McGee, Cook, Sovern, Kratzer, Hammel Take Checkers on Opening Night at Lee
County Speedway
by Dewain Hulett
Donnellson, IA (May 2) - It took a little work and a lot of dedicated racers and fans, but Lee County Speedway defied
mother nature and was finally able to open its 2008 racing season Friday in Donnellson.
A solid field of cars made the trip to the fast 3/8 mile oval for opening night, but it was Dean McGee, Jason Cook, Chad
Sovern, Dean Kratzer and Rob Hammel who ended the night in the winner circle of their respective classes.
McGee, racing out of Galesburg, Ill., started outside the front row but never led until late in the race during the Miller Lite
IMCA Modified feature event. Instead, it was Tyler Cale, Donnellson, IA, who started on the pole and dominated the early
stages of the race, but a late race bobble opened the door for McGee, who was more than willing to step right through. It
was the first Lee County Speedway feature event win for McGee, who has been racing for 38 years.
In what turned out to be one of the best features of the night, Cook used a late race slip up in turn two by Nick Fenton to
propel him to the win in the Budweiser IMCA Stock Cars. But, it was far from easy the rest of the way, as he ran the last
three laps nearly side-by-side with eventual second place finisher Jeff Mueller. Fenton held on to finish third.
During Lawson Racing Engines and Parts Supply Sport Mod competition it was quite possibly eventual race winner Chad
Sovern who took advantage of the night’s most surprising change of circumstances. After starting on the pole for the
feature event Sovern dominated much of the event, with Rob Kirchner hanging around just within striking distance.
Kirchner got his opportunity when Sovern made his only major mistake of the night, allowing his car to get up in the
marbles in turns three in four. Kirchner was there to capitalize and dove down low to take the lead coming out of turn four.
That feeling of accomplishment was short lived, however, as the Kirchner machine’s engine compartment burst into flames
at the flag stand and eventually came to a stop in turn two. It ended the night for Kirchner and gave the lead back to
Sovern. That was all Sovern would need, as he cruised to the win over the last half of the race.
With 24 cars taking the green flag for the Donnellson Tire and Service Hobby Stocks feature event, the race got off to a
not so grand start as at least five cars got together on the opening lap coming out of turn two. Three cars were knocked
out of the event, and the caution was just a sign of things to come. After numerous restarts with one lap down, the field put
on an outstanding show over the final 14 laps. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO, took the lead from Jacob Smith, Argyle, IA, on the
fifth lap and then spent the next seven laps trying to fend off eventual race winner Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison, IA. Kratzer
nearly had the lead on lap 8 before a caution for a blown motor put him back behind Soper. Finally, on lap 12 Kratzer made
the pass of Soper and held on for the feature win.
Hammel started eighth in the Wild Things feature and took just four laps to get to the front. When he got there, he ran
away from the field picking up the easy 12 lap feature win. Dan Keltner, Wapello, IA, finished second, with Chuck
Fullenkamp, Fort Madison, IA, bringing home the third spot.
Friday, May 9, is Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by Casey’s General Store at Lee County Speedway. Stop by any local
participating Casey’s location to get a coupon for $5 entry to Lee County Speedway for this weekend’s event. Also, don’t
forget, the IMCA Late Models have had their rained out opening week event rescheduled for May 16 at Lee County
Speedway. They will run with the track’s normal five classes of cars.
RESULTS
Sport Modifieds
A-Main- 1. Chad Sovern, West Point; 2. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 3. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 4. Mark Winkel, Letts; 5. Bill
Seyb, Donnellson; 6. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 7. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 8. Travis Jordan, Donnellson; 9. Joe
Hooper, Mendon, IL; 10. Jerad Fuller, Memphis, MO; 11. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 12. Paul Lawson, Donnellson
Heat 1- 1. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 2. Chad Sovern, West Point; 3. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 4. Jerad Fuller, Memphis,
MO; 5. Travis Jordan, Donnellson; 6. Paul Lawson, Donnellson
Heat 2- 1. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 2. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 3. Mark Winkel, Letts; 4. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 5. Joe
Hooper, Mendon, IL; 6. Phillip Cossel, Montrose
Hobby Stocks
A-Main 1- 1. Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison; 2. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO; 3. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 4. Bruce Summers,
Hamilton, IL; 5. Dan Wenig, Danville; 6. Sky Griffith, Wapello; 7. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton, IL; 8. Jim Oliver Jr.,
Beardstown, IL; 9. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 10. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 11. Austin Schulte, Keokuk; 12. Steve
Christopher, Decorah; 13. Jacob Smith, Argyle; 14. Brian Holmes, Wapello; 15. Vincent Kiissinger, Carthage, IL; 16. Derek
St. Clair, Donnellson; 17. Jermy Billings, Keokuk; 18. Rick Barlow Jr., Montrose; 19. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 20. Rob Wilsey,
Keokuk; 21. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, IL; 22. Chris Hibbard, Carthage, IL; 23. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 24. Rodger Dresden,
Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Dan Wenig, Danville; 2. Brian Holmes, Wapello; 3. Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison; 4. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton,
IL; 5. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, IL; 6. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 7. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 8. Chris Hibbard, Carthage, IL
Heat 2- 1. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 2. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 3. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 4. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson;
5. Steve Christopher, Decorah; 6. Bruce Summers, Hamilton, IL; 7. Sky Griffith, Wapello; 8. Austin Schulte, Keokuk
Heat 3- 1. Jim Oliver Jr., Beardstown, IL; 2. Jacob Smith, Argyle; 3. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO; 4. Jason Billings, Keokuk;
5. Jermy Billings, Keokuk; 6. Rick Barlow Jr., Montrose; 7. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 8. Vincent Kiissinger, Carthage, IL
IMCA Modifieds
A-Main- 1. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 2. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 3. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 4. Mike Weikert Jr.,
Muscatine; 5. Brandon Rothzen, Media, IL; 6. Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 7. Josh Foster, Montrose; 8. Jeff Gerhardt, Niota,
IL; 9. Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, IL; 10. Rich Smith, Davenport; 11. Chris Larson, Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Jeff Gerhardt, Niota, IL; 3. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 4. Josh Foster, Montrose;
5. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 6. Chris Larson, Keokuk
Heat 2- 1. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 2. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 3. Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, IL; 4. Brandon
Rothzen, Media, IL; 5. Brandon Savage, Keokuk
IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main- 1. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 2. Jeff Mueller, New London; 3. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 4. John Oliver Jr.,
Danville; 5. Doug Huls, Carthage, IL; 6. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 7. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 8. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL;
9. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 10. Cale Samberg, Burlington; 11. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun; 12. Ray Raker, Danville;
13. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 14. Travis Finke, Columbus Junction; 15. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 16. Corey Strothman,
New London
Heat 1- 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville; 2. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 3. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 4. Jake Wenig, Burlington;
5. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 6. Ray Raker, Danville; 7. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun; 8. Dennis Harwood, West Point
Heat 2- 1. Jeff Mueller, New London; 2. Doug Huls, Carthage, IL; 3. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 4. Chris Wibbell, Dallas
City, IL; 5. Corey Strothman, New London; 6. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 7. Travis Finke, Columbus Junction; 8. Cale
Samberg, Burlington
4 Cylinder Wild Things
A-Main- 1. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, IL; 2. Dan Keltner, Wapello; 3. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 4. Brent Hartley,
Niota, IL; 5. Travis DeMint, Basco, IL; 6. Chris Loring Jr., Keokuk; 7. Chase Klenk, Yarmouth; 8. Bryan Rodefer, Fort
Madison; 9. Gabe Harrison, Warsaw, IL; 10. Kevin Harter, Fort Madison; 11. Dustan Fenton, Burlington; 12. Kimberly
Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 13. Lew Aikmen, Hannibal, MO; 14. Mike Horning Jr., Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, IL; 2. Dan Keltner, Wapello; 3. Chase Klenk, Yarmouth; 4. Kevin Harter, Fort Madison;
5. Dustan Fenton, Burlington; 6. Gabe Harrison, Warsaw, IL; 7. Mike Horning Jr., Keokuk
Heat 2- 1. Chris Loring Jr., Keokuk; 2. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 3. Travis DeMint, Basco, IL; 4. Bryan Rodefer,
Fort Madison; 5. Brent Hartley, Niota, IL; 6. Lew Aikmen, Hannibal, MO; 7. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL
County Speedway
by Dewain Hulett
Donnellson, IA (May 2) - It took a little work and a lot of dedicated racers and fans, but Lee County Speedway defied
mother nature and was finally able to open its 2008 racing season Friday in Donnellson.
A solid field of cars made the trip to the fast 3/8 mile oval for opening night, but it was Dean McGee, Jason Cook, Chad
Sovern, Dean Kratzer and Rob Hammel who ended the night in the winner circle of their respective classes.
McGee, racing out of Galesburg, Ill., started outside the front row but never led until late in the race during the Miller Lite
IMCA Modified feature event. Instead, it was Tyler Cale, Donnellson, IA, who started on the pole and dominated the early
stages of the race, but a late race bobble opened the door for McGee, who was more than willing to step right through. It
was the first Lee County Speedway feature event win for McGee, who has been racing for 38 years.
In what turned out to be one of the best features of the night, Cook used a late race slip up in turn two by Nick Fenton to
propel him to the win in the Budweiser IMCA Stock Cars. But, it was far from easy the rest of the way, as he ran the last
three laps nearly side-by-side with eventual second place finisher Jeff Mueller. Fenton held on to finish third.
During Lawson Racing Engines and Parts Supply Sport Mod competition it was quite possibly eventual race winner Chad
Sovern who took advantage of the night’s most surprising change of circumstances. After starting on the pole for the
feature event Sovern dominated much of the event, with Rob Kirchner hanging around just within striking distance.
Kirchner got his opportunity when Sovern made his only major mistake of the night, allowing his car to get up in the
marbles in turns three in four. Kirchner was there to capitalize and dove down low to take the lead coming out of turn four.
That feeling of accomplishment was short lived, however, as the Kirchner machine’s engine compartment burst into flames
at the flag stand and eventually came to a stop in turn two. It ended the night for Kirchner and gave the lead back to
Sovern. That was all Sovern would need, as he cruised to the win over the last half of the race.
With 24 cars taking the green flag for the Donnellson Tire and Service Hobby Stocks feature event, the race got off to a
not so grand start as at least five cars got together on the opening lap coming out of turn two. Three cars were knocked
out of the event, and the caution was just a sign of things to come. After numerous restarts with one lap down, the field put
on an outstanding show over the final 14 laps. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO, took the lead from Jacob Smith, Argyle, IA, on the
fifth lap and then spent the next seven laps trying to fend off eventual race winner Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison, IA. Kratzer
nearly had the lead on lap 8 before a caution for a blown motor put him back behind Soper. Finally, on lap 12 Kratzer made
the pass of Soper and held on for the feature win.
Hammel started eighth in the Wild Things feature and took just four laps to get to the front. When he got there, he ran
away from the field picking up the easy 12 lap feature win. Dan Keltner, Wapello, IA, finished second, with Chuck
Fullenkamp, Fort Madison, IA, bringing home the third spot.
Friday, May 9, is Fan Appreciation Night sponsored by Casey’s General Store at Lee County Speedway. Stop by any local
participating Casey’s location to get a coupon for $5 entry to Lee County Speedway for this weekend’s event. Also, don’t
forget, the IMCA Late Models have had their rained out opening week event rescheduled for May 16 at Lee County
Speedway. They will run with the track’s normal five classes of cars.
RESULTS
Sport Modifieds
A-Main- 1. Chad Sovern, West Point; 2. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 3. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 4. Mark Winkel, Letts; 5. Bill
Seyb, Donnellson; 6. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 7. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 8. Travis Jordan, Donnellson; 9. Joe
Hooper, Mendon, IL; 10. Jerad Fuller, Memphis, MO; 11. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 12. Paul Lawson, Donnellson
Heat 1- 1. Levi Smith, Donnellson; 2. Chad Sovern, West Point; 3. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 4. Jerad Fuller, Memphis,
MO; 5. Travis Jordan, Donnellson; 6. Paul Lawson, Donnellson
Heat 2- 1. Rob Kirchner, Donnellson; 2. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 3. Mark Winkel, Letts; 4. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 5. Joe
Hooper, Mendon, IL; 6. Phillip Cossel, Montrose
Hobby Stocks
A-Main 1- 1. Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison; 2. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO; 3. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 4. Bruce Summers,
Hamilton, IL; 5. Dan Wenig, Danville; 6. Sky Griffith, Wapello; 7. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton, IL; 8. Jim Oliver Jr.,
Beardstown, IL; 9. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 10. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 11. Austin Schulte, Keokuk; 12. Steve
Christopher, Decorah; 13. Jacob Smith, Argyle; 14. Brian Holmes, Wapello; 15. Vincent Kiissinger, Carthage, IL; 16. Derek
St. Clair, Donnellson; 17. Jermy Billings, Keokuk; 18. Rick Barlow Jr., Montrose; 19. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 20. Rob Wilsey,
Keokuk; 21. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, IL; 22. Chris Hibbard, Carthage, IL; 23. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 24. Rodger Dresden,
Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Dan Wenig, Danville; 2. Brian Holmes, Wapello; 3. Dean Kratzer, Fort Madison; 4. Justin Hamelton, Hamilton,
IL; 5. Kevin Cheney, Quincy, IL; 6. Jon Rooney, Donnellson; 7. Jeremy Pundt, Donnellson; 8. Chris Hibbard, Carthage, IL
Heat 2- 1. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 2. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 3. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 4. Derek St. Clair, Donnellson;
5. Steve Christopher, Decorah; 6. Bruce Summers, Hamilton, IL; 7. Sky Griffith, Wapello; 8. Austin Schulte, Keokuk
Heat 3- 1. Jim Oliver Jr., Beardstown, IL; 2. Jacob Smith, Argyle; 3. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, MO; 4. Jason Billings, Keokuk;
5. Jermy Billings, Keokuk; 6. Rick Barlow Jr., Montrose; 7. Dale Porter, Pulaski; 8. Vincent Kiissinger, Carthage, IL
IMCA Modifieds
A-Main- 1. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 2. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 3. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 4. Mike Weikert Jr.,
Muscatine; 5. Brandon Rothzen, Media, IL; 6. Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 7. Josh Foster, Montrose; 8. Jeff Gerhardt, Niota,
IL; 9. Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, IL; 10. Rich Smith, Davenport; 11. Chris Larson, Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Rich Smith, Davenport; 2. Jeff Gerhardt, Niota, IL; 3. Dean McGee, Galesburg, IL; 4. Josh Foster, Montrose;
5. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 6. Chris Larson, Keokuk
Heat 2- 1. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 2. Mike Weikert Jr., Muscatine; 3. Terry Houston, Mount Sterling, IL; 4. Brandon
Rothzen, Media, IL; 5. Brandon Savage, Keokuk
IMCA Stock Cars
A-Main- 1. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 2. Jeff Mueller, New London; 3. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 4. John Oliver Jr.,
Danville; 5. Doug Huls, Carthage, IL; 6. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 7. Chris Wibbell, Dallas City, IL; 8. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL;
9. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 10. Cale Samberg, Burlington; 11. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun; 12. Ray Raker, Danville;
13. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 14. Travis Finke, Columbus Junction; 15. Jake Wenig, Burlington; 16. Corey Strothman,
New London
Heat 1- 1. John Oliver Jr., Danville; 2. Nick Fenton, Mt. Pleasant; 3. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 4. Jake Wenig, Burlington;
5. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 6. Ray Raker, Danville; 7. Cole Simmons, Morning Sun; 8. Dennis Harwood, West Point
Heat 2- 1. Jeff Mueller, New London; 2. Doug Huls, Carthage, IL; 3. Jason Cook, Mt. Pleasant; 4. Chris Wibbell, Dallas
City, IL; 5. Corey Strothman, New London; 6. Abe Huls, Carthage, IL; 7. Travis Finke, Columbus Junction; 8. Cale
Samberg, Burlington
4 Cylinder Wild Things
A-Main- 1. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, IL; 2. Dan Keltner, Wapello; 3. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 4. Brent Hartley,
Niota, IL; 5. Travis DeMint, Basco, IL; 6. Chris Loring Jr., Keokuk; 7. Chase Klenk, Yarmouth; 8. Bryan Rodefer, Fort
Madison; 9. Gabe Harrison, Warsaw, IL; 10. Kevin Harter, Fort Madison; 11. Dustan Fenton, Burlington; 12. Kimberly
Abbott, Camp Point, IL; 13. Lew Aikmen, Hannibal, MO; 14. Mike Horning Jr., Keokuk
Heat 1- 1. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, IL; 2. Dan Keltner, Wapello; 3. Chase Klenk, Yarmouth; 4. Kevin Harter, Fort Madison;
5. Dustan Fenton, Burlington; 6. Gabe Harrison, Warsaw, IL; 7. Mike Horning Jr., Keokuk
Heat 2- 1. Chris Loring Jr., Keokuk; 2. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 3. Travis DeMint, Basco, IL; 4. Bryan Rodefer,
Fort Madison; 5. Brent Hartley, Niota, IL; 6. Lew Aikmen, Hannibal, MO; 7. Kimberly Abbott, Camp Point, IL
