Lee County Crowns Champions

 Although it seems as though it just started, the 2020 points season is winding down as we prepare for the end of year specials. Friday night it was season championship night at the Lee County Speedway in Donnellson. In addition, it was Fan Appreciation night, with adult admission at $3.00! The five regular IMCA classes were on the card, with late models featuring the closest points race, Tommy Elston a scant four markers in front of Denny Woodworth.  Also, the Inex Legends cars, in support of the C.O.P.S. program were added to the program.                                                                                             IMCA sport compacts ran the first feature, with ten cars lining up for fifteen laps. Kimberly Abbott was late to staging and tagged the tail of the field as they rolled down the backstretch. After the initial start was called back, Kaycee McGregor paced the opening circuit while Brandon Reu and Jared Heule battled side by side for second, with Reu claiming the spot on lap two. By lap five, Abbott was in the mix, but a friendly tap sent her into the turn three guardrail, bringing out the yellow flag. Back under green, the top three were side by side by side on lap seven, with Reu and Heule clearing McGregor while Reu on the bottom and Heule up high remained locked in a scrum until Reu took over on lap ten. One lap later, Heule spun in turn one and was hit hard by McGregor, ending the night for both drivers. Abbott was now on the move once again, and on the final lap she used a high side move to grab the lead and the victory. Reu settled for second followed by David Prim, Chevy Barnes, and Cody Bowman. The runner up finish was more than enough for Reu to take the track title.                                                                                                     Michael Weber used a last lap pass to capture an entertaining fifteen car main event for the Legends cars.                                                  IMCA late models were next, and after Denny Woodworth won his heat race , Elstons' lead was down to one point. Denny would line up in row four while Tommy would start behind him. Front row starters Ray Raker and Darin Weisinger Jr. crossed the line neck and neck as lap one was scored, with Weisinger charging ahead on lap two. As the field battled behind him, Weisinger held the top spot until lap fifteen. Jay Johnson and Sam Halstead kept the leader in their sites as they fought for the runner up spot, and Elston joined the fray on the twelfth circuit of the non stop event. On that fifteenth lap, Weisinger, Johnson, and Halstead raced three wide, with Darin riding the narrowing cushion. Johnson led lap fifteen by inches, and Halstead nosed out front one lap later. With three to go in the twenty lap race Elston powered to second, but could not close on Halstead, who picked up his first win in a shortened 2020 campaign. Elston secured another championship with a second place run, followed by Mark Burgtorf, Johnson, and Weisinger. Woodworth ran sixth ahead of teammate Dustin Griffin, Ron Boyse, and Raker. Matt Strassheim did not start after a heat race mishap.                                             Chad Krogmeier took the low line from row one to pace a six car pack as the stock cars ran eighteen non stop laps. Abe Huls came from row three to chase Krogmeier, running one lane higher than the leader. On lap ten he made his move to the point, and seventh starting John Oliver Jr. came to second two laps later. Oliver followd Huls down low in turns one and two, then pounded the treacherous cushion in turns three and four, but could not close the gap. Abe took the win, while John took the track title. Jason Cook ran third in a tight pack over Jeremy Pundt, Mike Harward, and Krogmeier.        The IMCA sport mods were up next and it was another yellow flag marathon. Nicholas Profeta was a no show and Josh Holtman elected to start from the rear in his new ride, turning the front row over to Bobby Six and Dakota Anderson. Six took the early lead and following a caution after lap one was scored, sixth starting Brandon Dale claimed the second spot. Austen Becerra had heat race woes, started near the back of the scheduled nineteen cars, and entered the top five on lap eight. He then suffered more damage, bringing out the yellow and ending his run and any chance of overtaking Adam Birck for the track championship. That was a lucky break for Adam, as he got together with Blaine Webster during another caution flag slow down at the halfway mark, with both cars too damaged to continue. Yellow number four came on the restart, then a three car battle for the lead developed between Six, Dale, and Sean Wyett. On lap fourteen, Wyett hooked the rear quarter panel of the Six machine in turn three, sending him for a spin. Six exited the track and Wyett was sent to the tail for the restart. By now, Ron Kibbe had moved from the ninth row all the way to second, and following another caution, he set sail in search of Dale. A seventh and final yellow saw the remaining cars go single file, with Dale cruising to the win. Kibbe took second, besting Joe Roller, Anderson, and Holtman. As mentioned, Birck took championship honors.                                  Most of the large crowd stayed around for at least the start of the IMCA modified finale. Daniel Fellows started fourth in the ten car field and was in front for lap one. Row three starter Jeff Waterman took up the chase on the next circuit, but was replaced by Dennis Laveine on lap three. Meanwhile, ninth starting Michael Long was making short work of the pack, using the high line to power to second on lap four. Although Fellows had a sizable lead, it took Michael only three more trips around to move to the front and send the fans heading for home. Fellows made contact with the guardrail in turn three on lap eight as he tried to follow Long on the disappearing cushion, and although he kept going, on lap twelve he slowed, dropping a trail of fluid on the track, his night over. After this lone caution, Long was not challenged as he walked to the win. Laveine ran second, with track champion Waterman in third. Mark Burgtorf turned up the wick in the second half of the race, to take fourth, while Lance Schlicher came out ahead in a three car battle for fifth.                                                                                                     While this was the final regular season event at Lee County, there are still several nights of racing to look forward to at the 3/8 mile D shaped fairgrounds track. Next up will be the late model Drive for Five finale on Saturday, September 12. Qualified drivers will race for a $5,000 payday, while those not eligible would take home $2,000 for the win. Sprint Invaders will also be on the card, so watch the track website or Facebook for more details.                               Thanks to the Gaylords, Brian Neal, and the gang for their continued hospitality at one of my " home tracks."                                             Tonight our plans are to visit another of my favorite venues, 34 Raceway in West Burlington as they contest season championship races in six classes. Hope to see you there!