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Aikey takes emotional Deery win at Southern Iowa Speedway
OSKALOOSA, Iowa (July 22) – The trophy presentation that followed Jeff
Aikey’s 49th career Deery Brothers Summer Series victory was accompanied by
plenty of smiles and not a few tears.
Aikey started on the pole and led all 35 laps of the IMCA Late Model tour
event Wednesday night at Southern Iowa Speedway, taking the $2,000 checkers
a straightaway in front of runner-up Tommy Elston.
The Oskaloosa win came less than a week after Aikey’s mother Anne was
hospitalized following a stroke.
“This was an emotional night for us. My mom hardly misses a race,” the
five-time series champion and current point leader said. “It was a pretty
special win and I’ve told my crew that we’re not done. We’re going to get
more.”
Jason Frankel moved up seven spots, taking third place from Boone McLaughlin
on the final circuit. Jay Johnson was fifth.
The only cautions of the contest came out early, on the first and fourth
laps. Ray Guss Jr. got into the wall on lap four and was able to continue,
but struggled home in 18th to fall further off the grueling points pace set
by Aikey and Frankel.
Aikey caught up with the back of the field by lap 12. Elston lost ground in
traffic while Frankel made a steady advance, into fifth on lap 25 and into
fourth on lap 31.
Series rookie of the year contender Justin Kay also moved up seven spots, to
ninth.
The win was Aikey’s Deery career fourth at Oskaloosa and his first since
June 19, 2007 at Marshalltown.
Three races in as many nights are on tap next week for the series, on July
28 at I-35 Speedway in Mason City, on July 29 at Highway 3 Raceway in
Allison and on July 30 at Jackson County Speedway in Maquoketa.
Feature results –
1. Jeff Aikey, Waterloo;
2. Tommy Elston, Keokuk;
3. Jason Frankel, Quincy, Ill.;
4. Boone McLaughlin, Mediapolis;
5. Jay Johnson, West Burlington;
6. Rob Toland, Davenport;
7. Fred Remley, Davenport;
8. Terry Neal, Ely;
9. Justin Kay, Wheatland;
10. T.J. Criss, Oskaloosa;
11. Todd Cooney, Des Moines;
12. Joe Zrostlik, Long Grove;
13. Craig Roberts, Des Moines;
14. Greg Kastli, Waterloo;
15. Ryan Giles, West Des Moines;
16. Bryan Klein, Cedar Rapids;
17. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake;
18. Ray Guss Jr., Milan, Ill.;
19. Bobby Hansen, Center Point;
20. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown.
1st heat (top four) – 1. Frankel; 2. McLaughlin; 3. Remley; 4. DeFrance.
2nd heat – 1. Neal; 2. Johnson; 3. Elston; 4. Aikey.
3rd heat – 1. Criss; 2. Cooney; 3. Toland; 4. Guss.
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