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Included regularly will be an overview of driver accomplishments, statistics, trivia and an upcoming events calendar. Thank you for your support of Independence Motor Speedway!


MAY REVIEW

Weekly Racing
For the first time in 10 years, the first five nights of weekly racing were completed without a rain-out. That streak came to an end over Memorial Day weekend when rain forced the cancellation of the May 26 program. The month provided 11 different winners in 15 feature events, including a pair of first-time winners.

I.M.C.A. Late Models - Four different drivers made their way to victory lane over the course of the first four points races in the late model division. This was the first time since 2004 that the division produced four different winners over the first four weeks. Following Darin Burco's opening night win, Luke Goedert, Jeff Aikey and Tysus Pattee each scored wins during the month of May. Darren Ackerman, the 2004 points champion, currently sits atop the division's standings, seven markers ahead of Dale Hackwell Jr.

I.M.C.A. Modifieds - Jerry Luloff and Adam Johnson rotated trips to victory lane in the modified division over the last four weeks. Following Luloff's win on April 28, Johnson earned his first career win on May 5. Luloff returned to the winner's circle a week later on May 12 and Johnson picked up his second win the following week on May 19. By qualifying for the May 19 feature, Luloff extended his consecutive features streak to 148. The last time Luloff failed to qualify for the modified feature was July 11, 1997. By virtue of his five top-10 finishes this season, Luloff sits atop the division's standings, 12 points ahead of J.D. Auringer.

I.M.C.A. Stock Car - It's been feast or famine for stock car driver Brian Irvine in 2007. Irvine has picked up three wins this season, including two-in-a-row to start the month of May, however he did not finish either of the other two events this season, resulting in 19th and 16th place finishes. His three wins were his 10th, 11th and 12th trips to the winner's circle in weekly competition since he entered the division in 2005. That number leads all drivers over the past three seasons. Division points leader Justin Temeyer picked up his first win of the season on May 19 to extend his advantage in the standings to eight points over Jarod Weepie.

I.M.C.A. Hobby Stocks - Josh Irvine currently holds the largest lead in the standings of any of the five division leaders. His first two career wins at the speedway on May 5 and 19, combined with three other top-five finishes, have catapulted Irvine to a 28 point cushion over Bill Meyer. Chris Luloff also picked up a win on May 12 to take his career total to 11 victories in weekly competition since his first trip to the winner's circle in 2004.

B Modifieds - Joe Docekal started the month of May where he left off in April - with a pair of victories. Docekal became the first driver to reel off four straight wins since B mod driver Brian Kunkle last did it to finish the season in 2005. The last time a driver had earned four straight victories to start a season was in 2000 when Dan Trimble accomplished the feat in the I.M.C.A. stock car division. On May 19, Docekal attempted to win a fifth straight feature for the first time at the speedway since Chris Wessner did it in the stock car division in 1999. Docekal's bid was denied when Tony Olson picked up his second career win at the speedway in weekly competition. Docekal currently sits six points ahead of Kyle Bentley in the B mod standings.

Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series

Late Models - The series' seventh year got underway on May 2 at Independence when Terry Neal continued his hot streak in the late model division. Neal's opening night triumph was his second straight series win and fourth victory in the last five series events. His streak came to an end on May 22 when the series made its first of three trips to Fayette County Raceway in West Union. Mechanical problems prevented Neal from starting the feature. Chad Simpson passed race-long leader Darrel DeFrance in the late stages of the 40-lapper to score his first-ever series win. The win also sent Simpson to the top of the series standings, 10 points ahead of former series champion Curt Martin.

Modifieds - Ron Barker earned his second career series win during the May 2 opener after making an impressive pass on leader Layne Meyer following a late caution. Barker's first series win came in June of 2003, the fourth race in series history. Dan Bohr also picked up his second career series win, that during the May 22 event at West Union. Bohr's first win came during the 2005 season in a series race at Independence. Barker currently holds a slim two-point margin over Mark Schulte in the modified standings.

Stock Cars - Tory Reicks took advantage of a pole position start to take the series opening win for the stock car division in West Union on May 22. The stock cars are scheduled to compete at all three series events in West Union this season, along with the series finale in Independence on August 15.

Hobby Stocks - In the division's only Indee Open Series appearance this season, John Meyer took the checkers during the May 2 opener. The hobby stocks will join the Deery Brothers Summer Series for I.M.C.A. Late Models during the July 3 special at the speedway.

B Modifieds - Following an early tire change in the 15-lap feature on May 22, Joe Docekal continued his hot start to the season as he tore through the field to take the win at West Union. The B modifieds will return for the two remaining series dates at West Union later this summer. They are also scheduled to take part in the series finale in Independence on August 15.





INDEE FAST FACTS

Weekly Racing
Late Models

*** Luke Goedert (3), Jeff Aikey (3) and Curt Martin (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.
*** 7 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Jeff Aikey, Tyler Bruening, Darin Burco, Rick Dralle, Luke Goedert, Curt Martin, Tysus Pattee.
*** Feature winners have led 63 out of 100 total feature laps.
*** 6 drivers have completed all 100 laps of feature competition - Darren Ackerman, Levi Benn, Darin Burco, Jerry Dedrick, Dale Hackwell Jr., Tysus Pattee.
*** 8 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Darren Ackerman, Levi Benn, Tyler Bruening, Darin Burco, Jerry edrick, Luke Goedert, Dale Hackwell Jr., Tysus Pattee.
*** The starting position to produce the best average finish - 1 (inside first row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 4.25.
*** 19 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.
*** 8 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 19 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (12 total heats).
*** Dale Hackwell Jr. has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 137 (every feature since he entered the division in 1998).


Modifieds

** Luke Goedert (3), Jeff Aikey (3) and Curt Martin (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.
*** 9 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - J.D. Auringer, Adam Bolin, Todd Conrad, Troy Cordes, George Cunha, Scott Hogan, Vern Jackson, Adam Johnson, Jerry Luloff.
*** Feature winners have led 61 out of 93 total feature laps.
*** 2 drivers have completed all 93 laps of feature competition - Jerry Luloff, Johnathan Thimmesch.
*** 6 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - J.D. Auringer, Troy Cordes, Max Corporon, Scott Hogan, Vern Jackson, Jerry Luloff.
*** The starting position to produce the best average finish - 11 (inside 6th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 4.80.
*** 24 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.
*** 10 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 20 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (16 total heats).
*** Jerry Luloff has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 148 (his last miss was on July 11, 1997).



Stock Cars

*** Justin Temeyer (4), Brian Irvine (3), Sean Johnson (3) and Jarod Weepie (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.
*** 6 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Brian Irvine, Sean Johnson, Justin Temeyer, Richard Quail, Eric Weber, Jarod Weepie.
*** Feature winners have led 67 out of 100 total feature laps.
*** 3 drivers have completed all 100 laps of feature competition - Steve Meyer, Justin Temeyer, Jarod Weepie.
*** 8 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Norman Chesmore, Jason Hocken, Brian Irvine, Chip Kohl, Steve Meyer, Tony Schimmels, Justin Temeyer, Jarod Weepie.
*** The starting position to produce the best average finish - 9 (inside 5th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 4.80.
*** 21 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.
*** 8 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 14 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (10 total heats).
*** Jarod Weepie has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 89 (his last miss was on June 9, 2001).



Hobby Stocks

*** Vince Buchholz (3), Josh Irvine (3), Bill Meyer (2) and Jamie Whitaker (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.
*** 11 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - Jim Ball, Vince Buchholz, Brandon Davis, Jeremy Floyd, Josh Irvine, Chris Luloff, John Meyer, Travis Michels, Micheal Smith, Greg Sweerin, Jeremiah Wilson.
*** Feature winners have led 47 out of 75 total feature laps.
*** 1 driver has completed all 75 laps of feature competition - Josh Irvine.
*** 4 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Matt Brown, Rod Grother, Curt Hilmer, Josh Irvine.
*** The starting position to produce the best average finish - 3 (inside 2nd row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 4.60.
*** 24 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.
*** 11 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 22 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (15 total heats).
*** Jim Ball has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 23 (his last miss was on July 30, 2005).



B Modifieds

*** Joe Docekal (4), Kyle Bentley (3), Jim Buhlman (2) and Josh Sherbon (2) are the only drivers with multiple top-3 feature finishes.
*** 8 drivers have led at least one lap of A-feature competition - John Bates, Jim Buhlman, Craig Cordes, Joe Docekal, Russell Hesse, Tony Olson, Josh Sherbon, Alan Wessels.
*** Feature winners have led 39 out of 74 total feature laps.
*** 3 drivers have completed all 74 laps of feature competition - Kyle Bentley, Joe Docekal, Tony Olson.
*** 9 drivers have remained in the top-10 in the points standings every week of the season - Kyle Bentley, Travis Brown, Jim Buhlman, Joe Docekal, Rod McDonald, Tony Olson, Marty Rouse, Chris Snyder, Alan Wessels.
*** The starting position to produce the best average finish - 8 (outside 4th row): Drivers starting in this position have an average feature finish of 4.60.
*** 18 drivers have earned at least one hard charger point.
*** 6 different drivers have earned at least one heat win and 12 drivers have earned at least one top-3 finish in a heat race (10 totals heats).
*** Joe Docekal has qualified for the most consecutive feature events - 22 (his last miss was on August 6, 2005).


Stat Shakeup

*** Of the 24 features so far this season, 16 winners came from an inside row starting position, including all 5 stock car feature winners.
*** 91 drivers have earned at least one top-10 feature finish this season.
*** A total of 111 races have been run for a total of 1,099 laps.
*** Since the start of the 2000 season, there have been 119 different feature winners in the 479 feature races. On average, there is a “first-time” winner every 4.02 races.



Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series
The following statistics include all 32 events in the history of the Indee Open Series, dating back to May 30, 2001.

Late Models

*** The late models have taken part in all 32 series events. A total of 14 different drivers have earned victories in the division. Those winners include:
Jeff Aikey, Waterloo (7 wins)
Curt Martin, Independence (7)
Terry Neal, Ely (4)
Jeremiah Hurst, Dubuque (3)
Greg Kastli, Waterloo (2)
Darin Duffy, Hazleton (1)
Andy Eckrich, Iowa City (1)
Tommy Elston, Keokuk (1)

Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill. (1)

Bobby Hansen, Center Point (1)

Kevin Kile, West Liberty (1)

Bobby Moyer, Dubuque (1)

Chad Simpson, Mt. Vernon (1)

Rob Toland, Hillsdale, Ill. (1)



*** Curt Martin currently leads all drivers with 10 consecutive top-10 finishes. Ace Ihm has four straight top-10s and the following drivers each have two: Darin Duffy, Jeremy Grady, Kevin Kile, Chad Simpson.

*** Curt Martin is the career leader in top-3 finishes (14), top-5s (19) and top-10s (25).

*** 66 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish in feature action, 42 drivers have earned at least one top-5 and 33 drivers have earned at least one top-3.



Modifieds

*** The modifieds have taken part in 27 series events. A total of 15 different drivers have earned victories in the division. Those winners include:

Kevin Pittman, Waterloo (5 wins)

Troy Cordes, Raymond (3)

Joey Schaefer, Waterloo (3)

Ron Barker, Dubuque (2)

Dan Bohr, Decorah (2)

Corey Dripps, Waterloo (2)

Mark Schulte, Delhi (2)

Bob Dominacki, Bettendorf (1)

Darin Duffy, Hazleton (1)

Todd Hanson, Clear Lake (1)

Todd Ihde, Decorah (1)

Layne Meyer, West Union (1)

Jeff Morris, Long Grove (1)

Tommy Myer, Blooming Prairie, Minn. (1)

Steve Wetter, Platteville, Wis. (1)



*** Layne Meyer currently leads all drivers with 8 consecutive top-10 finishes. Ron Barker, Mark Schulte and Kevin Pittman have each earned two straight top-10s.

*** Kevin Pittman is the career leader in top-3 finishes (11), top-5s (14) and top-10s (19).

*** 79 drivers have earned at least one top-10 finish in feature action, 45 drivers have earned at least one top-5 and 29 drivers have earned at least one top-3.





CIRCLE TRACK TRIVIA

The first Indee Open Series race for late models was on May 30, 2001. Who was the winner? Top 10?

The first Indee Open Series race for modifieds was on May 27, 2002. Who was the winner? Top 10?

(Answers appear below the schedule of upcoming events.)





SPOTLIGHT ON ...

Brett Ladehoff - #12X I.M.C.A. Modified

Hometown: Marshalltown

Years Raced: 8 (First year in an I.M.C.A. Modified)

Sponsors: Phoenix E-Waste Solutions, GRT Race Cars

Crewmembers: Travis Hatch, Russell Keefer, Brad Morey, Tory McFarland, Dad, Mom

Highlights of 2006: "Winning 10 features, 3rd at the Harris Clash, 5th at I.M.C.A. Super Nationals."

Goals for 2007: "Learn!!" (Ladehoff earned his first career I.M.C.A. modified feature win at Marshalltown Speedway on Friday, May 25.)

Take your pick ...

Ford, Chevy or Dodge? Ford

1/4-mile, 3/8-mile or 1/2-mile? 1/4-mile

Heat races ... Go all out or save it for the feature? "All out, baby."

Dominate from a pole position start or side-by-side at the checkers? Dominate.

Chase for the Nextel Cup or "the old way?" The old way.

Feature wins or track championships? Feature wins.

Iowa, Iowa State or UNI? Iowa

Deal Or No Deal or 1 vs. 100? Deal or No Deal



Check out a new driver profile every Saturday night in the souvenir program on sale at the speedway!





UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE

Saturday, June 2 – Weekly Points Racing – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, First Race at 6:30.

Wednesday, June 6 – Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series – Independence Motor Speedway – Late Models, Modifieds, B Modifieds – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6:30, Racing at 7.

Saturday, June 9 – Weekly Points Racing – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, First Race at 6:30.

Saturday, June 16 – Weekly Points Racing – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, First Race at 6:30.

Saturday, June 23 – Weekly Points Racing (Mid-Season Championships) - Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, First Race at 6:30.

Wednesday, June 27 – Climate Seal Insulation Indee Open Series – Fayette County Raceway (West Union) – Late Models, Modifieds, Stock Cars, B Modifieds – Gates Open at 4:30 p.m., Hot Laps at 6:30, Racing at 7.

Saturday, June 30 – Weekly Points Racing – Gates Open at 4 p.m., Hot Laps at 6, First Race at 6:30.





TRIVIA ANSWER:

May 30, 2001 - Late Model Top-10

1. Rob Toland
2. Curt Martin
3. Chris Smyser
4. Greg Kastli
5. Dale Stolte
6. Greg Hunter
7. Gary Crawford
8. Darin Burco
9. Terry Ryan
10. Chris Adams


May 27, 2002 - Modified Top-10

1. Troy Cordes
2. Russ Olson
3. Jerry Luloff
4. Robert Schmuecker
5. Vern Jackson
6. Kevin Pittman
7. Joey Schaefer
8. Clayton Thomas
9. Timm Jensen
10. Dan Bohr