DONNELLSON, Iowa — Two Burlington area drivers and longtime Sprint Invader regulars, Cody Wehrle and Josh Schneiderman, waged a torrid battle for the lead through most of Friday night’s 25-lap main event at Lee County Speedway.
In the end, Schneiderman claimed the victory.
Starting from the pole in the 21-car field, Schneiderman used the bottom line around the three-eighths-mile facility to hold the early lead only to have Wehrle, who had started second, sweep around him on lap four.
Schneiderman would stay close though while two-time series champion Chris Martin closed in looking to make it a three-car battle for the lead. While the lead trio kept most of the crowds’ attention, two drivers were making big runs up through the field as well.
National Sprint Car Hall of Fame member Terry McCarl had started 16th and by lap eight he had already cracked the top five, while right behind him, Chase Randall was making another big charge as well after starting from the inside of row seven.
Randall had won the Sprint Invaders opener five days earlier at 34 Raceway when he rallied from 16th.
The lead duo had other ideas though as when the green flag waved again the track quickly took rubber and the speeds picked up with still two or three lines to choose from.
Schneiderman would pull even with Wehrle on lap twelve and the leaders looked like slot cars racing around the smooth black surface just inches apart for nearly two full laps.
Josh would take the lead for good with ten laps remaining and after he put a couple of lapped cars between himself and Wehrle, that would close the deal for Schneiderman’s first win of 2022.
Wehrle chased him home in second, Randall maintains the early season point lead with his third-place run, while McCarl finished fourth.
The finish:
1. Josh Schneiderman, West Burlington (1) 2. Cody Wehrle, Burlington (2) 3. Chase Randall, Waco TX (13) 4. Terry McCarl, Altoona (16) 5. Riley Goodno, Knoxville (5) 6. Bret Tripplett, Lincoln IL (3) 7. Austin McCarl, Altoona (12) 8. Randy Martin, California MO (8) 9. Ryan Jamison, Mediapolis (6) 10. Chase Porter, St. Joseph MO (11) 11. Kaley Gharst, Decatur IL (7) 12. Colton Fisher, Mediapolis (20) 13. Cam Martin, Ankeny (18) 14. Jamie Ball, Knoxville (9) 15. Tanner Gebhardt, Burlington (21) 16. Devin Wignall, Altoona (10) 17. Dustin Clark, Agency (15) 18. Daniel Bergquist, Burlington (14) 19. Austin Miller, Lacona (17) 20. Tyler Lee, Cedar Rapids (19) 21. Chris Martin, Ankeny (4)