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Bill Martin
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 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 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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