Four First-Time Champions Crowned at Lee County Speedway
By Jake Croxton

DONNELLSON, IA (Aug. 25, 2006) – A season’s worth of dedication paid off for four drivers as they claimed their first career track championships at the Lee County Speedway. Josh Foster (IMCA Modified), Jeff Mueller (IMCA Stock Car), Dan Wenig (Hobby Stocks), and Dennis Schulte (Wild Things) all earned their respective titles, while Wyatt Lantz (B-Modifieds) won his second consecutive title.

Foster took command of the GM Giant Season Championship finale and was never challenged throughout the Discount Tire IMCA Modified 20-lapper. The only caution of the event flew on lap 2 for Bryan Fett’s skirmish in turn 2. Tyler Cale’s fourth-place run came to an end near the race’s midpoint as he clipped a boundary tire and dismantled the left front suspension. From there, Foster cruised to the victory ahead of Dave Wietholder, Kevin Cale, Dennis LaVeine, and Mike Irwin.

In one of the best finishes of the evening, Jack Evans, Jr. stole Wyatt Lantz’ thunder and overtook the 2006 champion coming to the two-to-go signal in the Arrowhead Bowl B-Modified feature. Evans, Jr. shadowed Lantz for most of the 15-lapper and led the final two laps. Lantz faded with power steering woes, while Phillip Beard, Joe Hooper, and Jim Gillenwater followed in the top five. Ryan Atkinson was uninjured in Heat Race action after his car vaulted a tractor tire and caught fire.

John Oliver, Jr. and Jeff Mueller’s season-long Budweiser IMCA Stock Car war culminated with Oliver, Jr. in victory lane and Mueller winning the championship. Mueller entered the event with a six-point advantage and agonized over the final third of the event as the engine began to give up. Mueller held on to the runner-up position and clinched the title, while Kirk Kinsley, Dave Hemsted, and Ryan Meyer rounded out the top five.

Matt Gavin looked to have the Donnellson Tire Hobby Stock 15-lapper well in hand, but a flat right rear tire sidelined the Monmouth, Ill. driver. That opened the door for John Oliver, Jr. to earn his ninth win of 2006 ahead of points champion Dan Wenig, Brad Weber, Doug Fenton, and Rodger Dresden.

Dennis Schulte led every lap in the GM Giant Wild Thing 12-lapper. Schulte bid farewell to weekly competition in victory lane and will go out on top in his Schulte & Sons Hauling & Excavating / Celica. Gordon Blankenship, Jr., David Helenthal, Ron Kibbe, and Travis DeMint completed the top five.

Wednesday, August 30, is the rescheduled running of the American Short Track Nationals. Ken Schrader, Kenny Wallace, and Dave Despain will be in attendance for the Open Late Model, Hobby Stock, and Wild Thing show that will take its first green flag at 7:30.



B Modifieds

A-Main 01 -- 1. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk; 2. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 3. Phillip Beard, Crawfordsville; 4. Joe Hooper, Mendon, Ill.; 5. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk; 6. Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 7. Scott Boles, New London; 8. Mitch Higdon, Wever; 9. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 10. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 11. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 12. Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison; 13. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk; 14. Ryan Atkinson, Mt. Pleasant.

Heat 01 -- 1. Joe Hooper, Mendon, Ill.; 2. Wyatt Lantz, Bowen, Ill.; 3. Jeff Waterman, Quincy, Ill.; 4. Jim Kuhlmeier, Ft. Madison;5. Thad Gaylord, Fort Madison; 6. Scott Boles, New London; 7. Ryan Atkinson, Mt. Pleasant.

Heat 02 -- 1. Phillip Beard, Crawfordsville; 2. Jack Evans, Jr., Keokuk; 3. Brandon Savage, Keokuk; 4. Mitch Higdon, Wever; 5. Brandon Symmonds, Keokuk; 6. Bill Seyb, Donnellson; 7. Jim Gillenwater, Keokuk.

 

Hobby Stocks

A-Main 01 -- 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 2. Dan Wenig, Middletown; 3. Bradley Weber, Donnellson; 4. Doug Fenton, Burlington; 5. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk; 6. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 7. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 8. Jake Wenig, West Burlington;9. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 10. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 11. Brian Howerton, Hurdland, Mo.; 12. Robert Kephart, Donnellson; 13. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 14. Austin Schulte, Keokuk; 15. Jeramy Skelton, Fort Madison; 16. John Oliver, Sr., West Burlington; 17. Matt Gavin, Monmouth, Ill.; 18. Eric Bergheger, Hannible, Mo.; 19. David Adams, Keokuk; 20. Ray Milligan, Keokuk; 21. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 22. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 23. Jermey Billings, Keokuk; 24. Matt Krieger, Burlington.

Heat 01 -- 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 2. Bradley Weber, Donnellson; 3. Luke McLaughlin, Mediapolis; 4. Jason Billings, Keokuk; 5. Austin Schulte, Keokuk; 6. Eric Bergheger, Hannible, Mo.; 7. David Adams, Keokuk; 8. Robert Kephart, Donnellson.

Heat 02 -- 1. Jake Wenig, West Burlington; 2. Jeff Soper, Kahoka, Mo.; 3. Keith Reed, Fowler, Ill.; 4. Rodger Dresden, Keokuk;5. Rob Wilsey, Keokuk; 6. Jermey Billings, Keokuk; 7. Ray Milligan, Keokuk; 8. Matt Krieger, Burlington.

Heat 03 -- 1. John Oliver, Sr., West Burlington; 2. Matt Gavin, Monmouth, Ill.; 3. Jim Oliver, Jr., Beardstown, Ill.; 4. Brian Howerton, Hurdland, Mo.; 5. Jim Lynch, Donnellson; 6. Jeramy Skelton, Fort Madison; 7. Doug Fenton, Burlington; 8. Dan Wenig, Middletown.

 

IMCA Modifieds

A-Main 01 -- 1. Josh Foster, Montrose; 2. David Wietholder, Liberty, Ill.; 3. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 4. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington; 5. Michael Irwin, Kahoka, Mo.; 6. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 7. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 8. Bryan Fett, Donnellson; 9. Jody Wood, Donnellson; 10. Darin Thye, Burlington; 11. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 12. Bill Roberts, Burlington.

Heat 01 -- 1. David Wietholder, Liberty, Ill.; 2. Michael Irwin, Kahoka, Mo.; 3. Jody Wood, Donnellson; 4. Phillip Cossel, Montrose; 5. Bill Roberts, Burlington; 6. Josh Foster, Montrose.

Heat 02 -- 1. Dennis LaVeine, Burlington; 2. Tyler Cale, Donnellson; 3. Bill Parks, Colchester, Ill.; 4. Bryan Fett, Donnellson; 5. Kevin Cale, Donnellson; 6. Darin Thye, Burlington.

 

IMCA Stock Cars

A-Main 01 -- 1. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 2. Jeff Mueller, New London; 3. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 4. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 5. Ryan Meyer, Mt. Pleasant; 6. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 7. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 8. Darin Thye, Burlington; 9. Doug Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 10. Brett Swyter, Donnellson; 11. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 12. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 13. DiAnna Chamberlin-Johnson, Montrose.

Heat 01 -- 1. Dennis Harwood, West Point; 2. Dave Hemsted, Lone Tree; 3. Abe Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 4. Brett Swyter, Donnellson; 5. Doug Huls, Carthage, Ill.; 6. Darin Thye, Burlington; 7. John Oliver, Jr., Danville; 8. DiAnna Chamberlin-Johnson, Montrose.

Heat 02 -- 1. Ryan Meyer, Mt. Pleasant; 2. Kirk Kinsley, Wapello; 3. Chris Webb, Biggsville, Ill.; 4. Brandon Rothzen, Media, Ill.; 5. Jeff Mueller, New London.

 

4 Cyl. Wild Things

A-Main 01 -- 1. Dennis Schulte, Keokuk; 2. Gordon Blankenship, Jr., Keokuk; 3. David Helenthal, Fort Madision; 4. Ronald Kibbe, Mt. Pleasant; 5. Travis DeMint, Basco, Ill.; 6. David Burdette, Keokuk; 7. James Oliver III, Hamilton, Ill.; 8. Luke Davidson, Argyle; 9. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 10. Tyler Schulte, Montrose; 11. Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo.; 12. Stevie Shull,Rome; 13. Jim Powell, Hannibal, Mo.; 14. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 15. Levi Evans, Stockport; 16. Chris Wrage, Donnellson; 17. Ryan Anderson, Donnelson; 18. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, Ill.; 19. Robert Anderson, Payson, Ill..

Heat 01 -- 1. David Burdette, Keokuk; 2. Dennis Schulte, Keokuk; 3. Rob Hammel, Hamilton, Ill.; 4. James Oliver III, Hamilton, Ill.; 5. Jim Powell, Hannibal, Mo.; 6. Luke Davidson, Argyle; 7. Chris Wrage, Donnellson.

Heat 02 -- 1. David Helenthal, Fort Madision; 2. Tyler Schulte, Montrose; 3. Travis DeMint, Basco, Ill.; 4. Jayson Barnes, Alexandria, Mo.; 5. Eric Palmer, Burlington; 6. Ryan Anderson, Donnelson.

Heat 03 -- 1. Stevie Shull, Rome; 2. Ronald Kibbe, Mt. Pleasant; 3. Chuck Fullenkamp, Fort Madison; 4. Levi Evans, Stockport; 5. Robert Anderson, Payson, Ill.; 6. Gordon Blankenship, Jr., Keokuk.