Elston tops IMCA Late Model opener at Lee County

By Brian Neal 

DONNELLSON, Iowa (May 29) – Opening night IMCA Sunoco Late Model honors belonged to Tommy Elston Friday at Pepsi Lee County Speedway. 

Ron Boyse and Elston led the field to green, with Boyse edging out Elston by a nose at the line to lead the first of 20 laps. 

But Elston used the momentum off the top of the track to grab the lead away from Boyse on lap two. Denny Woodworth, who started fifth, slipped past Boyse on lap three to take over the runner-up spot and from there Woodworth tried to stay in Elston’s tire tracks.

The race stayed green and Elston cruised to his first win of the season. Woodworth was second and Nick Marolf third.                                                                                                    

Michael Long was the IMCA Modified winner, getting the best of Mark Burgtorf in a back-and-forth bat­tle over the final circuits. Jason Cook got the lead back on the 14th of 18 IMCA Sunoco Stock Car laps and held off John Oliver Jr. coming out of the final turn for the W. 

Defending national champion Tyler Soppe was fastest in a field of 24 Karl Kustoms Northern SportMods and Brandon Reu pulled away late in leading the Mach-1 Sport Compacts to the check­ered flag. 

Despite the more than two inches of rain that fell on the grounds Thursday, the track crew did an amazing job to provide drivers with a smooth and fast racing surface.