Thankfully the rain stayed south of Lee County Speedway in Donnellson on Friday as sunny skies greeted us upon arrival. A beautiful sunset preceded another chilly evening full of close racing on a beautifully prepared racing surface. And even though the spring chill is still with us, a decent sized crowd turned out. With the addition of the American Iron Racing Series a solid total of eighty four racers signed in led by twenty IMCA Late Models. This being the second week for the new promoters, everything moved along smoothly and after a full plate of heat races and intermission, it was time to go feature racing.
The visiting A.I.R.S. group of thirteen ran first with only one stoppage. For some unknown reason, there was no roster of drivers so I apologize in stating that car #8J one of the Jones clan, picked up the win.
The Mini Hauler truck class again produced a small number of participants, with five competitors racing ten non stop laps. Nick Wilkerson destroyed the field by about a half lap. Tate Kronfieldt and Hayden Delzell also went the distance behind the winner.
IMCA Sport Compacts fared little better, with only six signed in and five still around at feature time. Brandon Reu took off from outside row one to lead the twelve lap distance, chased by Kimberly Abbott and opening night winner, Josh Barnes.
The IMCA Stock Car count was down a bit at ten, but as usual they rewarded us with outstanding racing. Matt Jones paced the opening lap ahead of Chad Krogmeier, but it was Jason See coming from outside row two to lead lap two. Soon it was Krogmeier, sixth starting John Oliver Jr. and Derrick Agee locked in a battle for second. Oliver Jr. managed to clear that group on lap six and the chase was on. Halfway through the twenty laps Oliver had caught See and they ran side by side on lap thirteen before Jason was able to pull slightly ahead. With two to go in another non stop event, See caught two cars running at the tail of the field and he was able to use maneuver his way through, creating a bit of separation to secure the win. Following runner up Oliver Jr. it was Agee and Krogmeier, while Kevin Koontz won a race long battle, passing Matt Picray late for fifth.
All but one of the thirteen IMCA Modifieds took the green flag for twenty laps in yet another non stop race. Matt Fulton Jr. led his row one mate Fisher Reese in the opening circuits before Jace Eckrich moved into second on lap three. Even as young Eckrich mounted a strong challenge seven laps in, week one winner Austen Becerra came roaring from his row four starting spot to third. Eckrich used a turn three move to grab the lead one lap later, and one more time around saw Becerra charge off turn four to move to the runner up spot. It quickly became a two car breakaway. With six laps remaining the duo raced side by side, and Becerra claimed the lead coming to the flag stand. Ripping around the very top of the three eighths mile oval, Austen then drove off for the win. Eckrich held on for second while Fulton Jr. nipped visiting Chris Zogg at the line for third. Mark Burgtorf started and finished fifth.
After a heat race altercation, Ed Hollenbeck and Jason Oenning scratched for the twenty five lap IMCA Late Model headliner, leaving eighteen cars to take the green flag from starter Kevin Eggleston. Darin Weisinger Jr. and Sam Halstead sat on row one, and they blasted ahead in that order. While Weisinger Jr. opened a sizable lead, fifth starting Tommy Elston began his march forward, slipping past Halstead for second on lap six. He then began to run down the leader, racing side by side before taking command just before halfway. Fourteen laps were scored when the caution flag waved as Spencer Havermale found himself facing the wrong way on the front stretch. Thankfully everyone managed to avoid his stopped #7H. On the restart Weisinger seemed a bit slow off the line, losing several positions. Now it was eighth starting Christian Miles showing speed as he pulled a successful slider exiting turn four to clear Halstead for second. Elston drove off into the Lee County night as Miles, Halstead and Late Model rookie Logan Cumby fought for the runner up spot. When the checkers flew, Elston had matched his opening night win, with a straightaway advantage over Miles, Halstead, Cumby and visiting Andy Nezworski. Curtis Glover led the second five over Weisinger Jr., Denny Woodworth, Jake Griffin and Ron Boyse. Miles, Woodworth and Griffin all advanced six positions, Glover five and Elston four on the smooth, racy track.
IMCA Northern Sport Mods would put a wrap on the evening, seventeen strong for twenty laps. After rolling his car last Friday, Dylan VanWyk started on the pole position, and from there that was basically " all she wrote." He blasted well ahead, while double duty John Oliver Jr. also gained separation in second. The first stoppage came with eight in the books. VanWyk again pulled away, and it was now seventh starting Brandon Dale on the gas, powering to fourth. Two more laps were scored before a second and final caution. Row three starter Charlie Rindom jumped to the runner up spot as racing resumed, and as VanWyk cruised around the oval, Rindom, Oliver Jr. and Dale wrestled behind the leader. At the final checkers it was VanWyk, Rindom, Dale, Oliver Jr. and week one winner Cole Gillenwater in fifth.
If you were counting that was a grand total of four caution periods in over one hundred thirty laps of feature racing, a testament to both excellent track prep and driver restraint. Hats off to all involved! All racing was complete around 10:30. Thanks again to the Weisinger family for their gracious hospitality. The sun is shining, it is warming up. Think I will check the schedule and see if I can squeeze in a bonus night of racing. See you at the track!
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