2014 NASCAR Missouri State Rookie Of The Year, Kyle Donahue took advantage of a lap 5 restart and took the top spot from leader Brennon Willard to put a halt to older brother Kevin’s 2 race win streak in grabbing his 1st NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model Feature and closed in on the top of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway and Missouri State point standings.
The start of the 30 lap feature in the very competitive field saw Brennon Willard grab the opening lead with Steve Holt in close tow along with side by side action behind the leaders. A lap 5 caution involving several cars including Steve Holt, Kevin Donahue, Stephen Counterman, and Payton Lucas slowed the action early. Both Holt and Lucas were done for the night with damage as Counterman and Donahue returned after making repairs as Mike Slone was able to get going after taking a wild slide to the infield to avoid the wreck and taking a detour through the infield drainage.
On the restart, Kyle Donahue made the move around Willard to take the lead as Brian Brown and Mike Slone were closing in on as well while point leader Jake Griffin had a side by side battle with a fast moving Kaleb Allison. Caution waved again on lap 11 as Willard, Griffin, and Kevin Donahue were involved erasing Kyle Donahue’s lead. Both Willard and Griffin were done for the night. On the restart, Slone was trying to get to the inside of leader Kyle Donahue as Brian Brown was trying to make a move of his own which allowed Allison to slip to the outside and take over third from Brown. With nothing but green flag racing ahead on the super quick track, Kyle Donahue took his 1st win of the season followed by Slone from mid-pack, 2014 NASCAR Champion Allison from the 10th starting spot, Brown and veteran Joe Ross completing the top 5. Griffin, Holt and Brown captured the qualifying heats. Jimmy Fohn and James Fohn finished respectively for the Sportsman as well. With Donahue’s win he became the 6th different Pro Late Model feature winner in 8 events this season.
In Modified action, three time Lebanon I-44 Speedway Champion David Bates took advantage of his pole position spot and then had to hold back a strong surge from point leader Tim Swearengin to halt a 5 race winning streak. Bates and Ricky Icenhower brought to field to the green as Bates went to the top spot with Icenhower and Terry Taylor side by side and Swearengin trying to find running room. On lap 5, Swearengin was able to get around Taylor and then Icenhower and slowly began to set his sights on a fast moving Bates in the caution free feature. With 5 laps to go, Swearengin had closed the gap down to 3 car lengths. With 2 laps remaining, Swearengin moved to the low groove and pulled to the rear quarter panel of Bates. Heading to the checkered, Bates was able to hold on to a barn burner for his 2nd win of the season with Swearengin, Icenhower, Taylor, and Brian Lewis completing the top 5 as Bates also captured the heat race.
Hoosier Tire Street Stock action saw defending champion Jordan Nisbett take the lead from Mike Juergensen on lap 8 to grab his 6th win of the season. Juergensen grabbed the opening lead with a bold 3 wide pass on the opening lap with Tony Johnson, Nick Cherry and Nisbett close behind as point leader Justin Allen was taking a careful path to the front. Juergensen searching for his third win of the season was keeping the pack at bay as Nisbett moved into 2nd on lap 3 with the pack tight on his bumper. The only caution of the 15 lap feature flew on lap 5 as Johnson had the center section of a wheel break loose in turn two ending his strong run for the evening. On the restart, Nisbett was trying hard to get the inside lane as Les Mallard was battling Cherry for 3rd spot and Allen mounted his surge to the front. After a great side by side battle Nisbett made the low groove work to take the top spot while Allen was trying to race around Mallard and Cherry. Nisbett was able to maintain his small advantage over Juergensen at the finish as Allen was on the move to the front but just too late. Following Nisbett and Juergensen to the stripe were Allen, Cherry and Mallard. Heats went to Juergensen and Allen.
Another exciting Coca-Cola Charger feature saw new point leader Ronnie Taylor finally get around his nephew and last week’s winner Nik Taylor on lap 3 and then hold back the charge late in the caution free event to grab his third win of the season. Nik Taylor took the opening lead from his father Billy Taylor at the start as the family feud of the Taylor’s and the Ellis brothers occupied the top 5 spots with side by side action with 11 year old Ty Allison and Riley Sharp charging hard to the front as well. Ronnie Taylor made the high lane pass out of turn 4 to take the lead, but Nik Taylor stayed close behind while Billy Taylor was fending off James and Jerry Ellis for third spot. Things really shuffled on lap 6 as Jerry Ellis started to slow and fell towards the back of the pack. Up front, Nik Taylor was staying within three car lengths, but couldn’t pull up any closer as Ronnie Taylor took the win with Nick Taylor, Billy Taylor, James Ellis and 11 year old Allison completing the top 5. Heats went to James Ellis and Jerry Ellis.
Sportsman action saw current point leader Jimmy Fohn take the lead and never look back in taking the victory.
Action continues Saturday Night with the new summertime 7pm start time as gates open at 5pm.
For more information visit the website at www.i44speedway.net and be sure to like us at Lebanon I-44 Speedway on Facebook for updated information on Missouri’s only NASCAR sanction facility and the only weekly asphalt track within 300 miles.
I 44 Speedway PR
- Michael McDowell, Love’s RV Stop Head to the Heartland - May 1, 2024
- Dominic Scelzi Receives Confidence Boost Following First Win of the Season - May 1, 2024
- Race of Champions Modified Series and Foar Score Four Cylinder Dash Series Start Time Moved to 6:00PM for Saturday, May 11 at Chemung Speedrome - May 1, 2024