Friday was a special night at Lee County Speedway. On hand to entertain the fans was the 1970 Dodge Charger driven by legendary IMCA champion Ernie Derr. Although he won twelve IMCA national championships in several different makes of cars, the late pilot from my hometown of Keokuk is most remembered for his time in the Hemi powered Dodges. The last known car still around that was raced by Derr is owned by Todd Schneider and has thankfully been kept in the condition it was in when last in competition. Fans were treated to the unmistakable roar of the 426 cubic inch Hemi as it was driven several laps around Derrs' "home" track while several of Ernies' sons and grandsons offered up info on the car and Derrs' great career.
The regular five divisions were on the card in addition to the Mini Hauler truck class and Kohlmorgan Hauling out of Keokuk kicked in $200 cash for each division.
Sixty six race teams checked in to race with a nice sized crowd on hand. Nine heat races clicked off in about forty minutes, with a brief ten minute break before the first feature.
Sport Compacts kicked things off, with all but Chandler Fullenkamp lining up for fifteen laps. Chevy Barnes charged from row two to the early lead, but as the race reached the halfway mark, Brandon Reu moved in to challenge for the top spot. On lap nine, Reu used an inside move to grab the lead, then drove off for the win. Barnes was second, followed by Barry Taft, Kimberly Abbott, and Luke Fraise.
It was the first night out for Austin Schulte, but he dove to the infield before the green flag flew in the eighteen lap IMCA Stock Car feature. Beau Taylor jumped to the front with cars racing three wide for second. Colt Mather grabbed the runner up spot on lap two, and with three in the books, we saw the first yellow flag of the night as Kevin Koontz spun and stopped in turns one and two. The restart saw another three wide battle behind Taylor before John Oliver Jr. powered from fifth to second. Oliver was in front by inches as lap six was scored, and three more circuits saw Mather move again to second. With nine down, the red flag came out as Koontz rolled his #43 up against the turn two guardrail. It took considerable time to clear the accident, and during the clean up, third running Taylor went to the work area, giving up his position on the track. The yellow came again on the restart, then Mather was able to sneak by Oliver for the lead. A final caution came for a tire kicked out on the track with six laps to go. Back to racing, Oliver, who had been hugging the inside line, tried to gain ground on the turns three and four cushion, but the race belonged to Mather, his second win of the season at LCS. Derrick Agee and Jeremy Pundt waged a close battle behind Oliver, with Agee claiming third, while Chad Krogmeier completed the top five.
Only eight IMCA Modifieds were on hand, and they did battle for sixteen laps. Heat winner Daniel Fellows set the pace early ahead of a lap two caution as the same tire was kicked to the racing surface. Following the Delaware style restart, Austen Becerra charged to second before a final caution for Bill Roberts Jr., who came to rest against the turn four guardrail. With Becerra bearing down on him, Fellows switched his line in three and four from bottom to top, but Austen used the vacated line to drive to the front. From there is was smooth sailing as Becerra walked away building more than a straightaway advantage. Fellows was locked in a battle With Dennis Laveine for second before Laveine faded in third with possible suspension issues. Jadin Fuller and Fisher Reese rounded out the top five.
Fourteen IMCA Late Models came to the track for twenty five laps of action. Veteran Ed Hollenbeck set a quick pace with Ray Raker breathing down his neck. Hollenbeck slowly opened his lead as Independence, Iowa hot shoe Sean Johnson cleared a gaggle of cars to take second on lap six. Eleven laps in, Jason Oenning was racing in third when he got ahold of the track in turns one and two, powering to the lead running one lane higher than the front pair. As Oenning began to build a lead, Mark Burgtorf brought the Lynn Richard #15R from a row four start to challenge Johnson for second. Four laps from the finish, Dekota Job looped his car in turn three in front of the leader, who was barely able to take evasive action. Now Oenning had the field on his bumper, but he held the lead as Johnson was shuffled back through the pack. As the laps wound down, Burgtorf pulled a slide job in turn four, but Oenning kept his cool, crossing him back over to maintain the top spot. Jeremy Pundt, who started alongside Burgtorf in row four now charged in to second, as the front two repeated their one -two finish on their shared birthday two weeks ago! It was the second career win for Oenning. Burgtorf held third, while Oennings' car owner, Denny Woodworth was fourth in front of Tommy Elston. Johnson ran sixth, topping Chris Horn, rookie Christian Miles, Hollenbeck, and Darin Weisinger Jr.
Fifteen IMCA Sport Mods would battle for eighteen caution free laps! Jim Gillenwater sat on the pole position and liked it so well, he stayed there throughout. Doing double duty, John Oliver Jr. moved to the runner up spot on lap two. Doing his "catfishing" best, Gillenwater opened a comfortable lead, while Oliver also pulled ahead of the pack using the same line around the inside tire barrier. Ninth starting Adam Birck was the man on the move running the top of the three eighths mile. He gradually closed on Oliver, catching him with just three laps to go. But John was up to the task, holding second behind the cruising Gillenwater. Brandon Dale worked the whole track to advance to fourth, and Nicholas Profeta drove a steady race to score a top five finish.
With an early call on Saturday, we headed out as the clock read just 9:38! Reports show Roger Brockett topped the nine truck Mini Hauler field.
Thanks as always to Brian and Marcie Gaylord and Brian Neal for a swiftly run, efficient show on a perfectly prepared track. And thank you, for reading!
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