Friday night was the second installment of the IMCA Late Model Drive for Five mini series paying $1,000 to win at Lee County Speedway in Donnellson, Iowa. Also for the second time in 2023 Mini Haulers joined the regular five divisions in competition. Ninety three (technically ninety four - more on that later) race cars rolled through the pit gate, shattering the 2023 top mark. Although there was a day long threat of showers, the sun came around and it was a gorgeous evening to be at the race track. Despite a slight blemish early in turn one, the racing surface was fast and smooth, with a massive payoff come feature time.
Hot laps began right at the advertised time of 7:00, and the fourteen qualifying events rolled off promptly at 7:30 followed by a short ten minute intermission, all ahead of a somewhat late arriving crowd.
IMCA Northern Sport Mods would be the first feature, with only rookie Kaleb Nevers missing from the nineteen entrants. The first attempt at a green flag was waved off following a skirmish in turns one and two. At that point, flagman Rodney Bleisner could have auctioned off his yellow flag, and promoter Brian Gaylord could have sent the wrecker crew on their way home! With the caveat that we actually headed for the parking lot ahead of the Mini Hauler feature, we saw zero caution periods for the remainder of the five regular class features! Both the drivers and the track prep crew deserve credit for such an incredible performance, as well as Rodney, who is willing to wait until the last moment to allow an out of shape car to return to the track or duck to the infield!
Back to racing, pole sitter Jim Gillenwater drove off ahead of a three car battle for second. By lap three Brandon Dale had claimed the runner up spot, and three laps later seventh starting Sean Wyett had moved in to challenge Dale for the position. With John Oliver Jr. having charged from ninth to fourth, his row five mate, last weeks' winner Brayton Carter now entered the top five. As the race reached the half way mark, Gillenwater was on cruise control, but soon Wyett began to cut into the lead. With three circuits remaining, the two heat winners were nose to tail, but the veteran Gillenwater was able to use a lapped car to put a bit of distance on the #12S. Gillenwater was running a middle line while Wyett stuck to the inside groove. As they hit turns three and four for the final time, Wyett pulled a textbook slide job to grab the lead. Gillenwater was able to cross him over, but came up just short at the checkers, with Sean a victor by a scant .048 seconds, his time out front measured in feet and inches! Gillenwater would settle for second, while Oliver Jr. cleared heat three winner Dale for third. Carter completed the top five.
Officially sixteen IMCA Late Models checked in, however rookie driver Ryan Harris also came through the gate with a sharp looking #3H. As the Late Models prepared to hot lap, we saw a four wheeler pushing week one winner Nick Marolf from staging back to his pit area. While the #33 has been experiencing engine woes while waiting on long delayed parts, when he prepared to roll off for warm ups, transmission issues left him stranded on the line. He then took over the #3H for the evening, which just happened to be one of his former cars! Thus we had sixteen cars line up for twenty five laps of action. Last weeks' winner C.J. Horn and last weeks' winner at 34 Raceway, Jeff Guengerich sat on row one. Horn quickly shot to the lead, and on the third circuit, fifth starting Denny Woodworth cleared Guengerich for second. Soon double duty Dalton Simonsen advanced from row four to third, and those top three ran spread out from each other but well ahead of the pack. Slower traffic came into play by lap eleven, and on the next trip around, Simonsen snuck past Woodworth, setting up an entertaining duel between the pair, even as Horn checked out. By the time Woodworth retook the runner up spot, Horn had a full straightaway advantage. Meanwhile defending champion Tommy Elston joined the battle for second. Horn drove off for his second consecutive victory, while Woodworth used a last corner move to edge Simonsen for second. Elston came home fourth in front of Jay Johnson. Guengerich led the second five, topping Jeremy Pundt, Darin Weisinger Jr., Sam Halstead, and Ray Raker.
All but two of the fifteen Sport Compacts would come to the track for fifteen laps. Josh Barnes took off from the pole, while his son, last weeks' first time winner Chevy Barnes spent four laps powering from row five to second. As Chevy worked to close the gap, Kimberly Abbott, Noah Kayser, and frequent visitor Jack Pflum (did I mention he is from Cincinnati, Ohio?!?), battled for third position. Chevy took seven laps to move in on the leader, and with four circuits to go, he ended a tight duel by grabbing the lead. From there, son bested father, as Chevy scored win number two of his fledgling career. Josh held on for second in front of Pflum, while Abbott held off hard charging Chandler Fullenkamp for fourth.
Sixteen of the eighteen IMCA Modifieds were good to go for eighteen laps. Third starting Jadin Fuller took the early lead, taking along fifth starting Bill Roberts. Last weeks' winner Austen Becerra lined up in row four and climbed to third on lap two. As those three duked it out, Austen moved to second on lap seven, then used a power move in turn four on lap ten to take the lead. As Becerra and Fuller drove off from the pack, week two winner Denny Eckrich worked from his row four spot to third with six circuits remaining. Becerra slowly increased his lead, cruising to the checkers ahead of Fuller and Eckrich. Mark Burgtorf made a late move to fourth, then held off another traveler, Grey Ferrando. Calling Stayton, Oregon, home, Ferrando is on an Iowa racing tour after a fourth place run Wednesday in Stuart.
Thirteen IMCA Stock Cars checked in, but Kevin Koontz and Les Blakley were missing from the eighteen lap headliner. Jerry Jansen put his Ford machine out front with John Oliver Jr. in tow. Oliver took over on lap two, taking along Jeremy Pundt in second. Five circuits in, Derrick Agee had worked his way from row five to the runner up spot running around the tires on the bottom of the track while Oliver worked up top. As Oliver maintained his wide margin, Josh Foster, Beau Taylor, Dalton Simonsen, and Chad Krogmeier worked for fourth on back. Again, the race stayed green all the way, with Oliver Jr. cruising to the win. Agee was the Bridesmaid trailed by Pundt, Foster, and Taylor.
It was 9:47 as we loaded up to head for the parking lot, Mini Haulers headed to the track! According to reports Tim Wagner picked up the final feature of the night.
Thanks to Brian, Marcie, and all involved for a A+ night of racing!
We will do our Mothers' Day festivities one day early, and make plans for another Sunday night at Adams County Speedway in Quincy, Illinois.Then it will be a Wednesday visit to Davenport Speedway for the big Castrol Flo Racing Night in America spectacular featuring Super Late Models backed by IMCA Modifieds. Racing season is finally in full gear, so make plans to get to your favorite track(s)!
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