Off and Running

 Exactly sixteen weeks after a visit to the Dome in St. Louis closed out our 2018 race season, we opened the 2019 campaign with a visit to one of our " regular " haunts, the  Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa for night one of the Spring Extravaganza. As late as Tuesday of this week, I had serious doubts that the wet and cool conditions of the last few weeks would allow this event to be staged, but hard work by the Lee County crew whipped the grounds into racing condition.
 I am sure that Brian and Marcie Gaylord were anxious to get their first season as track promoters underway. For the last three seasons, the Gaylords have functioned as track managers, and now they have taken on the challenge as promoters. I truly expect the solid reputation LCS has for quick, quality shows to continue in 2019.
 Sunny skies along with seasonable temperatures greeted us upon our arrival at the 3/8 mile fairgrounds facility.While the car count might have been a bit on the light side, the racing was intense, and with top notch drivers from six states signed in, it was a night that had the fans talking! In addition, the track held up remarkably well, with only a couple mild " whoop-de-doos " in the corners.
  Surprisingly, the late models led off the program, with nine cars taking the twenty lap feature green. Minnesota hot shoe Dustin Bluhm made the long tow, starting on the pole alongside track regular Sam Halstead. Bluhm shot to a big early lead ahead of a series of yellow flags starting on lap five which slowed the action. By now, Veteran Jay Johnson was in the second spot. Jay was wheeling a #7 machine, a former car of his, that is scheduled to be
driven by rookie Blair Barton in the regular season. Meanwhile, defending track champion Tommy Elston had gained four spots to third. As the race neared the halfway mark, Bluhm went a bit too hot into turn one, spinning his car, turning the lead over to Johnson, with Halstead climbing back to second. Two circuits later, Elston made his move on Halstead, the duo running side by side before Elston claimed the spot. By now, Johnson had a sizable lead, which Elston began to whittle down. With three laps left, Jay slid up the track a bit in turn four, giving Tommy the opening he needed, and he then held on to pick up the win. Johnson settled for runner up honors, trailed by Halstead, Bluhm, and South Dakota racer Bryan Berger in a Frank Racing prepared #21. Brandon Queen completed the top six, while Todd Frank, Brian Harris in the Richard Racing #15R, and Gunner Frank watched the conclusion from the pits.
  Brandon Dale shot to the lead in the sport mod twenty lapper following a false start. Incredibly, the fifteen car field then went caution free the rest of the way. As Dale stretched his lead, Nathan Bringer and Tyler Soppe battled for second while row five starter Daniel Fellows jumped to fourth. Adam Birck had broken a wheel in hot laps and scratched from his heat, relegating him to the back of the pack, but he quickly charged to sixth by lap seven. At the halfway mark, Soppe took over second, as Fellows moved to third. As Soppe began to run down the leader, slower traffic became a determining factor, with Dale suddenly behind a pair of cars running side by side. It was the opening Tyler needed, and he took the top spot. Meanwhile, Austen Becerra, was putting on his own show, continuing to vault through a hole in turn four, pulling alongside Dale as the white flag waved. At the checkers, it was Soppe, Becerra, Dale, Fellows, and Bringer. Birck had quickly moved to sixth, but could advance no further.
  As good as the racing had been to this point, the stock cars raised the bar even higher, eighteen strong for twenty two laps. Outside row one starter Jay Schmidt led lap one by a nose over polesitter Abe Huls. As the Tama, Iowa driver pulled away, John Oliver Jr. pulled alongside Huls for second, and Derek Green made it a four car race. At the same time, Damon Murty and Todd Reitzler made it a six car pack. Seven laps in, Oliver bobbled slightly, opening the door for Green, who powered all the way to second before Huls regained the runner up slot. Just before mid race, Huls made his move with a high side pass of Schmidt for the lead. A flat tire took Reitzler out of contention as slower traffic came into play. Suddenly Green slowed and could not get to the infield, bringing out the only caution with six laps to go. The restart was cancelled for a spin, then back to racing, Murty grabbed second. The checkers waved for Huls, ahead of Murty, Schmidt, Oliver Jr., and Jeremy Pundt. 
  Bill Roberts Jr. was already on the way home with a damaged race car when the other dozen modifieds lined up for twenty two laps.  Mike VanGenderen jumped to the early lead before slowing on lap two, turning the spot over to Chad Holladay. By the time lap four was scored, tenth starting Michael Long had moved to third behind Jeremy Mills, with Dave Weitholder also coming from row four to fourth. With Holladay, who also is a regular late model hot shoe well out front, Long cleared Mills seven laps in. As the race stayed green, Long began to close the gap on the leader, and with five to go, Michael pulled to the rear bumper of the #32C. He then powered to the lead one lap later with a pass down the backstretch. Long then cruised to the win, with Holladay holding second, followed by Mills, Weitholder, and Aaron Johnson.
  Quite a few hearty fans remained as all but one of the twenty one sport compacts came to the oval for their fourteen lap finale. Ashton Blain was pitside after rolling his ride hard in his heat race. Brandon Reu jumped out front from the front row as Barry Taft and Jacob Houston battled for second. As lap five was being scored, Houston found himself high on two wheels in turn four, and only the Taft car kept him from going upside down. Unfortunately, Barry emerged with a flat tire, ending his run. With six circuits to go, Jason Ash pulled alongside Reu for the lead, taking the spot. Ash seemed to be in charge, even as Houston and Reu stayed close. Then in a daring last corner power move, Houston pulled alongside, then past Ash for a dramatic win, a perfect climax for a memorable opening night of racing. Ash was scored second over Reu, Chuck Fullenkamp, and Zach Bohlmeyer.
  We will keep one eye on a slight chance of incoming showers for tonight, even as we make plans to return to LCS for night number two of the Spring Extravaganza. The action will kick off one hour earlier, with hot laps at 6:00. In addition to the extra money to be paid out tonight, the late models will be racing for $800 to win. If you missed out on Friday, dress warm and join us tonight!