From IMCA – BOONE, Iowa (Sept. 8) – Even after 30-plus years in the sport, Jeff Aikey is still finding ways to make dirt track racing history.
Aikey became the first driver to win six career IMCA Speedway Motors Super Nationals fueled by Casey’s championships, running away with Thursday night’s Deery Brothers Summer Series Late Model main event.
The Boone Speedway victory came by a straightaway over Joel Callahan and paid $2,420, an amount that included the Speedway Motors Weekly Racing bonus.
“This place just clicks for me. I just know how to get around here,” said Aikey, who passed Callahan for he lead following a lap 14 restart and stayed in front to the end of the 50-lapper. “Winning is getting better. The older you get, the better the wins get.”
Thursday’s checkers also extended his Super Nationals record to four consecutive titles. Aikey has won 68 tour features and trails Tyler Bruening by a single point going into finale for the 30th annual series finale Sept. 23-24 at West Liberty Raceway.
Ben Seemann drew the pole but it was Callahan grabbing the initial lead from his outside front row starting spot. Callahan had caught up to the back of the field before a lap 12 caution.
Justin Kay drove off under yellow. Aikey passed Jason Rauen for second two laps later and began to check out, running with lapped traffic for most of the last 30 circuits as the race stayed green.
Callahan was a distant second, with Rauen, Bruening and Joe Zrostlik completing the top five.
Luke Pestka was the $300 Malvern Trust and Savings Bank non-qualifier dash for cash winner. Bruening pocketed the $250 Sunoco Race Fuels feature qualifier drawing prize.
Darrel DeFrance competed in his 466th consecutive Deery event, a total that includes 27 Super Nationals shows. Aikey’s latest win came in his 19th start at Super Nationals.
“I should have had two or three more wins here. There were some years when I was running second to Ray Guss Jr.,” said Aikey, not showing the effects of a collar bone broken in an ATV accident earlier this summer. “We’re excited about going to West Liberty.”
IMCA Late Models
A-Main 01 — 1. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls; 2. Joel Callahan, Dubuque Ia, ; 3. Jason Reuen, Farley; 4. Tyler Bruening, Decorah; 5. Joe Zrostlik, Long Grove; 6. Chad Holladay, Muscatine; 7. Todd Cooney, Des Moines; 8. Ray Gus, Jr., Milan, Ill.; 9. Ben Seemann, Waterloo; 10. Ryan Dolan, Batavia; 11. Matt Ryan, Davenport; 12. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 13. Ryan Griffith, Webster City; 14. Scott Fitzpatrick, Cedar Falls; 15. Jerry King, Waterloo; 16. Curt Schroeder, Newton; 17. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake; 18. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown; 19. Richie Gustin, 3283 325th ST; 20. Corey Zeitner, Omaha, Neb.; 21. Josh Most, Red Oak; 22. John Emerson, Waterloo; 23. Justin Kay, Wheatland; 24. Luke Goedert, Guttenberg.
B-Main 01 — 1. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake; 2. Matt Ryan, Davenport; 3. John Emerson, Waterloo; 4. Luke Goedert, Guttenberg; 5. Corey Zeitner, Omaha, Neb.; 6. Scott Fitzpatrick, Cedar Falls; 7. Curt Schroeder, Newton; 8. Luke Pestka, Robbins; 9. Doug McCollough, Webster City; 10. Shane DeMey, Dennison; 11. Kirby Schultz, Albia.
B-Main 02 — 1. Chad Holladay, Muscatine; 2. Josh Most, Red Oak; 3. Ray Gus, Jr., Milan, Ill.; 4. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 5. Jerry King, Waterloo; 6. Jon Passick, Waterloo; 7. Mike Smith, Newton; 8. Eric Sanders, Sherrard, Ill.; 9. Jake Neal, Omaha, Neb.; 10. Travis Hanson, Swansboro, N.C..
Heat 01 — 1. Darrel DeFrance, Marshalltown; 2. Richie Gustin, 3283 325th ST; 3. Joe Zrostlik, Long Grove; 4. Matt Ryan, Davenport; 5. Luke Goedert, Guttenberg; 6. John Emerson, Waterloo; 7. Curt Schroeder, Newton; 8. Kirby Schultz, Albia; 9. Scott Fitzpatrick, Cedar Falls.
Heat 02 — 1. Justin Kay, Wheatland; 2. Jeff Aikey, Cedar Falls; 3. Todd Cooney, Des Moines; 4. Charlie McKenna, Clear Lake; 5. Shane DeMey, Dennison; 6. Luke Pestka, Robbins; 7. Doug McCollough, Webster City; 8. Corey Zeitner, Omaha, Neb..
Heat 03 — 1. Joel Callahan, Dubuque Ia, ; 2. Jason Reuen, Farley; 3. Ryan Dolan, Batavia; 4. Chad Holladay, Muscatine; 5. Josh Most, Red Oak; 6. Ray Gus, Jr., Milan, Ill.; 7. Eric Sanders, Sherrard, Ill.; 8. Travis Hanson,
Heat 04 — 1. Ryan Griffith, Webster City; 2. Ben Seemann, Waterloo; 3. Tyler Bruening, Decorah; 4. Jerry King, Waterloo; 5. Cayden Carter, Oskaloosa; 6. Jon Passick, Waterloo; 7. Jake Neal, Omaha, Neb.; 8. Mike Smith, Newton.
Trophy Dash 01 — 1. Luke Pestka, Robbins; 2. Jon Passick, Waterloo; 3. Kirby Schultz, Albia; 4. Shane DeMey, Dennison; 5. Doug McCollough, Webster City; 6. Mike Smith, Newton.