Iowa State Fair Speedway
Aikey captures Deery victory in Des Moines
DES MOINES, Iowa (Aug. 12) — All-time winningest series driver Jeff Aikey of Cedar Falls, Iowa, turned in another blue ribbon-worthy performance at the Iowa State Fairgrounds Speedway, leading all 35 laps of Monday's Deery Brothers Summer Series main event.
Aikey started outside pole for the IMCA Late Model tour feature and primarily ran the top side of the half-mile oval to take the $3,000 checkers ahead of home-state drivers Justin Kay of Wheatland, Joel Callahan of Dubuque, series points leader Brian Harris of Davenport and Todd Cooney of Des Moines. The victory was the career-leading 59th for Aikey, the seven-time and defending series champion.
While four yellow flags waved before midway, the second half of the race ran caution-free. Kay stayed close and joined Aikey in lapped traffic over the final five circuits, finally falling off the pace and crossing the stripe six lengths behind.
Callahan closed the gap on both before ending in third while Harris’ fourth place finish was his worst in 12 series outings this season. Cooney improved seven positions from his original starting spot to challenge Harris before rounding out the top five and earning hard charger honors.
Notes: Aikey’s No. 77 is sponsored by Larry Fleck & Son Trucking, Steinfeldt Interior & Exterior Painting and BSB Mfg. ... Aikey had won five previous Deery events at Des Moines, most recently in 2009. ... Series ironman Darrel DeFrance won the $250 Sunoco Race Fuels feature qualifier drawing. ... Five events remain on the 2013 schedule, the next being Sept. 2 at Boone (Iowa) Speedway on opening night of the IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s.
Deery Brothers @ Iowa State Fair: (1) Jeff Aikey, (2) Justin Kay, (3) Joel Callahan, (4) Brian Harris, (5) Todd Cooney, (6) Spencer Diercks, (7) Andy Eckrich, (8) Jay Johnson, (9) Tommy Elston, (10) Nate Beuseling, (11) Craig Jacobs, (12) Paul Glendenning, (13) Darrel DeFrance, (14) Ryan Giles, (15) Kurt Kile, (16) Curt Schroeder, (17) Dan Shelliam, (18) Rob Moss, (19) Ron Boyse, (20) Jeremy Grady, (21) Jason Hahne, (22) Jason Utter, (23) Josh Most, (24) Rick Dralle, (25) Ben Nading, (26) Ryan Griffith. Heat race winners (among 26 cars): Aikey, Kay, DeFrance.
