan Cook spun in turn 4. On the restart Crear once again jumped out into the lead, with Rich Smith, who started 7th, close behind in 2nd. Smith would try Crear down low for the next 12 laps, before the action was slowed for the final time on lap 13. Lynch, who was running 4th, had troubles and pulled off on the backstretch in front of Jeff Waterman, who was running 5th, and had to spin to avoid Lynch to bring out the yellow. Crear again moved out into the lead on the restart, with Smith close behind. But Crear was able to hold back Smith over the final 7 laps to claim his first career feature win. Brandon Banks came from 8th to finish in 3rd, Adam Birck was 4th, with Tyler Cale coming from 11th to round out the top 5.

Notes from LCS: Brandon Ruffcorn who started 17th in the SportMod feature and spun in turn 2 on lap 8 to bring out the first yellow, recovered to finish in 9th....Adam Shelman came back for his spin on lap 11 to take home a 10th place finish....Ryan Fullenkamp recovered from his lap 12 spin to take home a 13th place......Tanner Thomann came from 9th in the Hobby Stock feature to take home a 6th place finish....Josh Tripp passed 6 cars from his 13th place starting spot to come home in 7th......Matt Griener started the Stock Car feature in 10th and would pass 4 cars to take home a 6th place finish....The Stock Cars ran 15 laps CAUTION FREE!!!!......Jeff Waterman, who started 10th, had worked his way to 5th by lap 13 when Jim Lynch pulled off the track in front of him. Waterman would spin his machine to avoid contact and brought out the yellow to be sent to the back. He then recovered to take home a 6th place finish....Bill Roberts came from 14th to finish in 8th....Dustan Fenton started 13th and came home in 9th....Bill Seyb came from 15th to finish in 10th....Brandon Savage, who was suppose to start in the 4th spot, was sent to the back for being pushed off before the start of the feature. He would work his way up to 3rd by lap 18, but pulled off on lap 19 with troubles to end his run in 11th....Derek Hamm had a 6th place run going when he pulled off on lap 17 to end his night in 12th....Josh Foster's back luck continued, as he broke a motor in his heat to scratch from the feature. Back on Tuesday Foster suffered motor troubles at the Hawkeye Dirt Tour at Tipton and then suffered the same fate on Friday at Lee County.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Harrison Scores Career First; While Carlin Ends Anders Win Streak

Quincy, IL (Sunday, June 12, 2011) - Finally mother nature allowed Quincy Raceways to get in a Sunday evening racing program. Despite a brief rain shower during the first Late Model heat, crews were able to get the track back into racing shape after an hour and 30 minute delay. The hard work by all paid off, as the racing action was fast and furious.

The first feature up on the night was the 25 lap UMP Modifieds, with Jake Griffin and David Wietholder drawing the front row. Griffin was able to take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1, as Wietholder worked to hold back Steven DeLonjay and Jared Schlipman. DeLonjay proved to have a fast car, as he quickly moved into second on lap 2 and then went to work on Griffin for the lead. Griffin tried to hold back DeLonjay, but DeLonjay would slip under him coming off turn four on the 4th lap to take over the top spot. The only thing to slow down DeLonjay was the first and only caution of the event, which came out on lap 5. Mark Zimmer would spin in turn 4 and collected Terry Wilson and Ryan Morrison to bring out the yellow. On the restart DeLonjay jumped back out front and then pulled away to pick up an easy win. Wietholder held on for 2nd, Schlipman was 3rd, Justin Reed came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Shawn Deering coming home in 5th.

Up next was the 20 lap Hobby Stock feature, which turned out to be the most exciting one on the night. Adam Scott and Tanner Klingele drew the front row for the event, with Klingele grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag. Klingele then went on to lead the next 5 laps, as Steve Carlin, who started 6th, moved up to challenge him. Carlin, who was running the bottom, took the top spot away from Klingele, who was up top, on lap 6. But Klingele wouldn't give up, as he came back on the top side to grab the lead back on lap 7. The two would run the next 2 laps side-by-side, before Carlin grabbed the advantage on lap 10. Just as Carlin started to pull away from the battle for second, Jim Powell would spin in turn 2 on lap 14 to bring out the first caution of the race. On the restart Bobby Anders jumped to the top of the track to take over the lead on lap 15, with Carlin close behind in 2nd. The action up front was slowed for the second time on the completion of lap 17. This time Nathan Anders would spin his machine in turn 4 to bring the yellow light on. On the restart Klingele, who was running 4th, spun in turn 3 and collected Nathan Anders to bring the caution back out. Bobby Anders, who was up top, and Carlin, who was on the bottom, would run laps 18 and 19 side-by-side. But disaster would strike Bobby Anders on the final lap going into turn 1. Carlin grabbed the advantage on the bottom going into turn 1, with Anders trying to come back on the top. But Anders would loose control of his machine coming out of turn 2 and spun. Which allowed Carlin to drive away to claim the win, which also put an end to Anders' 5 race win streak. Wesley Mayfield came from 5th to claim 2nd, Scott held on for 3rd, Nathan Hayes started 7th and finished in 4th, with Powell recovering from his lap 14 spin to come back to finish 5th.

Billy Genenbacher and Darin Wiesinger led the field to the green in the 30 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Genenbacher grabbing the lead on lap 1. The 1 and only caution of the event would come out on the completion of lap 1, as Justin Reed, who was running 4th, spun to a stop in turn 4. On the restart Lonnie Bailey slipped past Genenbacher to take over the top spot. Lonnie Bailey then pulled away over the final 28 laps to claim an easy win. Joey Gower came from 7th to finish in 2nd, Keith Pratt started 9th and passed 6 cars to claim 3rd, Matt Bailey came from 8th to finish in 4th, with Genenbacher holding on for a fifth place finish.

Craig Bangert and Kimberly Abbott drew the front row for the 12 lap Wild Things feature, with Bangert moving out front on the drop of the green to lead lap 1. Bangert then went on to lead the next lap, before Casey Kendrick jumped to his outside to take over the top spot on lap 3. Kendrick would lead the final 9 laps to pick up his second win in a row at the track. Bangert settled for 2nd, Abbott held on for 3rd, William Michel came home in 4th, with Austin Uppinghouse rounding out the top 5.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA Stock Cars, with Gabe Harrison and Jerry Jansen on the front row for the event. Harrison would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1. As Harrison continued to pull away from the field, Aaron Brocksieck, who had troubles in the heat and had to start 9th in the feature, was working his way to the front. But Garrison, in his first year in the Stock Car class after racing 4 Cylinders for a few years, had built up a lead big enough to hold on to in a caution free race. For Harrison it was his career first win in the Stock Car class. Brocksieck charged from 9th to settle for 2nd, Kevin Tomlinson came home in 3rd, Jansen held on for 4th, with Terry Houston coming home in 5th.

Notes from Quincy: Twelve year old Jake Griffin held his own in the 25 lap Modified feature and took home a nice 6th place finish....Ben Huff started the feature in 14th and passed 5 cars to take home a 9th place finish.......Nathan Anders, who started 12th in the Hobby Stock feature, and was involved in 2 cautions came back up to claim a 6th place finish....Bobby Anders, who was going for his 6th win in 6 starts at Quincy, had his season thrown away after the checkered flags flew at the end of the event. He would spin in turn 2 on the final lap while battling for the lead and then recovered to come across the line to finish in 9th to maintain his points lead in the division. But what happened on the cool down lap was something we have seen or heard about to many times in 2011. Anders would spin his machine around on the front stretch and then headed the wrong way towards turn 3, where Steve Carlin was en route to the victory circle. Anders then turned his machine up into Carlin's drivers door in turn 4 to get him disqualified on the night and a 4 week suspension......Denny Woodworth had troubles in his Late Model heat and had to start the feature in 13th. But he would pass 7 cars by the end of the race to pick up a 6th place finish....Justin Reed recovered from his lap 1 spin to come back to claim 7th......It was nice to see in 102 laps of feature racing in 5 classes there was only 5 cautions. One in the Modified, 3 in the Hobby Stock and 1 in the Late Model features. Great job by all drivers on the night!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Anders Remains Unbeaten at Quincy Raceways on Make-Up Tuesday

Quincy, IL (Tuesday, June 7, 2011) - After mother nature took the sixth Sunday night program out of the first 10 scheduled dates of the 2011 season, track promoters decided to use Tuesday nights as a make-up date. This was a trial to see if any cars and fans would be in favor of the idea, and at the end of the night the promoters were pleased with the result.

The 15 lap IMCA Stock Car feature was the first up on the night, with Aaron Brocksieck and Terry Houston drawing the front row. Brocksieck would take advantage of his start to grab the lead on lap 1 over Houston. As Brocksieck pulled away from the field, Kevin Tomlinson, who started 5th, worked his way into second by lap 6. But Brocksieck had built to much of a lead to chase him down, as he claimed the win in a caution free race. Jerry Jansen came from 7th to finish in 3rd, Gabe Harrison came home in 4th, with Kelly Bartz rounding out the top 5.

Jim Powell and Nathan Hayes drew the front row for the 20 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Powell grabbing the lead on lap 1. But Powell would only lead that lap, as Bobby Anders, who started 5th, edged him out at the line to lead lap 2. Anders then started to pull away, when the first caution of the event came out on lap 7. Brandon Symmonds, who was running 4th, and Hayes, who was running 5th, collided in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Anders jumped back out front and again started to pull away from the field. Steve Carlin moved into second on lap 9 and then went to work on chasing down Anders for the lead. Travis Kelle spun in turn 5 on the completion of lap 15 to bring the field back to Anders' bumper. Anders grabbed the lead on the restart, with Carlin close behind. But the field was slowed for the final time on lap 16, when Nathan Anders spun down the backstretch. Once again Anders jumped out front on the restart and then held off Carlin over the final 4 laps to claim his 5th win in 5 starts at Quincy. Jake Powers came from 9th to finish in 3rd, Adam Scott started 8th and came home in 4th, with Tanner Klingele rounding out the top 5.

The 12 lap Wild Things feature was up next, with Casey Kendrick and Austin Uppinghouse drawing the front row. Kendrick would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1. Kendrick then pulled away over the 12 laps of caution free racing to pick up the win. Todd Nelson, who started 5th, edged out William Michel, who started 6th, at the line by inches to claim 2nd, Devin Still was 4th, with Uppinghouse holding on for a 5th place finish.

Darin Weisinger and Joey Gower led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 30 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Gower grabbing the lead on lap 1. While Gower was out front, Denny Woodworth, who started 5th, moved into 2nd on lap 6 and then went to work on Gower for the lead. But Clint Kirkham would spin in turn 1 on lap 8 to bring out the first caution of the event. On the restart Gower moved back out front, with Woodworth close behind in second. Woodworth jumped to the top of the track to grab the top spot away from Gower on lap 10, as Lonnie Bailey, who started 6th, followed into 2nd. Bailey would then slip under Woodworth on lap 12 to grab the lead away. The battle up front was slowed for the final time on lap 16. This time Ron Elbe and Billy Genenbacher collided in turn 2 to bring out the caution. On the restart Woodworth would slip under Bailey to take back the top spot on lap 17. Woodworth then held the lead until lap 24, when Gower slid under him to take over the top spot. Gower would go on to lead the final 6 laps to pick up the win. Woodworth settled for 2nd, Keith Pratt came from 7th to finish in 3rd, Baliey was 4th, with Weisinger holding on for a 5th place finish.

The final feature of the night was the 25 lap UMP Modifieds, with Shawn Deering and Rusty Griffaw on the front row. Griffaw would edge out Deering at the line by inches to grab the lead on lap 1. But Deering came back on the bottom of the speedway to take the top spot away on lap 2. The battle up front was slowed on the completion of lap 2, as Terry Wilson slowed down the backstretch to bring out the first caution. On the restart Deering jumped back out front, with Griffaw and Jared Schlipman battling for 2nd. The three way battle for the lead was slowed for the second time on lap 7, as Ben Huff spun in turn 2. Deering once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Griffaw and Schlipman close behind. Just as Deering started to pull away from the battle for second, the yellow light would come on. This time debris down the backstretch from the rear end of Steven DeLonjay's car would bring out the caution. On the restart Schlipman slipped past Deering to grab the top spot on lap 19. But after the completion of the lap, the final caution of the event would come out. Gary Wilson would spin in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. Schlipman moved out front on the restart and then held on over the final 6 laps to claim the win. Deering settled for 2nd, Griffaw was 3rd, David Wietholder came home in 4th, with Todd Reed coming from 11th to round out the top 5.

Notes from Quincy: Terry Houston suffered a left rear flat tire on the final lap of the Stock Car feature while running 5th and settled for a 7th place finish......Travis Kelle recovered from his lap 15 spin to come back to finish 6th in the Hobby Stock feature....Nathan Anders finished 7th after spinning down the backstretch on lap 16....Justin Bartz came from 12th to finish in 8th....Wesley Mayfield, who scratched from his heat, started 13th and passed 4 cars to take home 9th......Tom Goble started the Late Model feature in 12th and passed 6 cars to take home 6th....Robby Warner came from 14th to finish in 8th....Clint Kirkham recovered from his lap 8 spin to come back to finish in 10th......Terry Wilson came from the rear after his lap 2 caution to come back to finish 6th in the Modified feature....James Leffew started 10th and took home 7th....Ben Huff recovered from his lap 7 spin to finish in 8th.

Vetran Holds Back Another Vetran for Late Model Win at Quad City Speedway

East Moline, IL (Sunday, June 5, 2011) - I decided to make another trip up to the Quad City Speedway in East Moline, IL, after rain cancelled Quincy Raceways in Quincy, IL. What a good decision that turned out to be, as the Late Model feature alone was worth the trip up.

The night started out with a 12 lap make-up 4 Cylinder feature, which was rained out from May 22nd. Rick Wagner and Jason Blocker was suppose to start on the front row, but with Blocker not returning that put Mike Cusack Jr on the outside front row. Cusack Jr would take advantage of his start to grab the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 5 when he pulled off with troubles. Brandon Dahl, who started 6th, inherited the lead on lap 5 and then held the top spot for 1 lap, as Mike Wisdom, who started 5th, slipped under him for the lead. Just like Dahl, Wisdom would only lead 1 lap, as Rob Brasher, who started 8th, jumped to the outside to take over the lead on lap 7. Brasher then pulled away over the final 5 laps to claim the win in a caution free race. But in post race inspection, Brasher was disqualified for not running the same car he ran in the heat. That would give Wisdom the win, Brandon Dahl was moved to 2nd, Wade Dahl was credited with 3rd, Justin Veloz came from 10th to get 4th, with Dustin Forbes rounding out the top 5.

The first regular feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Doug Curless and Mark VerVynck leading the field to the drop of the green. But TJ Patz would spin in turn 2 to set up a complete restart. On the restart Jacob Waterman, Bill Roberts, Jarod Coppejans and Andrew Burk collided in turn four to bring the yellow light back on. VerVynck jumped out into the lead on the restart, with Milo Veloz Jr close behind in second. The action up front was slowed once again on lap 3, when Curless, who was running 5th, spun in turn 2 to bring the caution out. VerVynck moved back out front on the restart, with Veloz Jr giving chase once again. But the action was slowed again on lap 5, when Coppejans and Curless collided in turn 3 to bring the yellow light on. On the restart Veloz Jr got into the back of VerVynck in turn 1, which spun VerVynck to bring the caution back out. Both drivers were sent to the rear for the restart. Thad Wilson, who started 6th, inherited the lead on the restart. Wilson then started to build up a lead, when another caution came out on lap 10. This time Stanley VerVynck spun in turn 4 and collected Dwaine Hasson. On the restart Wilson again grabbed the lead, with Waterman coming from the back after the lap 1 crash to give chase. Wilson was able to hold back Waterman until another caution came out on lap 12. Roberts, who came from the rear after his lap 1 crash had moved back to 6th, spun in turn 1 with a broken rear end. On the restart Todd Dykema spun in turn 2 and collected Terry Rentfro to bring the yellow back out. This would put an end to the time limit, which meant the next caution or the checkered flag would put an end to the race. Wilson jumped back out front on the restart, with Waterman close behind in second. Hasson would come to a stop in turn 3 on lap 14 to bring the caution out, which put an end to the race. Wilson claimed the win, Waterman settled for 2nd, Craig Crawford was 3rd, Patz came from the rear after his spin on the start to claim 4th, with Veloz Jr recovering from his lap 5 contact to come back to take home a fifth place finish.

Justin Hamm and Jerame Mowery made up the front row for the 15 lap Street Stock feature. Hamm would spin in turn 3 on the start and collected Cary Brown to bring out the first caution of the event. On the restart Mowery jumped out front on lap 1, with Jeremy Gustaf and Mark Anderson close behind. Anderson would spin in turn 2 on the completion of lap 1 to bring the yellow light on. Rob Henry, who started 9th, slipped past Mowery on the restart to grab the top spot on lap 2. Another caution came out on the completion of lap 2, when Chuck Fox spun in turn 3. On the restart Henry again grabbed the lead, with Rick Schriner, who started 8th, and RJ Gonzales battling for second. Gonzales would get under Schriner going into turn 1 on lap 5, with Schriner spinning and collecting Gonzales to bring the caution back out. Both drivers were sent to the back for the restart. Henry again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Nathan Hall, who started 12th, now giving chase. Hall would try everything to get around Henry over the next 7 laps, when the final caution of the race came out on lap 12. This time Hamm spun in turn 4 and collected Bryan Ritter. On the restart Henry moved back out front, with Hall again chasing him. But Henry would hold back Hall over the final 3 laps to claim the win. Chris Lawrence came from 10th to finish in 3rd, Emily Gade passed 7 cars from her 11th place starting spot to finish in 4th, with Brown recovering from the lap 1 crash to finish in 5th.

The 20 lap Open Modified feature was up next, with Brad Tyler and Bryan Bushong on the front row. Leland Bushong would spin in turn 4 on the drop of the green to bring out the caution. On the restart Tyler jumped out into the lead on lap 1, only to be slowed after the completion of the lap with a caution. Matt Werner spun in turn 4 to bring out the yellow. John Bull, who started 8th, slipped under Tyler on the restart to grab the top spot on lap 2. Bull then started to pull away, when Chad Tucker spun in turn 4 on lap 5 to bring the caution out. On the restart Bull again jumped out front, with Doug Crampton, who started 6th, close behind in 2nd. Tucker would spin in turn 4 on lap 7 to bring out another yellow, his second solo to end his night. On the restart John Ahlers would spin in turn 4 to bring out the final caution of the event. Bull moved out front on the restart and then held off Crampton over the final 12 laps to pick up the win. Brandon Durbin came from 7th to finish in 3rd, Jason Pershy was 4th, with Ryan Dolan coming from 9th to round out the top 5.

Gary Webb and Jeremy Gustaf led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature. But Shawn Mulvany and Buck Harmenning would collided in turn 4 on the start to bring the yellow light on. On the restart Webb jumped out into the lead on lap 1 over Jeremy Gustaf. Webb would start to pull away from the field when another caution appeared on lap 9. This time Mike Murphy Jr, who started 7th and had worked his way to 2nd, slowed in turn 4 with a left rear flat. On the restart Jeff Stevens stopped in turn 4 to bring the yellow light back on. Webb once again jumped out front on the restart, with Eric Gustaf and Mike Garland battling for 2nd. As Webb started to pull away from the battle for 2nd, Ray Guss Jr, who started 11th, was working his way to the front. Guss Jr would slip past Gustaf for second just past the half way point of the race and then set his sights on Webb for the top spot. Webb was working the bottom of the speedway, as Guss Jr used the top to chase down Webb with 3 laps to go. The two went into turn 1 with 2 laps to go side-by-side, but Guss Jr had to let up for a lapped car which was running the top of the track. That allowed Webb to pull out to a lead coming off turn 4 for the white flag. But Guss Jr wouldn't give up, as the two entered turn 3 side-by-side, with Webb coming out of turn 4 to edge Guss Jr at the line by inches for the win. Rob Toland came from 10th to finish in 3rd, Eric Gustaf was 4th, with Garland rounding out the top 5.

Since I had to be up at 5:15am the next morning, I decided to head for the car before the final feature of the night. I see Wade Dahl came from 4th to win the 12 lap 4 Cylinder feature. Jacob Ellithorpe came from 7th to finish in 2nd, Steve Phillips passed 8 cars from his 11th place starting spot to come home in 3rd, Justin Veloz charged from 16th to take home 4th, with Rick Wagner coming home in 5th.

Notes from QCS: Jon Scott started the make-up 4 Cylinder feature in 12th and passed 5 cars to finish in 7th....Jacob Ellithorpe finished 9th after starting 13th....Jason Blocker, Gabe Schrader, Bobby Barker Jr and Darren Hartman didn't make it back for the rescheduled race......Stanley VerVynck started the IMCA Modified feature in 15th and spun in turn 4 on lap 10 to go to the rear. He would come back to finish in 6th....Todd Dykema came back from his lap 12 spin to finish in 7th....Terry Rentfro was 8th, after being involved with Dykema on the lap 12 crash......RJ Gonzales came from the rear after the lap 5 spin to take home a 6th place finish in the Street Stock feature....Rick Schriner, who spun down into Gonzales on lap 5, also came from the rear to finish in 7th....Mike Anderson came from 14th to finish in 8th....Chuck Fox recovered from his lap 2 spin to come back to finish in 9th....Mark Anderson came from the rear after his lap 1 spin to finish in 11th....Bryan Ritter was 12th after being involved in the lap 12 crash....Nick Lawrence came from 18th to finish in 13th....Ben Gallenstine started 19th and finished in 14th......John Ahlers came back to finish in 7th in the Open Modified feature, after his spin on lap 8....Leland Bushong recovered from his spin on the start to come back to take home 9th......Matt Ryan finished the Late Model feature in 6th after starting 9th....Shawn Mulvany came from the rear after his lap 1 spin to finish in 9th....Mike Zemo Jr came from 14th to finish in 11th....Eric Sanders came from 17th to take home 14th......Rob Brasher passed 6 cars from his 12th place starting spot to finish 6th in the regular 4 Cylinder feature....Rob Harding Sr came from 10th to finish in 7th....Mike Wisdom started 14th and took home 10th....Jason Blocker came in late and started 18th, he would pass 6 cars to finish in 12th.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Greiner, Cossel and Wilkerson Get First Wins of the Season at Lee County

Donnellson, IA (Friday, June 3, 2011) - Despite the 2 inches of rains that fell Thursday, mother nature was kind enough to provide plenty of sun and winds to help dry the Lee County Speedway out in time for racing on Friday. At the end of the night there were three new winners and two repeat winners in victory lane on the night.

The first feature of the night was the 12 lap IMCA Stock Cars, with Corey Strothman and Cale Samberg on the front row. Strothman would take advantage of his front row start to edge out John Oliver Jr at the line by inches to lead lap 1. While Strothman continued to lead the field, Oliver Jr and Derek St. Clair would battle side by side for the second spot before Ryan Cook, who started 6th, moved in on lap 3 to join the two car battle. The first yellow would appear on the speedway on lap 6 for debris in turn 3. On the restart Samberg, who was running 6th, would spin in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. Strothman jumped back out into the lead on the restart, with Matt Greiner, who started 9th, moving into second. Greiner then grabbed the top spot away from Strothman on lap 7 and then started to pull away from the battle for second. But the final caution of the event would bring the field back to Greiner's back bumper on lap 13. Strothman, who was running 5th, spun in turn 2 and collected St. Clair, who was running 9th, and Les Blakley. On the restart Greiner grabbed the lead, with Ryan Cook now challenging him for the top spot. Cook would take a last lap shot at Greiner coming out of four, but Greiner was able to hold on to pick up his first win of the season at the track. Jeff Mueller came from 10th to finish in 3rd, Jim Redmann started 8th and finished in 4th, with Oliver Jr holding on for 5th.

Up next was the 12 lap Wild Things feature, with Steven Lake and William Michel leading the field to the drop of the green. Michel grabbed the lead on lap 1 over David Helenthal and Nick Wilkerson, who started 7th. Michel held the top spot for 2 laps, as Helenthal slipped under him on lap 3 to take over the lead. But Helenthal was only able to lead that lap, as Wilkerson grabbed the top spot away on lap 4. Wilkerson would then hold off all challenges from Helenthal over the final 8 laps to claim his first win of the season at the speedway. Darin Smith came from 8th to finish in 3rd, Michel held on for 4th, Mike Fisher started 9th and finished in 5th.

Josh Tripp and John Oliver Jr led the field to the green flag in the 15 lap Hobby Stock feature, with Oliver Jr grabbing the top spot on lap 1. Oliver Jr then worked to hold back Jake Wenig, until the first and only caution of the event came out on lap 3 for a tire in turn 1. On the restart Jake Wenig would over take Oliver Jr for the lead, with Dane Fenton, who started 6th, moving in to challenge for 2nd. Wenig continued to hold the lead, when Fenton slipped past Oliver Jr on lap 9 and then went to work on Wenig for the top spot. Wenig would hold back Fenton coming out of turn four on the last lap to claim his second win of the season at the track. Jim Lynch came from 8th to finish in 3rd, Tanner Thomann started 10th and passed 6 cars to claim 4th, with Mike Hughes coming from 12th to round out the top 5.

Dustin Crear and Rob Kirchner made up the front row for the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, with Crear taking advantage of his starting spot to lead lap 1. The first caution of the event would come out after the completion of lap 1 for debris in turn 4. On the restart Crear would jumped back out front, with Kirchner working to hold back Andy Krieger. Just as Crear started to pull away from the battle for second, another caution appeared on the speedway on lap 6. Kirk Hopkins would spin in turn 2. On the restart Wyatt Lantz, who was running 10th, jumped the restart to bring the yellow back out. He was docked two spots to 12th for the jump. Rich Smith, who started 5th, would slid under Crear on the restart to grab the top spot away. But Ryan Cook would spin in turn 2 on the completion of lap 7 to bring caution back out. On the restart Smith grabbed the lead, with Josh Foster, who started 12th, following him into 2nd. The final caution of the event would come out on lap 9, as Eric Fullenkamp spun in turn 4 and collected Derek Hamm. Smith again jumped out front on the restart, with Foster now challenging him for the top spot. Foster would slip past Smith on lap 11 to take over the lead and then held him back over the final 9 laps to claim his 4th win in 5 starts at the track. Krieger held on for 3rd, Kirchner was 4th, with Dennis LaVeine passing 10 cars from his 15th place starting spot to round out the top 5.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA SportMods, with Ryan Fullenkamp and Phillip Cossel on the front row. Cossel would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1. On the completion of the lap, Rod Staats would spin in turn 2 to bring the first caution out. Cossel moved back out front on the restart, only to be slowed on lap 3 for another caution. This time Fullenkamp, who was running 3rd, spun in turn 2 to bring the yellow light on. Once again Cossel grabbed the lead on the restart, with Rodger Dresden, who started 6th, battling Jacob Smith for second. Cossel continued to hold back the challenges of Dresden, Michael Bliven, who started 7th, and Jim Gillenwater, who came from 12th, over the next 8 laps. When a tire was clipped and pushed out on the track in turn 4 to bring the caution out. On the restart Jim Kuhlmeier would come to a stop in turn 2 to bring the yellow light back on. Cossel once again jumped back out into the lead on the restart, with Bliven moving into second. Bliven would try the low side to get by Cossel over the final 4 laps, but Cossel was able to hold him back. Bliven would try one last time to get under Cossel coming off of turn 4 for the checkered. But he would do a complete 360, which allowed Cossel to claim his first win of the season at the speedway. Gillenwater would slip past for 2nd, Bliven came across the line spinning in 3rd, Jeff Mueller came from 9th to finish in 4th, with Dresden holding on for 5th.

Notes from LCS: Aaron Brocksieck started the Stock Car feature in 11th and finished 8th....Jeremy Pundt came from 14th to finish in 10th......The Wild Things feature went CAUTION FREE!!!....Derek Fenton passed 5 cars from his 13th place starting spot to take home 8th....Matt Marshal came from 12th to finish in 9th....Cory Howk started 14th and would finish in 11th....Casey Mehaffy came from 16th to finish in 13th....Connie Justice started 17th and would finish in 14th......Mike Hughes arrived at the track to late to run his heat in the Hobby Stock class. So he had to start 12th in the feature. But that wouldn't slow him down as he passed 7 cars to take home a fifth place finish in a 9:1 legal Hobby Stock....Dan Wenig would pit on the lap 3 caution for a flat. He would come back out last and then climbed his way back up to finish in 7th without any cautions to help him out......Derek Hamm recover from the lap 9 crash to come back to finish 9th in the Modified feature, after starting 18th.... Ryan Cook came back to finish 10th after his spin on lap 7....Lonnie Heap started 16th and passed 5 cars to finish in 11th......AJ Johnson started the SportMod feature in 10th. He would pass 4 cars to take home a 6th place finish....Dean Kratzer recovered from his roll a week ago to finish 7th....Rod Staats came from the rear after spinning on lap 1 to take home 10th, after starting in 16th....Ryan Fullenkamp recovered from his lap 3 spin to come back up to 11th.

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Simpson Gets Redemption in Corn Belt Clash Race at Tipton

Tipton, IA (Wednesday, June 2, 2011) - On a picture perfect night for racing, the Corn Belt Clash Series race number 2 of the 2011 season invaded the Cedar County Raceway in Tipton, Iowa on Wednesday. Chris Simpson would get redemption from his let down after leading 47 of the 50 laps at the season opener on Sunday in Nebraska, before loosing an engine. He would pass brother Chad on the white flag lap to claim the win and the $2,000 top prize.

But the first feature on the night was the 20 lap Legends, with Hal Russell and Mike Mueller drawing the front row for the event. Russell would take advantage of his draw to grab the lead on lap 1 over Dominic Bates. Russel then worked to hold back Bates, until the first caution of the race came out on lap 4. Tyler Kelly and Keith Meyer spun in turn 3 to bring out the yellow. On the restart Ron Boyse, who was running 7th, spun in turn four as a result from contact from Craig Peekenschneider, who was running 9th, to bring the caution back out. Both drivers were sent to the rear for the restart. Russell moved out front on the restart, with Brett Diercks, who started 10th, quickly moving up to challenge Bates for 2nd. Diercks would clear Bates for the runner up spot on lap 8 and then went to work on Russell for the top spot. On lap 10 Diercks jumped to the top of the speedway to grab the lead away from Russell. Russell tried to get back by Diercks going into 1, but ended up doing a 360 and kept going to fall back to 11th. Diercks would lead the final 10 laps to pick up the win. Adam Bell came from 11th to finish in 2nd, Bates held on for 3rd, Mueller was 4th, with Adrianne Russell coming home in 5th.

Scott Fridley and Ryan Dolan led the field to the drop of the green flag in the 25 lap Modified feature, with Dolan edging out Fridley to grab the lead on lap 1. But Fridley's great run up front only lasted 1 lap, as he spun in turn 2 to bring out the first caution of the event. On the restart Dolan jumped back out into the lead, with Mike Burbridge close behind in 2nd. The final caution of the race would come out on lap 4, when Mike Schump spun in turn 3. Dolan again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Burbridge trying to hold back Bruce Hanford, who started 7th, and Brad Diercks, who started 8th. Dierck would use the bottom of the speedway and the top to work his way into 2nd and then went to work on Dolan for the lead. Diercks, running the bottom, and Dolan, who was up top, would race side by side over the final 9 laps to make for an exciting finish to the Modified feature. Diercks grabbed the lead on lap 16, but was caught behind some lapped cars on lap 19 to give the lead back to Dolan. Diercks didn't give up the bottom grove to get back by Dolan on lap 21. Both Diercks and Dolan fought to the checkered, with Diercks edging out the win coming out of turn 4. Dolan settled for 2nd, Burbridge held on for 3rd, Hanford was 4th, with Chris Zogg rounding out the top 5.

The final event on the night was the 35 lap Late Model feature, with Chad Simpson and brother Chris Simpson leading the field to the green. Chad would edge out Chris at the line to grab the lead on lap 1. After Chad got out front he set a fast pace and had pulled out to a straight away lead over Chris when the 1 and only caution came out on lap 14. Jason Jaggers, who was running 8th, drifted to high in four and went off the track to bring out the yellow. On the restart Chad jumped back out front, with Denny Eckrich getting by Chris for 2nd. Eckrich would work the bottom to get even with Chad on laps 25 and 26. But as the two went into turn 3 on lap 28, they came up on lapped traffic. Eckrich would almost spin to avoid contact and fell back to 3rd, with Chris closing in on brother Chad for the lead. On lap 32, Chris jumped to the top to draw even with Chad. The two came to the white flag side by side, as lapped traffic held up Chad in turn 2 Chris was able to pull away in turns 3 and 4 to claim the win. Chad settled for 2nd, Denny Eckrich was 3rd, Jason Rauen was 4th, with Dave Eckrich coming home in 5th.

Notes from Tipton: 31 Late Models, 24 Modifieds and 17 Legends made up the 72 cars signed in to do battle in front of a packed house......Jeremy Meyer started 14th in the Legend feature and passed 8 cars to finish in 6th....Greg Hartlaub came from 12th to finish in 8th....Warren Ropp started 13th and finished in 9th....Tim Simpson passed 5 cars from his 15th place starting spot to finish in 10th......Noah Coppess won the Modified B Main and started the feature in 15th. He would pass 9 cars to take home a 6th place finish......Johnny Spaw came from 11th to finish in 8th....John Ahlers started 14th and finished 10th....Dan Chapman finished 2nd in heat 3, but heavy smoke after the checkered scratched him from the feature....Mike Zogg, who was running 2nd in the B Main, but spun in 4 on the last lap to hope for an alternate for the feature. He would get the call when Chapman scratched. Zogg would make a few laps to retire in 20th....Donovan Lodge had troubles after hot laps and loaded his car to end his night early......Kurt Kile came from 10th in the Late Model feature to finish in 6th....Andy Eckrich started 14th and passed 7 cars to finish in 7th....Justin Mitchell picked up the hard charger award as he started 19th, after finishing 2nd in B Main 1. He would then pass 10 cars to take home a 9th place finish....Tim Isenberg came from 22nd to claim 14th....Andrew McKay, who edged Gary Webb at the line to take the final transfer spot in B Main 2, had transmission troubles before the start of the feature. The crew would get it repaired in time to take the green flag. He would pass 8 cars to take home 16th.

I would like to thank Al and Kathy Dlouhy for a great night of racing. The track was in awesome shape the entire night, which provided a close finish in both the Modified and Late Model features. The surface allowed two and three wide racing from the bottom to the top. I would encourage anybody who hasn't taken a night in at the Cedar County Raceway, should plan a trip.