Donahue Learns from the Masters

Wildwood’s Kevin Donahue took everything he learned after competing in last week’s Champion Racing Oil Master of the Pro’s 144 presented by Empire Energy special event as the 21 year took the lead from Terry Limberopolous on lap 5 and never looked back in grabbing his first O’Reilly Auto Parts Pro Late Model feature of 2016. Donahue became the 5th different 2016 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series PRO Late Model winner in action Saturday night at the “High-Banks” of the Lebanon I-44 Speedway.

 

The caution free 30 lap feature had Limberopolous grab the opening lead from his pole position from outside front row competitor Brennon Willard at the start as Donahue quickly followed. Point’s runner-up Brian Brown wasted no time in charging to 3rd spot keeping pace with the lead duo. The tight 3 car battle became 4 as point leader Jake Griffin joined the lead pack battle. Eyes were also on the back of the starting pack as 2-time champion Mike Slone was working from his 13th starting spot. On lap 5, Donahue worked to the inside of Limberopolous and grabbed the lead while Brown followed suit. Keeping pace with the leader, Brown would find Griffin glued to his bumper in a torrid battle for position as Donahue pulled away while the race for 5th spot included Willard, Kyle Donahue, a fast moving Slone and Joe Ross. With Donahue setting a quick pace, the battle for 2nd spot lasted for 12 laps between Brown and Griffin until Griffin finally made the pass for 2nd place. That placed the race for 4th between Limberopolous and Slone. Slone grabbed the spot on lap 22 and set his sights on Brown in which he charged to the third position on lap 26. As the checkered flew it was Donahue with a dominant win followed by Griffin, Slone, Brown and early leader Limberopolous.

 

“We had an issue with the car bottoming out early this season, but found the problem while competing last week in the Masters. It seemed as if everything went right tonight. We were 2nd quick in the final practice behind Mike and figured starting in row 2 we better get to the front quickly. Terry really ran strong those early laps and Brown was quick early also” said the excited winner. Qualifying heats went to Slone and Brown.

 

Defending Modified Champion Tim Swearengin started from the pole and never looked back in leading all 20 laps of the feature making it 4 consecutive feature wins. Ricky Icenhower would again finish in the 2nd position from the back of the pack, getting as close as 5 car lengths but never got close enough to challenge. Terry Taylor, Jimmy Poindexter and Brian Lewis followed the winner to the finish. Icenhower captured the heat race of the night.

 

Hoosier Tire Street Stock action saw opening night winner Michael Juergensen show the way in the 15 lap feature to grab his 2nd win of the season. Juergensen grabbed the opening lead from Nick Cherry as defending champion Jordan Nisbett, point leader Justin Allen, and Mopar driver Aaron Wilke followed. Juergensen was setting a fast pace and that helped the competition make several mistakes. The 1st caution flew on lap 5 as point leader Allen spun while racing for second place with Nisbett. On the restart, Juergensen had the car smooth in the corners as Nisbett and Wilke challenged. On lap 8, Nisbett spun trying to get under Juergensen bunching the field-up as Wilke now was running in 2nd place. A lap 11 caution flew for Allen who had his Ford coming through the field as he and Wilke were running hard. Juergensen who had found a bad ball joint on the car during the week would hold off the pack as Nisbett, Allen, Wilke and Cherry followed the winner. Heats went to Nisbett and Allen.

 

Coca-Cola Charger action saw another new winner as Jesse Poindexter would lead all 12 laps in the caution free event but not without several challenges. Poindexter got the opening lead from pole setter Nik Taylor to take the lead. With side by side action in the entire pack, Justin Gantt was on the move by lap 3 and on lap 4 was right on Pointdexter’s back bumper until a brush with the wall ended his charge and out of the action for the night. Nik Taylor and uncle Ronnie Taylor closed ground quickly to challenge while point leader Jerry Ellis was in a battle with Japheth Nisbett, Billy Taylor, James Ellis and 11 year old Ty Allison. Poindexter would hold off Ronnie Taylor’s charges in taking his first win of the season with R. Taylor, N. Taylor, Jerry Ellis and Nisbett completing the top 5. Qualifying heats went to Poindexter, R. Taylor and Nisbett.

 

“We had to rush tonight’s show to get it in for the fans and racers with sprinkles a few times during features and rain on the radar at Lake of the Ozarks heading our way but our racers did a great job working with us to get the show in. ” said General Manager Kevin Greven.

Sportsman action saw Ben Newell grab the lead from Jake Piel in taking his 2nd win of the season. Piel stayed steady to bring home his car to second place after severe damage was suffered 2 weeks ago as point leader Jimmy Fohn completed the top 3. Piel captured the heat race win.

 

Action continues Saturday night May 28th with Military Appreciation night as both active and retired Military along with family dependents with Military ID will be admitted free in the grandstand. Gates will open at 5PMwith Racing to start at 6PM.

 

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