Russell, Roberts and Kinsley Get First Wins of 2009 at 34 Raceway

Burlington, IA (July 25, 2009) - It was a beautiful night for racing on Christmas in July at 34 Raceway, with five classes racing for feature wins and points. Taking home trophies on the night were Gary Russell (IMCA Late Models), Bobby Mincer (305 Sprints), Bill Roberts (IMCA Modifieds), Kirk Kinsley (IMCA Stock Cars) and Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks).

The first feature on the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Levi Smith and Dustin Crear on the front row. Smith would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1, with Crear close behind in second. Crear's run would end on lap 3, when he slowed to a stop on the front stretch. On the restart Smith had to work to hold off Jeremy Harris, before another caution came out on lap 4 for a spin in four by Adam Swanson. The restart brought out another caution, when Andy Krieger spun in turn three and collected Scott Hogan, Dusty Kraklio, Kevin Goben, Allen Johnston and Swanson. All drivers were able to continue, except for Swanson as he had damaged to the front end of his car. On the restart, Josh Foster who started12th, jumped to the outside of the track and went from fourth to the lead. But Foster made a rare mistake on the next lap, as he drove of turn two and fell back to sixth. Bill Roberts would inherit the lead from Foster's mistake. Foster would work his way back to second by lap 15 and was going for the lead on lap 16, when Roberts made contact with Foster's left rear. Roberts would get the lead back, with Foster slowing for a flat tire. Roberts would go on to hold off a charging Hogan to claim his first win of 2009. Harris was would hold on for third, Krieger was fourth, with Lonnie Heap coming home in fifth.

Bill Roberts of Burlington, IA won his first IMCA Modified feature of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 20 lap 305 Sprint feature, with Destini Clark and Tim Rose leading the field to the drop of the green. Clark would hold off Jayson Dittsworth, who started 10th, at the line to lead lap 1. Ditsworth would jump to the outside of Clark on the next lap to grab the top spot and looked to be pulling away when the caution came out on lap 7. On the restart, Ditsworth moved back out front but now had Bobby Mincer and Kevin Hetrick, who started 9th, battling him for the lead. Mincer would work under Ditsworth on lap 14 to take over the lead, with the caution coming out on the completion of the lap to set up a great finish. Mincer jumped out into the lead on the restart, with Ditsworth close behind. Mincer then held off Ditsworth over the final 6 laps to claim another win. Hetrick was third, Matt Krieger was fourth, with John Draper rounding out the top five.

The 305 Sprint feature at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, July 25, 2009 went to Bobby Mincer of Burlington, IA. Photo by Dana Royer.

John Brockway and Brett Timmerman were on the front row for the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, but it was fourth place starter Kirk Kinsley grabbing the lead on lap 1. The first of three yellows came out on lap 4, when Brian Holmes slowed to a stop on the front stretch. On the restart Kinsley moved out front, with Corey Strothman and Cale Samberg, who started 7th, close behind. Another yellow would wave over the track on lap 6, as Nick Fenton spun in turn two and was hit head on by Travis Finke. Fenton was able to continue, but Finke had heavy damage on the front of his car ending his night. Kinsley once again grabbed the lead on the restart, with Strothman and Abe Huls, who started 10th, following. The final caution of the event came out on lap 12, when Timmerman spun in turn one. Kinsley now had to work to hold off Huls on the restart. Huls would try several times to get by Kinlsey, but Kinsley would hold on to claim his first win of 2009 at 34 Raceway. Samberg was third, Strothman fourth, with Chris Webb coming home in fifth.

Kirk Kinsley of Wapello, IA won his first IMCA Stock Car feature of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Photo by Dan Royer.

Up next was the 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Jay Chenoweth and Gary Russell leading the field to the green. Russell would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1. Russell would work the first half of the feature to hold off Sam Halstead. But Keith Pratt would get by Halstead on lap 17 and then worked his way up to challenge Russell for the lead. But Russell would hold of Pratt on the final lap to pick up his first win of 2009, in a caution free race. Halstead held on for third, Tom Darbyshire was fourth, with Matt Strassheim coming home in fifth.

The IMCA Late Model feature on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA was won by Biggsville, Illinos' Gary Russell. It was Russell's first win of 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Roger Krieger, who was suppose to start on the pole electing to go to the tail, putting Jake Wenig and Chad Krogmeier on the front row. Wenig would grab the lead on the drop of the green, with a caution coming out on the completion of the lap for a spin by Dane Fenton. Also involved was the cars of Johnnie Smith and Heather Wilsey, with Smith's the only car unable to continue. Four more caution would come out before lap 2 could be completed, the first was by a spin in turn two for Dugan Thye, with the second coming out for Thye again in turn two ending his night with two solo spins. Krogmeier would bring out the third caution as he slowed to a stop on the front stretch, with the fourth and final caution coming out when a right rear tire came off of Kent Rhum's car. On the restart Wenig once again jumped out front, with Derek St. Clair, who started 11th, charging to the front. St. Clair would slip under Wenig on lap 9 and then pulled away over the final 6 laps to claim his 5th win of 2009 at Burlington. Wenig came home second, Victor Hastings was third, Lane Kauffman was fourth, with Jason Gerdes rounding out the top five.

Derek St. Clair of Donnellson, IA won his fifth Hobby Stock feature of 2009 at 34 Raceway in Burlington, IA on Saturday, July 25, 2009. Photo by Dana Royer.

Notes from 34: Hogan recovered from a flat tire on lap 4 of the Modified feature to charge back up to a close second place finish....Krieger came from the rear after a spin on lap 4 to come home in fourth....Foster limped his car around the track on a flat left rear tire over the final three laps to take home a 10th place finish, after challenging for the lead......Jeff Mueller had troubles in his heat and started the Stock Car feature in 17th. He had worked his way up to fifth by lap 15, when he pulled off the track with troubles once again......Fenton who spun on lap 1 of the Hobby Stock and went to the rear, charged back up to take home a 7th place finish.

Lee County Speedway Beats Mother Nature, With Fraise Claiming His First Career Late Model Win

Donnellson, IA (July 24, 2009) - What started out as a beautiful night for racing turned into a race to beat mother nature, on Friday Night at the Lee County Speedway. But all six features were put into the books before the rains started to fall, with Tony Fraise (IMCA Late Models), Rich Smith (IMCA Modifieds), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Cras), Jacob Smith (IMCA Sport Mods), Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks) and Gabe Harrison (Wild Things) taking home victories.

The first feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA Sport Mods, with Derrick Higdon and Jim Kuhlmeier leading the field to the drop of the green. But it was third place starter Jacob Smith grabbing the lead on lap 1, with Thad Gaylord close behind. While Smith worked to hold off Gaylord, Rodger Dresden who started 9th was working his way to the front. Dresden would move in on Smith on lap 15 to set up a great battle to the checkered. Smith, who was running the bottom of the speedway, and Dresden, who was in the middle, raced the to last two laps side-by-side. Coming off of turn four for the checkered the two drivers would cross the finish line almost in a dead heat, but Smith was ahead by inches to pick up the win in a caution free race. Gaylord would finish third, Rod Staats was fourth, with Rick Barlow Jr. coming home in fifth.

Up next was the 30 lap IMCA Late Model feature, with Sam Halstead and Jay Chenoweth on the front row. Halstead would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1, with Tony Fraise close behind in second. Halstead only held the lead for one lap, as Fraise would slip by on lap 2 to take over the top spot. The first and only caution of the event would come out on lap 3, when a tire was clipped and moved out into the racing groove. Fraise would move out front on the restart and pulled away over the final 22 laps to claim his first career Late Model feature win. Tom Goble came from sixth to finish in second, Mark Burgtorf started ninth and finished third, Halstead held on for fourth, with Jeff Aikey rounding out the top five.

Brad Ford and Jeff Gerhardt led the field to the green in the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, but a yellow on the start for a spin on the backstretch would bunch the field back up. On the restart, Ford would grab the lead on lap 1, with Rob Kirchner close behind in second. Kirchner would slip under Ford on lap 3 to grab the top spot and then held it until lap 7, when Josh Foster who started 12th jumped to his outside to grab the lead. A caution on lap 12 would bring the field back to Foster's back bumber. On the restart, Foster now had to work to hold off Rich Smith, who started 10th. Smith, who was working the bottom, slipped under Foster, who was up top, on lap 16 to take over the top spot. A caution on the completion of the lap set up a green-white-checkered finish, as the time limit was up. Smith would hold off all challenges by Foster to pick up his first win of 2009 at Lee County. Kirchner held on for third, Ford was fourth, with Andy Krieger coming home fifth.

The 15 lap Hobby Stock feature was next, with Chuck Fullenkamp and Brandon Symmonds on the front row. Symmonds would grab the lead on lap 1, with a yellow coming out on the completion of the lap for a spin by Dan Wenig in turn two. On the restart, Symmonds would jump back into the lead and now had to work to hold off Jake Wenig and Dean Kratzer, who started 8th. But the man on the move, was 16 year old Derek St. Clair, as he started 12th. On lap 7 St. Clair would work under Symmonds for the lead and then pulled away over the final 8 laps to pick up another win. Jake Wenig was second, Dan Wenig recovered from an early spin to finish in third, Kratzer was fourth, with Brent Hartley rounding out the top five.

Corey Strothman and Dennis Harwood made up the front row for the 15 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Strothman grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag. While Strothman was out front, Jeff Mueller who started 1oth was working his way to the front. Mueller would work the bottom of the speedway to grab the lead away from Strothman on lap 9 and then pulled away over the final 6 laps to claim the win. Strothman held on for second, Aaron Brocksick was third, Jason Cook came from 9th to finish in fourth, with Paul Lawson coming home fifth.

The final feature of the night was the 12 lap Wild Things, with Andrew Davis and Seith Woodruff leading the field to the green. But a yellow on the start for a spin by Derek Randall, Chuck Fullenkamp and Andrew Davis, would put Nick Wilkerson and Woodruff on the front row. Woodruff would take advantage of his start to grab the lead on lap 1, with the yellow coming out at the completion of the lap for a spin by Chantel Bergheger in turn four. Woodruff jumped out front on the restart and then held the lead until lap 4, when Gabe Harrison slipped by. Harrison looked to be pulling away, when a late caution on lap 9 for a second solo spin by Bergheger would bring the field back to his bumper. Harrison now had to work to hold off Kimberly Abbott, who started 17th, and Dakota Fenton, who started 20th. Harrison would hold them off over the final 3 laps to claim his first win of 2009 at the speedway. Abbott was second, Fenton third, Jacob Darbyshire was fourth after starting 11th, with Chris Loring Jr. rounding out the top five.

LCS Notes: Boone McLaughlin would take home the hard charger award in the Late Model feature, as he started 14th and passed 8 cars to finish in 6th......Wyatt Lantz, who was running sixth after lap 1 of the Modified feature, pitted for a flat tire and came back out in 19th. Lantz then moved up nicely thru the field to take home a 8th place finish....Bill Roberts started 14th and passed 8 cars to finish in 6th....Michael Browning started 19th and passed 9 cars to take home a 10th place finish....Hunter Marriott of Brookfiled, MO made the pull to Lee County Speedway and started the Modified feature in last, 23rd. He would then pass 12 cars on his way to a 11th place finish......Dane Fenton started the Hobby Stock feature in 20th and passed 13 cars to take home a 7th place finish......Kimberly Abbott was leading her heat race, with Dakota Fenton close behind her in second. Coming off of four for the checkered the two made contact and Abbott would spin. Both drivers were credited for last place finishes, putting both in the back of the feature. But both did a nice job of recovering from that to take home nice finishes in the feature. Abbott would come on strong to finish a close second, with Fenton close behind her in third.

2nd Annual Liberty Cup Wins Go To Long, Mueller and Cook

Donnellson, IA (July 2, 2009) - A another beautiful night for racing at the Lee County Speedway on Thursday Night, as it was the 2nd Annual Liberty Cup presented by Pepsi. Forty-four IMCA Modifieds, 34 IMCA Stock Cars and 10 IMCA Sport Mods showed up in hopes of taking home the big prize in all three divisions. The big winners of the night were Michael Long (IMCA Modifieds), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Cars) and Jason Cook (IMCA Sport Mods).

The first feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA Sport Mods, with Jacob Smith and Rodger Dresden drawing the front row for the event. The one and only caution of the night would come out on the start, as Patrick Profeta and Jim Kuhlmeier would spin in turn two. On the restart Smith would jump out into the lead, as Dresden and Jason Cook battled for second. Cook would make his move into the lead on lap 5, as he passed Smith on the bottom of the speedway to grab the advantage. Cook would lead the final 10 laps to pick up his first career Sport Mod feature and the $500 top prize to go with it. Smith held on for second, Dresden was third, Paul Underwood was fourth, with Phillip Cossel driving Lonnie McCarty's machine to a fifth place finish.

Up next was the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Rick Girard and Cole Simmons taking the field to the drop of the green flag. Girard would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1, followed closely by Aaron Brocksick. Brocksick would slip by Girard on lap 3 to take over the top spot, with Jeff Mueller who started 8th following him into second. Brocksick would work the bottom of the speedway and tried to hold back Mueller, but Mueller would find an opening on lap 6 to take over the lead. The first of three yellows would come out on lap 10, when Matt Krieger spun in turn two. Mueller would jump out into the lead on the restart and was pulling away, when a late caution came out on lap 17 for a slowed Girard, who had a tire go down. On the restart, Kirk Kinsley would spin in turn four to bring the caution back out for the final time. Mueller once again grabbed the lead on the restart and pulled away over the final 3 laps to claim his third win in a row and fourth in the last five races at Lee County. The win was also worth $1,000 for Mueller. Mike Van Genderen would slip past Brocksick to finish in second, Abe Huls charged from 17th to finish in fourth, with Darin Thye rounding out the top five.

Shawn Fisher and Jeff Waterman drew the front row for the 25 lap IMCA Modified feature, but it was sixth place starter Wyatt Lantz edging into the lead on lap 1. Lantz would only hold the lead for one lap, as Troy Cordes slipped by for the top spot. A yellow as the lap was complete would come out for a spin by Brandon Savage in turn three. Cordes would jump into the lead on the restart, but another caution would come out on lap 4 when Tyler Cale spun Lantz in turn four. Lantz would retire to the pits, with Cale being sent to the rear. On the restart, Michael Long moved to the top of the speedway to take the lead from Cordes and then pulled away over the final 20 laps to claim his second win in a row and fourth overall at the track. Long's win was worth $1,500. Josh Foster charged from 17th to second, Dusty Kraklio came from 12th to finish in third, Cordes held on for third, with 16 year old Nate Caruth rounding out the top five.

The Lee County Speedway returns to action tonight (Friday, July 3) with the Pilot Grove Savings Bank / Ideal Ready Mix "Drive For Five" for IMCA Late Models back in action. Also racing will be the 305 Sprints, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things.

Notes from LCS: The defending Liberty Cup Stock Car winner, Abe Huls had a rough start to the night, as he was involved in a crash in the heat and had to run a B. Huls would recover to win the B and start 17th in the A-Main. Huls slowly worked his way to a fourth place finish at the end of the 20 lap event.... Jim Redmann started 18th in the feature and passed 11 cars to finish in 7th.... Doug Huls started 21st in the feature and passed 10 cars to take home a 11th place finish....Phil Holtz was the final driver to quailify in the first B, which put him 23rd on the starting grid. He would pass 11 cars to finish in 12th....Paul Lawson was running fifth in the Stock Car feature when he pulled into the pits on the lap 10 caution with mechanical problems......Foster amused the fans in the Modified feature, as he won the first B and had to start the feature in 17th. Foster would go low, high and three wide at times to make a nice run to second at the finish....Jacob Murray would started the A-Main in the 22nd starting spot and then passed 12 cars to take home a top ten finish......The longest pull award would have to be Robby Rosselli, who pulled his IMCA Stock Car to Donnellson from Minot, N.D. Rosselli who raced at Alta on Tuesday and then Independence on Thursday would make the A-Main and finished in 20th.

Mid-Season Championships Wins Go To Frankel, Long, Mueller, Dresden, St. Clair and Loring Jr.

Donnellson, IA (June 26, 2009) - Friday night was the Pilot Grove Savings Bank Mid-Season Championship Night at the Lee County Speedway, with 116 cars signing in to due battle. Claiming feature wins in their respective classes were Jason Frankel (IMCA Late Models), Michael Long (IMCA Modifieds), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Car), Rodger Dresden (IMCA Sport Mods), Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks) and Chris Loring Jr. (Wild Things).

The first feature of the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Jeff Schroyer and Brian Clark leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Schroyer would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1, but only held it for that lap, as Wyatt Lantz slipped by for the top spot on lap 2. Lantz would work the bottom of the speedway, as Michael Long, who started 9th, Rich Smith, who started 13th, Josh Foster, who started 12th, and Tyler Cale, who started 11th, were working there way to the front. Long would jump to the outside of Lantz on lap 14 to take over the lead, but a caution on lap 15 would bring the rest of the field to his back bumper. On the restart Long would grab the lead and then held on over the final 5 laps to claim his third win of 2009 at the speedway. Lantz held on for second, Smith edged Foster at the line in the battle for third, with Cale coming home in fifth.

Up next was the 30 lap IMCA Late Model "Topless 30", with Jason Frankel and Denny Woodworth on the front row for the event. Frankel would edge out Woodworth at the line to jump out into the lead on lap 1. Frankel would hold the top spot until the one and only caution of the event came out on lap 13, for a slowing Woodworth who was running 3rd. On the restart Frankel moved out into the lead and then led the final 17 laps to pick up his second win of 2009 at Lee County. Lonnie Bailey would finish second, Tommy Elston was third, Mark Burgtorf was fourth, with Tom Darbyshire coming from 10th to round out the top five.

Kimberly Abbott and Gabe Harrison started the 12 lap Wild Thing feature on the front row, with a red coming out on the start. Dan Ertzinger would take a nasty roll in turn two, but he would climb out ok. On the restart Rex Smart would spin on the backstretch to bring the caution back out. Harrison would grab the lead on lap 1 and then worked to hold off Chris Loring Jr. But Loring Jr. would get by Harrison on lap 4 to take over the top spot, with Harrison coming back on the top to take the lead back on lap 5. The second red of the event came out on lap 6 for a roll by Smart on the front stretch, he climbed out ok. On the restart Loring Jr. would get back by Harrison to grab the lead back, with Harrison pulling into the infield one lap later with problems. Loring Jr. would go on to lead the final 5 laps to claim his third win in a row at the speedway. Dakota Fenton came from 8th to finish in second, Jerry Ostby was third, Chuck Fullenkamp was fourth, with William Michel coming home in fifth.

The 15 lap IMCA Sport Mod feature was next, with Patrick Profeta, who was suppose to be on the pole but elected to go to the rear, giving Thad Gaylord and Jim Kulhmeier the front row. But it was fourth place starter Rod Staats grabbing the lead on the drop of the green flag. The first of two cautions came out on lap 3 for Lonnie McCarty who got spun in turn four. On the restart Staats would move out into the lead, with Rodger Dresden, who started 6th, now right behind him. Dresden would slip under Staats on lap 7 to grab the top spot and then held it until lap 10, when the last caution came out for Lonnie McCarty. Dresden would jump out into the lead on the restart and now had Paul Underwood, who started 7th, right behind him. Underwood would try several time to get by Dresden, as the two ran side-by-side over the final 5 laps. Dresden would hold back Underwood to claim his third win of 2009 at the track. Phillip Cossel would come from 9th to finish in third, Jason Cook came from 8th to finish in fourth, with Gaylord holding on for fifth.

The Hobby Stocks had some troubles getting there feature started, as Jeremy Pundt would spin in front of the field on the start to bring out the first caution. On the restart a three car tangle in two would bring the caution back out. The red would come out on the next restart for a roll by Brent Hartley coming out of turn four, he would climb out unhurt. The field was put single file on the start, with Bobby Files out front. Derek St. Clair would charge from 9th on the drop of the green flag to grab the lead on lap 1. He would then go on to win a time limited race for his third win of 2009 at Lee County. Doug Gorden would come from 11th to finish in second, Bob Lynch was third, Jim Oliver Jr. was fourth, with Dan Wenig charging from 15th on the green-white-checkered finish to come home fifth.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap IMCA Stock Cars, with Corey Strothman and Dennis Harwood, who scratched from the event, giving Aaron Brocksick the outside front row. Strothman would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 3, when Jeff Mueller charged from 8th to take over the top spot. Mueller looked to be pulling away from the field, when the only caution of the event came out on lap 10. On the restart Mueller would pull away to lead the final 5 laps to claim his fourth win in a row, two in a row at Donnellson and two in a row at Burlington. Abe Huls would finish in second, Brian Holmes had a great run in third, Doug Huls was fourth, with new comer Cole Simmons coming from 10th to round out the top five.

Coming up next week at the Lee County Speedway will be two nights of racing and fireworks. On Thursday, July 2 will be the Second Annual Liberty Cup, the IMCA Modifieds will be racing for $1,500 to win, $1,000 to win going to the IMCA Stock Cars and the IMCA Sport Mods racing for $500 to win. Then on Friday, July 3 the Pilot Gove Savings Bank / Ideal Ready Mix "Drive For Five" for the IMCA Late Models returns, along with the 305 Sprints, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things.

Notes from LCS: 27 Modifieds, 21 Hobby Stocks, 20 Late Models, 17 Stock Cars, 17 Wild Things and 15 Spot Mods made up the 116 cars in attendance......The IMCA Late Models drew for there heat race starting spots and then used passing points to determine the dash and feature line up. The top six in passing points were inverted for the dash, with the way they finished the dash is how they started the 30 lap feature....Colby Springsteen would claim the AEM (Automotive Engine & Machine) hard charger award after starting 18th and passing 7 cars to finish in 11th....The surprise absent of the night was Jeff Aikey, as he came into the night third in the IMCA Late Model points at Lee County......Michael Browning had a great run in the IMCA Modified feature, as he started the 20 lap event in the 24th starting spot. He would pass 16 cars to take home a 8th place finish......Rod Staats had a another great run going in the Sport Mod feature when he spun in turn two on lap 8, while running second after leading. But he kept the race under the green and fell back to 8th. He would pass two cars over the final 7 laps to finish the feature in 6th......Bill Faler made his first trip to Lee County to compete in the Hobby Stock division. He would start the feature in 19th and passed 13 cars to finish the event in 6th .... Jeremy Pundt recovered from his first lap spin and came from the rear to finish in 9th. Luke McLaughlin was DQ in the heat race and then started the feature shot gun on the field. He would pass 11 cars to take home a 10th place finish......Michael Larsen made his first visit to the Lee County Speedway for 2009 to compete in the IMCA Stock Car events. He would start the 15 lap feature 15th and would battle Darrin Ealy and John Oliver Jr. thru much of the feature to claim a 8th place finish.

Burgtorf, Foster & Mueller Back-to-Back Winners, While Hetrick and St. Clair Pull Off Exciting Wins at 34 Raceway

Burlington, IA (June 20, 2009) - After severe storms went through the area late Friday afternoon, the weather for Saturday night was perfect for racing at 34 Raceway. Mark Burgtorf (IMCA Late Models), Josh Foster (IMCA Modifieds) and Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Cars) won back-to-back feature events, while Kevin Hetrick (305 Sprints) and Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks) pulled off exciting wins in there feature events.

The first feature of the night was the 20 lap IMCA Modifieds, with Dustan Fenton and Brandon Savage leading the field to the green flag. But the caution would come out on the start for a deck lid coming off the car of Jeremy Harris. On the restart Fenton would edge out Savage at the line to grab the lead on lap 1, but Savage would grab the top spot away on the next lap. While Savage continued to lead the field, two drivers where making charges through the field. Josh Foster, who started 12th, and Scott Hogan, who started 22nd, where passing cars on every lap to try to get to the front before the end of the 20 laps. By the halfway point of the event Savage had to work to hold off a challenge from Lonnie Heap, who was working the bottom of the speedway to try to get around Savage for the top spot. But Savage would hold off his challenges and now had to hold off a hard charging Foster, who had worked up into second on lap 17. Foster would slip under Savage on the white flag lap and then held on for the final lap to claim his second consecutive feature win at 34 Raceway. Savage held off Hogan on the last lap to finish in second, Heap was fourth, with Tyler Cale coming from 10th to round out the top five.

Josh Foster IMCA Modified Feature Winner. Photo by Dana Royer.

Up next was the 20 lap 305 Sprint feature, with Patrick Moore and Cale Hutchings on the front row. The red flag would come out on the drop of the green, as Bobby Mincer rolled in turn two. Mincer was ok, but done for the night. On the restart Nick Guernsey would spin coming out of two to bring the caution out. Once the race got going under green, Moore would jump out into the lead on lap 1 and then held it until lap 7, when Hutchings slowed to a stop in turn four. Jayson Ditsworth, who started 11th, would jump to the outside of Moore on the restart to take over the top spot. Ditsworth looked to be heading to the feature win, when a caution on lap 10 for a spin by Alexsha Alexander brought the field to his back bumper. Distworth would once again grab the advantage on the restart only to be slowed again on lap 15 for another spin by Alexander, who was done for the night for two solo spins. On the restart Ditsworth now had to work to hold off Kevin Hetrick, who started 8th. Hetrick would slip under Ditsworth on lap 17 to grab the top spot and then held on after a green-white-checkered finish to claim the win. Ditsworth settled for second, Matt Krieger came from 9th to finish in 3rd, John Draper started 10th and finished fourth, with Moore holding on the fifth. 305 Sprint Feature Winner Kevin Hetrick. Photo by Dana Royer.

Nick Fenton and Corey Strothman led the field to the drop of the green in the 20 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Strothman edging out Fenton at the line to lead lap 1. The first of two cautions came out on lap 8, when Kirk Kinsley and Fenton spun in turn three. On the restart Strothman would grab the advantage and then held it until lap 8, when Cale Samberg, who started 8th, slipped by for the top spot. Samberg continued to hold the top spot, as Jeff Mueller, who started 9th, and Darin Thye, who started 10th, where working there way towards the front. Mueller would make his move into the lead on lap 15, as he slipped under Samberg in turn four. The final caution would come out as lap 15 was complete for a spin in two by Jim Redmann. Mueller would move out into the lead on the restart and then held on to claim his second win in a row at the track. Thye moved up to finish second, Samberg held on for third, Greg Johnson came from 13th to finish in fourth, with John Oliver Jr., who started 12th, rounding out the top five.

Jeff Mueller IMCA Stock Car Feature Winner. Photo by Dana Royer.

The 25 lap IMCA Late Model feature was next to take to the track, with Nate Beuseling and Boone McLaughlin on the front row. The caution would come out on the start, as the flag thought the front row made a jack rabbit start. The result was Beuseling and McLaughlin being sent to the back of the field. Now Sam Halstead and Denny Woodworth would lead the field to the drop of the green, with a great battle between the two going on for the first 6 laps. Woodworth would edge Halstead at the line to lead lap 1, but Halstead would come back to lead lap 2. Woodworth, who was working the top, would lead lap 3, over Halstead, who was on the bottom. But Halstead would work under Woodworth to grab the top spot on lap 5, only to loose it back to Woodworth on lap 6. Woodworth then held the lead until lap 8, when he pulled into the pits with mechanical troubles. Halstead would inherit the top spot and then held it until lap 11, when Matt Bailey slipped by for the lead. The last caution of the event would come out on lap 13 for a spin by Keith Pratt in turn two. Bailey would grab the advantage on the restart, but now had to work to hold off Mark Burgtorf, who started 7th. Burgtorf would slip under Bailey on lap 15 and then pulled away over the final 10 lap to claim his second consecutive win at 34 Raceway. Lonnie Bailey came from 11th to finish in second, Tommy Elston started 10th and finished third, M. Bailey held on for fourth, with Jay Johnson coming home in fifth.

IMCA Late Model Feature Winner Mark Burgtorf. Photo by Dana Royer.

The final feature of the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Lane Kauffman and Eric Rowley on the front row. Rowley would edge Kauffman out at the line to lead lap 1, with the caution coming out at the completion of the lap. Derek St. Clair would stop in turn two, with both front tires flat. On the restart Rowley once again grabbed the advantage, with Ray Raker now battling him for the top spot. Raker would make his move into the lead on lap 3 and then held it until a red on lap 5. Dean Kratzer broke an axle and took a nasty roll in turn four, he was ok but the car was had heavily damaged. On the restart, Raker jumped out into the lead, but now had Jason Gerdes and St. Clair working on him for the lead. Gerdes would slip under Raker on lap 7 to take over the top spot, with St. Clair following in second. St. Clair tried to get by Gerdes over the next six laps, but couldn't make the pass. St. Clair would jump to the outside of Gerdes on lap 14 to take the lead and then held on to complete to drive from last to first. Raker would come home second, Tanner Thomann started 8th and finished third, Gerdes got sideways coming out of four on the last lap and slipped to fourth, with Victor Hastings coming from 17th to round out the top five.

Derek St. Clair Hobby Stock Feature Winner. Photo by Dana Royer.

Notes from 34: 109 cars signed in for the night, with 29 Modified being the most, followed by 22 Stock Cars, 20 Late Models and 19 305 Sprints and 19 Hobby Stocks......Boone McLaughlin who was pentalized on the first lap of the Late Model feature, would work his way back up to finish 8th. He only had one caution, on lap 13, in the 25 laps to be able to get back to the front...... Landon Cassill came from Charlotte, N.C. to compete in the Modifieds. He started last in his heat, due to first time there and no point average. But he would spin on lap 1 and was sent to the pits, due to a one spin and your done rule in the heat races. Which meant he had to come from the back of the B-Main in order to make it into the feature. He started the B-Main in 8th and had to get to 3rd in order to quailify. His run to the front would end with two laps to go in the event, as he got into the front stretch wall hard to slow his momentum. So he had to settle for 5th and had to watch the feature from the pits......Abe Huls, who started 17th, in the Stock Car feature had worked his way up to 3rd by lap 16. But would pull into the infield on lap 17 with mechanical troubles......Luke McLaughlin made a pit stop on lap 5 of the Hobby Stock feature and would come back out in 15th. He would work his way back up to a sixth place finish. Blaine Dopler started 18th, after a flat in his heat, and would pass 11 cars to finish 7th.

Aikey, Mueller, Lantz, Wenig, Staats, Loring Jr. Visit Lee County Speedway Victory Lane

Donnellson, IA (June 12, 2009) - The Lee County Speedway was able to avoid mother nature, which looked threating all night long, to get in there weekly Friday night of racing. Jeff Aikey (IMCA Late Models), Wyatt Lantz (IMCA Modifieds), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Cars), Rod Staats (IMCA Sport Mods), Dan Wenig (Hobby Stocks), and Chris Loring Jr. (Wild Things) all took home feature wins on Denny Woodworth Attorney at Law / Backslash Technologies Night at the speedway.



The first feature of the night was the 23 car 25 lap IMCA Late Models, with Thad Trump and Jay Chenoweth leading the field to the drop of the green flag. Trump would take advantage of his front row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1. The one and only caution of the event came out on lap 5, when Jason Frankel, Gary Russell, Matt Strassheim and Tony Fraise tangled on the backstretch. All cars, except Strassheim, would be able to rejoin the back of the field. On the restart Trump once again jumped out into the lead, with Jay Chenoweth and Jeff Aikey battling for the second spot. Trump would hold the top spot until lap 7, when Aikey slipped by for the lead. Aikey then led the final 13 laps to pick up his first win of 2009 at Lee County and the $1,000 top prize. Boone McLaughlin came from 8th to finish in second, Denny Woodworth started 10th and came home third, Mark Burgtorf came from 11th to finish in fourth, with Justin Reed rounding out the top five.



Up next was the 15 lap IMCA Stock Car feature, with Corey Strothman and Rick Hutcherson on the front row. A nine car pile up in turn one, amazingly enough all cars would be able to continue, on the start would make for an original restart. Strothman would jumped out into the lead on the restart and then held it until lap 3, when Abe Huls got by for the top spot. Abe's lead only last for one lap as Chris Wibbell jumped to his outside on lap 4 to take over the top spot. A spin by Strothman and John Oliver Jr. would slow the feature down on lap 5. On the restart Wibbell again grabbed the early lead, with Jeff Mueller and Huls battling for second.. Wibbell would hold the top spot until lap 8, when Mueller slipped under him to take over the lead. The final caution of the event came out on lap 9, when Nick Fenton slowed with a right front flat tire. Mueller would move out front on the restart and then held on to claim his second win of 2009 at the speedway. Huls would finish in second, Jason Cook came from 9th to finish in third, Wibbell held on to fourth, with Doug Huls coming home in fifth.



Lonnie Heap and Mike Weikert Jr. would lead the field to the drop of the green flag in the 20 lap IMCA Modified feature, with Heap grabbing the lead on lap 1. Heap would only hold the lead for one lap, as Rob Kirchner slipped by to grab the top spot. But Heap would come back on the next lap to take the lead back from Kirchner. A caution on lap 7 for the stalled car of Jeff Gerhardt, would bring the field back to Heap's bumper. Heap would hold off all challenges on the restart until another caution came out on lap 11 for Kirchner, who had a flat tire and ended his good run at the front. On the restart Wyatt Lantz would jump to the outside of Heap down the backstretch to take over the top spot on lap 12. The final two cautions of the event came out on lap 13 when Weikert Jr. and Bill Roberts got together coming out of turn four. On the restart Dean McGee was turned and backed his car hard into the turn four wall, heavy damage on the back of the car would end is night. At the same time Michael Long, who was running fourth pulled into the pits with mechanical troubles. Lantz would jump back out into the lead on the restart and then lead the final 7 laps to pick up his second consecutive win at the Lee County Speedway. Tyler Cale came from 16th to edge out Josh Foster, who started 10th, for the battle for second, Heap held on to finish in fourth, with Adam Birck having a great run to finish in fifth.



The 15 lap Hobby Stock feature had troubles getting there feature event started, but once it got going the finish was worth the wait. After three attempts at a start the field was put into single file formation, with Jon Rooney leading the field to the green. But it was Jeremy Pundt who would take the lead on lap 1, with Tim Tucker slipping by him to grab the top spot on lap 2. The final yellow of the event came out on lap 8, when Dane Fenton spun in turn two. On the restart Tucker now had to work to hold back Dan Wenig, who started 8th, and Derek St. Clair, who came from 12th. Tucker would come off turn four on lap 10 and got sideways allowing Wenig to get by for the lead. Wenig and St. Clair would take the white flag side-by-side, with Wenig grabbing the advantage going into turn three. Wenig would come out of four with the lead, which he held on for his second win of 2009 at the speedway. St. Clair would settle for second, Jim Lynch came from 10th to finish in third, Pundt held on for fourth, with Jim Oliver Jr. have a great run to fifth, after starting 17th.



Up next was the 15 lap IMCA Sport Mod feature, with Paul Lawson, back behind the wheel of Derek Higdon's number 45, and Jim Kuhlmeier leading the field to green. Rod Staats came from his third row starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1, with the first and only caution of the event coming out on lap 2 for a spin by Thad Gaylord. On the restart Staats once again jumped out into the lead, with Lawson challenging him for the top spot. Lawson would make a last lap attempt to get by Staats, but Staats would hold him off at the line to claim his first career Sport Mod feature. Rodger Dresden would come home in third, Jason Cook came from 9th to finish in fourth, with Phillip Cossel rounding out the top five, after starting 10th.



The final feature of the night was the 12 lap Wild Things, with Jerry Ostby and Gabe Harrison making up the front row. Ostby would take advantage of his front row starting spot to jump into the lead on lap 1. The first of two cautions came out on lap 2 for a spin by Andrew Davis in turn two. On the restart Chris Loring Jr. would slip by Ostby to take over the top spot. The final caution of the event came out on lap 7 for the stalled car of Nick Wilkerson in turn four. Loring Jr. would again grab the top spot on the restart, but now had Dakota Fenton and James Oliver III, who started 8th, challenging him for the lead. Loring Jr. would hold off all there challenges over the final 5 laps to pick up his second consecutive win at the speedway. Oliver III would edge out Fenton at the line for the battle for second. Ostby held on for fourth, with Chuck Fullenkamp rounding out the top five.



Next Friday night at the Lee County Speedway will be Family Motors Night, with a car to be given away on the night donated by Family Motors. It will also be the Doug Townsend Memorial Race, with the IMCA Modifieds going for a $1,000 top prize. Also in action will be the IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things.



Notes from LCS: 120 cars sign into the night to do battle, with 23 Late Models, 26 Modfieds, 19 Stock Cars, 14 Sport Mods, 19 Hobby Stocks and 19 Wild things......Jason Frankel who was invloved in a lap 5 caution and had to go to the tail, worked his way back up to finish 10th in the Late Model feature. The run by Frankel was done with no cautions in the final 20 laps of the event..Charlie McKenna made the long pull down from Clear Lake, IA, but had troubles in his heat to put him shot gun on the field for the feature. McKenna would pass 11 cars to finish 12th in the feature. But McKenna would pick up the Automotive Engine & Machine (AEM) hard charger award. A $100 product certificate presented to the driver who passing the most cars in all the Late Model feature events......19 Stock Cars signed into the night, thanks to two late arrivals from Columbus Junction, which helped them all earn $25 extra thanks to Budweiser and Lawson Racing Engines.. Phillip Beard, one of the late arrivals, came from 18th on the starting grid to finish in sixth......Rich Smith, who started 9th, had worked his way into third by lap 17 in the Modified feature. But he pulled into the infield on lap 18 with mechanical troubles to end his run to the front......Rod Staats' win in the Sport Mod feature made him the fifth different winner in six nights of racing in the division......Danny Riekena made the long pull from Mapleton, IL to compete in the Wild Things feature. He would start the feature in the 10th spot and was edged out at the line by Chuck Fullenkamp to finish in sixth.

Loyet, Mincer, Smith, St. Clair and Loring Jr. Claim Lee County Speedway Feature Wins

Donnellson, IA (June 5, 2009) - Another night of racing action was put into the books at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, with The Pepsi Inside Track - KRNQ Radio and Lee County Bank & Trust sponsoring the nights activities, along with Burrows Paper Corp. Employee Night. Brad Loyet (POWRi Midgets), Bobby Mincer (305 Sprints), Jacob Smith (Sport Mods), Derek St. Clair (Hobby Stocks) and Chris Loring Jr. (Wild Things) took home the trophies in their respective class features.

The first feature on the night was the 15 lap Sport Mod feature, with Jacob Smith, who inherited the pole when Rich Uppinghouse scratched from the event, and Jim Kuhlmeier on the front row. Smith took advantage of his front row starting spot to move out front on the drop of the green flag and then held it until the first yellow of the event on lap 3. Thad Gaylord and Paul Lawson, who was behind the wheel of the #45 usually driven by Derek Higdon, got together on the front stretch with Lawson getting into the wall hard. He was ok, but heavy damage was done to the back of the machine. Smith grabbed the lead on the restart, with Phillip Cossel, who started 9th, and Derek Coleman battling him for the top spot. The event was slowed 6 more times, before setting up a green-white-checkered finish. Smith would hold off a last lap challenge from Coleman to pick up his first career Sport Mod feature in his rookie season. Cossel settled for third, Paul Underwood came from the rear after early troubles to finish in fourth, with Rick Barlow Jr. also charging from the back after a spin early to finish in fifth.

Up next was the 20 lap Mid-America 305 Sprint feature, with Bobby Mincer and Matt Krieger drawing the front row. Mincer would jump out front on the drop of the green flag and then held it until a spin by Tasker Phillips on lap 3 brought out the yellow. On the restart, Mincer once again moved out front with the battle for second between Krieger, Kevin Hetrick, who started 7th, Donnie Steward, driving the 4B machine usually driven by Scott Boles, and Jayson Ditsworth heating up. Mincer's big lead was erased on lap 7, when Patrick Long spun to a stop in turn two. Long would make the same mistake on the next lap and was sent pit side for his second solo spin on the night. Once again Mincer grabbed the lead on the restart, with Hetrick trying to chase him down, when the only red of the event came out on lap 10. Alexsha Alexander took an easy roll in turn, she would be ok. Mincer again jumped out to a big advantage on the restart, only to be slowed for the final time on lap 17, when Justin Newberry clipped a tire in turn two while running 6th. The final restart saw Mincer grab the lead in which he held until the checkered flag. Hetrick would settle for second, Steward was third, Ditsworth was fourth, with Phillips coming from the rear after an early spin to round out the top five.

Kimberly Abbott and Chris Loring Jr. made up the front row for the 12 lap Wild Thing feature, with Loring Jr. grabbing the lead on the drop of the green. Loring Jr. then worked to hold off Gabe Harrison when the yellow appeared on lap 6 for a spin by Dan Ertzinger and Rex Smart. On the restart, Jeremy Oliver's machine would come to a stop in turn one to bring the yellow back out. But Loring Jr. would moved out front on the following restart, with James Oliver III, who started 9th, now challenging for the top spot. A tangle by Harrison and William Michel in turn four on lap 8 would bring out a yellow. Loring Jr. would hold off Oliver III on the restart to go on to take the win. Dakota Fenton came from 8th to finish in third, Jayson Barnes started 10th and finished fourth, with Chuck Fullenkamp coming home fifth.

Up next was the 25 lap O'Reilly Auto Parts / Lucas Oil POWRi Midget feature, with Brad Loyet, by virtue of the most passing points in the heat, and Andrew Felker on the front row. Loyet would take advantage of his front row start to grab the lead on the drop of the green, but a spin by Austin Brown in turn one would slow the race. Loyet once again grabbed the lead on the restart and had built a good lead until Nick Knepper slowed on the front stretch a the midway part of the race. On the restart Loyet jumped out to a lead and held it until a red for Kyle Neal who rolled in turn three. Neal was ok, but done for the night. Loyet would move out front on the restart and pulled away for the $2,000 top prize. Felker nipped Brad Kuhn at the line to finish in second, Daniel Robinson came from 10th to finish in fourth, with Tim Siner edging out a fifth place finish at the line.

The final feature on the night was the 15 lap Hobby Stocks, with Victor Hastings and Bob Lynch drawing the front row. Lynch would take advantage of his starting spot to grab the lead on lap 1 and held it until a caution on lap 2 for a tangle by Dean Kratzer and Rob Wilsey. On the restart Derek St. Clair, who started 6th, moved by Lynch for the top spot. St. Clair was pulling away from the field when the final yellow of the night came out on lap 11 for a drive shaft. St. Clair now had to hold off a charging by Matt Tucker, who started 10th, over the final four laps to claim his second win of 2009 at Lee County. Jim Lynch was third, Dan Wenig came from 11th to finish in fourth, with Kratzer coming from the rear after early troubles to come home fifth.

Next Friday night the Pilot Grove Savings Bank / Ideal Ready Mix "Drive For Five" for the IMCA Late Models returns to the Lee County Speedway. Also in action will be the IMCA Modifieds, IMCA Stock Cars, IMCA Sport Mods, Hobby Stocks and Wild Things. It will be Dennis Woodworth Attorney at Law Night, along with Backslash Technologies, which is giving away a super computer. Also it will be Scouts Night with all boys & girls getting in FREE with a uniform and id.