Cale collects checkers on opening night at Lee County Speedway

Despite cold temperatures, a brisk wind and the threat of rain in the area, the season points opener at Lee County Speedway is in the books. After two straight weeks of rainouts for a couple of pre-season specials, there was doubt up until race time that getting in Friday night's show would be a possibility. A brief rain shower just prior to the completion of qualifying events caused a slight delay, but a great night of racing on a well-groomed surface provided those in attendance a good night to kick off the 2012 season.

Tyler Cale topped a field of 14 IMCA Modifieds to take the opening night victory. The first heat winner grabbed the #1 pill for the draw/redraw opener and started the 20-lapper on the pole. He quickly took charge as Brandon Savage and Ryan Cook pursued. Rich Smith, Brandon Banks and Jeff Waterman also joined the battle for the runner-up position while Cale pulled away from the pack.

As Cale extended his lead, defending track champion Josh Foster worked through the field from a fifth row starting spot. He ran both the high and low grooves, making his way through traffic and into the runner-up spot late in the event. Cale, however, proved to be too strong out front on his way to the impressive win. Foster ran second ahead of Cook, Banks and Waterman.

A trio of drivers spent time at the front of the 15-lap IMCA Stock Car feature, but when the checkers waved it was John Oliver Jr. taking the opening night win. From his pole position start in the 14-car field, Oliver settled in behind fellow front row starter Jake Wenig. Wenig paced the field while Oliver and second row starters Jeff Mueller and Jim Redmann gave chase.

Wenig went high in turns three and four early in the event and clipped the guardrail, which resulted in a flat tire on his #4. Oliver then took over the top spot and was quickly challenged by Mueller at the front. That duo offered a thrilling side-by-side battle at the front of the pack, with Oliver holding the edge when the caution flag waved at the race's midway point. During that stoppage, Mueller exited to the pit area with mechanical problems.

When racing resumed, Oliver pulled away from the pack to score the victory ahead of Redmann and Jason Cook. Jeremy Pundt and Corey Strothman rounded out the top five.

Once he got out front, Tony Dunker wasn't to be denied as he took the win in the 15-lap IMCA SportMod main event. Dunker and pole-sitter Rick Barlow Jr. led the field to green with Dunker receiving early pressure from Philip Cossel out front.

Cossel's fellow third-row starter Chris Larson and John Oliver Jr. joined the fray in a challenge for position while Dunker worked to extend his lead. As his pursuers battled for position, defending track champion Jim Gillenwater was making an impressive run through traffic. After mechanical problems forced him to an early exit from his heat race, Gillenwater started the feature last on the 20-car grid.

By the midway point of the event, Gillenwater worked his #10 into the top five and quickly reeled in Cossel, Oliver and Larson in a four-car battle for second. With Dunker comfortably out front, the four drivers chasing him ran in close formation, swapping positions throughout the second half of the event. Larson worked the high side of the smooth, fast 3/8-mile oval, while the rest of the quartet ran down low.

While his challengers battled each other for position, Dunker ran uncontested out front to take the impressive win. Cossel held on for second with Larson driving the high line to third. Although he challenged Cossel for second earlier in the race, Gillenwater settled for fourth at the line. Oliver completed the top five.

Chuck Fullenkamp came from a third row starting spot to top the 11-car field in the IMCA Sport Compact feature. He made a quick charge to the front, then held off persistent challenges from defending Wild Things track champion Darin Smith to score the win in the 12-lapper. Kimberly Abbott made her way past Robert Thompson late in the event to steal third. This is the first season in Donnellson that the four-cylinder division is sanctioned with IMCA.

The IMCA sanction is also new to the Hobby Stock division at Lee County. Despite the low turn-out in that division, the trio of cars that took the green flag in that feature provided for an entertaining nightcap. Dustin Griffiths scored the win in that 10-lapper, fighting off constant, furious challenges from Andrew Hustead. Michael Wenke completed the field. Although John Oliver Sr. signed in and was on the track for hot laps, he scratched from all events.

Even though the weather was questionable throughout the night, it was great to finally get the season underway in Donnellson. I know a number of people were questioning the decision to race on Friday night, considering the weather and the fact that nearly every other track in the region canceled. A shout out goes to Dave and Von Sapp, the new management at LCS, along with promoter Dewain Hulett for going through with the program in less than ideal conditions. I look forward to spending my Friday nights on the mic in southeast Iowa.

As long as Mother Nature cooperates tomorrow, I'll be heading back north to Independence Motor Speedway for the Burco Sales Season Opener at the Buchanan County Fairgrounds. A lot of new and exciting changes are in store for race fans in northeast Iowa and I hope we can get the ball rolling tomorrow night. On Sunday, I'll be back at Benton County Speedway in Vinton for weekly points night number two. I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thanks for reading.