Aikey scores 51st Deery Series win during "Dirt at the Downs"

I made the trip south to Hawkeye Downs Speedway in Cedar Rapids for the first time in two years for the annual visit of the Deery Brothers Summer Series for I.M.C.A. Late Models. Joining the Late Models in the "Dirt at the Downs" special were I.M.C.A. Stock Cars, I.M.C.A. SportMods, I.M.C.A. Hobby Stocks and Hornets.

Seventeen Late Models signed in to compete, however only 16 started the 35-lap feature. Terry Neal suffered engine problems during practice and appeared to be done for the night. Rick Dralle, however, offered a gesture of sportsmanship and loaned his car to Neal for the night's events.

Dralle's offer paid off for Neal as he took the early lead from his pole position start. Neal, Jeff Aikey and Jason Frankel made it a three-car breakaway from the pack in the early going before Aikey shot to the inside of Neal at the completion of lap four.

Aikey cleared Neal one lap later to take over the top spot, extending his lead to multiple car-lengths in quick fashion. His lead slowly disappeared when the leaders entered lapped traffic on the 12th circuit. Just a handful of laps later, at the midway point of the event, Aikey's lead evaporated when the leaders approached a line of seven backmarkers.

Aikey made his way under the #73 of Greg Kastli as Frankel pulled onto his rear bumper. Aikey held onto the lead as he struggled to make his way around the lapped car of T.J. Criss. With only two laps to go, Aikey cleared Criss to drive to the victory, his fourth career series win at Hawkeye Downs and 51st overall. The victory in the caution-free event extended his series points lead over second-running Frankel. Frankel ran second in the feature, as well, ahead of Neal, Ray Guss and Rob Toland.

In the 10-car Stock Car feature, Greg Hentrich took command at the drop of the green and never looked back to score his first win in the division. Hentrich held off heavy pressure from Brian Beatty to take the victory in the caution-free 25-lapper. Cory Houdek, David Ballstaedt and Chad Siems rounded out the top five.

Aric Becker earned his first trip to the winner's circle this season in the 15-lap SportMod main event. At the drop of the green, Becker took command from his outside front row starting spot to drive to the victory ahead of Blake Carson and Scott Kositzky in the eight-car event. Creston Williams and Jonny Williams completed the top five.

Jeff Franks made his way under race leader Shaun Myers on the third lap of the 20-lap Hobby Stock feature. Franks led the field into lapped traffic with only five laps remaining, then held off a hard-charging Gary Pfantz to score his fourth straight win in the division in another feature that did not see a yellow flag. Points leader Scott Siems finished third ahead of Myers and Nathan Ballard in the 10-car field.

Twenty-four Hornets signed in to compete on the 1/4-mile oval. Brogan Fiala took the lead on the third of 20 laps to drive to the win. It was the 15-year-old's second win of the season. Brian Franks chased Fiala to the checkers.

Although the car count was lower than desired, race fans were able to see some good, close, competitive racing and be on the road home at an early hour as the final checkered flag waved at 9 p.m. The night also provided non-regulars at the Hawkeye Downs asphalt the opportunity to see a handful of divisions generally seen competing on dirt tracks.