Independence Motor Speedway
Neal tops Toland for Independence victory
INDEPENDENCE, Iowa (July 1) — Terry Neal of Ely, Iowa, didn’t let lapped traffic delay his charge back to the front of Wednesday’s Deery Brothers Summer Series feature field at Independence Motor Speedway. Making his move after Rob Toland of Davenport, Iowa, got caught behind a back runner just after midway of the 50-lapper, Neal sped around both cars and led to the checkers in winning the IMCA Late Model event.
The $2,000 victory was the 18th of Neal’s tour career. He’s now tied with Toland for the fifth spot on the all-time series wins list. Toland ended in second, posting his best finish of the series season despite a broken left thumb, an injury sustained during the rain-interrupted Deery program at West Union last month that necessitated a cast up to his elbow.
Consolation-transferring Jason Frankel of Quincy, Ill., moved up 17 positions from his original starting spot and finished third. Ray Guss Jr. of Milan, Ill, and series point leader Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, who also qualified from a consolation, rounded out the top five.
Toland started outside row one and led the first seven circuits before the only caution of the contest came out. The ninth-starting Neal took over following the restart. Frankel moved into the top four on lap 20, just as Toland shuffled Neal back to second.
Lapped cars came into the equation soon after and gave Neal the chance to move back in front. Frankel was briefly in second before giving way to Toland, who was half a straightaway behind Neal when the checkers came out.
Next up on the tour schedule is a July 8 event at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway, when the Deery Series headlines night two of the Harris Clash special.
Deery Brothers @ Independence: (1) Terry Neal, (2) Rob Toland, (3) Jason Frankel, (4) Ray Guss Jr., (5) Jeff Aikey, (6) Jay Johnson, (7) Chad Lerch, (8) Joe Zrostlik, (9) Jon Merfeld, (10) Curt Martin, (11) Tyler Bruening, (12) Luke Goedert, (13) Justin Kay, (14) Rick Dralle, (15) Bryan Klein, (16) Boone McLaughlin, (17) Travis Smock, (18) Jason Hahne, (19) T.J. Criss, (20) Darrel DeFrance, (21) Greg Kastli, (22) Mike Garland, (23) Darren Ackerman, (24) Jon Passick. Heat race winners: Criss, Drale, Neal, Guss. Consolation winners: McLaughlin, Aikey.
